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Chipping?

I've heard the expression Chipping recently regarding methadone and narcotic use. What does it mean? And what are the Signs?  Thanks.....Susan Lea
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Avatar universal
I have never posted here but I just wanted to say a few things....the deep depression you ar experiencing is called PAWS or Post Acute Withdrawl Syndrome. It can last a very long time. A minimum of 31 weeks, sometimes years. It ***** but there is a light at the end of the tunnel....it does eventually get better.
Neurontin, also known as Gabapentin, is a first-line nerve pain reduction medication. It also has some anti-convulsive (seizure) properties as well as anti-anxiety qualities. It is typically prescribed to sufferers of Peripheral Neuropathy, Shingles, Fibromyalgia, and other syndromes or diseases that originate in the nerves.
The term "Chasing the Dragon" is actually a term that refers to smoking Heroin....it is termed such because Heroin has deep roots in Asian culture, as does the dragon and when one smokes heroin he/she has to chase a liquified molten ball of smoking heroin around on a piece of tin foil with a straw in order to inhale the smoke.
"Chipping" is a term used to describe a user that either uses occasionally or alternates use of opiates with suboxone/methadone. Usually for a few days immediately after seeing their prescribing doctor and having a urine screen to make sure they are following the rules of the program. This allows them to use for a few days and still have time to get the drug out of their system in time for their next urine screen.
Your husband'so doctor, even thought h is your own doctor as well, along with the nurses, should NEVER share any of his medical information with ANYONE, even his wife, unless he previously filled out a release. Even then, h would have to specifically imply on that release that disclosing information to you about his drug use was ok as well. It is not usually included in typical releases, it's an additional box that has to be checked and initialed. The staff disclosing that information to you (assuming you do not have the appropriate release) is a very SERIOUS and SEVERE violation of the HIPAA act and could not only get them fired but sued and stripped or suspendedof their license as well.
I am sorry to come of so condescending-sounding but the aforementioned facts were glaring out at me as I read this thread and I just thought you'd all like to, or should know these things. Some is just trivia, some are very dangerous practices, such as the HIPPA violations.
I really hope you don't find me rude, I'm just trying to help and to save some careers....,although the staff who told you those things have been very well trained on HIPPA policies so if they told you, maybe they shouldn't have their licenses or jobs anyway. I know I wouldn't want the same staff that disclosed someone else's confidential information knowing my confidential information. They may be more thanillingto share that with someone else as well. Something to ponder I suppose.
Have a good evening everyone. Hope I helped someone at least.
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Avatar universal
Wow! What a day! My Dr. who just happens to be his Dr. Called me and ask me to come by his office to fix something for him (I have an electrians license). After I was done I was hanging out with the nurses. She asked how my patch was doing, I said great. She told me my ex had been in on Sat. to get his weekly refill of methadone. I told her he had said he was about weaned down, she looked at me like I was crazy and said" you've got to be kidding, he's nowhere near being weaned down, he comes in once aweek for a refill of 30 10mg's and on top of the 30 oxycotins he gets". I was floored, I didn't know he was back on the oxy's. My heart was breaking. So stupid me calls him up, he sounded awful, I asked what's wrong, he said he thought he was coming down with the flu. I said you sure it's not withdrawals, and that I knew he was back on the oxy's. He flew into a rage, he got angry at me. Started yelling, calling me a liar. Needless to say it didn't go well. I have got to stop worrying about him. He's been lying to me along. Guess things never change......Love Susan
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Avatar universal
I'm sorry sweetie, but it's part of the disease!
I've seen it and i live it every single day of my life.  Unfortuately, it is with my husband whom i've been with for 20 years and we have three beautiful children together.
I feel stuck for the moment because, #1, I love this man, #2, he's the father of our children together, and #3, I know what he really is deep down inside because i've seen him, it's what he once was, and i can't let that go, therefore i'm stuck!
You will learn more and more about this awful disease and what people are capable of as time goes by.  As long as your boyfriend is in your life somehow, you will see and learn!  I just hope you don't get too hurt by it and all beat up over it!
Stay strong, and try to center your world on yourself and your children, and you'll be ok!
I'm here for you ANYTIME!!!!
