10 days sober now-general questions

[Jackie8371]

12/26/2010 i went into detox for a 1 1/2 year addiction to vicodin and oxycodone. today i am 10 days sober and home. im especially glad that i was able to kick the habit via an in patient detox considering i tried to quit cold turkey four previous times and did not succeed. while in detox i only took suboxone for two days and denied the rest of the pills that were offered from the detox nurses. i just dont want to take pills. PERIOD. unfortunately i am severely depressed now. also having trouble sleeping. im not too suprised that the depression is accompanied after stopping the substance abuse. just looking for a little support and feedback. has anyone else had similar? the depression is just unbelieveable. very, very difficult to get though the day.

any feedback will help. -jackie

[tired_of_oxy]

Hey your doing great!! That depression and anxiety is VERY hard to deal with but I agree with the other poster, get into NA or some other aftercare. After reading hundreds of posts and talking to people in real life who've successfullyquit they all have one thing in common- they sought aftercare and they work a recovery program.

I thought I could do it myself and for awhile I did but not getting support or aftercare led me to relapse. It's so important to get into aftercare. I hope you get into a recovery program asap. Ten days is huge!! Only a fellow addict realizes just how monumental 10 days is clean in the life of an addict. From what I've been told 3 months is the amount of time it takes the brain to come back online. When we abuse drugs we screw up the balance of our brains chemistry. It heals but takes time. But you'll feel better and better every day and this forum is a great source of support. But pls make sure you get into aftercare. It will help sooo much!

[ERICSFISHIN]

I wish you all the luck Jackie ! You are on the right track...Unfortunalely for me,This is night 1 for me going off Fentanyal 100mcg cold turkey. I have done before years ago and was Hell! I am going to look into a detox center here in Saratoga area tomorrow

[Jackie8371]

thanks to all. mentally i feel an improvment from a few days ago. in that sense, i feel like im coming back a little bit at a time. although, my sleep is still a bit off. i am day 13 sober now and im noticing that when its time for bed, my mind is ready but my body is still uptight. i roll around the bed for hours until i fall asleep for 30 minutes or so. that is never ending throughout the night. its mainly my bones/muscles in my arms(upper body mostly).  any suggestions for that? and does anyone have similar sleeping issues?

otherwise the depression is lessening. not sleeping well at night makes the day not as enjoyable of course. looking forward to more improvements.

wishing you all wellness-jackie.

[imtrying109]

Get endorphins back by exercising ..walking for 20 min or so. Watch a funny movie, that really helps me.  I know what your going thru and I pray you feel better soon. Keep us posted.

[mommyoffive0529]

I would much rather have the sleep problem than the depression thing...I hate feeling hopeless and helpless at the same time...i just want to be a good mom and hang out with my kids again...i hope that this is over soon..anyone know about endorphins and such?  Just wondering if they ever coome back

[mooksmom]

Depression & sleep issues are absolutely things that happen after long-term opitae use. The depression should be fairly short lived. The sleep issue may realistically be for a month up to a YEAR...yes! a YEAR. Best suggestions:
1. Get to NA meetings NOW! One a day or more IF you are feeling like you are going to use again. It's hard enough to stay clean but easier if you hang with the NA crownd and make some friends there.
2.Learn to sleep for as long as you can, as much as possible. I know of no MAGIC sleep cure for opiate related sleep disturbance except your body will sleep normally again down the road. You have altered is chemicals with the opiates for a long time. Don't start down the road with sleeping pills. Even the newer one have awrful side effects and I believe are addictive.
The days will get better slowly. It's a heck of a better life, regardless.

[mommyoffive0529]

I too am on day eleven and I am in hell...i am so depressed as well but my anxiety is what is bothering me the worst...everyone keeps saying this will pass and i have a feeling that it will eventually...I was on Lortab for 6 long years and I wanted my life back...Do you have any other symptoms ?  I have restless legs, exhaustion, depression, headaches still , dizzyiness and i feel like crap...How are your other symptoms,,,,oh ans everything is really LOUD and I can't handle any commotion or loudness...,makes me crazy