Drug Withdrawal: Methadone & Heroin Facts

Question: If a person who is non-violent went through heroin & other drug withdrawals could they become violent?,?

(Posted by: ericabishop691DragonflyGirl on 2008-06-24 21:06:12)

And possibly hit someone? My contact who knows this is not home, so I am stuck!! Help!? and if the person is bi- polar?

Posted by: PIERRE on 2008-06-24, 21:42:02

In short: Yes, it CAN happen... BUT: It will NOT necessarily happen. It all depends on a number of factors, in outline form: 1) Other problems, addictions, etc the person has. 2) Other mental issues, abberations, diseases, etc, the person may have. 3) Their basic personality: Are they normally peaceful, or violent? 4) How severe their addiction was, (how long, what dosage, etc) and thus how nasty the withdrawal experience is. 5) How are they quitting? Cold Turkey? With substitute drugs? Whith therapy and drugs? etc.... 6) Where are they quitting? In a safe institutuion? At home becasue they sinply cannot afford the drug anymore, etc... 7) They could easily become violent in one situation, with one person, but will likely be peaceful (or at least incapable of violence) in a different situation, and with a different person. IN short: There is no predicting what may occur, unless one is quite familiar with the person and the exact situation that is taking place. NB: They are quite likely NOT responsible for anything they say or do during the process of quitting an addiction.... withdrawing from a drug. Thus, the "sane " people around them must be "in control ", and be prepared to forgive the resulting person after the withdrawal. A controlled medical withdrawal is VERY different from a withdrawal simply due to non-availablity of the drugs, or because a person decided to stop taking drugs on their own. Taking all of the above in mind, IF you are in such a situation with someone, be very careful, and watch what is happening. Render all possible assistance, but watch moods, statements, behaviours, etc... for clues as to what the person will do next.

Posted by: Chuckie on 2008-06-24, 21:09:28

I withdrew from herion and was sick as a dog, but never got violent. or angry...just curled into a ball and cried for 4 days.

Posted by: gotta luv da Li on 2008-06-24, 21:10:26

If someone who is bipolar type I was self-medicating with a narcotic, quit and then went full on manic, yes, the person could become violent. Totally manic goes to the hospital for a reason.

Posted by: snwbrdchk on 2008-06-24, 21:11:06

I think ANYBODY could get violent if going through any sort of withdrawal, even the pope...

Posted by: Lyssy on 2008-06-24, 21:11:14

Heroin is a very dangerous drug. It causes mental abnormalities in people who aren't bipolar, so a bipolar person would probably have a very severe reaction.

Posted by: Jannell W on 2008-06-24, 21:28:53

Well am a x heroin addict that is also bi-polar, with a pharmacy back round ....... but am not violent, dyouring with draws i did get angry, and throw stuff, and got all kinds of mad for no reason, plus heroin messes with ur meds...... but just because of the situation does mean that some one will or will not be violent, but i would keep my distance just in-case, you never know what a addict will do, they all act different, some cry like baby's and some get all crazy, my best advice is to get them to some kind of rehab asap, not just one that will detox them, or keep them for just one month. Just some added extra info, say the person started doing any kind of drug at 13 years old, and now they are 20 (they did drugs the whole time), they have the “mentaility� of a 13 year old, it takes 3 months for the brain to recover some what, and to start thinking different and to catch up to the rest of there body, so the best thing to do is to either have them go to a rehab that will hold them for 3 months, or longer... some will hold them for 6 months to a year, but those sometimes require extra money other then what your medical benefit's will cover. Also, suboxone is the best med that will help the person along,the person can attempt to use but they won't be able to feel the effects of the drugs and can't over dose either....... there is methadone, but it is really dangerous, and a person can still use and get higher then before. On subutex, a person can not feel the effects of the heroin, but can still overdose.. i hope that helps but if you have anymore questions u can email me, jannellwatkins@aol.com

Posted by: Cassie T on 2008-06-24, 21:37:11

Absolutely. Heroin withdrawal is awful. You basically go insane.

Posted by: illsane on 2008-06-25, 07:21:23

Oh ya. violent, murderous, suicidal. drugs script or street can cause a serious ill effect on anyone. happened to me once being ona medication for my epilepsy.