Painkiller addicition

[Wiretapped]

My story is kind of intresting and I'd like to share with hope of some responses in return and also inform others. I live a crazy lifestyle because I'm a professional poker player. My sleep schedule always varies and my eating patterns are staggered as well. I've been doing alot of researching and reading about painkiller addiciton and the withdrawl symptoms. Im well aware that there a lot of other people with a stronger dependecy on painkillers than myself. However, I am currently going through some of the worst withdrawl symptoms. I began taking 1 sometimes 1 1/2 to 2 whenever I played poker because it seemed to relax me and help me not "tilt" (aka get angry and play bad). I started off just taking hydrocodone then moved to percocet and endocet. That was about 5 to 6 months ago. At first it was fairly easy to take one and then stop for a while and then take another sparingly. As with most drugs this obviously led to a strong addiction to painkillers that kind of came out of no where. I was never taking 10-40 tablets like alot people i've read about but, near the end of my time on them I was taking anywhere from 4 to 8 a day. I started out only taking them orally, then I began to sniff them also. I came to terms with myself realizing I had a problem. Probably what did it was being in the casino and going to the bathroom just to sniff one (Felt like a junky). I had become something that I never want to turn into. That was a good wake up call and sent me to the point of deciding to get off them "cold turkey." Most websites I've read warn you to not go cold turkey on them because the withdrawl symptoms are that rough. Well, I wasn't aware of how strong those WD were until I stopped. I actually ended up going to the hospital by ambulence because I was expiriencing extreme pain my lower back and most of all my stomach was in knots. Aching, cramping, tight, and upset. When I went to the hospital I was under the impression I had a stomach bug or maybe the flu because it's going around Central NY. They gave me IV's and hydrated me ran a few tests (CT and Ultra Sound.) After all results were back they said they found nothing wrong with any organs involving the digestive system and diagnosed it as "stomach flu." Craziest thing of all was they prescribed me 5mg Loritab for the pain. At this point I wasn't aware that it was the withdrawl symptoms I was encountering and not a real illness. The past 6 days have been the hardest days to get through that I've faced up to this point in my life. I'm now just getting through the EXTREME abdominal pain and diaherrea. Now it seems like I'm facing more "tingly" feeling pain and the pain really stands out. I also have expirienced the sweating in my sleep, restlessness, and leg jitters/pain. Withdrawl sucks obviously but, I had no idea that it would be this painful and erratic. Being that I'm extremely determined to get through this I'm fighting the everyday WD with all I've got. The weirdest part is it's day 6 now going cold turkey and the thing that stands out most is that, I actually feel my body detoxing and getting back to how it was prior to my addiction. My best advice for people looking to quit is this; Take a week off of work if you have to because you will nto be able to work if you intend on truely quitting. It basically comes down to MIND OVER MATTER. When you have that craving don't fall for it, just say to yourself the craving will end. Stay focused because it's going to take everything you've got to get through it. Be honest with yourself. Ask yourself if this is really what you want for yourself. People looking down on you because of your addiction and maybe you trying to hide because your ashamed. I know I did that alot. If anyone has any responses to this or any help they can throw my way I'd appreciate it. Best of luck to all and fight this addiciton. It's eventually going to take over your life.

[tautou]

Keep trying. You will make it. It does end I promise.

Btw get some amodium AD for the runs. It really takes care of it...

Heating pad, Amodium AD, and some vacation time. A few good movies. NO PILLS ANYWHERE. If you have them you will take then.

[GoingToMakeIt]

This is the 'social side' of the forum. You will get much faster responses on the other side. Substance Abuse Addiction Community. Go to the link at the top.