Cold Turkey.

[carrust]

I'm currently looking after my 26 year old nephew who is trying to come-off heroin. He's been a non-injecting user for about 2 yrs, however,he's smoked dope & tried most other drugs from being 14.

At the moment he's on day 4 of his detox, so most of the shaking & hot sweats have disappeared. But the craving hasn't. He's also suffering from insomnia & loss of appetite.

I've been to loads of websites dedicated to coming-off heroin & was wondering if any AB'ers have any experience of helping someone kick heroin

Any advice no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated.

[crete]

i cant be of much use to you im afraid but i wish you lots of luck and commend for what you are doing

[carrust]

Thanks for that crete. It's been the longest 4 days of my life!

[wonderwoman1]

Hi carrust,

Sorry, like crete i can't offer any advice but i admire you for what you are doing and my thoughts are with you and your nephew and i hope you are successful.

xxxx

[joby1]

Not sure how good this link is to you, but its probably a step in the right direction, Good luck x

http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/thedetoxg uide.htm

[joby1]

forgot to say, knew someone years ago that took 3 lots of cold turkey before he eventually kicked it for good, he also tried with methadone but failed miserably. good luck again. x

[crete]

joby good site hope it helps carrust

[carrust]

Top site joby....for both of us...thankyou.

[noxlumos]

I kicked drugs nearly ten years ago now and he really will just have to keep at it. I still, ten years on, suffer from appallling insomnia and have never slept for more than three or four hours in any given night although you do actually get used to this, but it seems to be my lingering problem. Be there for him, be there for him and be there for him some more. This was the way I did it and if it hadn't been for my wife I'd have killed myself round about days 3-7. After that it got very steadily easier as my noradrenaline levels started to drop ( excercise helps with the overstimulation that causes, if he can stand it).
I would say that he needs to be dealing with any emotional problems etc that lead him to take drugs in the first place or he'll end up back on them pronto as they leave a yawning gap in your life once you are not a user that fills with everything they've been numbing for years so expect some emotional repercussions too. I was a foul person when I was using drugs and suddenly I was hit by this wave of guilt and remorse that was engulfing, so watch for emotional breakdown if he's done some things he's none too proud of or is from an abused background etc.
It is possible to do and once he's past the third week he'll really be so much more in control, but keep him clear of his past associations if you can, as they'll try to lure him back.If he's at the point where he genuinely wants this, then he'll do it. Just be there for him to offer your support.Give him my very best wishes.

[larkin]

sorry carrust - I'm no good either at offering advice on this. Dabbled purely in recreational drugs in my younger days and fortunately never went further.
I wish you all the luck in the world. xx

[joby1]

Nox, it was the guilt my friend suffered from, and he explained that the drugs made it easier to cope with. But he only had elderley parents and a couple of good friends and he used to lie to both, which is why he went back 3 or 4 times before we cottoned on. We then really watched him like a hawk. I last saw him about about 18 months ago, single, still clean and very happy! (BTW this all happened about 1986). x

[carrust]

Many thanks for all your advice and messages of support. I'm having a respite day, while another relation looks after him. This will give me a chance to clean the house up a bit.. he was violently sick several times. Do some washing...he sh1t the bed twice, & generally get my life back in order before he comes back tomorrow...Who said that drugs were glamorous ?

[crete]

keep going your doing a great job.