My husband is recovering from herion addiction. Doing okay so far. However, I believe my sister is on Oxycontin. I know for a fact her boyfriend is into it real bad, but I've seen her nodding out several times. I approached her about it and she said she was taking nerve medicine (Xanax) because she was stressed out. Attributed her eyes rolling in her head on Xanax. I don't believe her. She has always had a drinking problem and now doesn't drink as much -- I suspect she has found a better drug -- the Oxy's. Anyhow, I confronted her again and she said "Do you want me to take a drug test." She was nicely and not confrontational at all. When I told her yes, she then started skirting the issue by telling me she could take couldn't take the test today, but would take it tomorrow. This was yesterday, which means she is supposed to take the test today. Could she have taken something that would void the over-the-counter test? I know that they could water down urine or drop in bleach or something, but is there something she could have drank to clean out her system???? I need to know this because she is going to meet me in about 2 hours. She is telling me that she is dissappointed in me for not believing her. Hello! I have an addict husband, she is dating an addict who used with my husband, she is a heavy drinker, I see her eyes rolling in her head. What does she expect me to think???
PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT SHE COULD DRINK TO MAKE HER TEST COME UP NEGATIVE.
Thanks.
- Donna
Briefly..
yes she could take and drink remedies to 'fake' the test.. but...
I would watch her get the sample right there so she cant use someone elses or doctor it... most of the 'remedies' that are comsumed are very noxious and are hard to keep down so many try other messures like using others urine...
But I must ask.... what if the answer is possitive.. what then... does she really want help... if she is a 'heavy' drinker she clearly still has a problem for which she doesnt seek help... and if she drinks on top of zanax than that is a very lethal conbination irrelevant of the oxy use.... If you confront her what is the outcome going to be....?
This is your sister not your minor child... Just curious... I would suggest looking at all the contingencies just in case the test is possitive....
I understand your concern but ...
Just my two cents...
Teresa
( I am obviously assuming that this is an older sister not a teenager.... if I am incorrect in this I appologize..)
yes she could take and drink remedies to 'fake' the test.. but...
I would watch her get the sample right there so she cant use someone elses or doctor it... most of the 'remedies' that are comsumed are very noxious and are hard to keep down so many try other messures like using others urine...
But I must ask.... what if the answer is possitive.. what then... does she really want help... if she is a 'heavy' drinker she clearly still has a problem for which she doesnt seek help... and if she drinks on top of zanax than that is a very lethal conbination irrelevant of the oxy use.... If you confront her what is the outcome going to be....?
This is your sister not your minor child... Just curious... I would suggest looking at all the contingencies just in case the test is possitive....
I understand your concern but ...
Just my two cents...
Teresa
( I am obviously assuming that this is an older sister not a teenager.... if I am incorrect in this I appologize..)
Thanks for your response. If it is positive, I know that it won't accomplish anything. I already stopped associating with her -- had to in order to support my husband's recovery. My mom is the main reason. She has had many, many strokes and always worries. Mom asked me if she was on something. I told her my suspicisions (SP?). Mom asked me to confront my sister and test her if necessary. I would be super happy to report a negative to my mom so she won't worry even more. But I want to make sure it was a legitimate "negative". My mom, however, doesn't understand the "what if it is positive" side. She thinks if we plead and beg, that my sister will get help. I KNOW that isn't the case. I feel for my mom, so if it is positive, I'm going to try to skirt the issue with my mom as much as I can to lighten her worry. I'm just so sick of being surrounded by people that have been ruined because of drugs and alcohol.
Not quite sure if I even should take the test to her, or just go ahead and skirt the issue with my mom anyways. Tell her I just haven't had a chance yet, etc.
Not quite sure if I even should take the test to her, or just go ahead and skirt the issue with my mom anyways. Tell her I just haven't had a chance yet, etc.