Lv Jenny
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Avatar universal
Thanks so much, all of you, for your response. It really helps when I feel so down! Wiz and Cin, Your 100% correct about staying away from the Dragon. It's just so tempting to have even one evening away from this awful despair. I know in my heart it is just a lie though,and I haven't taken the plunge. Thomas, I have been on depakote and nerontin, for the last month now and have felt nothing but flat. Zero emotions! This is what is so disturbing. Cindi, The Nerontin is also an anti convusive,though milder than Depakote or Lithium. I was diagnosed with, get this:an underlying depresive personality, ADHD, AND bi-polar.And I used to wonder why I always used drugs to self medicate! Hell to me it was just relief from all this Turmoil inside! Anyway, I have to get somthing going with these med's or I'am afaraid i'll silp back. All you very wonderful people have helped me hold that at bay with your support! Thanks again so much. When I get back to square(i mean hip) I will hopefully be there for someone on this forum. Pease to all of you, Shane
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Avatar universal
I knew about the depakote,,the neurontin was the wone that has me puzzled  what do you know about that?   love ya   cin
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Avatar universal
Shane hang in there man! Don't throw away the gains you have made. It sounds like you are seeing a Doc about your other problems ahve you discussed the depression with them? You may have a legitimate chemical imbalance that CAN be treated with the right drugs. Don't sell yourself short  dude! It took a long time to find the right ones for a family memeber of mine who couldn't even leave the house and now is LIVING a normal life and they didn't even abuse or use any drugs. DO NOT GIVE UP! Keep focused and reach for that Light! I will pray for you as always!
Power & Peace 2 U,
Peace & Light upon U always,
Wiz
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Avatar universal
I have a bipolar step son who's only sane moments are when he's not not getting high and taking his Depakote - that's the anti-bipolar drug of choice these days. Very effective, too. Makes Lithium look like a sugar pill. Check'm out with your doc.
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Avatar universal
huh,,,computer at work,,,,forum at work   must be the head honcho  LOL   and thanks for your input re: the double post..go ahead  rub my face in it  ROFLMAO...:)  UMMMMMM  i didn't do it  errrrrrr   toto did LOL   I really hate when I forget to say something then have to PS...my husband thinks I talk way to much   hell, I can carry on a conversation while I'm having sex,,,or at least trying to  LOL   oppss did I just say that?   he thinks I type like I talk   too much  LOL  I hope shane does get turned around here....and follows your advice as well....well, wiz...ol dorothy is feeling 40 tonight   bed early...talk to ya tomorrow......love to all   dorothy aka cin
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Avatar universal
Hi Dorothy! LOL...Nice double posting ROFLMAO!!!! Don't you hate that?  Did you check out that zinc recipe down below? I think it's in the nicee thread. What do you think about that? Sounds really to good to be true.  What a Godsend that would be for us hurting addicts huh? I'm gonna follow those posts and see what happens. All I know is I heard when you got a cold if you suck the hell out of zinc lozenges it's supposed to knock the cold out in 2 days. Hell, I tried it and got the runs for 4 days and still had the stinking cold don't a know LOL. Anyway, I hope Shane takes your advice and really talks it over with a Pro. Sounds like more then one thing going on there. Shane, you reading this? Take care of yourself cause we need you around man!
I'm leaving work now so I'll be praying for you on my way home.
Power & Magick 2 U both,
Love to you all,
Wiz
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Avatar universal
I forgot to mention the buprenorphine...when I first started stealing drugs from work the first drug i ever shot into my body was the buprenorphine...why?  I did get high from it and it was not locked in the narcotic cabinet..it is addicting..yes, used the proper way they do use if for detoxing but that is at certain doses and monitored by a physician....there is the detox protocal....I just wanted to let you know it does produce a high and can be addicting.....love to all   cin
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Avatar universal
aw  ****,   i hit the button twice.... hate when i do that  lol
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Avatar universal
Hi Shane,  I agree with wizard,,,re: the depression not a good idea to start with the norco again,,,the euphoria is nice I'll admit but when it goes away what are you left with?  depression,  then my friend you are right back to square 1...I don't know much about neurontin except is it an anticonvulsant and is used for seizure disorders such as epilepsy how and why it works for seizures is a mystery to me...has your Doc. ever tried Lithium since you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder? I don't know i left nursing am few years ago, so much has happened.  I do know that alot of times when treating bipolar disorder or any other condition that it does take some trial a d error to find the "right medication" for each individual person..I'm wondering if the combo of both anticonvulsants are not responsible for the depression,,,I'm no doc but I'd be asking one...talk to your pharmacist, doc,,,,someone with alot of Pharm knowledge....i do know for sure tho if you go back to self medicating, you are going to get caught up in another viscious cycle...good luck to you and keep coming back.....love to all  cin   HI Wiz if ever oh ever a wiz there wuz....hee hee
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Avatar universal
Hi Shane,  I agree with wizard,,,re: the depression not a good idea to start with the norco again,,,the euphoria is nice I'll admit but when it goes away what are you left with?  depression,  then my friend you are right back to square 1...I don't know much about neurontin except is it an anticonvulsant and is used for seizure disorders such as epilepsy how and why it works for seizures is a mystery to me...has your Doc. ever tried Lithium since you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder? I don't know i left nursing am few years ago, so much has happened.  I do know that alot of times when treating bipolar disorder or any other condition that it does take some trial a d error to find the "right medication" for each individual person..I'm wondering if the combo of both anticonvulsants are not responsible for the depression,,,I'm no doc but I'd be asking one...talk to your pharmacist, doc,,,,someone with alot of Pharm knowledge....i do know for sure tho if you go back to self medicating, you are going to get caught up in another viscious cycle...good luck to you and keep coming back.....love to all  cin   HI Wiz if ever oh ever a wiz there wuz....hee hee
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Avatar universal
Hi Susan,

I just wanted to say that i agree with others here.
