Looking fro honest advice....PLEASE

[hiddenme]

I need help.....where should I start? I have detoxed twice at work/home but one of those times was because I found out I was pregnant. I loved that time...I was sober, happy and had everything just the way I pictured. Now I live in a mess that I have created and I so badly want out but I keep finding myself going back to the pills. Should I talk to my doctor or be the strong stubborn girl that I have always been and do it on my own? But am I strong and stubborn to this weakness? Both my mom and dad use pills and so does my husband. My husband goes to pain management and he has something I dont......a medical need and self control. He doesnt abuse them like I do. With that said......what do u think I should I try to be successful..... inpatient, out patient, home detox, start with my doctor, therapy....all of the above?!?! Im so scared and angry at my self. I have two little girls whom are my world and this is not fair to them. I work full time, I have a good job, I play "super mom" but inside I know I am no super mom......just a broken mom and that kills me. I need help.....I just dont know where to start.......PLEASE HELP

[SMG6772]

I can completely empathize with your situation.  A little over a year ago, I made the decision to break a 10 year addiction to oxycodone that had wrought devastation on my life.  I had tried hundreds of times to detox and maintain abstinence, but my neurochemistry was so out of whack from the years of abuse that eventually the restlessness and sleepless nights would drive me back to the painkillers.  My personal detox protocol was clonidine, lorazepam (for the restlessness), and prescription sleep medication.  Unfortunately, that was never enough.  I finally found success with Suboxone.  I was prescribed a maintenance dose for a year and have now tapered off and I’m feeling very close to normal.

I have to add a personal note here about my experience with “Treatment Centers”.  When I first decided to address my problem, my parents offered to pay for a 28 day residential treatment program.  It seemed like a good idea, because part of the battle had always been just staying off the painkillers long enough so that my neurochemistry would reach baseline.  However, residential treatment centers should be approached with caution and realistic expectations.

I was personally shocked when I learned that most rehabilitation centers are based on a quirky “faith healing” approach that was born in the 1930’s!  I think most Americans would be appalled to learn that their loved ones are being charged upwards to $10,000 dollars/month to be told that “surrendering to God and attending regular religious meetings can remove the ‘character defects’ that cause your substance abuse”.  I received little medical attention during my “detox” because “suffering is good for the soul” and I needed to get in touch with my pain so that I could truly “surrender and allow God into my life”.  This is NOT HYPERBOLE; these were the actual quotes of the doctor running the detox program.

I have shared this experience with a number of other people who attended 12 Step based programs, and while my “treatment” was particularly egregious, it was in no way exceptional.  I would encourage anyone who is considering admittance to a 12 Step program to get a copy of Alcoholics Anonymous and read the first 164 pages to make sure you understand the religious dogma that drives these institutions.

[hellc@mst]

My first suggestion is that you consult a "çredentialled  professional" who is familiar with the day to day trials and tribulations of an addict in early recovery. Any addiction specialist worth their salt will first try something called a BI ( brief intervention) which is basically a doctor telling thier addicted patient about the medical ramifications of sustained/prolonged drug abuse. For many addicts this is enough.

Some doctors/therapists/councellors may also try a technique called MI ( motivational interviewing) which is when the addict is asked to list thier goals/dreams/aspirations and identify how drug abuse has prevented thier realisation.

Below is a list of evidence based therapies and groups which can help an addict/alcoholic in both early recovery and maintenance of their newfound sobriety.

-SMART: Self Management And Recovery Training.
http://www.smartrecovery.org/
Rational, sane, common-sense recovery techniques. Based on Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, the brainchild of Dr. Albert Ellis.
SMART online chat groups, http://smartrecovery.infopop.cc/paraentry.php, and
SMART message boards, http://smartrecovery.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x

-WFS( women for sobriety) http://www.womenforsobriety.org/news_conferences/chat.html

-SOS, Secular Organizations for Sobriety, a.k.a. "Save Our Selves".
SOS is an alternative recovery method for those alcoholics or drug addicts who are uncomfortable with the spiritual or superstitious content of widely available 12-Step programs.
Another web site: http://www.sos-rochester.org/

LifeRing Secular Recovery (LSR)
LifeRing provides live, online meetings on the Internet, and they are also starting meeting groups in various cities.
http://www.unhooked.com/chat/Chat.html

Rational Recovery
http://www.rational.org/

Harm reduction, Abstinence, and Moderation Support (HAMS)
http://hamsnetwork.org
HAMS is peer-led and free of charge. HAMS offers information and support via a chat room, an email group, and live meetings — as well is the articles on this web site.
http://hamsnetwork.org/chat == chat room
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/hamshrn == email group
http://hamsnetwork.org/live == live meetings

I wish you well on your journey.
All the best. Jeremy (ex addict). 3years 6 months drug and alcohol free.

Is this neutral enough medhelp?  I am really trying here.

[wantitdone]

I am on day 4 of quiting, honest answer it ***** but you can do it... so much support , advice , knowledge here to detox i have been reading for days. this is my 4th time and LAST time doing this detox, iam more committed to get this behind me & I have read so many times AFTERCARE is a must. NO DOUBT - I am getting ready to find  a program that will work schedule (family stuff)...hellmc WOW...THANK YOU will be looking into something so many optionms, Good luck to you - you will detox research all the remedies to help- i am starting to see my children in a sober light & the laughter that has been errupting is the BEST HIGH i ever had ~!!

[gnarly_1]

hi welcome to the forum......well this ant your first rodeo from what it sounds like ....a home detox will work out fine but your going to need some help with the kids....line up a long weekend at work 4 days if you can....take your last dose on wensday you will start to withdrawal on thur and have the long weekend to get threw it....the one missing thing I find in people who relapse is the lack of aftercare...this is not optional if your an addict you need to treat the desease the pills arnt the problem there just a symptom...it is the very way we think that needs to change those that go it alone rarely succeed so detox and get pluged in somewhere both N/A and A/A offer great programs and there free you can also get a substance abuse conslor or an addiction therapist but I feel you get more out of the meetings
keep posting we will walk you threw your detox....good luck and God bless......Gnarly