We need help

Does anybody know of anywere in the UK that is a free rehab clinic for DHC users, my father has been taking them for 30 years and now cannot go on, the doctors are useless and no help is offered, sorry mistaken if you are an alcoholic you will be offered rehab but not if you are dependant on DHC. I would love to know of any groups out there for prescription painkiller addiction.

My father was put on this monster tablest 30 years ago after having several operations for kidney stones, now he is on 30 a day, he lives round his prescription and we dread it when he runs out a week before after taking to many, he has tried to taper them down, but he doesnt have the will power. Today he begged to the doctor to be sectioned and he wouldnt here of it, he just gave him his new prescription and sent him on his way. I no longer know what to do. Does anyone know of any groups in the north west of england that i could contact.

Many thanks

addaction look up that exactly as it is written. and the very best of luck to you and your dad. They may not be in your area but should point you in right place to find help.

google it i don't think there is round any area of yorkshire and yes they do get more attention

I am suprised by your doctors actions. You should ask to see a different doctor and ask them to refer you to an alcohol and drugs dependance clinic so that he can come off them. After all it was THEM who put your father on them. One thing i will say, and that is if your father is feeling very depressed, from my experience, taking more than 300mg of DHC a day WILL cause depression. I would sggest he try and limit the amount he takes to under 200mg per day and use Paracetamol with them if his pain is bad untill he gets a referal. If the other doctors is of no help then speak to the PALS sevice. (Patient liaison Service) http://www.nhs.uk/service-search/patient-advice-and-liaison-services-(pals)/locationsearch/363

Oh my gosh I am so sorry for your dad and for your reaching out for help being ignored... DHC are the most nastiest meds I know. I have recently come off them myself, having to go through drug withdrawals first. Worst ever experience of my life. I still have issues even though I have been free from these nasties for 3 weeks now. I really feel for you both... Sorry I cant help with the rehab as I live in New Zealand... Wishing you both all the love and support that you both so deserve

hi

hope you have got the dependencie under control now but if not go to your dr and ask him to perscribe this drug for you ive been reading some of the dependencie about this drug its worked for them hope it works for your dad.

Modanifil by a company called provigil i no its hard but hope your dr sees sence and gives you them if its only for a few days.

good luck

hi

i have just read a reply to you i cannot see what the pals dept can be of any use to you they havent worked for me as they are only there to help hospital issues.

PALS service CAN help you with ANY NHS service you are not happy with including problems with his GP. You can contact them through your GP surgery as well.

I had BIG issues with a GP I didn't like who blatantly refused to give me my repeat prescriptions of DHC up to the point I was ill, so I contacted my local PALS told them my issues and they were all sorted the SAME DAY, I got to see a different (Senior) GP who gave me all the meds I needed. DONT put up with ANY of their S***t, The receptionists also think they are gods but most of them are arrogant lazy pigs. ALSO Insist on talking to the Surgery Manger and no one else. YOU MUST INSIST on seeing a more understanding GP and REFUSE point blank to see the same GP who is giving you problems. If you still cant get anywhere You MUST make your father understand he is killing himself by taking the amount he is of DHC.  Take the drugs from him and YOU or another family member/good friend carefully administer them to him. Make him reduce his intake to 4 doses a day only, and reduce by half a 30mg tablet (15mg) at each dose for 2 weeks then by 30mg at each dose for the next  2 weeks until he gets down to under 300-400mg per day. BUT the reduction must be done very slowly even if it takes Months. If he kicks up a storm call the police and explain to them what is going on and you are desperately worried for your fathers welfare. Sometimes drastic action is needed and this could help him get the help he needs. I AM NOT JOKING HERE!  DHC is notoriously difficult to come off completely but the gradual reduction will see a lift in his mood eventually as the dosage comes right down.

I was actually offered drug and alcohol rehabilitation from my GP over 3 years ago but refused as I had it under control myself so they CAN refer him if theyneed to (its all about costs). Go through PALS first or Practise manger. GOOD LUCK.

Sorry forgot to post a link in last post, See here:   http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1082.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=153

Hi did you just go cold Turkey if so what kind of nasty symptoms did you have ? thank you

Not sure who your question was for but with me, it is first heavy sweating 5-6 hours after last dose then severe aching all over my body especially in back and torso followed by stomach pains and diarrhoea, basically you feel like you have flu, you feel terrible! unfortunately Most GP's are unaware of how bad you can feel when stopping suddenly or when you run out of these tablets. I have heard some people say its not far off the kind of cold turkey feeling of heroin withdrawal, depending on how much DHC you take. I have also found over the years if you go over 300Mg per day you will most certainly start to get depression as it effects the brain chemical serotonin. Hope some of that helps.