From my experience, what happens to the addict is, nothing in the world more to them than getting high.
They turn into such king manipulators, liers and theives just to do anything to get their hands on the thing that makes them happy.  They get to the point where they will bypass you in the gutter laying there dieing if the drug is on the other side of the road.  Believe me, i know what i'm talking about through experience.  Not all addicts get to this point, but it seems that your boyfriend has some very very very deep rooted problems steming from long long ago.  I can relate, because my husband shares many of the same personality traits as your boyfriend.
I'm sorry i am so negative, but i've been kicked in that gutter by the man that i love, and if you would have asked me if he were ever capable of such a thing long, long ago, i would have looked at you as if you were crazy.
I know you've been through a lot with this man, i've read everything written by you, and you've written to me about it too.
I've been so so so hurt, and ripped apart in my heart, as i know you have, and i hope he's worth the fight.  
I think your boyfriend needs some very indept counseling before he will ever have a chance of getting better.  He may have good intentions of changing in his head, but the problems are do deep-rooted, that nothing magically is going to happen.  Even if he is sincere, he's not being straight with himself if he thinks it will come so easy.
People with minor problems have a hell of a time fighting this demon, that i know your boyfriend is going to have to give it everything he's got, and then some before he will even be ready to open up to counseling.  
Gosh, i hope that i didn't offend you or say things to hurt you, i'm just trying to be realistic.  I was so niave once, and still am to a certain extent.  I thought, as long as my husband went into treatment, he would come out fine.  I never realized how deeply embedded the problems are in a person (not everyone, but people like your boyfriend and my husband and others), that they will actually have to completely change so many parts of their thinking to finally be able to beat this thing.
Good luck sweetie, and i hope i didn't come off too harsh.  I just hurt so so so darn much, and i feel your pain in your posts, and i know that pain all too well!
YOU are in my prayers!
Lv Jenny
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Avatar universal
Do you really want to get off the oxy's ?   what will you do for the pain?  can your doc switch your meds if you have built up a tolerance?  if something improves the quality of your life as far as pain control why get rid of it?  seriously....maybe you can get some other kind of meds...when we take narcotics  especially long term we do become dependant,,,it is pretty much a given.....maybe be homest with your doc  by saying "look,  I'm taking too many because i have built up a tolerance can we take a break from these, go with something else for awhile and maybe he can even play around and titrate the doses of various meds....you need quality pain control....this is my concern for you.....good luck   love to all cin
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Avatar universal
Hello All!!!I have posted on other parts of this forum. I just wanted to start talking with you all here. I have a back injury and I am on oxycontin. My prescribed dose is 4 80mg a day. Somedays I take more then i'm suppose to. Say 6 at the most. So I am always running short. I take them for the pain. I have been on them since a car accident 2 1/2 years ago. Anyways, I was thinking I must have a problem. So I looked up this site. I love it. I have been cutting back for around the last 6 days to only 3 a day. I haven't felt that great. You know how that goes. Sweating at night, weak, stuff like that. But I did order the B-6 and the L-tyrosine?(SP) and it does help. I am taking it every other day while weaning myself down. Hopefully tomorrow I can only take 2...It is hard when  I try to get down to 2 cuz it really sucks. I also have two kids. Two teenagers that is. And on  my second marriage. 7 years in February. My first marriage was awful. I got married when is was 16 stayed with him for 11 year had my two kids. He cheated on me and was abusive, mentally most of hte time, but sometimes physically. I finally got up the nerve to leave him after years of him begging me to stay. He would never cheat again, but of course he always did. Then I met my husband now and he is wonderful. We have been married 8 years. And he is great with my kids. Anyway, I want to get down to only taking one oxy a day buy I dont know if I can becuase of the pain.Buy I do know my body is addicted to these pills because if I run out I feel it bad!So any advice I would sure appreciate it. Or if anyone can help me mentally I'd love that to. You all seem like wonderful people and I hope you don't mind me posting here...Hope you all have a safe and happy day.....Jewells:)
