These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as
recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is
always advised to consult their own physician.
[posted 05/17/2000]
Question: I am addicted to Vicodin and Dexidrine. I take 15 7.5mg Vicodin per day adn 1 10-20mg Dexidrine caplet a day. My question is I prefer to do an outpatient detox is their a protocol that has proven effective for outpatient detox? Also I have heard talk about a pain patch that may sooth the pain of withdrawl? Your comments please.
Answer: They all vary by detox center and their philosophy. The patch you refer to is probably clonidine, available as a TTS system and helps many drug withdrawals. Whether the detox center uses them is very individual.
[posted 02/5/2000]
Question: i am addicted to buprenorphine inj. 2ml"10ampules a day.i have been for 2 years and the dose is increasing.please suggest the repurcussions.
i am leaving my country and will it be advisable to go without curing this.
i also wanna know is this detectable in the routine blood and urine tests and will it be detected if i restrain for a few days(how many days) or how many days it takes it to clear from your body after stopping it.
please advice soon as it is important.i wanna be out of it and start a life so please suggest the remedies and will it be dangerous stopping it without consulting someone or without medical attention
Answer: You would be best advised to see a drug rehabilition specialist.
[posted 12/1/1999]
Question: I have been abusing valium and vicodin for the past year. I've
been taking one or the other, and in some cases both together over
this period of time. I reached a point where I would take up to two
of each at a time and consume alcohol as well. I have no medical
reason for taking either of these drugs. I didn't think that I
had a problem until I decided to "take the weekend off" from the
use of both. On the second day of abstinence, I started to have
what I thought were flu like symptoms, neausea, diahrea, tiredness,
inability to sleep, loss of appetite. Are these symptoms of withdrawal?
What are the withdrawal symptoms for these two drugs? How long will it
take me to get past these symptoms?
I tried weening myself off at first, but the symptoms persisted.
Maybe to a lesser degree. So, I decided to go "cold turkey." Its been
7 days now and I feel horrible. Still have all the same symptoms,
although they some times tend to come and go through out the day. I need
help! What's your recommedation?
Answer: Vicodin is a drug you can stop abruptly. Valium is not as seizures can result. However, you may be past this risk. Most of your symptoms are probably withdrawal. I'd contact a treatment facility to help you short and long term.
[posted 11/23/1999]
Question: how do I detox from heroine
Answer: Usually best at a detox center.
[posted 11/3/1999]
Question: I have been taking painkillers for 5-6 years. I take 10-20 lortabs (5,7.5,10mg) a day. Anywhere from 50mg-200mg of hydrocodone per day. I started taking these pills for back pain but now I feel like I have to take them to survive. I really dont need them for pain. This addiction has consumed my entire life. When I dont have pills, I spend all my time, trying to find some. If I go without pills, I get extremely irritable and my whole body hurts. Can you please help me get off this medication. I do not want to enter a rehab because of my job. Can I quit cold turkey? If so, what withdrawals can I expect, and how long will they last? Is there anything I can take to help with the withdrawals? I really want to quit, can you help? I would appreciate any advice that will help me overcome this addiction. Please e-mail me at [email protected] (my e-mail address is case sensitive). Thank you for the help!!!!
Answer: You really need to go to drug rehab, your job doesn't count compared to your life.
[posted 11/7/1999]
Question: Someone I know was in an accident over a year ago. Since then they have been abusing percocet, xanax, and ms contin. They take probably 30-40 percocets a day and 3 80mg ms contin tabs in the morning and many more later. They then take several xanax at night to go to sleep. All day long they are wired, EXTREMELY paranoid, and unbelievably moody. My question is, is it possible to overdose on these medications? Can someone die from this. They are also obese.
Answer: The percocets have acetaminophen and this amount a day can be toxic to the liver. These can be overdosed, but if the person is not sedated at their current usage, would only happen if they increased the dosage markedly. Tell them your concerns and try to get them into drug detox.
[posted 08/31/1999]
Question: I have been increasing concerned that I am becomeing addicted to butalbital. I know that there are times that I take it when plain aspirin would work, but the feeling of general relief from the butalbital is quite different. If I am addicted, can I just quit cold turkey? I do not take it every day, but do I need to taper off as I did with the effexor? I am feeling worried and guilty about all this and would apprecite some basic guidelines. thank you.
