A HARD look in the mirror...

[StuckANDscared]

I work at a chiropractic clinic...lots of people think our docs can prescribe medications...they can't.  That's why they are a D.C. not and M.D.  Just had a guy in here OBVIOUSLY seeking just pain meds, was "very interested" in the dozens of ways we can TRULY help him through exercise and physical therapy...but since we couldn't just "write him the script because he's delt with back problems for 20 years and knows what he needs" he didn't schedule an appointment.  

My first thought once I realized he was drug seeking was, "I'm smarter than the average bear dude...you have no clue what I've gone through/am going through.  Nice try."

Second thought was, "How pathetic.  Don't you realize how obvious you're being?"

Third thought, "OMG...It's like looking at myself...lol.  Funny how life comes back at cha."

I wanted to take him in the back room and slap him and tell him I am currently tapering off a 50-70/day norco habit and he should try it.  Does he prob have back problems?  Yes...I could see true discomfort and stiffness when he walked...he was 60yrs old...and fought in Vietnam.  Legit problems, probably...I tried to hint and convince him to give PTherapy a try for at least 3 weeks...but the second he found out no one here could write a script for the "120 oxycodones/month is what I need" his attitude changed...went from charming and nice to frustrated and rude.

Hindsight is 20/20 and my vision isn't totally clear yet...but I apologize to EVERY RECEPTIONIST/DOCTOR I'VE TREATED LIKE THAT IN THE PAST.  Even though this man was more than doulbe my age, from a different generation, and we knew nothing about each other...it was like looking in the mirror.

I just hope that my mirror becomes slowly clearer as I continue to taper and eventually quit...and I pray he finds the help he needs.  I snuck a bright pink post-it note with this websites address and a note in his physical therapy information packet that said, "No matter what you think...please give this site a look...it saved me from an endless cycle of legit pain that led to hopeless painkiller addiction.  I hope this helps, but if it doesn't...please don't come back here in anger ...I just thought I saw someone who needed help from true/real pain and the endless cycle of pain pills. Sincerely, A Friend."

[Bkitty]

Reminds me of the old saying " takes one to know one",,,,I can spot an addict from a mile away. Im not sure if that is a good thing or not. Yup,,Im an addict and Im a part of this "crowd" and even though Im not "happy" about it,,i cant change it and I wouldnt change it. In the long run,,,Im a better person because of all this. Sobriety has changed my life. It was the single most difficult step I have ever ever taken in my life,,in hindsight,,,I keep asking myself " Why did i wait sooo many years to do this?" It was a hard step and the process long and sometimes painful but like I said I came out of the fog a changed woman. You just have to be patient,,and you are doing great. You probably changed that man's life,,you may never know,,but he had someone watching out for him and someone that cared enough to leave that note,,,and that was you. Well done my friend~Bkitty

[dominosarah]

Good post scared~

[lulu747]

Life is all about mirrors...and as the fog clears from the haze of drugs, we see ourselves clearer and clearer.  I am proud of you for your recognition and for reaching out.  It says great things about your recovery.  Be proud of you too.  Compassion is a powerful thing.....Lu