how do i do "rehab'?

[happypill]

ok... stupid question.... when people talk about going to "rehab", what is it they mean? you check into a place and you detox there, and start aftercare? how does one start, is it ever covered by insurance?
i dont think i can do this by myself   im a mess.....

[scaredoutofmymind333]

I stopped getting that "happy feeling" from the pills awhile before I stopped taking them. I personally find life more satisfying now and remember how hard it was when my every thought seemed to be centered around the pills, where to get them, when to take them, not feeling well if I couldn't get them....etc. Life is certainly not easy, and there are days when it can be very trying, but nothing makes me want to go back to living like that. I find that I am much happier this way. I also seem to have more energy now than I did when taking opiates, they made me tired, a common side effect of opiates. The mental part of addiction can be harder than the physical, as our minds will tells us for a long time that we need the pills, that life will never be happy, etc. Some form of aftercare right now is so important right now, so good luck in your search for a rehab and keep us updated.

[happypill]

does the happy feeling that pills used to give really come back? i can handle everything except this zero energy sluggy mcslug feeling.

[happypill]

thank you all so much for the support.
i think i am going to look into inpatient facilities, see whats available to me. this is so hard.

[scaredoutofmymind333]

You seem to be over the worst of the physical, but don't be suprised when you stop taking those 4 a day if you don't feel some withdrawal again. Rehab can work well for some people. I did rehab a few years ago, I did outpatient rehab. I went to the center M-F from 8:30a to 4:30 pm. We did have an evening "class" every week for family members to come and get involved in our recovery. I found it a great learning tool, it not only helped me to understand why I became addicted, it helped me with the tools to avoid triggers, etc. The rehab here also required us to do either NA/AA meetings each week, and it helped to walk into those first few mettings with a group of people I had known for a few days, as I am an extremely shy person. My insurance covered it, and most insurances do cover drug and alcohol counseling etc. It takes a strong person to admit that you need help and can't do it alone. I continue to go to 5-7 meetings a week, my thought being that I used everyday and need to work on my recovery everyday. I wish you the best of luck, keep us updated with what you choose to do and God Bless.

[getclean123]

I used to feel the same and like one comment - you have to get pissed off enough and instead of "BEING IN LOVE" with them "HATE THEM". I had a terrible cocaine habit for 3 years and literally prayed for the craving to leave and then I knew that it was mental and I had to expect the craving just not react! Drinking was my trigger along with some not so good friends so I got rid of all of the bad triggers and went from there. I did it and have been clean for about 4-5 years (SEE IT'S BEEN SO LONG I QUIT COUNTING). However, I have had a bad neck and lower back for years and my primary doctor sent me to a pain management doctor - THE WORST MISTAKE TO EVER MAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still take very little for I am on other medications to help. I feel better already! I am like you describe yourself to be, how in the world did I allow myself to go there/here! I used to work out and just deal with the pain and that seemed to have worked better. I have a friend that just sent me this link with others and I already signed up just to talk to you! I look at it like this - you have two choices: You can live or die which will it be because they are really taking a toll on your body. Quit thinking about them and like another person said, think of how great you will feel to be free of them again! My friend that sent me this just cleaned herself up without going to a rehab and is back to feeling like herself. With her medication being - clonodine which is a blood pressure med. along with something called propanolol or something like that she is better and it took her about 2 weeks to really feel back to normal. Think about where you were 2 weeks ago and where you could be today. Well, you aren't there today so how about you start today the best you can and make a goal for 2 weeks. Get busy with something like I have and you won't think about pain pills all day! It really doesn't take that long. I know once you start you think you will never be normal again but that is limbo my friend and it's the beginning of recovery. Sure, they made you feel great when you first started taking them just as they did me but they don't anymore so why bother! They will destroy you and your life! Hope this helps, I am going through it as we speak getting clean that is and after a couple of days once you are really really ready and say enough is enough it's a walk in the park because you start feeling better and start looking towards reality again instead of being in a funk! Make sense? Good luck my friend - gotta be ready and be strong!

[el_em_en_oh]

I know exactly what you mean... I couldn't do it by myself either.

My health insurance covered both detox & rehab treatment, and I went in-patient for 21 days. Best thing I could have ever done.

People that do it by themselves are EXTREMELY strong and I applaud them for doing it alone. But what IBKleen said is correct... going to rehab is great and will put you on the right path, but it's what you do AFTER that's going to keep you clean & sober.

Getting the right kind of aftercare is the key. Detox & rehab will get you clean alright, but what you do in the aftermath of rehab is what' going to KEEP you sober.

[Dav125]

Need to take some of this confusion over "your friend" and see that it isn't your friend. Its causing this continued anxiety your living with..Get pissed about it and decide you've had enough..Then plant your feet solid, get thru 4 days of feeling like cr*p, and then move forward...You need to stop thinking about the pills and think about how great life "will" be as soon as you let go of them..Once you make that decision, then everything else gets easier to deal with..But you have to say "enough,,I've had enough"..

[IBKleen]

I know those feelings all too well and I get goosebumps when I hear about it. The mental side of this disease will take you down fast than the physical ever will.

So what are you thinking you will do?

[happypill]

ok, i have been down to 4 extra strenght vicodins per day, from about 10... whatever i could get.... but i literally cant stop thinking about these pills... how i used to have energy, how they used to make me feel, everything.. its like i lost my best friend..... and i am jittery, have no energy, and quitee frankly im pissed that i have to quit...... i know i have to, but its like i dont want to. i detoxed ct for 5 days, then said i would do 4 per day then taper..... but im a mess on just the 4 per day.... i know i have to do something.... i am just at a loss. i dont know what to do first..... how could i have done this to myself? i never even drank socially..... g-d i am a mess. i cant stop thiking of them...... i have zero energy, yet i am anxxious. its torture.

[IBKleen]

Hi,

I am glad to hear you admit that you can't do it alone. That is a huge step.

Rehabs are Rehabilitation or Treatment Centers. Most are from 28 to 30 days and if necessary, you can stay for up to six months (voluntarily of course). They are geared toward dealing with the mental part of the disease and most do not have detox capabilities. I have been in 3 different centers and each time I white-knuckled it to get through the physical withdrawal. The idea was to keep me safe in a controlled environment while I began to recover. The first two did not help me get clean and it was no one's fault but my own. MOST are a great place to begin but it is what you make it. Your participation is necessary along with other things to get you going.

If you are looking just to go for detox, there are also detox centers. They are usually 5 to 6 days and they will often use Suboxone for that time. Unless you have a real strong support group and you are on a relapse after a period of time being clean, I do NOT recommend that route. I do not believe you can begin to start your recovery in that short of a time and taking Suboxone for that short a period and being taken off is dangerous.

Tell us a bit more of what is going on with you and I am sure others will have suggestions.