You know you can self admit and get hospitalisation. You could always ring 111 and get advise on NHS locations

i know were your coming from i have been taking them now for 2yrs & i am currently taking 18p/day when i am meant to take 8...so i have to look elsewere for it in the form of me work manager as i never have enough for the month and always ran out to soon and then its a nightmare.Thing is my doctors dont even want to give it to me as they say it is a dirty drug and i struggle to get it at times.I should of said it is for severe sciatica caused by disc deteriation,it is ruining my life and i dont seem to have control over it it beats me hands down everytime and i am a strong person and never had this problem before ;-S it has got me at every turn and it runs my life day to day as my day is based around taking dhc and everything else can just wait..(sure thats a line from a pink floyd track lol) anyway i am also wanting to get off this awfull drug of which they tell you nothing about they just write a script and off you go,it works great for a while and also the euphoria is a very nice change after being in pain for years on end but that subsides unless you take more and more then migraines turn up for abuse of it....i am only taking it now to stop withdrawl as it does nowt for me anymore but i cant stop still...NO HELP! i just want to get me life back before its to late and would love to attend a rehab or something similar,hope you can sort out something for your father me though i live alone and it makes it doubly hard....i will chck back with the forum tomorrow as i need to sign off to yes you guessed it...sodden tablets....chin up cheers robbie ;-) 

you are right that is exactly what happened to me doctor who thought he knew better and receptionists who think they are doctors,thing is pals said they could'nt help me and i needed to see a practice manager but i got lucky and ended up seeing a belter doctor (female) and she helps me although she says she does hate the drug dhc ;-)

executive-rehab-guide.co.uk/private-alcohol-and-drug-rehab/nhs-or-private

website

 

Thank you so much for your reply , I have gone cold Turkey im on day 6 stomach ache was horrible but is easing now ive lost a stone just through going the the toilet every 5 mins, I suffer with depression anyway so hopefully my other meds will kickin to help stay positive I will never take any pain relief ever again its been horific and you are right the Drs just dont get how hard it is to stop. Thank you so much for your help Hope you and your family have a great new year God Bless

I was on them for 6 years and they are partly responsable for ruining my life, However I stopped 6 days ago and the withdrawals were quite bad although they have eased up now, I went cold Turkey , I feel like ive just woken up from a nightmare I can feel my own immotions and although i still feel achy my mind feels a lot sharper . if you want to give up bad enough but cannot do it by yourself (dont feel bad if you can't cause its not easy) get help from NHS and get your life back. I have a lot of rebuilding to do in my life but I no longer feel hopeless if I can get through the withdrawals like ive done I feel I can do anything to better my situation. Godbless all

Hi mate, your life sounds just like mine however  I finally stopped and im starting to get better, Dr tells you to taper off lowering dose etc but they dont take into accounts that addicts are not capable of doing that. I have lost everything in my life through taking that drug lost all my friends because it made me lazy i'd lie that i'd meet them and not turn up , lost my job for the same reason and then my home. There is however a positive spin I went cold Turkey (which I think is the only real way) day 6 today and the with drawals are finally subsiding ive lost a stone in weight but I can feel my own imotions again although I feel like I have bad flu I can finally see a future even tho ive got a lot of repairing to do I feel very much alive . if you can take 2 weeks off work bite the bullet and get your life back before its to late Good luck with everything Godbless

I have just referred myself to my local Community Addictions Unit after it became clear that my GP wasn't taking my addiction to DHC & Tramadol seriously. He was of the opinion that I should just keep taking it, despite it causing me life destroying apathy to anything & everything. Search online for whatever help is available in your area. Communiy Alcohol & Drug Teams are out there, maybe under different names, but they can provide medically assisted reduction programs, in hospital or at home; referrals to other needed services eg. Mental Health teams for your Dads depression, pain clinics, counselling etc. the trouble is finding them. I found Narcotics Anonymous really helpful. I only went a few times but the people I met knew exactly where I should start and gave me phone numbers for drop in centres, support groups,  counselling services etc. and the much needed medical treatment centres mentioned. I start treatment in a month. I wish you and your Dad all the best for the future.

Gary 56171 I admire you my friend. As you have found out for yourself you feely really sick comimng off them and all those things you said about your life is the same with me and I suspect many others who take DHC,they run your life and you lose friends, confifence, jobs etc. Keep up the good work and I'm sure the day will soon come where you will never touch another DHC tablet.