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hey you guys,,,,,off to work but wanted you to know  that you are all like a bunch of brothers I never had,,,my brother is 18  dad's 2nd marriage) and I am 40  LOL   that tells you something....MEN NEVER QUIT !!!   LOL   Wiz, i'm glad you had a great day with the wife and kids...makes it all worth while  huh?   Love to all of you   cin
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Hello Wiz my friend, I'm so glad your doing so well.You certainly deserve all the rewards of feeling good again!Your positive posts always seem to inject a sence of hope through out this forum. Thanks for that Wiz. I however have not felt well since I quit Norco addiction on April 1, of this year. I have been suffering awful day's of depression and hopelesness.I have recently (One month ago) started taking Depakote and Nerontin for Bipolar disorder. I've always had periods of manic hi's followed by depression. Anyway I just seem to be depressed all the time now without ANY hi's at all. I'am wearing out. I don't know if the depression is from my addiction, or from the Depakote or both? It's all F***ed up. I just keep thinking about taking the Norco again. At least I had a few good hours a day. I definatly need to find help! Anyone with any knowledge of this would really be appreciated. Thanks and God Bless all. Shane
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Too cute!!  A clean, mean and serene machine...  I am soooo happy that you are doing well...!!!!  That Dragon is locked up for good, you won the battle hun!!  Don't let the dragon's ruler "satan" talk you out of things... he is good at that stuff but he can't win... You know the truth and who your true ruler is...  Take care sweets...  xoxoxo

^j^J^
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Avatar universal
Man oh man... what can I say...??? Getting teary eyed here.. haven't felt this this in awhile..  All I can say is " I LOVE YOU ALL TOO!!!"  XOXOXOXOX  Times a million!!!!

^j^j^j^j^j^j^j^j^
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I forgot to ask in my previous post; Has anyone heard of study's being done to treat depression with Buprenorphine? I read a small report on this, but it did not say alot. Anyone heard anything? Thanks for any help.  Shane
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You guys make me feel so good... Thanks for the compliments, I can hardly stand it..lolol... Before I let my ego go to my head however I can't really say that these things are absolutly true about me.. I have indeed posted some things that only reflected my own insecurities about myself... I am glad that people do forgive me and see my positive side (that darn darkside comes out from time to time, hard to tame that dragon aye Wizard? heheee) I am happy to see that you all are seeking the positive in people and forgiving the negatives.. Blessings to you all on this honored memorial day weekend, peace be to all the Veterans...  Donate for the great address labels they send... I always do and it makes me feel good (especially when I use them, heheee).  Peace and truth and love be with you all and always...

xoxoxox

^j^ ^j^
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Avatar universal
You don't know what it means for me to hear that -- I only hope to make whatever positive contributions I can to the forum. I don't know much about opiate addiction, but addiction's addiction, right? I invite all who are going through rough times to lean on me. The openness, acceptance, and honesty in this forum are *my* breath of fresh air :) May peace, contentment, and happiness be with you all, Milo
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Avatar universal
Forgiveness, yes! Judgment, no! It feels so good to be able to spill my guts and know that 1)you understand where I'm coming from and 2)will accept what I have to say without condemning me. I can't tell you how much that means.
I had some friends whose friendship I truly valued -- they cut me off because they interprested my frequent absence from work as a sign of drug abuse. Ironically, I wasn't abusing drugs at the time -- I was suffering through the hell of depression, extreme anxiety, and related physical problems. My heart has been broken just as if a lover left me...I really hate rejection, esp. for no reason! Now I make use of Fioricet, etc., to numb the pain this and other events have caused. Well, there were many years when I was drug-free, and those days will come again. In the meantime, I offer whatever help I can, be it simple moral support or whatever. Esp. to Jay-Jay, let's help each other not feel so bad about the mistakes we've made in life. You're all a great bunch of folks. Milo
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