Counselor, wants me to stop going on this forum? Why?

[Penelope14]

Today, I went to speak with my counselor who has recomended to me to stop going onto this forum & reading & replying to others who are detoxing off methadone or any other drug, as she feels it may set me up for failure, she claims that the horror stories Im reading about are mostly people who are jumping off to fast or simply may have other demons learking in their closets, Im partial to detoxing off at 4mgs & she claims that it is not a right choice, as I will be another sad statistic of the readers I hear about becoming so ill that they must go to a ER for help, while she may be correct on jumping off at 4mgs, I dont feel that she is correct about this site, as I told her that I get only positive responses from people on the forum. She wants me to join a group in which I can comunicate one on one, which I understand, but what I dont get is why she thinks this is a negative forum?

[cathy5841]

ummm penelope, no one here would ever intentionally steer you in the wrong direction.  we are here to support you and give advice on the things we have been through.  there are some horror stories here, but they are the reality of ppl who have done the drugs.  i think she is wrong, but, that is just my opinion.  i would not be 70+ days clean without this forum.  i think it is great lol
cathy

[oxyaddict420]

She has her reasons, and I am sure that she just wants the best for you.. It isn't like she has anything to gain from you not coming here.. I think the main thing is that she is a licensed counsler that has her ways of trying to do things, and by you coming on here sharing with everyone here about what she tells you, or suggests for you, maybe she feels that people will disagree with what she has to say, and who are they compared to her right? Sounds like a counslers thinking to me. Worried about how others are trying to help and with what methods?  She might feel that it is a negative thing to get to mnay opinions and it will just confuse you about who and what is right.. So I would just try it her way, or just dont tell her you are on here anymroe.. it is up to you!

[gizzy32]

what a joke. since i came on this forum, i have stayed clean. N/A didn;'t work, almost dying didn't work, but talking on here and reading the horror stories and being able to relate with almost everyone has been more than i could have imagined and it has kept me clean.

it that were me i would find a new counselor, but that is only me. has this forum helped you, or do you find it tough to read posts on here. i understand some may, but this place has been a blessing. i don't get why he would tell you not to come on here unless you said it was hard.

[skoochie]

hmm,  when you find out why let me know, for me this forum helped me not jump off at 30mg and that it is differn't for everyone.  The horror stories are bad but the good ones give you hope and the support is priceless....how much does a counsler cost, anyway I don't see the hurt

[gizzy32]

or maybe she feels like she will lose business cause this place may help you. just a thought.

[CGR76]

Im sure she means well. But I think a good mix of both is probubly a better idea. If you feel comfurtable with the things that are said on this site, then by all means, you are a grown up and can deciede for your self. As for the taper plan, well being monitored is usually better than just jumping off by yourself. So I would probubly go with what a dr. recommends.

Just my thoughts....

[confused456]

I think its a money thing......if we all have found help here, we may not need counseling.....just a thought!

[Sophie20]

I'm not surprised that she said that
First off, this is free and she's not....That is my off the cuff thinking, but I'm sure she has her good reasons.
Thing is, I've checked out this forum when it's midnight. There are times people need someone to talk to at midnight. Unless you have a tremendous support system of people to call that late, and I know I don't, I have read many things on here that has helped me not feel so alone.
Again, I'm sure she has her good reasons.
Good luck with your decision!

[Lotsatrout]

Or maybe.... just maybe, she has visited this forum and has seen first hand that we are smarter than her?  :)  I'm only kidding of course but I'll tell ya.... there's nothing like advice from someone who has been through the same thing as you.  That is where we aquire wisdom and wisdom is essential to leading a clean and sober life.  Proverbs makes that very clear.  :)

Trout

[Flutterby111]

I've said it before, I'll say it again, You are my NA....I'm so busy in my daily life, work, motherhood, and everything else, that it's easy to have acces to a computer, much easier than getting to a meeting on their schedule...bless you all....I think it's up to you Penelope....I think on one side of it, if you think it's emotionally draining to you to hear the horror stories, you might limit your time online here, or limit what you read---just a thought, but you know in your heart we're here for the right reasons....to stay or get clean and for support.  It's important to focus on #1 and that's you....but if this place is helping you...than wtf?  keep posting, because you know we love ya!  