Answer: How many are you taking a week? If not taking it every day you could probably stop it cold. But, always safer with the barbiturates to taper.
[posted 11/3/1999]
Question: What is your recommendation for withdrawing from Dalmane? I have taken it since '75 at 30mg/nite.
Thank you.
Answer: You'll need to cut it back very, very slowly. Sudden stops can result in severe withdrawals including seizures. 20 mg for 2-3 weeks then 5 mg a night every 10 days to 2 weeks. The problem is getting the dosage down since the graduations are not this small but do the best you can.
[posted 08/24/1999]
Question: ANY SUCCESSFUL DRUG IN USE FOR TREATMENT OF COCAINE ADDICTION AVAILABLE IN THE US
Answer: Clonidine is sometimes helpful in the inital stages and some use SRI antidepressants depending on the patient. Most programs use nothing.
[posted 10/14/1999]
Question: Dear Doctor:
I experimented (translate: abused!) valium over a three month period ending mid to late July of this year. I am an obese
50 year old man. I have not taken Valium since, but occasionally (by perscription) Xanax for axiety or insomnia.
I got pills from an acquantence - probably took 30-40 blue tablets (5mg?)over a three month period to self medicate for insomnia and back pain from stress.
I just failed a drug screen on a urine sample taken September 8th. The report says positive for Benzodiazepines,
but negative for Alrazolam (Xanax). I have requested the actual test results from the company that did not hire me.
The initial drug screen showed positive for Benzodiazepines and then I believe they did a follow up gas chrometography (sp?)
to eliminate Xanax, which I mentioned I was taking to the MRO.
Someone told me that Valium, especially in the amount I consumed, can stay in the fat tissues for a long time.
Obviously, I am concerned about how long it will stay in my system, since all jobs offers seem to require a negative drug screen for illegal use of drugs.
Is there any way to accelerate the process of cleansing, and how long can I be "marked"?
Please respond soon, as I am desparate to find a new job! Would exercise or diet help? Should I get a blood test for liver function?
I consider myself a non drug abuser at this point, and have no desire to repeat my mistake.
Interestingly, I never sufferred any withdrawal from not using the Valium. Any comments on this?
Mike
Answer: These drugs, depending on sensitivity usually last 6 months, occasionally a year. Nothing will accelerate the process of elimination and your liver is probably normal.
[posted 08/18/1999]
Question: I've become addicted to oxycontin. Can you tell me what withdrawl symptoms I will experience when I quit? I know I can stop but I would like to know what I'm in for and how long it will last. Please help me with this info. Patiently waiting your reply.
Answer: Abdominal pain, sweats, headaches, waxing and waning sweats/chills. The duration is usually not more than 5-7 days depending on your current dosage and the length of time you have been taking them.
[posted 08/16/1999]
Question: I am a 17 year old male who is currently taking 150 mg/day of Zoloft
to treat depression and anxiety disorder. Just over the past
couple of months I have smoked marijuana and drank alcohol
while on Zoloft. I have read that Zoloft can increase
cravings for marijuana and or alcohol. I know this is no
excuse but i really felt drawn towards using these drugs
together. While taking these drugs at the same time I felt
slightly more of a high, which I know is due to the effect
that marijuana, alcohol and Zoloft have on seratonin and other
chemical levels in the brain. I know this is a stupid thing
to do and I don't plan on it anymore, but I am wondering if
I could have any long term effects from the few times that I
did do this, such as brain damage? or something serious
like that.
Answer: No.
[posted 10/12/1999]
Question: i would like to know if there would be any interaction problems with taking amphetamines while being on aropax. i have been on aropax for nearly 3 months now and have been taking speed every weekend for about 2 months now. i would like to know if there is any danger other than the obvious dangers which im well aware of, as i heard that both drugs effect the same chemical in the brain. so any help would be great as id like to know if theres going to be any long term critical effects. i know speed isnt the best for me but i would like to know the dangers of the two interacting.
Answer: There would be no way to predict this possible interaction without just observing, studies have not been done on dual drug interaction with illicit street drugs.
[posted 08/15/1999]
Question: Dear Doctor,
Two years ago I developed bursitis in both hips. I was prescribed Ultram for several months and recived cortisone shots in the hips. I also have recuring lower back pain.
