Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

how to move on after addiction

I am 27 and over the last two years have been struggling with an opiate addiction.  I have been taking ritalin for most of my life as I was diagnosed with adhd when I was younger.  About two and a half years ago I started to snort my medication daily for that rush that I got.  Well about six months after that I took a percocet and thought I could occasionally take them as the feeling was way better than ritalin.  Well needless to say the occasional pill turned into an everyday problem.  I started small and gradually had to take more and more to fuel the feeling.  They became the only thing I thought about and getting them was all I cared about.  Everything in life seemed so much simplistic with pills.  Well gradually I began to lose things in my life that really mattered.  I dropped out of college,  couldn't maintain a job, and hurt a lot of my friends and family.  Now I am 10 days from my last pill and the physical withdraws have stopped but the mental withdrawal is hell.  I feel like I am stuck in a rut and do not know what to do next.  I know I need to get a job but feel no motivation whatsoever to do it.  I still find myself thinking about the drugs constantly and the temptation to use is still there.  Will this eventually go away or is this going to be a life long battle?  Thanks

Ryan
5 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal

      The wds will get better if you dont use.  You may need to talk with another addict posting is good but going to a meeting is all right to you will feel a little better in a room with people who are having the same problem you are I went for 12 years myself and with a addictive personality addicts  kind uh become addicted to meetings ask any one can you quit posting they will say I dont want to its a outlet for a addict like the drugs were.  And being adhd is common among addicts and alcoholics.  Back when I was young I could not read 3 sentences out of a book but I new how to find a fix.   So hang in there it will get better with out the use of drugs.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ryan-  There's a little deal called "aftercare" and you need it and now! It can be almost anything you want to make it. It needs to include support,councelling,therapy,etc...it could be AA meetings everyday. These are all things to participate in where you will learn how to live and deal with the cravings and your new life. We all need the tools.

I say you need to do this NOW because you're stuck in a tricky place and you could go either way here. There's no telling; it's early in the process for you.

Think about it. In the meantime, is there just one person you trust and love who could support you right now and to whom you could be accountable? That would be huge!

Keep posting!
Helpful - 0
1697690 tn?1329123638
i think people are right about the aftercare....maybe try NA or AA meetings? they are free and its other people going thru the same thing as you...

I will say I am 3 months clean from an oxycontin/heroin addiction and still struggle with what you are talking about. Once I put down the drugs and made it through detox, I found I was still left with myself and my old thinking and behaviors. For several months I was in a cycle of stopping, detoxing, staying sober a week or so, and then as the physical wd's began to ease up and I was left with myself and my thinking, id eventually go back to the drugs. FOr me I had to change my environment and find some aftercare to start to look at why I Was using drugs in the first place and start healing myself emotionally, and to surround myself with other sober people going thru the same things as I was.  Its a daily process and everyday I must work for my sobriety, but for now it is working and I am grateful of that. Have you thought about any kind of adtercare? As you said a job is good too, but its also important to take some time for yourself and let your mind and body heal emotionally and physically and that can take sometime so dont be to hard on yourself. 10 days is awesome, congrats !
Helpful - 0
1926359 tn?1331588139
Hi Ryan-
Congratulations on ten days!  Have you thought about aftercare?  Counselling, meetings...Like Kyle above mentioned-it's about re-learning behaviour.  Also-the brain and body take longer to heal from opiate use/abuse than we would like...Vitamins, supplements, exercise are all very important in recovery...Patience and continuing to move forward working on your recovery are key....Lu
Helpful - 0
1970885 tn?1435860428
Wow! 10 days. That's great! I'm in day 5 and absolutely look forward to day 10 and beyond. My story is similar to yours, as are most on this post. Using for legit reasons, then for the rush, then planning your life around the meds. I've messed with this stuff for over 10 years, and have been through a couple ct withdrawals (I'm a slow learner). What I found that worked for me was looking back at, in your case, the ten days in hell that you went through WITHOUT using. That in itself is amazing. Then, you've got to accept the fact that everything you did on meds you have to re learn how to do, and how to enjoy, without. But honestly, that's something that you should look forward to, considering the time wasted because of the drug. Finally, I don't think the temptation will ever go away, at least not for me, but I'll use my recent time in hell as a reminder, my blessing of sorts. What you should do, something I've learned from others on this site, is MAKE yourself do things. You do something, you'll be proud of yourself. So do it over and over again. That false and damning warm & fuzzy feeling that we got from meds will eventually come on its own. Enjoy life. I'm proud of you for the ten days; keep posting if you need help, and Please! don't waste the ten days.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community

Top Addiction Answerers
495284 tn?1333894042
City of Dominatrix, MN
Avatar universal
phoenix, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.