Hello All , Im a 43 year old male , ive been addicted to pain killers of all kinds for the past 10 years or so , this addiction has caused me to come close to loosing everything good in my life , I need help to kick this terrible habbit that has my life turned upside down . So far ive had little or no support from anyone , including my wife who says that the problem is mine and I should be able to handle it myself . Im do not consider myself weak by no means but I cant handle this by myself , dont want pitty , dont deserve it , just feel like theres no way out for me and am all out of ideas. Im not an evil person or anything like that , just lost and want to find the person i used to be . Thanks for reading and any comments , good or bad would be greatly appricated .
Hello. I too was addicted to a variety of pain killers for the last three years. I can tell you my addiction ruined my marriage and nearly cost me my job before I realized I had to quit. I had tried several times in the past, but always went back to them because withdraw was to hard. I have been without opiates for 6 weeks now and can't even explain how much better I feel. I'm not going to lie to you....the withdraws suck...the diaherra, vomiting, body aches, chills, sweats, leg cramps, and sleeplessness feels like it will kill you, but it's mind over matter. I personally think the key to getting through the withdrawl is having a strong desire to quit (will power). I missed a week of work and was completely miserable and useless that week. I was able to go to work the second week, but went right to bed when I got home. By the third week I was extremely depressed and had crying spells for about 5 days. By week 5, I was feeling much better and now on week six I feel almost like a new person. I am happier, have more energy, less anxious, and have a new outlook on life. I do still crave them, but refuse to go back to my old life. I wish you the best of luck. Let me know if you have questions.
I guess I took the easy way out AFTER losing everything, being in prison (rx forgery) wife,dog,family,job,peer respect.
Here it comes...MY solution was a methadone clinic. Yes I've heard every pro and con re:this route. I've even been on the con side.
But FOR ME this saved my life. Please don't counter with how the "clinics just want to keep you hooked" or "you're just trading one drug for another" All I know is it's LEGAL, it's inexpensive(comparably), I know EXACTLY what I'm getting. So... come on all you nay sayers...let's go!!!
Here it comes...MY solution was a methadone clinic. Yes I've heard every pro and con re:this route. I've even been on the con side.
But FOR ME this saved my life. Please don't counter with how the "clinics just want to keep you hooked" or "you're just trading one drug for another" All I know is it's LEGAL, it's inexpensive(comparably), I know EXACTLY what I'm getting. So... come on all you nay sayers...let's go!!!
I have been addicted to pain killers since I was a teen. Although some call it the easy way out or as the last person noted trading one drug for another, what I have found with a methadone clinic is a safe controlled atmosphere where I can address the issue that made me use in the first place.It is true that you trade one drug for another as methadone is addictive, but when addicted to street drugs there are many risks not associated with methadone. I think harm reduction is better than nothing at all. With methadone You have safe, stable and monitored dosing administered by professionals. If I hadn't gone to a methadone clinic I'm sure I would still be using now. It no doubtedly saved me from prison or death!! If you agree with the folks who think methadone is a horrible options there are alternatives such as suboxone, which is similar to methadone but not as additive. Also you see a regular doctor instead of going to a clinic with many other patients. I have tried both! For me, suboxone did not work. I still had withdrawal symptoms after a couple of weeks and did not feel "right" mentally, but for many it works wonders. My long time boyfriend is one of them.
I think a good way to explain to your wife or anyone who doesn't truly understand addiction is to remind them that addiction is a disease just as cancer or diabetes is. (The U.S. center for disease control address it this way) No one would look down on a cancer patient for taking life saving medication just as an opiate addicted person should be allowed the time, counseling and medication to treat their disease. It is very hard to get clean if you have no support.
I wonder if you have tried any in house or out patient rehabs in the past? There are many different online support groups you could check out, that way its private, your family doesn't know you've attended and you don't have to worry if you will see any of your friends at a meeting! If I can help with any questions you have just ask, I wish you the best of luck on your road to recovery!!
I think a good way to explain to your wife or anyone who doesn't truly understand addiction is to remind them that addiction is a disease just as cancer or diabetes is. (The U.S. center for disease control address it this way) No one would look down on a cancer patient for taking life saving medication just as an opiate addicted person should be allowed the time, counseling and medication to treat their disease. It is very hard to get clean if you have no support.
I wonder if you have tried any in house or out patient rehabs in the past? There are many different online support groups you could check out, that way its private, your family doesn't know you've attended and you don't have to worry if you will see any of your friends at a meeting! If I can help with any questions you have just ask, I wish you the best of luck on your road to recovery!!