Today is day one for me

[Releaseme2207]

I have so many mixed emotions right now. The mental aspect of quitting feels a lot harder than the wds. I feel like I have nothing to do now that i'm not occupying my time with pills. Also, as badly as I want to be sober, I keep seeing all these posts from people who have a significant amount of sobriety under their belt, yet they say they still feel depressed. I almost don't see the point in quitting if i'm just going to feel sad the whole time. I want to cry because I feel so bored and empty without pills to get through my day.

[overopiates]

  I just wanted2say that the depression is different for everyone.I was/am on an AD and after about10-12days of quiting opiates I was feeling great but I had been on that paricular AD for a couple months but thought it wasnt working(I believe it didnt have a chance to because the opiates were not letting it stand a chance).I think a lot of people take the opiates because they mask the signs of deppresion but time.Also w/all the seratonin we pose while using the opiates a lot of us need the boletas of an AD med at least for a few months after we quit.

[workingonmyself]

I have been on hydrocodone for the past six months.  it has been the only thing that has stopped the pain so i can go and fuction on an everyday basis.  i would not be able to go to work if i didn't have it.  and i decided 2 days ago that enough is enough when the pain started staying and not going away with the pills.  i did not want to go to something stronger.  i had a horrible night last night.  i couldn't sleep and it felt like my muscles were just rolling under my skin and i would try to ignore it and it would not stop until i rubbed the area and that stopped it for a minute or so.  i feel really achie and tired today and restless at the same time.  i am trying to be strong but it is really hard.   i have been praying to God and i don't think i would have made it this far if it wasn't for him.  i was just wondering though how long does anyone think the sideaffects are going to last.  i don't want to cave in.  But is sure is tempting.

[Ashelen]

Also - I was on a relatively dose and I didn't abuse them, but I took them around the clock for pretty much years....so maybe our situations are different but physical dependence is physical dependence no matter what you call it so this will probably apply to you too:

sorry but my point was that the depression DOES ease. I did my detox (voluntarily quitting a pain management program) in April and my depression and anxiety is pretty much gone completely now. I still take pain meds occasionally but now that my body isn't dependent on them, there's a world of difference and a world of freedom that I didn't have before. Once your body is clean, you will never - not for a minute- regret the choice to get Free. I'm in pretty severe pain, and even so...I know that freeing myself from those pills was the best choice I ever made. Being a slave to a little chemical powder is so much less than we're worth as human beings....and when you can wake up in the morning and NOT take a pill (I ended up taking ibuprofen in place of my doses for about 2 weeks because I was so USED to taking the pills that not taking them caused me severe anxiety) you will realize that all the physical crap and the mental battle is worth it.

But you need to get aftercare plans NOW. NA or AA like another user suggested - or therapy AND NA or AA....because the physical part is the easy part, and battling the rebound depression and anxiety will be MUCH easier if you have tools to combat them, which counseling or group sessions will help you learn.

You can do this. I promise you...a little bit of rebound (or even a lot) depression and anxiety is WORTH every second that you aren't having to think about when to take your next pill or worrying because the pill is wearing off...all worth it. Hang in there!

[Ashelen]

to be honest, the heat to me was a blessing...I detoxed when it was about 95-100* outside and we were rennovating the house that we had just bought on foreclosure..so I stayed hydrated, took my vitamins, and sweated...a LOT. But the physical activity and sweat, I think, made the detox faster and less painful. I didn't feel sick because I was so exhausted and sore that none of the twitchy or uncomfortable feelings registered, and the sweat pushed the toxins out of my body faster....

You have to drink a LOT of fluids, but I say if you can force yourself outside to move and sweat it's a healthy way to purge.

[fedup38]

Today is day 2 for me and I am so glad I made this decision to do this I feel like I have the flu but it will all be worth it maybe u need to talk to some one about the root of u being depressed u can do this we are all here for u

[Innerstrength67]

I agree with addict. It takes time to get up in the morning and just get on with it without pills. Listen to me..lol, I have 8 days but I know if I obsess than it makes it worse. I allow myself to want it, think about it, then do something else.

[addict3]

You need to find something to occupy your mind. Go find something to do that will keep you busy and thinking about things other than pills.
If you sit there all day thinking about how bad it is or is going to be...you will be miserable.

You will feel outta sorts for a short time...but before you know it you will have some of that clean time and it will be well worth it....promise!
Hang in there!!!

[Releaseme2207]

Exercise would be fine, but it's 102° outside right now, lol. Way too hot for me :( I wish so bad that I hadn't gotten addicted. I feel weird and empty right now. I took two of those 5-htp pills, so I hope I start feeling a little better.

[Innerstrength67]

Darlin, I hear your frustration and pain. I know exactly how you feel. But the pills give us a false sense if happiness. They also mess up our brain chemistry so much and it takes time to heal. All you have is this moment and you must fill it up with something to take your mind off of pills. Everyones body chemistry is different. Maybe the people who have a lot of clean time and are still depressed have a lot of other issues. I see a lot of people here who are much happier.
It just boils down to a choice. Do we want to live life on Life's terms or check out.
Have you tried any AA or NA meetings? It will give you something to do. Can you go exercise?
This is not easy stuff but its a choice!
Big hugzzz!