detox center? depression

[mindtwister1976]

hello, I have started posting here last month, i am trying to get off of pain medication such as vidodin,and tramadol. i was taking up to 10-12 vicodin a day with some tramadol on top, last month i tried to detox myself, i made it 8 days, then i relasped, because i could not deal with the depression,and lack of energy..i still reall want to get off these, but i dont feel i can do it on my own....my pain medication is not subcribed from a doctor, i get those illegally, basically my question is, what are my options now?  can i go to my doctor and tell him i am an addict? will he even help me? i live in ohio. not sure what the nearest rehab clinic is to me? I dont have money to pay for one anyways? is there free clinics available? just looking for some options here, and who do i contact? i also want to mention, i have dealt with depression for the most part of my life, and i am currently on medication, as of no.. i still feel depressed even when using pills.and it only gets much worse when i stop, i believe this is one of the magor reasons i wanted to stop using..is because i went into a deeper depression, i once had all this under control before i starting using drugs, any  advice would be great...thanks

[ZJILLIAN]

I do understand. I have been there too. You need to know that the drugs are making your depression worse. The really do and I know that from experience but even knowing that it is still hard to resist the pills.

I think a good place to begin is to try to contact drug assistance services in your area. Sometimes it is the local mental health center (which usually is free or minimal). They should be aware of your options in your area. Look also in the front part of your phone books; usually in the special services section.

Also contact NA in your area. Go to a meeting even though that is hard to do. Talk to people there and ask your help and ideas.

Asking your doctor depends completely on the doctor's understanding of addiction. Personally I have never found that helpful. Usually some grassroots service (local detox unit of the area hospital). Public health nurse etc. have better information and better help.

I have always found the yellow pages helpful in a crisis. Just keep trying and you WILL find a helpful service.

In the meantime: keep reading these posts and posting. Just keep asking for help.
Also you could start trying to decrease the amounts you are using. Be aware that tramadol cannot be cold turkeyied but must be tapered.

You can do this. It is a great first step for you to have posted!!!