Detoxing off of valium

[kimmitiger]

Douglas has been detoxing off of morphine and vicoden for 3 months now and stopped his vaium about three weeks ago. He is acting like nothing matters he is very depressed and yelling a lot at me or whoever. He says things I know he cannot mean but he said mean thing anyways. Why is he acting like this and can I help?         kimmi

[Rich99]

During my withdrawls from valium,   my emotions were all over the place.     I was very irritable due to my sleep cylce taking time to get back to whats normal for me.    I was still very anxious and depressed and that showed in front of others.    As said,  it takes time for the body's chemistry to get back to its more normal state after using these drugs and for that matter,  many other drugs.    It can cause all those emotions you describe plus more.

[kimmitiger]

Hello and thank you so much for replying to me. I am sorry it took me so long but I get mixed up on this thing and it said someone responed and I could not find it. It all makes sense what you are saying and he is again not talking, answering the phone and douglas seems like he is mad and sad at the same time. Do you think I should get him some help for I have been going through this with him for almost 4 months now. I keep telling him to go to the doctors and he says no. I love him very much and I myself am going through some health issues. You are a very kind person for the words you say seem to flow out.You make a lot of sense but it hurts so much to see him like this. I do cry a lot and pray for him a lot.Bless you for your response and I am very sorry my response was late.
Happy Hoilidays and be safe.         kimmi

[Jaybay]

Those are some hefty drugs to detox from.  You have to bear in mind that his addiction did not happen overnight, and it's going to take a long time before his brain chemistry calms down.  Detox is only the first step to a sober life.  He is still early in the recovery process so try not to expect miracles out of him.  His emotions are going to be all over the place for quite a while.  The length of time he is not "himself" depends on how long he was using and in what amount.  If he's been using most of his adult life, he knows no other way to live than by drugging his emotions and shutting them off.  Now they're turning back on again and he probably doesn't know what to do with them.

If Douglas has no recovery support in the form of private psychotherapy or through a group like NA or AA, he's going to have a very rough time of it.  Unfortunately, everyone close to him is going to be on the receiving end of his foul moods too.  Right now, you have to put yourself first.  If he's being a jerk, get out of his way.  He can be a jerk to himself and find you when he's ready to be civil.