Are you really Doctors?

I have been reading through and find some of your responses to be highly inappropriate and misguiding. Telling someone who is withdrawing from opiates that benzos should only be taken under medical supervision? Why the heck would an opiate addict need benzos?! They are only clinically indicated for alcohol withdrawl (withdrawal) to stave off seizures and cardiovascular collapse. I'm concerned that addicts are getting the impression that they can easily relplace their drug of choice with another. Withdrawl (withdrawal) is a painful and uncomfortable process. There is no way to make it pleasant. Certainly taking more addictive substances is NOT the answer..just saying

[reneew46]

No, but most doctors will put you on either a blood pressure med or benzos for anxiety.I would not tell anyone to take another drug to get off one,but what works for one person does not always work for another and most post and replies are pretty accurate to what the doctors do. just saying

[rnangel]

I can understand antihypertensives to manage high blood pressure; betablockers to manage high heart rate and anxiety; antipsychotics to stabilize mood and induce sleep; and some types of antidepressants to manage anxiety disorders. Benzos are physically addicting and the withdrawl (withdrawal) experience is brutal. They trigger the exact same neuropathways as the addictive substance itself...as do cigarettes, food, gambling, porn..Yes, benzos are the first line of defense in preventing fatal seizures and heart attacks accompanied with acute alcohol withdrawl (withdrawal) because like alcohol, they depress the central nervous system. Alcohol would reverse DT's too but that is simply not a reasonable option. Many addicts have struggled with anxiety, grief and depression prior to withdrawl (withdrawal). Anesthetizing emotional difficulties is what got us here in the first place. We should expect to experience emotional turmoil when the substance or behavior is removed. Just like taking away a soother from a toddler.
I thought they key was to empower addicts to find personally meaningful ways to cope with past traumas and life's stressors. Psychotherapy, mutual support groups, exercise, nutrition, accupuncture are some highly effective methods to promote recovery. I'm not trying to dis anyone who has quit their drug of choice and uses benzos to manage symtoms (symptoms) of withdrawl (withdrawal) and anxiety. I'm just advocating for a recovery that prevents the liklihood of relapse. We have to be honest with ourselves. As an addict, I could rationalize reasons to use mood altering substances. I could write a book on this rationale. That is why I am an addict. The disease wants me to use. My addiction is begging to be fed. It will tell me that I can use in moderation, try a different drug, restrict use to certain days and so on. Before I know it I am fully entrenched in the darkness of addiction. I'm saddened to see how many doctors lack the awareness of addiction medicine and how thier knowledge deficit harms thier patients.

[reneew46]

You are so right.If you read my profile you will see that not only am I an addict of 31 years I also am bi-polar, manic, ptsd and a cancer survivor. The doctors seem to hand out pills like candy, most do not even tell people the dangers of the drugs they are providing you. I have had 14 major surgeries and I hated the pain medication, I just did not take it.3 yrs ago I started getting migrains, my doctor at the time put me on percocet. I then went under the care of a neurolgist, he found nothing and kept me on percocet. We then moved to Vegas where I found a doctor to help me. He wanted to do the subutex unfortunatley he had to go on leave. I went into a detox program who also used subutex, it was a nightmare I was treated horribly but I made it through. 4 months later I had to have my Gallbladder removed guess what they gave me opiates intravenously, they filled my recptors right back up. The best part is that I am red flagged as an addict. So anyway my doctor still has me on them trying to ween down,hopefully this will be it. I also take xanax for about 13 yrs now but I do not take them everyday, they are for my anxiety disorder. Thankfully I do not have a problem with them, so I certainly do not think giving out benzos to help with one addiction is a good idea. What needs to happen is, that we the people need to do something about this. I was contaced by the Steve Wilkos show about my addiction, have not heard back guess our addiction is not exciting enough for them. Maybe if we all get on the same page and fight back the battle could be somewhat contained.
enjoying the conversation
Renee

[rnangel]

Well we are just two peas in a pod aren't we? LOL. I guess I'm a little sensitive about the benzo issue cuz if I had any, I would most certainly have a new problem. I know this is not everyone. Self control is something I don't have when it comes to mood altering substances. If I used gravol or benedryl to induce sleep then I would more than likely become dependent on these too. As a nurse, I see Doctors make serious errors all the time. Patients need to be informed of their health issues and ready to advocate for themselves. We tend to put too much faith in doctors and often forget they are human and make mistakes. No one doctor can know everything. That is why we have specialists. Yes, I agree we can generate an awareness of best practice methods for recovering addicts. We just need to continue the discussion to everyone everywhere. I still think studying the lived experience of addicts is crucial in identifying their needs...Lately I have been struggling with the thought of using cocaine. OMG like it hasn't caused me enough problems! Today is day 3 for me and I'm so very cranky. Angry actually. Angry at myself for even thinking about using. This relapse has been exceptionally frightening. Today I will find an NA meeting. God knows I need it. Take care!

[reneew46]

Lol cranky here too. Please please do not do cocaine, I wish I had a line myself,but we both know where we would be, so do not feel guily, just keep it a passing thought and find that meeting . You are doing good and you are helping me with the knowledge you have in all this and the personal experience, thank you for being you. you even gave me a giggle and those are far and few right now. I so agree with getting the word out, experience is knowledge when it comes to addiction. Hope your night is better

Renee