I want to know how to help my friend detox off painkillers at home?

Question by malasunas: I want to know how to help my friend detox off painkillers at home?
Going to a hospital or a rehab clinic is not an option because of money and I refuse to stick her in a state program because she doesn’t want to be alone. The free health clinics will not help her until she is clean. I would like to know what I can give her to alleviate the symptoms of withdrawals? She has been addicted for 2 years.

Best answer:

Answer by brunette
unfortunately, I think that if she really wanted to get clean she needs professional help or just fight out the withdrawls. I guess she has to decide if she wants to be clean and do it in a state facility or chance killing herself by using. No offense but nothing about getting clean is going to be easy, being alone as you put it is the least of her battles. She will have people there to support and help her.

Answer by renosleeper
I’m so sorry to hear of her pain. I’ve had a great number of friends who have done a home-detox and let me tell you: it takes WILLPOWER and strength above anything. First off, pray. This is an often overlooked tool no matter what or whom your higher power is. I know of a guy who prayed to his doorknob to help him open the door to his recovery… and it worked, although he is now working with NA for support.

Anyways, back to the issue at hand:
H2O/water flushes have been reported to help
cranberry juices
exercise
if she has access to a sauna to help “sweat” the chems out, these always help
sleep
try to have a friend nearby for the first week for the ever present DT’s … and really: these will make her demons escape in record numbers so make sure you’re truly supportive before you commit, because she will be rather irritable
deep breathing techniques to chill the nerves
walking
high cardiovascular activities to get the blood “pumping”

I hope these tips/suggestions help. I’ve helped some old friends off substances, so… feel ya. It’s hard to watch your friend hurt themselves, and even harder to watch em kill themselves… but if you’re really into helping her out?

give her a hug. No one gives these out anymore.

Detox Help – Day 3, me. Little story, lil’ song, big help.