Well, I'm afraid you touched on two of the problems:

1. She IS prone to addictive behavior.

2. She's used Xanax for a long time.

We had never really discussed addictive behaviors until recently. She has stated that it's a good thing that she doesn't like alcohol or else she'd be an alcoholic. I guess she knows herself better than anyone, so at least she's not in denial about that. Do you see that as something that would prohibit a weaning process? She claims to be too much of a wimp to attempt cold turkey!

As far as Xanax, she has always had some available to stave off the "hits of anxiety" whenever the Prozac wasn't dealing with it. There was a time when she was on a good bit of it and her dr weaned her off without any problems. In the last few months, she has been taking one only at night to help her sleep. Last night, she took a few because I think she's very anxious about running out of Methodone and Propoxyphene at the same time -- so she just wants to sleep through this ordeal.

I think is great that you are supportive of your wife, however, it is like a couple having a baby. Only the woman actually "has" the baby. Although her addiction has caused you problems, the drug addiction belongs to your wife. You can be supportive but it is up to her to do it. Why isn't she posting? Why are you posting for her? You say your wife would love to hear about this and that. How do you know? Let you wife talk for herself. If my husband kept saying "our" withdrawals I would kick him you know where! They are "my" withdrawals. You (the husband) are facing something totally different.

I don't mean to be rude, please don't take it is that. I think it is important for the addict to take ownership of his/her disease. I know you are trying to help and that is great. But let her do it. That way, she will have a sense of accomplishment. It is like a kid who doesn't want to mow the lawn. And then you make them do it all by themselves and they are so proud they did it. They hated doing it, but they have a sense of accomplishment. Don't rob your wife of that.

I know you don't want her to suffer but she needs to to remember what it was like and not go back. She has to learn from her mistakes so she can play the tape all the way forward the next time a doctor or friend says, "You want any?" And it will happen. A good meaning friend will offer. You won't be around. She has to face the devil down herself. She has to know she can do it. Not that you can do it. Not that you can help her do it. But that SHE can do it.

You need to read my post on propoxyphene. I don't pretend to be an expert, but I have been there too. The only thing we can share is our experience, strength, and hope. I think you are right. It will open another can of worms. (My post of that is under the thread where someone on this board is asking for an explanation between Darvocet and percs. Propoxyphene is the generic word for Darvocet.) Read if you can find it.

Wife- Good luck to you. You can do it.




Methodone withdrawal I heard is the pits. Worse than hydro, cocaine, alcohol put together.

Windy, thanks for the words of wisdom. The last couple of days have been a struggle, but I'm hanging in there (tough love) and keeping the opiates out of the house. Today is Day #5 of her being off of the Methadone (tapered down to ~10mg over a 4 month period) and Propoxyphene. Most of her family now knows the whole story and all of her docs know it. We also have a Psychologist (and friend of the family) that has counciled with us and stayed in touch via phone on a daily basis.

Hopefully, you'll all be hearing from bNewman soon. I think that "some" of what she'll read will be good for her, others will be bad for her.

More to share but I'm tired...

aNewman