Helping Someone Come Off Opiates

[llama112]

I'm trying to help a friend come off heroin. He previously withdrew and was successful and it was the worst couple weeks ever. Anyway he got addicted again, this time for only a month or so. So he ran out and is withdrawing. However, he wants to take away all the pain when he's withdrawing so he does a ton of benzos and ketamine. This makes him black out and go crazy and I have to look after him nonstop. The same thing happened last time and I told him what it did to me (I have bad anxiety and it makes me crazy). I don't really think I'm a bad person for wanting HIM to handle the withdrawals. A couple benzos to reduce the withdrawals, okay. But not constantly blacking out. It's very dangerous for him. He's been in blackout mode for three days. I don't know what else I can do to help him. I want him to sober up so I can have an actual conversation with him but he keeps sneaking things. It sounds like he is an awful person - the heroin and the benzo+ketamine combo DOES make him an awful person but he's actually a really awesome person normally which is why I am going to help him no matter what. I just wish he wouldn't black out and forget everything that happened and put me in so much pain. He went back to it, I don't want it to be torture for him going through withdrawals, but he shouldn't be basically giving all the pain to me just so he feels better. He needs to handle it himself.

Any advice at all that I can do?

***addition
He also won't tell anyone except two other friends. We are all basically best friends. They have been supportive as well. I had a three day weekend this weekend to get over my SSRI withdrawals (FML) but I'm going to have to go back to work soon like a normal person and I won't be able to be there 24/7 to make sure he doesn't hurt himself.

He also can't take a ton of time off work. I need to find a program or therapist for him to go to after this (he has depression). But I wish there was something else that I could do instantly.

 

[w0w0mg]

Hey there.
Trying to help your friend sounds like it's been really tough, and I'm so sorry that you have to go thru that.
The key thing here though is he must WANT to stop using, or it's just going to be a vicious cycle.
It sounds like to me, he is going wayyyyy over board on the substances to try to minimize withdrawals.

He needs to stop doing the K , IMO and just stick with some benzos. Try to see if he can get in a methadone or suboxone program.
Honestly, the best thing you can do is focus on you.
If he does not want the help, pushing him won't help at all. You will end up resenting him eventually, and your friendship will diminish.
Addiction is horrible. I know first hand from experience that it ruins relationships.
My best advice to you is try to get him IVC in the hospital if he wont go willingly to a detox facility. I promise you, he will thank you later.
He qualifies for IVC because he is at risk of harming himself and others. I would contact mobile crisis (if you have one in your area) or if you must
call the police and explain the situation. They will take him to the hospital and he will get this treatment he needs.
Much love to you, I hope everything works out.

 

[neversickanymore]

Hey llama.. hope your well lady!

Approached correctly they will have quite a few things to plan for. All aspects should be done before detox starts imo. One side would be the detox. medications can make this much easier.

medications for acute opiate detox

The medications I would explore the use of for detox would be:
>Clonidine< DOSED EVER FOUR HOURS..

one of either
>NEURONTIN< >HERE< >HERE< >here<
OR >Lyrica<
OR >phenibut<

>A BENZO BUT JUST AT NIGHT<
>a nsaid<
>melatonin<
tylenol
Senokot S is a stool softener and laxative. If you do not want the laxative you can go for strait stool softenerDioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate.

(Opi Withdrawal) what is the best comfort meds for opiate w/d?

Your Personal Opiate Withdrawal Arsenal

 

[namnoc16]

neversickanymores list of meds is great and much better then k and benzos(Neurontin is good substitute for benzos) but I'd also add lopermide in there. I know many people are against it but if taking reasonable doses(step down) it will greatly decrease wds including my fav the RLS. Lopermide has a bad rap because asshole take it in 100mg doses trying to get high and eventually this leads to heart problems. If taken say starting dose 20 mgs a day and constantly taper there should be no negative issues and this over the counter med helps a lot.
You are a good friend to stand by a sick person that I'm sure needs the support! I hope the second ties the charm and him as well as you can get on with life,dope is such a waste!