Nine Days - What comes next? PAWS?

[JD1885]

Hey Everyone,
It's been a long time since I've posted anything.  I've pretty much been on 30-60 mgs a day of anything that's percs or tabs for the last two or three years.  I decided a couple of weeks ago that I will refuse to live like that anymore.  I'm almost through all of the physical withdrawals.  Still have a little chill and some waking up during the night though.  I've really changed my attitude and believe that I'm done with everything now.  I'm really looking forward to being normal again.  Can anyone help kind of describe what it's like after the first couple of weeks?  I'm looking forward to getting better and it would motivate me to hear how things begin to return to normal after you quit for good.  Thanks!

[BlastedB]

Around the 3-4 week mark, you will begin to have a spring back in your step and a more deliberate thought process ( You will envision goals and be able to accomplish them without worry of failure due to fatigue, depression, or anxiety.) You may still have cravings, but way more time in between where you totally forget about your past addiction (stay away from triggers at this stage including people that use... later, that won't be such an issue as you will develop a strong sense of pride about your choice to live clean and will feel superior to the losers that like to walk around all day F 'ed up) . After that, Life gets even BETTER :)

[toothfairie]

congrats on 9 days!  that's great!  maybe you could try some counseling?  i'm seeing an addiction counselor and it's helped me tremendously.  keep pushing thru!  

[ricart70]

I can understand  you on not wanting to become a twelve stepper but I would hope that you do spend some time formulating your own custom plan for recovery including avoiding triggers and coping mechanisms when triggers cannot be avoided.I only hang out with people who are clean and sober.They are around.I spend as little time as possible in the "using world".Socializing is important.Exercise is very very important to my mood,health and in turn,my recovery.Just a few ideas  I know one size does not fit all (maybe most but not all) best of luck to you -time will help(in my experience anyway)

[JD1885]

Thanks.  I am taking B complex.  I work out hard regularly and that helps too.  I also smoke a lot of pot.  It seems to get my head straight and the paranoia setting in saying stop being a pill head loser really helps me out too.    I'm very lucky in that I have no type of pain and never had.  I just took pills to feel good, so I have no restrictions on what I can do and have no recurring pain.  Looking forward to an awesome recovery and new life.  

[YesLife4Me]

Great job on 9 days!!!   I bet you are breathing a sigh of relief to have that part behind you?   I can relate to what you have said about how you reach a point after going through physical detox and then you are left wondering "is this it?".    That caused me to relapse so many times.   It takes much longer than a couple weeks to turn this ship around.   Even after we get physically better, the PAWS and depression/anxiety can drive you crazy if you are not prepared for it .  You have to litterally change everything about your routines in life.   Sources, people, places, things.   They all become triggers sooner or later.  

[dominosarah]

You have a really great attitude and that will help you but at the same time it is really hard to do this by ourselves.  Addiction goes so much deeper than just stopping the meds.  

[MIkanik]

You are an inspiration!!  Keep up the awesome work! <3  I'm 2 days clean and reading posts that your's is so inspiring!  For those "blues"  are you taking any vitamin B complex?  Those really take the edge off the depression and lack of energy.  

[JD1885]

Thanks for answering so quickly.  I'm not in any kind of aftercare.  I'm just going to do it by myself.  I won't go to meetings or anything like that.  I just won't take them anymore and that will be that.  I'm feeling a lot better physically and mentally.  Still have cravings pretty regularly, but not very strong.  Still haven't got my full appetite back, but I am eating more.  The longest I've gone is about eleven days I think back in 2011.  I will break that in two days and really am looking forward to seeing how my body and mind starts to change.  I remember last time, I got depressed feeling and I think that helped contribute to relapse.  I've decided now that I'm not going to let myself get depressed.  Pills are not going to take another day from me.  Can't wait to see how everything changes once I get past a couple weeks and head into months of clean time.

[ricart70]

Hi,Great job on getting off of these! The main piece of advice I would give is just to give it time.It always took me a month to start feeling normal after w/d
That kept me using for a long time because I just did not realize that something could take that long to get out of your system,for lack of a better phrase.After 3 weeks I just thought"this must just be how I am now.I may as well go back to using"I was wrong as it does get better and you will too if you stay off. Just hang in there and it will get better.

[dominosarah]

Congrats on 9 days clean!!!  That is a great accomplishment!  Dont go worrying about PAWS.  Are you going to be involved with any type of aftercare?  That is a huge help as we learn the tools we need to stay clean.