Im finally ready to admit

[xtracex]

Hi, Im a 40 year old women and Im finally ready to admit, and deal with the fact I have a long term addiction to codine. It started 15 yrs ago when codine was the only thing that would ease my migraines and after a short time I became hooked. I go in to panic mode if I run low and have resorted to using different chemists to buy them incase they recognize me. After reading about other people I realize im not hard core in the amount I take ( that isnt the issue) I take 2 every nite to help me sleep and If I get a headache I can take 8 in quick succession, the amount for me is irrelevant its the fact I feel the need to take them at all , even if I have no pain. A few yrs ago I also started zopiclone and Diazzes but managed to stop taking them coz I really was like a breathing zombie, but even with just the codine, I have never got any energy and feel lazy and dozey all the time. Do I just stop or cut down ??? do I mention this to my doctor ??? I even got suspended from my job because of this as I failed a drugs test as there were high levels in my bloodstream. Any advice would be apreciated. Thanx

[IBKleen]

So glad to see you are still moving forward lady. Best of luck to you tomorrow, I will keep my fingers and toes crossed..LOL

Let us know how it goes for you.

[xtracex]

Thanx all, I do apreciate your good advice, Have cut my intake right down and so far so good, no nasty W/D yet and am sleeping ok, im trying not to think about to much coz the thort is scarier than the fact I reckon, but Im off to see the nurse tomorrow which can only mean onwards and upwards, hope everyone else is riding out on their road to recovery xxx

[scaredmom330]

you have taken the first step, you have admitted you are addicted. also by coming here, you will met lots of wonderful people who will support and help you. check out the thomas recipe and amino acid protocol at the bottom right of the page. post and keep posting, read other threads. maybe the nurse can schedule you to see the doctor and he can give you something to help with the withdraws and meds that are not narcotics for your migraines. Good luck, remember one day at a time. pm me anytime you need to talk.

[cdpcm02]

YOU CAN DO THIS!
I used to keep a special calendar with names and dates of prescriptions and pharmacies-it got too complicated to remember because I had been going to multiple MD's. I've been clean for over 7 years now, and when I get one of "those" headaches the Advil or Tylenol actually works; pretty amazing, since I used to take 4, 6 sometimes 8 narcotic pills at once. Be honest with the nurse/doctor, and try to find a twelve step recovery group that you can plug into. Narcotics Anonymous saved my life.
God Bless

[xtracex]

Thanx for the welcome chick

I am in the uk and as far as I can make out our pills are pretty much the same as your yours, same sweets just different wrappers. I have a new doctor and I havnt met him yet but im booked in to see the nurse monday after a thyroid test and im due to get the results, and It just occured to me, These last few years I have put on a lot of weight that I seem unable to lose ( hence the thyroid bloods) I am now wondering if codine could be making the probelm worse as my get up and go has got up and gone and I believe that codine has made me lazy with no zest for life and even small amounts of physical excertion makes me tired, I have read that normally it makes you lose weight but now im wondering if that is not the case with me.

Ok back to the matter at hand, Im goin to tell the nurse everything about wots been goin on over the last 15 yrs, saying it out loud ( I have never told anyone before today) could be the turning point for me. Thanx for listening it is much appreciated, and putting it words helps me so much and knowing people actually read it and take the time to respond is more than I hoped for xxx

[IBKleen]

Hi and Welcome,

You are right, it is not the amount that makes you addicted....it is the behavior.

You are now to the point where you are shopping around and you have now lost your job over this. It is time to do something.

I don't know what country you are in, (guessing the UK) so I don't know what types of treatment are available but if you trust your doctor, please talk to him/her. They can set you up with a good taper plan or perhaps suggest something different. Whatever it is, please get the help.

Keep posting and talking..it really does help.