Help! Returning to work and I'm Scared

[SmartYetStupid]

I am on day 10 of a 6-10 Percocet (or the equivelant of 2 - 3 Roxis) after a slow taper.  Day ten is great, I know...

However, I am petrified of going back to work.  I get anxious just thinking about it.  I have a powerful job in politics and I am facing a 10-12 hour day when I go back.

How do I deal with this?  I cannot focus when I'm anxious I HAVE to be focused.  I cannot stress this enough.  It's the beginning of a new year after the judicial elections and I'm transferring from a very low key division to a very demanding and stressful division.  

I need advice.  I'm scared to DEATH!   It will be day 17 when I return to work.  Just the thought of returning to work is depressing me and making me anxious and I swear, it's debilitating.

Help?

[SmartYetStupid]

Thank you so much!  I need to watch a funny movie or something... I need to laugh.  I'm currently tuned into my favorite prime time political shows and it's all so blah.  I'm also reading a political thriller and that is certainly not laugh out loud literature!

I wondered about Rush Limbaugh, too.  He had to deal with the public as I do, so I reckon if he can do it, I can too.

I am going to take lots of notes.  I'm also MOVING offices.... Cleaning up one division (I found my boss dead in his bed this past October - He was my friend and mentor and) and moving over to a high stress division and another new boss. I guess I should consider myself fortunate that another person took me on.  I could have easily been out of a job.  As it goes in politics - your boss goes, your job is gone, too.

One step at a time on Monday, then.  I am going to have 100 things thrown at me at all hours through the day.  I am just going to have to keep notes on what I'm doing and when something of more importance comes along, put what I was working on out of my head and work on the more important issues.

God, I will be there 16 hours on Monday.  I hope I like it.... maybe the hard work will be therapeutic.

And thank you for your kind words!  I am usually a happy bubbly person.  I don't like this new Debbie Downer that I have become.  She ***** donkey balls.

[Dezdon]

Smart,
I was a store manger for years at different locations. I was the trouble shooting guy, very high stress, expect results or NEXT!
  YOU CAN DO THIS! Your thinking clearer then ever right now. You energy levels will rise with the occation. This is cakewalk to you, you know how to do this. Just queitly listen to what is being said to you, think about it for that split second, kick the answere around and respond. But by all means delay your first reply to a situation till you think about what your going to say. You can do this girl, I have no doubt!
peace
-Dez

[allaboutmary]

You will most definitely be able to focus more off the pills than on them. I know the addict brain tells you that's not true. It's a tricky devil. It's trying to get you to take pills by getting you all worked up about going back to work.  Don't fall for it.  Your gonna be just fine, if not better at your job.  Keep up the great work. It's only gonna get better.

[onthefence]

I often wondered how Rush Limbaugh, or Brett Favre , were able to get back to work, but somehow they did it.

you are probably really good at the job you have, end enjoy it, as  that goes hand in hand.Try not to get too far ahead of your self, take the workday in segments only focusing on one segment at a time, keep notes also, and try to go with the rythm of the day.

From the posts of yours that i have read, you seem like such a happy outgoing (bubbly) person, I think after you get back to enjoying each day and it's accomplishments you will feel much less fear about going to work. Politics is such interesting work too! I am envious!
Also the busier you are the less time you have to think about pills, and before you know it you will start to feel like you did before pills.

you seem like such a nice person i had to post good luck....

[SmartYetStupid]

Thanks, Jambo.  I HAVE to do it, I have no choice.  Doesn't make it any less easier.  I am hoping that just getting through that one day will make me feel better about the following days.  

Does it get easier to cope with work and detoxing?

[Jambo62]

Well I know you can do it......and mor improtant you know you can do it......Just prepare yourself.....I am extremly surprised what a tough day I had but hey....when the going gets tough........you know what they say.....and I think we are all a little tougher than we think.....

You can do it........Stay Strong