Mind effects of opiate users

[Linduche]

Hi guys,
I was just reading the Drs. forum with regards to opiate addiction.  How long do you have to "use" before you start lying, emotionally checking out etc.?

[TooManyOxyz]

HELLO TO ALL

I CERTAINLY DON'T MEAN TO INTRUDE ON ANY ONE'S POST BUT IHAVE THIS QUESTION, BUT FIRST JUST A LITTLE HISTORY.

I AM A 52 Y/O OLD NURSING PROFESSIONAL. IN 2001  I HAD A TORN ROTATER CUFF TEAR, 1 SURGERY TO REPAIR THAT, FOLLOWED BY YEARS OF THERAPY, TRYING PAIN MANAGEMENT. TAKING CHRONIC PAIN MED.ALSO ENDING UP WITH A SOULDER REPLACEMENT DUE TO SURGICAL CONTAMINATION.

NOW TO MY QUESTION, I HAVE A HISTORY OF HAVING AN ADDICTIVE PERSONALITY. I DID THE THERAPY, I DID THE PAIN MGMT. I DID THE CHRONIC PAIN MED.

I HAVE NEVER TAKEN MOE THAN PRESCRIBED, ABOUT HALF. BUT THE MED HAS CAUSED ME SOME SIGNIFICANT COGNITIVE CHANGES. I HAVE QUIT TAKING FOR AS LONG AS 72 DAYS, BUT ALOT OF THOSE DAYS I WAS IN INCREDIBLE PAIN. I TRIED DIFFERENT MODALITIES. NOTHING HELPED TO A SIGNIFICANT DEGREE. AFTER 72 DAYS I STARTED TAKNG MY MED AGAIN.

DO I ADAPT TO THE COGNITIVE CHANGES OR  TRY MY BEST WITHOUT MY MEDS?? HOWEVER KEEPING IN MIND THAT I HAVE ONLY TAKEN HALF OF THE PRESCIBED DOSE, HAVE AN ADDICTIVE PERSONALITY. HAVE INCREDIBLE PAIN WITHOUT THE MEDS. PLEASE WHAT IS THE POSSIBLE ANSWER(S)

AGAIN GRATEFUL FOR ANY INPUT/ RESPONSES.

THANKS, DON

[Linduche]

Well, rather innocently I started percosets in the summer around once or twice a week.
Maybe 3-4.  Then, the passed 2 months they became an energy thing and I started doing them every second day and more like 6. I decided to quit and am so thankfull for this site as I thought I was dying and tempted to take them to stop this nonsense.  I have done a lot of reading today (on this site), and am going to try keep "clean".  I know I have always had an addictive personality but did not realize that I could be so dependant in such a short period of time. I also got scared when I read the Dr. Forum and he was talking about the damage to the mind being the worst and as far as the lying goes, I have a friend whom I suspect is lying to me about a lot of stuff and she too does oxy's for pain but....she definitely abuses them.  It is a very scarey thing....
'enr

[TysonRed]

Usually the day you start using to not get sick rather to get that original high is when things really begin to go downhill. Everyone is different in how they react while using, just like we all experience some differences when its time to quit the abuse. I really dont think there is really any clear answer to the question, but I can tell you if your still in the beginning stages of opiate addiction get out while you still can. Its a clear path to a self destructive lifestyle that in the end will get you absolutely no where. If you need some more clear advice you need to post more of your actual situation regarding your usuage.

[bluespence]

It would all depend on what you take, how much you take and how long you have taken it. Plus everyone is different so I don't think there would be any set answer. Why do you ask?