Painkillers

[SimpsonFan]

I have a friend who has been experimenting with painkillers lately, mainly hydrocone, and some tylenol #3. I was wondering what the long term affects of codeine-based pain killers such as these? I know with the tylenol #3 the acetaminophen can cause liver problems but are there any other long term or short term affects of using these types of drugs for recreational purposes? My friend has no pain he just uses them for fun, and sometimes uses them when he drinks because he says he does not need to drink as much, are there any long/short term affects of this? And how long would it take for him to become addicted and not being able to stop without experiencing withdrawl symptoms. He uses I think ~50-200mg (around 50mg when he drinks and between 100-200mg when he doesn't drink with them) and only does it like 2-4 times per month. He weighs like 140 pounds (not sure if that is helpful or not). Could you give me a rough estimate as to the affects of this type of usage (I know it is different person to person but just a ballpark)? I think it just might be a phase he is going through because my friends, myself included, have all experimented with drugs a decent amount, but I am just curious as to the short/long term affects of this type of usage, and how long it would take him to become addicted. Thank you for any help you can give me! As a side note I have read many of the postings at this site and I think everyone who answers these questions are true saints, thank you for being here for those in need.

[jennyfla]

You know what i've realized.  It's the alcoholics and the drug users that really make the 'best' people because you are what you are because you 'feel' so deeply about life.  You are a sensitive human being, and life is tough, let's face it!!!!  It is the hard, tough types that seem to skate through life without falling prey to addictions.  But do you know what, they are also the types who miss out on the biggest joys that life can bring.  We are good, sensitive human beings who have a disease of addiction.  It doesn't make us bad, in fact, it makes us all the wiser because of it.  If you are able to break through and rise above the addiction, WOWIE, we are 10x the people that these straight, non-feeling humans will ever be!!!!!!
So hold you heads-up high (stole that from cin's mom), and be proud of what you are, addict but much much much more!  And most of all, you are worth the fight of saving yourself!
Love to you both and prayers!
Jenny

[Milo]

Cindi -- your last post put this whole issue into perspective so clearly and wonderfully. I should print it & put it over my desk -- "Words to Live By." Thank you!
Wizard -- I gave more thought to the guilt issue you raised from my earlier post. You're absolutely right. I've found that as I tell more people I'm on meds, more people tell me the same thing! We're all nervous until someone breaks the ice. When I began my current job, a kind, decent, wonderful co-worker was called (behind his back of course) "The Prozac King" because he openly shared his problems and attempts at a solution. That didn't exactly inspire me to be open and sharing! But I've come to respect this guy so much, and to disregard the opinions of folks who've never been down that road, that several of us have taken a proactive stance and given presentations on the effects of emotional/mental disabilities in the workplace. I was nervous as a ***** in church, but the presentations were all very well received!
Anyway, your comment made me realize I have to resolve some issues about meds. Thanks again, my friend -- Milo

[cindi]

Everyone has a story,,,and each person here can offer something,,experience, strength, hopes, dreams and anything else...we all come from somewhere different, west, east , but we all have one thing in common,,, addiction, pain and suffering, and who knows but one small word from someone may change another person's whole entire outlook or it may change that's person's life completely....please don't ever doubt that you can help someone here,  when my mom first died I came here looking for something....I felt I had nothing to offer so I just went on babbling about my own problems until a few people popped up and said that I may not even know it but I helped them in one way or another...and they actually thanked me....I still don't know what I did or said but I'm glad I could have been of some help.....and you have helped in more ways than you know......love to all   cin   PS  Thank you for your kind and warm words......

[cindi]

I have had the stigma of being the 'druggie" nurse for a long time....now everyone thinks I lost my license because of it...Not true  I quit voluntarily...could not handle the narcotics....still have a license but i have choosen to teach toddlers in a pre school...I was a very good nurse,,,commendations etc...(pat pat) LOL  but I ant to be a better mom for my kids, waife to my husband and teacher to my babies...not someone's johnny mop victim in the women's prison and that's where I was heading...12 felonies...not fun...i was plastered all over the news  they wanted me to be an "example"  but my mom told me to hle my head up...everyone has skeletons....and the ones with the most skeletons will talk...Milo,  be proud of who you are...there is no shame with being an addict  it has made me a much wiser better person...love to all      cin.          AKA druggie nurse...

[Milo]

If I were hospitalized, I would feel priveleged to have you as my nurse!
This forum is the first place I've felt safe to talk about these problems, and it helps a lot that you know where I'm coming from. Your comment about people with the most skeletons  doing the most talking is dead-on! And you're right, we do need to remember to be proud of ourselves for who we are...that's something that's easy for me to forget.
I just hope I'm able to contribute to this forum in even a small way compared to the help you've all brought me already.
Milo

[Milo]

Thank you *so much* for your comments about not feeling guilty re taking Rx meds. My friends & co-workers thought I was on who-knows-what because I missed so many days at work -- they couldn't understand that depression + chronic physical illness could keep anyone at home in bed. I guess that's why I feel guilty -- like I'm doing something wrong, even though I know it's not wrong! Interesting that at least one of my biggest "critics" had to take an SSRI later on herself...
For the last 3 years or so, my attendance has been regular, but as Thomas said in another thread, the stigma of being a :"druggie" (whether true or not) isalways with you...Not much I can do about that, I guess. Thanks for the time and the concern, Milo