Day 14--sick so took Narcotic cough syrup but not a relasps

So here is the deal. I am telling you guys this cause I just want to be honest and everyone is very helpful here. I have been sick and realized how sick I was last night. I thought it was just from coming of the lorcets but after seeing doc realized that wasn't the case. Along with high does of antibiotics, decongestant I got cough med that is narcotic. At first was gonna say no but I have been trying everything over counter and nothing has been helping so I got script and filled it. I am taking not even the required dose. Just enough to shake sore throat, muscle aches and the cough so I don't cough in my customers face since I work in food industry. I do not believe I am relapsing and when cough is gone I will be done. The bottle says take like every 4 hrs but I am going much longer until the point I cant control the coughing. I have acute sinusitis and on verge on bronchitis. I am feeling much better now after whole day of antibiotics. I just wanted to tell you guys to be honest and open and because I know by telling people it will not become an ADDICTION again.  

Janet (jjbird)

[bmdad]

Do you have someone that can hold on to it for you? Being 14 days clean you are playing with fire. You say you are just taking it for a cold this time so you will not become addicted. Many took their pain meds for an ailment and become addicted. Addiction is just something we have while we are using. It is with us for life. That's why we can't risk taking any opiate unless it's absolutely a must. If we could control how much to take, we wouldn't be addicts.
I'm not saying you will turn this in to a relapse but it can happen before we know it. That's why it's best if we have to take something to have someone else hold on to it and give it to us as needed so it doesn't turn in to a habit again.
Just be careful. I'd hate to see your 14 days go to waste. You can say it's not gonna turn in to a full blown relapse, but no one, even you can assume it won't. It only takes a very small amount to "wake the beast".
To avoid relapse you need to fess up to your doctor about your addiction. That way he/she knows that you cannot take opiate based meds. There are many other non narcotic meds out there that do work. If your doctor knows about your problem you won't be in a situation for a relapse like now. Not saying it's a relapse because only you know. Just saying you are walking a tight rope right now and the wind is picking up.
Best of luck.

Brian

[chronicmistake]

I agree. I see this a lot on these posts, that the patient is not telling the doctor that they are an addict and then still taking rx from them.  There are so many cough medications out there that are not a narcotic that the doctor could have gave you instead.   It is up to us as addicts to tell the doctors the truth about our history or that cannot help us and they end up hurting us.  Please throw rx away and either call your doctor or go to pharmacy and try another medication.  If the doc did not give you antibiotics than that should be enough to make you feel better soon.  stay strong and hope you feel better soon.

[jjbird]

The doc did give antibiotics and very strong 2000 mg a day. And yes my husband has the cough medicine. He knows what to do and is very supportive. I don't even want the cough syrup cause of the potential addiction it can cause. So it's a very good test. And haven't had any in about 12 hrs. And won't tAke any unless the coughing is behind control.

[bmdad]

Sounds like a good plan. As addicts we always have to be accountable to someone to prevent relapse and you took that step. It goes to show how important sobriety is to you. I would still recommend to fess up to your doctor though. There was another post on here where someone tried stopping on their own. They never did let their doctor know about their addiction and she always ends up going back because she knows her doctor will prescribed them. Cutting off all ties will keep the temptation down. Letting your doctor know will not prevent you from ever getting narcotics for pain but it will help to make them a last resort after trying the many non narcotic meds.
Just a thought but I think many here will agree. Most continue to relapse until all ties are broke off including doctors. The easiest place to get pain meds are from doctors unless you inform them about your addiction.

[dominosarah]

Just make sure when your bronchitis is gone the cough medicine is poured down the drain.    Addicts and tests are a dangerous combination.    Hope you are feeling better.......sara

[avisg]

Sara is right addicts dont do well with tests .Most of the narcotic couch meds have hydrocodone in them so they can be just as strong as what you were taking so as soon as the coughing is better have hubby dump the rest down the drain ... I dont know if your doctor knows about your addiction but if he doesn't I suggest you let him know .

[Addict63]

This is directly out of the NA Book. It addresses your question starting on pg. 102:
"There is no safe use of drugs for us. Our bodies don't know the difference between drugs prescribed  by a doctor, and the one's we prescribe for ourselves to get high. Getting the support of our sponsor and other members of NA can prevent us from becoming our own worse enemies. Being alone during such times would give our disease an opportunity to take over. Honest sharing can dispel our fears of a relapse."

And honest sharing is exactly what you did my friend. You're to be congratulated encouraged, and supported for that.

A couple years ago I blew out my back. I had been sober for many years.  When I was prescribed VicodinES my doctor knew I was in recovery. But I was in intense pain and hadn't slept in 2 weeks from the pain. I went to my AA sponsor. He gave me complete encouragement and total support.

I wish you a speedy recovery from your flu-bug. Keep on keeping on.

[dominosarah]

Thank you for that post~~~~~~~~

[jjbird]

Yes Ty for post. And I have told hhis doc office before about being addicted but hint know where itbis in chart.and I agree to dumping the rest down drain when done. I only took 2 doses today and less than the bottle said. Tomorrow I am off so gonna plan on taking nothing since the coughing won't matter at home. As far as other cough meds they do not work got me.  I have ashmatic bronchitis so I get a few times a year and have had customers complain to my boss in past even though they know I am not contagious. But hubby is completely in controlnof meds which is good. And I am better other than tired which is par for the cold And taking antibiotics but sleep is a good thing! Thanks  everyones support and allowing me to be honest with u guys!