Hopeful- Believe me when I tell you. If you are taking Xanax AND drinking, your eyes are going to roll. The combination is pretty bad. Especially if she is taking a large dose. It's a benzo and it's 'ruff stuff, believe me. And if she is taking Xanax, Oxy and drinking, whoa. Way big trouble. Pain pills (it seems, but everyone is different) seem to both relax you and give you energy. But I can tell you first hand that taking Xanax and then taking a drink will do that to you.
http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/ is a llink to a very informative site regarding benzo use. Take a look. Kind of a long read, but worth it.
From you describe though, my bet is she is taking Xanax and drinking. A lethal combination.
http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/ is a llink to a very informative site regarding benzo use. Take a look. Kind of a long read, but worth it.
From you describe though, my bet is she is taking Xanax and drinking. A lethal combination.
Hopeful, I just read your second post. If you love her, do the test. She could end up dead otherwise. And obviously, your Mom does not need the grief..
Yes, there are some things that can be done to try and fool testing, especially the at-home kind, but it's probably better not to go into them in great detail on this site. But the answer is yes.
My reaction is the same as Teresa's, though. If it's positive, what then? Unfortunately, unless she is ready to seek help, there is little you can really do to get her help. And if the test is negative, won't you just think that she did something to fool it? Testing kind of obscures the issue, in a way. I'd trust your instincts on her using -- after all, you've been living with addictive behavior, in one way or another, for quite some time. You're probably right about her using Oxy, and even if not, she's got a problem with xanax and alcohol. So she needs help, and the question then becomes not how to "catch" her, but rather how to let her know that you're there for her when she is sick and tired of being sick and tired. She's lucky to have you for a sister.....she will surely see that in time. M.
My reaction is the same as Teresa's, though. If it's positive, what then? Unfortunately, unless she is ready to seek help, there is little you can really do to get her help. And if the test is negative, won't you just think that she did something to fool it? Testing kind of obscures the issue, in a way. I'd trust your instincts on her using -- after all, you've been living with addictive behavior, in one way or another, for quite some time. You're probably right about her using Oxy, and even if not, she's got a problem with xanax and alcohol. So she needs help, and the question then becomes not how to "catch" her, but rather how to let her know that you're there for her when she is sick and tired of being sick and tired. She's lucky to have you for a sister.....she will surely see that in time. M.
That would explain the first two times I saw her eyes rolling. But, when I saw her she only had a beer or two (verses her usual 8 or so). That still could explain it, but after I confronted her the first time she told me she stopped taking the Xanax because she didn't like the way it made her feel. About a month after she said she stopped taking it, I saw her eyes rolling. My other sister saw her eyes glassed over the other day. She is also not spending as much time around other family members as she used to. She doesn't drink as much as she used to. She has lost a lot of weight. Her kids call her and her boyfriend "pill heads". And, lastly, she seems to have flu like symptoms, many boughts of diarreah (sp?) and just feels like crap all too often -- which to me seems like she is withdrawing on the times she can't get a hold of anything. Maybe I'm reading too much into all these things, but I've been living with an addict for over three years. I think my gut instinct is right.
I just don't know if I should even bother testing her at this point.
I just don't know if I should even bother testing her at this point.
None-Don't you think intervention is a better option? It's a simple formula: Xanax + Booze=Death. No question. I'd intervene if it was one of my siblings. I'd rather have a sister pissed off than dead.
Ahhh, just read all of your posts. Sometimes I respond before reading everything. I guess I'm going to test her tonight so I can tell my mom I did so. If she is disappointed in my not believing her -- oh well. She should be more understanding of why I would suspect her. A clean, reasonable person would. So, if she is positive, I will just have to reinforce to her that I love her and that when she is ready for help, I'm there. I had to pull a lot of money out of the equity in my house to pay for my husbands treatment. I'll help her if that is necessary, however, my dad has deep enough pockets to help as well. It will all just depend on when she is sick of being sick.
Thanks so much for all of your responses. I appreciate it!!!!
- Donna
Thanks so much for all of your responses. I appreciate it!!!!
