Need advise, hope this is OK to post

[BonnieAnn]

I hope it is OK to ask for feedback on this subject. It may, or may not have to do directly with addiction. But, here goes:

When I came into the forum two weeks ago, I was directed to the “registration page”. I was told to choose a nickname. I don’t have a nickname really so I used my real name (first and middle name). I didn’t see a problem with it. Nobody knows me, so I didn’t give it a second thought.

Anyway, as you can well imagine, I know quite a few people who are still using and abusing pain meds. Some are actually friends who have legitimate pain issues and have become addicted to their prescribed pain meds, just as I did. Others are acquaintances who may, or may not have pain, but are definitely abusing the meds. Some of those that ARE my friends are suffering. They have not been through treatment, counseling, etc. They do not know what the meds are doing to their bodies, and I don’t believe that they know they can stop.  Some of them have expressed a desire to stop using. I am talking about two people, maybe three.

The point being, I would like to help the few that I believe are reaching out. I would like to recommend this site. My dilemma is that none of them know my whole story. I don’t consider them my support group, so I have not shared anything with them. They do not know that I abused pain meds, nor do they know I am on a Suboxone program. I do not feel comfortable sharing that information with them. I live in a very small town and the news would spread like wildfire. I might even make the local paper with news like that.

I was considering changing my sign-in name. Then, I was thinking of waiting a few weeks  until my old posts have gone from the first few screens. Next, casually mention to them that I was searching the internet (they know I am an internet search nut, and I am always searching for information), and I found a website that deals with addiction. I could mention that I was on the site looking for information regarding my heart disease and I saw a forum for “addiction”. I could say that I read some posts and thought they may find it interesting.

Just writing this I feel like I am being deceitful, but I need to protect my identity. I have family members who could suffer from this if word got out.

I would appreciate feedback on this. When I come up with ideas like this on my own, I often scare myself and I have found it is best to discuss them with people I feel safe with, and get their opinion.

I would be grateful for any advise.

P.S. I also can’t even think of a new screen name. Those that have known me for the past two weeks probably already have a name for me..LOL..LOL. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks and Big Hugs, Bonnie

[lucyred68]

cute cat name.  i have a calico cat too.  she was an alley cat, so i call her calliecat.  

Lucy

[trinny apple]

I wanted to thank you for your comments on my post the other day.  You are a good source of support for not just me but a lot of people in this forum. I love the people in here. I understand your problem, but as someone else said, your idea is a good one. Just wait it out a week or so and change your name. If you do have people that you think you can halp they would most likely read the most recent posts. Also do you think they would put 2 and 2 together and realize it was you who was posting? I mean that we are from all over and there could be more than one BonnieAnn around. Well that might be wishful thinking so I would stick with your original plan. You could be BAsupport. It seems to fit you.  I wish you well in whatever you decide and hope you feel good.  By the way and I know it is kind of hammy but my name comes from my cat. Her name is Trinity because she is a calico (she has three colors). And one day I started calling her trinny apple I thought it sounded cute so I took it for myself. I don't know if that helps in anyway for choosing your new name, but whatever you pick I'm sure it will be a good one.

[BonnieAnn]

Sorry, had to go lay down (bad day). Just got up.

You guys are ALL so sweet and funny as hell. Well, I am going to throw all the suggested names in a hat and pick one. I will let you all know (you will know) when I use the new one.

I contacted Medhelp before I posted this. They are so very helpful. They are also busy and short staffed. I am not worried about my old posts. My profile will be changed, pic off and age off, so if any old posts pop up, no one would likely know it was me. Not too many people know my middle name is Ann, and besides, as someone said, there are a lot of Bonnie Ann's out there. I will, for sure though, ask that they delete THIS post when I do it.

Great Big Hugs, Bonnie

[lucyred68]

could you write to medhelp and ask them to delete all your old posts under your real name?  explain to them that you did not understand about it and you are afraid of people trying to contact you. they can read this post, anyway.  they don't like us to use our real names, so would probably do it.

Lucy  

[road2recovery]

See we can start getting used to that already.....I have also thoght of telling a couple people about this site, because like me they dont' know they are addicted, and how bad these things are..The funy thing is i think there is one of them on here...And i want to say something but would feel like a total a s  s if it was not....But i also live in a very small town, and i have a very succesfull business here, and guess what we are too small for a  newspaper so i would not make that!  but it would be everywhere...
Anyway i think you should wait a few weeks, but if you think it will help them go for it...don't forget to take your pic off..Even though i love it , that is a given, that is why mine is not there..i can't even put my pet, because ever where i go he goes...LOL
good luck
sounds like you are looking out for good people.
R2R

[lonote]

Just be careful with the name thing cause people can be funny about their autonomy. Thats why I jumped in for Hope yesterday, and of couse I was right, she came out later and clairfied it. And there are ppl just just don't respect that annominitty or care.

[lonote]

So you want to change your name huh? How about Chattybug?

[ThursdayNext]

How about Stillwater.  He is this panda in a childrens book.  Zen stories.  I love it.  I picked my name from one of my favorite characters in series of books.  I love to read.  Stillwater is wise, playful, dependable.  The book is called Zen Shorts.  

[avisg]

bonnie, I think its great that you want to help others , but I also see what you are saying small towns can be very unforgiving .Remember if you do tell them about this site some how someday they will figure out who bonnie ann is . So you have to decide weather you want to take the risk of people finding out or not .That is a question that only you can answer.Just the fact that you want others to have the same help that the site has given you ,really shows your character  . Take some time think it over the right choice will come
avis

[LIZZIE LOU]

maybe you could go ahead and change your screen name...now...and wait a few weeks to tell your friends about this site.   you could tell a little fib and say that you just found this site (on the date that you changed your name).  if they wanted to read old posts, they would have to go back many, many pages to cover a few weeks worth...they would be tired of reading old ones before they ever saw your name...but then again...i'm sure there are other bonnieann's out there.

just a thought

kim

[Dimboy]

Don't forget to change the picture too lol
How is your day going? I will be off to work in an hour....OMG im not sure what's waiting for me in the office today....I much as I love long weekends....I hate them too! I hate walking in to a 300 emails inbox lol, not mentioning that i  "try" to clear it from home before i go to work. Yuk!

Im glad that you like my posts....As i mentioned to another friend on here...that i think that i want to stick around this place for a while lol...i even created a dedicated email account.

[serenitysaves]

yes, you could have a problem if you don't want your info out in your community.  It sounds like you already have a plan.  

anyway maybe a new name "Big Hugs"
take care, Robin

[BonnieAnn]

LOL..LOL. You are so sweet. I love the name!!! thank you for your support.

I am not boycotting you, but I am still crying..LOL.. No, I love your posts. Your honesty and kindness is refreshing. I always take something with me when I hear your suggestions.

Big Hugs...........

[Dimboy]

lol, Good Morning there....are you boycotting me? I only forgot to mention you in 2 posts ;P  come on! J/K
I really hear where you are coming from...and with all honestly, i told a couple of good friends in here that i will not share any personal infomation yet.....I did once and im not if its gonna hurt me or not...im kinda just sitting and waiting lol.....everyday i walk in to work and wondering if i'm gonna have a "chat" with the president of the company. It's driving me crazy...but oh well...I think it was my mistake to begin with.

How do you like your new nickname? :)