OMG...My brain wants a pill! How do I fight the mental thing!

[findmyway]

Well its been over 24hrs since my last percocet dose.  And Im not in a whole lot of pain, diarhea has started, some mild cramps, I feel very tired, no initiative to do anything, which I was already like that for months throughout this whole ordeal.  Now what can I do to stop the thoughts of wanting to take pills?
It isnt even for the pain at this point!  Its the habit of popping a pill, looking for that high I guess.  This is awful.  The thing that really weighs on me is, even if I manage to not get any pills into me, and fight through this mental torture, because I know it will pass, still the thoughts and cravings will come again, then again, and again.  If you dont get any this time, will you feel the same way next time.  The cravings are killer!! For those of you who dont know my story, its on here, but this last time I c/t it lasted 2wks, and I slipped.  My most dificult part is staying clean, dam I wish this didnt take sooo long to overcome.  How do you not take pills, when these waves hit?  The thought is constantly on your mind!!!  And when will the mental cravings start to disappear??  Does anyone know that.  My fear is that okay, you didnt get any this time, what about tomorrow, or in the next few days, when the cravings hit again?  I just cant see it long term.  It seems hopeless, you fight so hard, to not do this, then yet later on you give into it.  I know Im probably looking at this wrong, but it is true.For me anyway.  I wish there was something that would just get this outta my head.  I dont know anymore........Im just gonna continue to not do it just for today.

[eyeofhorus2010]

The cravings are hard to get past. That's why so many relapse after declaring to the world  that this time they are quitting for good.  I must have said that at least 15 times. The more I told myself I was never taking one again the more I wanted one.

This time I'm 353 days into sobriety and this time I didn't take using again off the table.  I liked Vicodin so much that I couldn't stand the thought of never getting to use them again. So I tell myself every morning when I'm taking my handfull of vitamins that I'm not going to use today, I won't rule out next week, but for today I'll leave them alone. They don't seem to call out to me as bad.

That seemed to give me just enough room mentally that I could work on why I was actually using them in the first place. I used to think that a craving for pills was just that, I wanted a pill or two dozen. Not realizing it was a reaction to a stressor happening in my life at that moment.

If I'm craving a pill I know that it really means something is bothering me to the point of wanting to hide from it. Work it out and the craving goes away.

Aftercare will help you develop the tools you need to face these craving and see them for what they really are.

[quitinoxys]

When you have cravings try doing some breathing exercises and even some meditation. You need to tell your brain NO you are NOT getting any drugs. I know that sounds easier said than done but the breathing techniques do work. Praying helps a great deal also just ask God to help you through the strength to get past the cravings. I will pray for you and ask God to give you the power to make it through the cravings. God Bless---Rick

[Ann2497]

I try to stay as busy as possible.  Reading and posting on this board helps a lot.   Reading a good book that you are interested in, watching a comedy helps.  Do you have any hobbies?  Call a friend, go on the internet, think about how much better your life will be without the pills.

When I was in early WD, I went to the spa and got a massage one day, a facial the next and then another massage on another day all just to keep my mind off the pills and as a reward to myself for staying clean one more day.

[littlebit667]

Are you taking any of the vitamins suggested on Thomas Recipe and Amino Acid protocol?  You have to be ok with not being OK for awhile.  your brain is pushing you to get a pill.  The brain wants those pills.  Otherwise they have to work harder.  It is so much easier on the pills.  I did not see the light until about the 3 week.  At that point, I began to see the real me again.  

Right now you need to take it an hour at a time.  

NA is definitely a good option.  Try one meeting.  It takes about 6 to get a real feel of the group.  

[Innerstrength67]

Hey findmyway, I post about this all the time. I'm 39 days clean and crave. Are you doing aftercare, ie..therapist, NA/AA? This really is a choice. If we cave into cravings than we will never end the visious cycle. There is np miracle answer. I wish there was, I wish I didn't crave but I did this to myself and as long as I don't pick up and work through the issues as to why I became so addicted in the first place, than I believe I have a chance at a happier life.
I hear you!!! I know exactly how you feel!!!
I'm sure that doesn't take away your cravings but just knowing someone out there is going through the same thing has got to help a little.
I just tell myself, just for today, I won't pop. I say it everyday. It has to get better.
Hang in there. You really have to want this.