- Donna
Hopeful, now that you said that, I think you gut is right. The symptoms are pain med withdrawl. But I still bet she is taking Xanax, also. If you have taken Xanax for any amount of time, there is NO WAY you can hide the widthdrawl with anything like the flu, or simply not feeling well. It's truley horrible and most people relapse after 2-3 days because they can't take it. And I know plenty of people who took it and I don't know a single one who ever said they didn't like they way it made them feel. All it really does is calm you a little. Say, as if you drank 3-4 beers. You won't get "high" unless you take a lot. So, from you are describing, I would say she's doing all three. But, even drinking 2-3 beers with Xanax can kill you if you have enough in you.
Danny, save the drama and righteousness. I didn't say not to intervene; quite the opposite. Testing in this situation is not intervening; it can be another form of enabling. Anybody can fool a test, so it just continues the dance. Also, the test wouldn't be for alcohol and xanax anyway, so there's even less point if your supposition is correct. Her sister needs help. I was simply suggesting that she trust her instincts and deal with that fact head on. The poster clearly loves her sister. That human emotion will shine through -- and it is likely to have far more impact on her sister than a positive, gotcha-type drug test. As always, just my opinion...... M.
Thanks again. I guess the Oxy's aren't the only issues. I didn't know the danger of Xanax and beer. She has admitted to that combination. Either way, she needs to know that she could be in major trouble and that she has family that will support her if she wants to get better. Gotta run catch my carpool now. Thanks!
None- You know me. I not into the righteousness stuff. I just know an lot about Xanax. It's one of the few things I know about. ;-)
Danny....I withdrew on Xanax at home......and I so agree with you. It is far THE WORSE thing to go off of. The physical symptoms are bad, but the mental withdrawal is worse. Honestly, I don't know how I did it on my own. This girl needs help. But she has to be willing to help herself. Oxys and Xanax and adding beer is death for sure. Just one pill too many and she is going to die.
Kat- I basically went through withdrawls at home too. I spent 4 days in detox and that was the easy part. And they made me quit CT. It's way more mental than physical. People on pain meds don't understand. Yep, pain meds are very hard to come off of. REALLY tough. But with a benzo, and especially Xanax, you experience a number of things (which I am SURE you experienced)
1. Sensory hypersensitivity
2. Depersonalisation and derealisation (which was the worst)
3. Hallucinations, illusions, perceptual distortions (not much better)
4. Fits and convulsions
The list is actually way longer, like 4 times as long, but those are the worst. And you go through the physical stuff too, like you would if you quit a pain medication. Same symptoms. I don't know if I posted on this forum or the other drug forum. (and REST assured, I'm off them and 100% now, but anyone who comes off, it can takes months, some say years..not days or weeks)..and I mean, this is what happened to me (so I am not being dramatic or anything else, I know other people the EXACT thing has happened to). It's a proven fact this happens. Depends on how long you took it and how much.
1. Every sound, light, color, TV, the sun, the moon, EVERYTHING gets amplified 1000%. You can't even look at something or hear something without it being "blinding" - Thats where Sensory hypersensitivity comes into play. Someone asked me what it was like and the only way I could describe it was think if you were blind at birth and all of a sudden you could see. It would be overwhelming.
2. Depersonalisation and derealisation- It feels like you are "outside" of your own body, looking in. Watching. It's friggin weird. Like, you could be sitting in a chair, but "part" of you could get up and another part stays put. It's WAY to strange to explain.
3. Hallucinations- I SAW my Mom, who had just died, rapping on my window. I saw the walls breathing. I heard the house groaning. I SAW the Grim Reaper. All because I was in withdrawls. I'm certainly NOT mentally ill. However, as you come out of these, a big fear sets in that you are.
4. Convulsions- These come out of no where and last for awhile. And if you have medical problems, they certainly can kill you.
However, it's the nature of the drug itself. That is why a lot of people relapse after only a couple of days. The relapse percent is 95% within 72 hours. The Panic and Anxiety, well, we deal with it. It's the really weird stuff that happens. I should of never gone CT. I should of tapered. BUT, now that I am done with them, I am so glad. THAT'S why I am so paranoid about pain pill Wd's. We are only supposed to take Xanax 6-8 weeks. My Doctor had me on them 7 years. But I NEVER once abused. I always to my 'scribed dose. THAT's why I recommended getting to the bottom of it now. If she's on all three, it's a invite to death.
