Addiction College Student

[Foximus]

Ok, to start off im a college student in my 5th year.  The last 2 years of my life I have been getting  Focalin (ADD med similar to adderal) for studying purposes. I was not origionally perscribed to it but recieved it from a friend.  I also was taking opiats for recreational use, usually for when i would go out to the bar or club.  I never saw myself as being addicted because I wouldnt go out of my way to get it.  But if it was available I would get it.  I than conviced my doctor to perscibe me focalin for mid terms and finals for study purposes so i wouldnt have to get it illigally Also I started getting percocets for back pain. My doc had me get an MRI to see if there was a serious problem and it came back pretty much negative aside from some minor spinal problems. Either way I have been taking Focalin almost as perscribed (2 a day) despite me and my doctors agreement of periodic study use. As for the opiat (percocet 7.5mgs) I have been taking it pretty much every day to alieve back pain when sitting in long class sessions but also as I used to as a recreational drug.  After many visits to my doc requesting more focalin he has scheduled me to meet with a psychiatrist to legitimatly diagnose me for ADD (this is in a week or so). As of right now despite my back pain I have realised I am addicted to the opiat (percocet) and the CNS (focalin).  The problem is I am also a smoker and possibly an alcoholic. I did not realise this till now becuase  I get good grades and the focalin actually helps tremendously and the percocet helps with my back pain, but i have gotten to the point where being 22 years old I do not want to take narcotics the rest of my life. Beside all of that, I have been trying to reduce the amount of my intake of each drug but realised im addicted to each one. To make this a little clearer I drink about 4 times a week (it never effects my schooling though)..... when i drink I take focalin and percocet as well as smoke cigarettes but as im trying to cut down im becomming increasingly depressed. MY question is what should I do. Should I try and stop drinking all out? Should i stop taking the Focalin, or should i stop taking the percocet. Now keep in mind im in school and grades are my priority, I cannot afford to withdrawl from something and have that affect my grades and attendence. Which one is the best to start with or should i hold off from detox untill winter break or something. Pretty much when i take ANY of the 3 drugs I end up taking the others. So i admit I am addited to Percocets, Focalin, and Alcohol.  Thats a CNS an Opiat and Alcohol, That is 3 things MOST people have a hard time stoping use of ANY one of them. Does anyone have any sugestions....

[alwaysanaddict]

I am also in college and I went back later in life. I am in my 5 year and I am 29. Hopefully I will graduate in May. I have been was addicted to multple drugs and had to drop my classes back in 2004. I got clean and went back to school. Here I am again abusing 2 different drugs. I'm ashamed of myself.

I think you should cut down on the alcohol. and try to taper of one the the pills. do not go cold turkey, because it could really affect your school work and if your still getting good grades, then you don't want to affect that. you will have to taper off eventually. but you def have a multiple addiction.

keep posting

[retiredrn]

Yes, I was a multi-drug abuser as well, it was so much fun until it wasn't.  I had to be hospitalized(suicidal)in order to quit the first drug, benzos for me, then over a year I quit the others(opiates and anti-depressants).  It was very hard and I am so happy not to be addicted, the waking up so sick and needing pills to get out of bed, the increased pain from the opiates themselves(have you read about opiate rebound pain,opiate-induced hyperalgesia?). You are in a real bind and I feel for you.  Is a detox center an option for you(do you have insurance, will your dr help you) over winter break?  Please keep posting, it is so hard when addiction takes over and actually changes your mind(read about drug addiction on Wikipedia to see exactly how not in control an addict is over the addiction).