Hope this help others as much as it helped me!!!

[buncogirl003]

I was really struggling with bouts of depression and severe anxiety after 90 days OFF vics and reached out here for help!  littlebit667 wrote the following and my mind set is so much better now!!  Reposting in the hopes it can help others!!
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You have to remember how opiates work, and why you feel depressed etc. when you quit taking them and after you are over the withdrawals and often why we keep craving long after the physical withdrawals are over.

Opiates bound to the opioid receptors in your brain and body. They release their artificial endorphins to them, and block the bodies natural endorphins. After a while the neurons that produce the body's natural endorphins disappear. There is no need for them so they just don't rejuvenate like they would normally.

When you stop taking the opiates,  they leave your opioid receptors bare, and they are calling out for your body's natural endorphins, but there isn't any there at first. You body has to repopulate the neurons that make them, and this takes time.

Endorphins like dopamine  control your moods, anxiety, sadness, anger, happiness, pain etc.

You will slowly get your "old self" back as these neurons repopulate and begin increasing their endorphins production. After being off the opiates for a month, they should be about 45-50% of normal, and be back to normal within a year.
So hang in there, you will feel better and better as the months roll by.

Try keep busy and keep your mind focused on positive things instead of dwelling on the depression, anxiety, etc. that are only temporary and will disappear as your endorphins return to normal.

[hampstead]

Thanks very much for that understanding how the pills make us suffer when we stop i am day 7 tapering off i am down to one a day i am just scard to think of any withdralls when i stop completly any advice

[gnarly_1]

Good post gives people an understanding of whats going on in there brains.............Gnarly

[buncogirl003]

I am on meds now but stopped working when I stopped the vics so I am trying to deal with it on my own BUT am seeing the doc next week.  Not thrilled about adding more meds.  Figure NOW is the time to try and manage this on my own....if I can!!

And again.......thank you....GREAT info!!

[littlebit667]

I have been thinking and if you are not feeling better soon, I would see about getting help to regulate your depression/anxiety.  Are you seeing a therapist or counselor??  it is possible you will need additional help at that point.  I hope someone else will input here as well.  I hope all goes well and thanks for sharing this.  I really like the info as well!  :)