1. Sensory hypersensitivity
2. Depersonalisation and derealisation (which was the worst)
3. Hallucinations, illusions, perceptual distortions (not much better)
4. Fits and convulsions
The list is actually way longer, like 4 times as long, but those are the worst. And you go through the physical stuff too, like you would if you quit a pain medication. Same symptoms. I don't know if I posted on this forum or the other drug forum. (and REST assured, I'm off them and 100% now, but anyone who comes off, it can takes months, some say years..not days or weeks)..and I mean, this is what happened to me (so I am not being dramatic or anything else, I know other people the EXACT thing has happened to). It's a proven fact this happens. Depends on how long you took it and how much.
1. Every sound, light, color, TV, the sun, the moon, EVERYTHING gets amplified 1000%. You can't even look at something or hear something without it being "blinding" - Thats where Sensory hypersensitivity comes into play. Someone asked me what it was like and the only way I could describe it was think if you were blind at birth and all of a sudden you could see. It would be overwhelming.
2. Depersonalisation and derealisation- It feels like you are "outside" of your own body, looking in. Watching. It's friggin weird. Like, you could be sitting in a chair, but "part" of you could get up and another part stays put. It's WAY to strange to explain.
3. Hallucinations- I SAW my Mom, who had just died, rapping on my window. I saw the walls breathing. I heard the house groaning. I SAW the Grim Reaper. All because I was in withdrawls. I'm certainly NOT mentally ill. However, as you come out of these, a big fear sets in that you are.
4. Convulsions- These come out of no where and last for awhile. And if you have medical problems, they certainly can kill you.
However, it's the nature of the drug itself. That is why a lot of people relapse after only a couple of days. The relapse percent is 95% within 72 hours. The Panic and Anxiety, well, we deal with it. It's the really weird stuff that happens. I should of never gone CT. I should of tapered. BUT, now that I am done with them, I am so glad. THAT'S why I am so paranoid about pain pill Wd's. We are only supposed to take Xanax 6-8 weeks. My Doctor had me on them 7 years. But I NEVER once abused. I always to my 'scribed dose. THAT's why I recommended getting to the bottom of it now. If she's on all three, it's a invite to death.
Oxy's, drinking and yes, heroin cause eyes to roll. Maybe if she is sniffing the tranquilzers.
Bring her to a place that does drug testing for opiates it is like 60. in Boston. Look up in phone book. They will make her follow proper procedure. Car dealerships send their employee's to drug testing prior to hire. Do does ADT. Call their human resource department (in your area - some office) and than ask them where they send their employee's. Make sure you know they test for opiates, or take her to a clinic, a substance abuse doctor or to her own doctor. Most free clinics do drug tests. Hospitals can draw blood and test her whole system.
Jenn
Bring her to a place that does drug testing for opiates it is like 60. in Boston. Look up in phone book. They will make her follow proper procedure. Car dealerships send their employee's to drug testing prior to hire. Do does ADT. Call their human resource department (in your area - some office) and than ask them where they send their employee's. Make sure you know they test for opiates, or take her to a clinic, a substance abuse doctor or to her own doctor. Most free clinics do drug tests. Hospitals can draw blood and test her whole system.
Jenn
Hopeful Wife, the answer to your question is YES...there are drinks that one can take to "mask" the results of a urine test. I know this because I manage a "head shop" for my job. We sell detoxify drinks by the hundreds for people who have to see their probation/parole officer or go to court for a drug test. These drinks are only good for about 4-5 hours...and they work but usually you need 2 days clean for the optimum results although sometimes people have told me they used the night before and still passed with the drink. If you want accurate results from her, you will need to catch her by surprise...so she has no time to drink the drink that will mask the results. Hope this helps...xoxo
Dont take offence as I know you are looking out for yourself and your husband and regardless of she is shooting up or however she is getting that high if you feel it might jeperdize ( bad speller) your husbands sobriety or your personal peace ,stay away from her . You " might also want to check out alanon best Ray
