how to handle the emotional side of withdrawal

[Schatzie92675]

It seems everyone has shared how they made it through the physical parts of w/d, but what about the emotional parts?  I'm crying, anxious, really a mess right now and I don't know what to do.

[dyblue]

antidepressants can help because depression is part o paws that can last quite awhile geyt those seritonin receptors working better to improve mood.  It works on some people.

[ggin35]

That's how I was getting off vicodin. The best thing I did was just sleep. I had ativan and ambien to help me. Can you get these things from your doctor? If you don't want to tell him/her that you are going through withdrawal, just tell them you have horrible insomnia and anxiety. Or go to a clinic and tell them. I just slept and when I woke up I posted on this forum a lot. I hope you feel better soon!

[Addicted2Pain]

Everybody is different, and this might seem too simplistic, but tell youself 2 things.

1. It is to be expected.

2. It will go away.

See if yhat helps.

Good luck!

[Beargizmo]

I have a perfect time to do the ativan/ambien sleep thing..a week off of work but, I just had a pacemaker implanted and I'm not sure I should be doing those meds and just sleeping.  But, oh that is so attractive.

I have periods where I start crying..one morning I woke up and was just lying in bed and started crying..went on for half an hour..my wife was freaked out a bit...I thought it was just the depression (I'm on zoloft) but I really think it's the pills...oh, how I hate those things.

Jim

[kimmieb]

Just be careful if you go the ativan/ambien route.  

Ativan (lorazepam) is JUST as addictive (if not moreso) than opiates....and the withdrawals are much more life-threatening.  Not only miserable, but life-threatening (well, if you go c/t, which you're not supposed to do with them, but I wasn't told about that and guess what?  I went c/t and it was the worst 3 days of my almost 47 years of life.  I've also tried to wean and go c/t off of lortabs.  I have a much harder time with the psychological side of those w/d's.  But the ativan?  That's purely physical.  Your body becomes physically dependent upon those things VERY easily.  You don't even know you're dependent.....until you decide you don't want to be on them anymore.  Then you're in trouble.  

Just my two cents worth, but my personal experience with the lorazepam w/d's was bad enough to comment here.  If you can avoid that route, I'd try it.  I know it's tempting cuz the sleep issue is a real biggie and something we'd all kill for to get us through.  But just something to ponder along with everything else.  Good luck! :-)

[lil_rab2005]

Hey sweetie,
I know when I go through the mental anguish of quitting, goin' outside breathe in the fresh air, go to the park, beach, or even in your back yard in a comfy chair and read a book.  Anything to get out of the house will help.  Go shopping with a friend.  Feelin' the breeze on your cheeks, listenin' to the birds, and watch children playing.  It's all so therapeutical.  A good cry gets the serentonin back on track also believe it or not.  Not to mention, get a bubble bath ready, as hot as you can stand it, 4 or 5 candles goin' on the sides of the tub, if you smoke, get a ashtry, lighter and cigs on the side, get some music goin', get in, sit back and RELAX.  I hope some of this helps but the main thing is to keep busy, busy, busy.  The more busier you are, the more your brain will produce the good feelings faster.

I'm so proud of you sweetie.  You made it through another day!!!  You should be so proud of yourself.  Treat yourself to something special.  Manicure, pedicure, massage, anything that can be relaxing.  You so deserve it!!  I'm praying for you.  Take care and god bless u sweetie!!!!!  Hugzzzz, Lil.  :)

[Schatzie92675]

Thank you for the encouragement.  Believe it or not I was sitting here contemplating just giving in and taking another dose because right now I feel horrible.  It's been 29 hours since my last dose.  I think I am going to take my muscle relaxer and try to go to sleep.  If I can sleep through the night I'll be at about 42 hours and hopefully through the worst of everything.  Physically I feel ok - some minor aches, and surprisngly very little bowel disturbance - it's the emotional side I'm having a hard time with.  I feel so weak, so pathetic.  Especially since I feel like I just let this happen knowing how quickly I became physically dependent on the pills last time.  I just keep telling myself, it's ok, don't beat yourself up, it will pass.

So, I'm off to take my muscle relaxer and hopefully spend the next 11-12 hours asleep.  wish me luck!  Thank you all again for being so supportive.

[lil_rab2005]

You are so very welcome!!!  You take that muscle relaxer and have a very restful nite.  That's awesome that you aren't bothered with the goin' to the bathroom every 15 - 20 minutes part lol.. you are so lucky, I'm jealous lol... I'll pray for you and soon it will be tomorrow.  Tomorrow is another fresh day.  I wish you happiness and the energy to do something to get out of the house.  I'm tellin' ya, the key to feelin' better is to get out of the house.  It doesn't matter what you do, just get out.  Stayin' in the house just makes you feel like **** all the way around.  I'll talk to ya tomorrow... take care and god bless u sweetie, hugzzzz Lil.  :)

[djwizdom]

I was hit by a truck 3 yrs ago and my arm was crushed in three places. Plus the injuries in my back wich they missed. Ever since then I've been on Oxycontin and perkacet, now i'm really in trouble cause I want to stop and oxy is dangerous stuff plus i noticed someone post larazapam i'm on that to. When i run out life is rediculous I can't play with my kis or keep my mind focoused on anything nervous gerrr I hate it. I heard you can take methodone but i've heard bad things abouot that. My withdraw advice for what its worth I for awhile there used alcohol to replace it and that is never the answer just makes it ten times worse, I have been to the emergency room so many times when the withdraw wins that i'm black balled! I just take nurontin to help calm the nerves I never new the larazapam was just as addicting.So you learn something new everyday plus when I try to quit the pain gets so bad it pulls me back! I don't know if there is an answer... But i applaud everyone who are standing up and saying NO THIS WILL NOT DEFINE ME AS A PERSON.