The Ultram works wonderful, but I know that I am now taking it for the "Good" feeling it gives me also. I am too emabarassed to talk to my Doctor about this. I have actually been buying generic ultram off the internet because I dont want the Doctor to know I am feeling addicted to this drug and using it still.. I dont have any physical withdrawl symtoms when I run out of the drugs other than just wanting it to feel good. I am in a quandry.....The Ultram really keeps the pain away.....but I KNOW I am abusing it too! What should I do?
Thank You
Answer: This won't get better until you face the need to be off this drug. This is an addicting drug in most patients-similar to any other narcotic.
Trying to help a drug addicted friend
[posted 1/11/99]
Question: I have a friend who started taking Peridane (spelling?) and got to a
point where he was consuming several "street" purchased pills a day. He was in
and out of rehab for the problem, but the monkey is still on his back. I recently talked
to him and although he indicated that he is back in counselling and wants to beat this
thing, he told me he is now taking slow-release morphine (pills I assume). I would like to
know more about the dangers of this and what it can lead to? How strong an addiction is
this and what does your research indicate?
Answer: A morphine addiction is a morphine addiction. Slow release pills don't get the rise, but cause the same physical symptoms on withdrawal.
Xanax Detox [posted 11/5/98]
Question: I am currently under going an at home detox for Xanax. I was on 6 mg. per
day for the past 8 years. The DR. treating me has put me on, 30 mg of valium, 50 mg of
seroquel, and 40 mg of Prozac daily. I am on day 5, I am feeling some anxiety and panic,
(crawling skin, sleeplessness, etc.) My question is, how much longer should I expect these
symptoms to last, and I am now out of the woods, as far as having a seizure from
witdrawal??
Answer: I don't understand how you get detoxed from Xanax while using 30 mg of Valium, you will wind up addicted to Valium. The symptoms will be very individual based on your dependence duration and physical makeup.
Stadol Addiction [posted 10/8/98]
Question: Any new developments on the scheduling of Stadol NS? How does one get off
the drug once addiction sets in? Any local facilities in the Mid-Atlantic area that has
experience in detoxing Stadol NS users? Thank you.
Answer: I'm not sure what you are asking about the scheduling of Stadol. As to the addiction issue, any detox facility could handle Stadol.
Drug Withdrawl [posted 10/2/98]
Question: I would like to ask you a question about the above issue I have been
taking kolonpin for 7 years for really bad Anxiety and PTSD . The amount I'm taking is 16
mg. a week and would like to quit all together, but my Dr. dosent think its such a good
idea I'm concernd I'm hooked on them and am trying to go cold-turkey been 4 days so far
since last med. but still have a deep craving for them. Do you have any guilde lines I can
follow my Dr. is no help and other Dr.s tell me to go back to my own Dr. for help .
Answer: Slowly cut the dosage every week or so. Do not, repeat do not stop cold turkey on these drugs. Seizures can result-these ruin your whole day. By a slow taper, you will find if you need the drug to treat the anxiety disorder, which I suspect will be the case.
Improper Taking of Medications
Question: Is it true that thousands of people are hospitalized each year for taking
their meds improperly or not at all?
Answer: Correct.
Drug Cessation
Question: How do I quit smoking marijuana? I have been trying and cannot seem to
quit.
Answer: If you have tried several times and continue to use a drug you'd like to quit, you probably need to see a counselor in a drug treatment facility. They can aid you and give you special pointers.
Drug Abuse
Question: I used to take Desoxyn for ADHD. I was supposed to take 55 mg a day.
However, I was getting twice that amount by going to another doctor in another state.
Also, I was abusing this medication by taking about 500 mg daily, sometimes. On top of
that, I soaked the 10 mg and 15 mg gradument tablets in water and waited about eight
hours. I then proceded to inject it into my arm. I did this for about three years. I then
stopped on my own about two years ago. My doctors never knew what I was doing until I came
clean and said no more. However, I'm still afraid of damage I might have done to myself.
The substance I was injuecting in my arm was like sticky sap. Have you ever heard of this
before and what possible damage could I have done to my body? Could this have seriously
shortened my life?
Answer: Intravenous use of any drug can produce scarring and infections.
Realistically, the risk of infection ceases after the intravenous use is discontinued.
However, the scarring of the veins will be permanent. Other than giving difficulty with
using IV fluid and giving blood this should prevent no long term problem. In unusual cases
damage to the heart valves can ensue, but if you have no heart murmur there should be no
problem. If you do have a murmur, get an echocardiogram to be safe.
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