Is it all or nothing...

[bluespence]

I have been coming to the site for about two years and I have seen a lot of posts, some good, some bad, some supportive and some not supportive but quite judgemental. My question is this...do the people on this site only want to deal with those who quit the pain meds completely OR are you okay with people using meds for legit reasons as long as they don't abuse them? I get the sense it is the first one, but I would like to hear or read what you all have to say!

Thank you!

[teko]

I think if people come to this site looking for genuine help and support then they get it. If someone is on doctor prescribed meds and taking them accordingly and not abusing them, or are addicted because of a chronic pain situation and need support dealing, they get that too. I am genuinly sorry you do not see that for yourself. People who have walked the walk have the most help to give,and as to others who have not walked it, it is just an uneducated opinion anyway so why let it bother you? Take what you can use and leave the rest.

[dominosarah]

Good points Freebird.......

[freebird227]

The disease of addiction is cunning baffling and powerful and it will manifest more pain if it thinks it will be fed more pain managment meds. Having said that it the third person I will tell you about my addiction all day long...but only you can tell me about yours.
   I liked what sara said, straight to the point...the pain management site.
For me
A. I am not a doctor and can not help you manage your meds
B. I am a recovering addict and need to stay clear of slippery places ( what meds people use for pain )
C. My recovery comes first.....of total abstinence

The basic text of NA has a chapter called More Will Be Revealed..... excellant reading
D. It is not my place to condem or condone......
Keep comming back, good post

[PfizerFighter]

I'm a supportive to any and all who require my support. No judgments from me, there is only onw who can do that. I am a listener, not director.

[thmpn8r]

I believe that you do need to take a good look at yourself and confront yourself as to if you are actually using the drug for pain or the euphoric high you get off the drug....  Many people come to these forums not due to abuse but due to the fact that they are physically dependent on the drug and not because they have abused it.  Many people just don't know what to do when it comes to having an issue with getting their meds. i.e. insurance issues or getting to your doc. before your next prescription needs to be filled, etc., etc.....  It is sad that many of us have come to live for the next pill cuz if we don't we go into w/d's!!!!  I don't believe that is addiction but a physical dependence on the drug....  ONLY IF IT'S ON A BASIS OF NOT SEEKING THE EUPHORIC HIGH OF THE DRUG!!!!! When you go beyond the use for pain or abuse the amount prescribed then indeed you are an addict....  I myself have been under a pain mgmt. doc and have not abused, but do have an addictive personality and have sought out the euphoric high....  Thus, I consider myself an addict even though I am keeping within the boundaries of my prescription.  Hope this helps.....

[mom_of_two136]

Mostly I see really supportive posts to people who are really hurting. However, with that said, I have also seen very harsh posts against suboxone. I think some people here seem to think that people should stay away from suboxone and if you have to take suboxone then you made a poor choice and want you to get off it quick. Atleast that is the feeling I get at times. I have had a very successful treatment with suboxone along with therapy to change my addictive lifesyle. Today my life is so much better and I contribute that to a large part to suboxone. I have jumped from just a crumb and doing really well. It took me a year to get were I am at today and if I had to take suboxone for a year so what. In the big picture of things it will be just a blup in time.  Will I have trouble in the future? Maybe but I will take each day as it comes. I just hate to see people keep relapsing over and over, so I try to lend some support and sometimes suggest suboxone (not too often, don't want anybody upset with me but it can be a useful tool for some). I think when its all said and done, we are all moving toward the same goal, a life without addiction. And I would hope everyone would support that however we choose to get there.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

In my personal opinion there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a medication that is prescribed as needed following Doctors orders.  Hopefully from a Doctor that you have been honest with and that knows the full story. I would like to think that this site is open enough for anyone to place a Post - - - this isnt the place to get judgemental.

[dominosarah]

We have some people who come on here and post and after reading their threads we tell them to go to the pain management forum and talk with them.  

[StRoNgBuTwEaK]

hello!  i'm completely new to this site and I'm not familiar with all the posts yet.  it does appear that most people here are addicts, but i believe when it comes to the point where you have to reach out to complete strangers, you need help.  whether you can manage your meds correctly or just need support, we are all here for a good reason.  i am here because i am out of line with hydrocodone and i can't tell anyone in my family or my profession.  luckily, i can tell my husband, but he doesn't believe in addiction or depression of any kind.  so...here i am!  what's your story?

[Ella789]

  Hi blue !!!!   Everyone has their own opinion and mine is " Legitmate pain  ... prescription.... take as directed.....

Good Question!!!!  I am sure there will be alot of diff. opinions.   I am here to tell people if they want to quit,  then they can, it is possible.   For me it was good to see where my pain levels are as I am a Chronic Pain sufferor.

Hugs to you :)
E

[GA Guy]

I hardly see people here that aren't true addicts. Something has to make them seek out this site. Usually, if they've taken the steps to search out an addiction forum, then they truly need to be here. I do get a little annoyed when people pose questions on here and get great advice...only to completely disregard it. I get annoyed..but, I also understand it completely. I am the same way. I am an addict. So, I try to answer posts with understanding and genuine advice from where I have been. I also know that chronic pain is no way to live life. Some people must be on pain medication to have any quality of life. Use and abuse are different things, however. The problem is the fine line between the two. I have no problem with people taking medications needed for a genuine quality of life issue. It all comes from rigorous honesty about how bad the pain is, though. And, as we all know, us addicts "always" have pain at a 10 level.