the power of drugs

[cinders64]

I am currently tapering from 384mg of codiene a day, down to 90mg at the moment and going ok with the help of supplements, but I just wanted to share a conversation I had by pure chance with a cousin who I haven't spoken to in at least 20 years.  He called me at a time when I was feeling miserable with my withdrawals,  he had no idea I am doing this, no one in the family does.  He started to tell me how he was withdrawing from morphine, his usual drug of choice is herion but he can't get it where he lives so he takes morphine. He told me the whole event of taking the drugs is addictive, not just the drug itself. He is withdrawing on his own with no medication, only panadol, no help and no one caring for him. My uncle, his dad, refuses to acknowledge as his son.  Not because he has a addiction but because he is gay.  That is so wrong.

He has done detox's before but has always gone back to the drugs, he even admitted that if he could afford them he wouldn't be withdrawing now. He has lost everything, his house, his relationship with a man he dearly loves.  He said he has hit rock bottom, he could only go lower by committing suicide.

It just broke my heart to think here I was feeling miserable from my withdrawals and another family member is going through such a rough time with no help and no support, but the really sad part was he is still controlled by the drugs dispite losing everything and his withdrawals are only happening because he has no money to buy drugs.  

It has really given me a shake up and made me realise how powerful an addiction can be.  Even though I am addicted to codeine I have never done anything illegal to get it, I always blamed the doctors for prescribing it and that was my excuse for using it.

Talking to my cousin has really made me convinced to get this addiction out of my life, to be clean and to never take anything again that will control my life like the codeine has done.  I just wish I could help him to stay clean and try to get his life back, but I know its up to him to make that choice.

To everyone else out there going through detox and withdrawals, hang in there, we will survive this.  To all those who are now clean, you are a inspiration to me and I thank you for that.

Cindy

[solost500]

Hi Cindy! got your infor off from another persons response to coming off of codeine.  The reason Im sending you a message is to let you know, I also was prescrbed opana 20mg for back pain and lortabs for in between. Got up to 40mgs and 100mga of lortabs a day in just a few months Rather like you live with the pain, then to be on those.  Started weaning down a couple of weeks ago. Stopped the opanas and went to lortabs only. Know down to 20mgs today and taking the advice of slowly tapering down . Oh Ive been through cold turkey detox befor and it was hell! So taking the dr.s advice to slowly taper down. Not gonna lie! not easy but better than cold turkey.. Anyway I wish you luck and success on this battle.  I hope you dont mind me sending you this message.  Im new to the site.  I feel we are  in this together. would love to hear back from you.

[GA_need_help]

Hi Cindy,
I am tapering from Opana ER just as you are tapering.  So I wanted to say "hi."  I am waiting to see if the 15 mg of Opana ER I just took touches the pain I have in my back upon waking!  I am a little stunned I am at the point I think 15 mg will help.  What is confusing is if the pain I have is my back pain, withdrawal pain--or a bit of both!  I feel for your cousin.  It was a God thing that you spoke to each other!  Big hug.  Feel free to PM me if you ever want to talk
Marie