Rules of Rehab Facilities

[kat2923]

I'm thinking about checking into rehab due to a lortab addiction however, i have a ton of medical problems and will have to use narcotic meds the rest of my life. I have atleast 2 surgeries a year on my ear, and you just can't possibly go without any relief after getting your ear hacked off and sewn back on. If i go to rehab, will I be able to fill narcotic pain relievers in the future, or does that go on your record and are you prettymuch screwed? It's a viscious circle and I want out but I don't want to end up not being able to have any meds after my semi-annual surgeries either. THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING because i know once i get off of them completley, i'll have another surgery and sincerely need the pills and within a week be hooked again. without surgery i will lose all of my hearing - so go deaf or addicted to drugs for the rest of my life????

[FriaryGrad]

In Florida there is no record of who attended rehab and absolutely no way for a pharmacy to stop you from filling prescriptions from a physician unless you engage in "doctor shopping."  Going to multiple doctors for the purpose of being prescribed pain medication is illegal in Florida.  But when you go to rehab you will more than likely be told that you can never take narcotic prescription pain medication again, and if you were to respond with "but I'll have to" then I think you'll be going around and around with the counselors and therapists. Does your surgeon know that you are an addict?  His he the only physician who prescribes pain killers for you?  If use of the drugs for post-surgical pain is almost certain to trigger a return to abuse or at least overuse until a physical addiction occurs you should probably save the cost of rehab for now. Rehab is for when you decide that you can never safely use Lortabs or similar drugs again, because the risk of abuse isn't worth it.  You might benefit from NA or AA, in the short term, however.  Whatever you decide, you'll get a lot of support here. Take care,

[fedup4now]

You might want to talk to your Dr., or an addiction specialist in your area to see if there might be some middle ground.  Maybe detox, and then have your meds given out by someone you trust so that you cannot take more than prescribed, and only for a certain amount of time after surgery.
Sounds like a tough situation, and you will need to follow some pretty strict quidelines to keep off the addiction rollercoaster.
Good luck!  

[studiogirl]

I used to go to PPA meetings (Prescription Pills Anonomyous) and there were a lot of people there with chronic injuries that were on pain pills permanently but went to the meetings in order to stop abusing them.  Everyone in those meetings condoned it and was supportive.  However, detox and any outpatient program will not be as sympathetic.  You can still do this! It cant hurt to listen to what they have to say in detox (it wont go on your record). Make a promise to yourself that you will just get through that time without any narcs and decide about the future once you are clean. Dont even think about the future surgeries just yet.  When the time is right you can tackle that but if you can do without the pills now then now is the time to try.  I wish you the best.

[NautyOne]

Are you serious.  I have a friend who went to detox facility and it wont show on his record and he can still go back to his pain management for narc's???  what the hell.  No wonder he laughed at me when I told him now he wont be able to go back to the evil doctor.....what a waste.  Now I am pizzed.  It should go on your record....his anyway.......

[wannabefree330]

I'm a little confused as to why you want to go to detox, yet you are already telling yourself you are going to take them again?  If there's a will, there's a way.  If you end up needing surgery down the road (which I agree you shouldn't wry about that till the time is here), then you go to your doctor, tell him about your addiction problem, and you make a plan.  Ive had surgery since going through rehab-and it led to my relapse.  I used it as an excuse to take pills-and of course i didn't take as prescribed----I'M AN ADDICT!!  You can have someone else hold your pills and only take them as a last resort.  But for now, decide if the pills control your life, and you want to take your life back???

[wannabefree330]

One other thing- you say you will have to use narcotics for the rest of your life, but it doesn't have to be every day right?  Most of us will have some situation in our lives where we have to take them, but realizing you are totally controlled by them gives you the opportunity to create a plan so you don't relapse when you have surgery.  Rehab will give you the tools to make such a plan- and going to AA/NA will ensure you stay on the right path.  Don't let the idea of having to take them after surgery stop you right now from getting off of them.  You can do it!

[marcatj]

i too think a pain management/addiction specialist is a great idea.

that's why i originally went to mine - for chronic pain management.  he has helped me tremendously with both - chronic pain AND the addiction.

i don't know everything about you, but from your post only, it seems there can be another way...

you just gotta try it.  and know life without pills every day feels a whoooole lot better.

good luck to you.  i know it's tough.  but it can be done...

-mj

[seeksolice]

Pain management- SUCCESSFUL pain management- can be achieved without the use of Narcotics!!

No matter your situation, there are successful pain treatment options that do NOT include the use of opiates.

This is very backwards thinking and will keep you an addict forever.

[Soon2BMrsTurner]

You are thinking of going to Rehab but you said that you know you will have to take narcs? umm I hate to say this but what is the use in going to Rehab? To get clean off of one drug? doesnt do any good to go if you are going to take anything that is a narc you are only going around in circles. Im sorry but this seems really backwards to me and you cant get clean if you are still going to take narcotics

[kat2923]

geez go easy on people with questions. there's no reason to be so confrontational. It was just an idea i was bouncing around in my head to get me un-hooked and to a point where i DONT need lortabs everyday. i know i will live with surgeries and pain, therefore will have to use again, but im not saying i'm going to ABUSE anymore. I'm trying to clean up my life and start over. I came here for help not for people to judge and criticize me

[seeksolice]

If I came off too critical I apologize.

You keep saying that you will have to use again, and in my opinion, once an addict- always an addict- that means you CANT use again.

There are several pain management techniques and supplements that are effective. Opiates are not the only answer for Pain, Kat. It sounds like you truly believe that you have NO other choice but to take opiates for pain and I just dont agree with that.  I think it would be good to do some research on other pain management techniques before telling yourself you have to submit to these pills.