[lostmarbles]

ditto to everyones post

[jafro]

Has she ever actually visited this board or any other ? I did visit another board once just to read and it seemed like folks were more interested in exchanging stories that glorified drugs and folks looking to get them. They were even posting their addresses. If she hasn't visited the board I don't know how she could evaluate it properly. I've seen nothing but positive, sensitive and heartfelt advice given here.

[Avalancheblanche]

The world wide web is so vast and there are people out there who do not have good intentions.  I am not talking about here, but, I  think your counselor is putting that out there for you to at least be careful.  You are an adult, and you know what a wonderful place this is.  You do what feels healthy for you.  

[jafro]

Oh - and rereading your post, I don't see a lot of 'sad statistics' either - sure, WD is hell - but the end results are positive (and that's what helps me - seeing folks in the same boat making it).

[dove3053]

Would this same counselor tell you not to go to an NA meeting. I can only speak for myself when I say this forum has helped me. If not for the great people here I would still be using.  

I agree with Gizzy--maybe she will lose business.

Dove

[mimi1313]

Only you can decide what is best for you. A counselor is for guidance, but it still comes down to what you want and what you think is best for you.

[dove3053]

I don't like the sound of that. This forum has helped me greatly. It's a money thing.

Dove

[GoingToMakeIt]

You have your own mind to think. Unless this makes you always think about doing drugs. This place can really help you stay off of them. Phooey to the counselor.

Now, I would agree about the methadone. The slower you taper the better!

[cathy5841]

you always say it the best...phooey on the counselor.  i like that.
cathy

[johnnykelly]

Penelope,you seem to be tapering from 4mgs forever!!! I remember 2-months ago the same story,you asking for taper information and receiving plenty and appearing to go nowwhere with-it.Why dont you stay on the methadone,if it keeps you straight.the bottom line is harm-reduction,not all people need to be opiate free,you seem okay on a lillle-dose,a dose that is relatively harmless.As for that therapist telling you that youll be sick coming -off 4mgs, I DONT THINK SO.Look inward instead of always on other peoples advice john

[toxictome]

MY counselor thinks this forum is a good thing for me...she recommended i journal...and she said there are many ways to do that...with this forum being one of them.

I think she may be referring to the safety of detoxing w/o supervision of a Dr....because I told my friend who is a dr. (and a fromer vic user) after i was 2 wks. clean..and she said this forum is a good thing...but i really should have been under a DR.'s care for safety...well...i made it, so....oh well...  :P

Keep posting.....phooey on her!!!  LOL

[Penelope14]

John Kelly, I,ve researched my journal & when I joined the forum it was December 2,2007, I was at 30mgs, I am currently on 8mgs & by early next week I shall be at 4mgs, so where you came up with the idea that I have been on 4mgs for the last few months puzzles me, but thats ok, as I do believe that many people misunderstand things when not speaking one on one, who knows maybe even I may have made a mistake in my typing? Trust me when I say, I want off this methadone & I will get off of it!! I see no future for myself on methadone or any other form of drugs. & Thanks everyone for the encouragement & feedback, as I am on your side when I say, this forum has helped me out big time! & I can always find someone to talk to anytime, day or night! & Over the next month Im not gonna have the counselor around, so you will all be hearing from me, as I will really need your support more then ever!   Penelope

[lostsoul2]

In my opinion it may be that she is afraid that if you continue reading others' stories it will be a constant reminder of your own.  We all need to move past our addictions and maybe she thinks this will make you think about yours more instead of moving past.  Just a thought.  Money is always a deciding factor in everthing as well.  You will just have to point blank ask her.

[cocobeanlisa]

I am new to this forum, but I have been off norocs for about a year..and I stumbled onto this forum when I was having a bad day..My pain Level was at a 8/9 and I wanted to pick up a norco JUST TO MAKE THE PAIN STOP.   but with my habit it would have been
20 or more norcos.  So this site/forum saved my butt....The support is great and the
suggestions are right on..

I hope to make new friends that share my experience and hope and understand what it's
like up againist the pills...

I think you have done a great job and that is a great amount to taper in a short amount of time.....you'll be drug free before you know it...........


cocobean lisa