Expert: Jacqui - 8/1/2009

Question
QUESTION: I'm 24 and I started eating oxy a year ago and never stopes I eat about 5-20's so 80mg I stopes yesterday and haven't ate them. This is the first day in over a year . I feel really deprest and very uncomfortable how long will this last????

ANSWER: Hey Bro,

Oxy Contin Tabs are slow release and long acting, so they can take a while to come off.  You may experience the main withdrawals for about a week, but some things like lack of sleep can last longer.  Also, some people find that they depressed and feel like they can't enjoy things any more. This won't last forever, so stick with it if you can.  

The main thing with withdrawal is that you need to make sure you don't put yourself under too much stress, you eat good food (even if you don't feel very hungry), you get enough rest (even if you can't sleep well), drink enough water and get some very light exercise.  Remember it won't last forever.

I hope that this helps a bit.  If there is anything else you would like to know, please don't hesitate to contact me.

And also remember ... many people relapse, so if that happens, it isn't the end of the world, it just means you are human.  

Take care and whatever you do, do it safely!

Jacqui

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: This is more a thank u then anything I feel like I can beat this bad mistake having said that u r the only person that knows what I'm going threw and any time I'm really down I read your answer and get threw another day oxy's are the devil and people like you are why people like me can get threw.... sooo thank u jacqui!!!

Answer
Absolutely no problems!

I actually didn't give the usual spiel about not feeling bad for being a drug user - so here it is now!

I seem to remember you were in Canada and it isn't quite as bad for users there as the US, but I do know that drug users all over the world feel terrible about themselves, which is such a contrast given that alcohol is such a part of our society and it seems to be fine to take that!

Keep you the good work ... don't hate yourself if you lapse ... and remember, the vast majority of human beings take some kind of drug - be it caffeine, chinese herbs, alcohol, nicotine, antidepressants, heroin, cocaine, etc.  You are not a bad person ...

Let me know how you go!  GOOD LUCK!

Jacqui