Norco addiction

[Molly1046]

Hi all tried today to go cold turkey from a very high opiad tolerance. 5 years now taking 10 norco's ,6 flexeril, 2 opanas er , and ambien to sleep due to pain. Had 2 cervical fusions from auto accident. I'm afraid of the withdrawls. Single mom of 3. Help me!  Should I do rapid detox? Or check into rehab? Please someone help me!

[FourJays]

I am coming up on 90 days clean (I think 87 or 88 today); so about the same place you are.  I (personally for me) feel the same exact way you do about anti-depressants.  I know they help SO many people and are absolutely warranted in many cases.  But my (main) drug of choice was Tramadol, an opiate that contains a good amount of anti-depressant; a fact I was NOT informed of initially nor aware of until I was well into the depth of my addiction (about a 14 year love affair in total).  It was first prescribed to me for back pain.  It didn't so much take the pain away as it did simply make me not care about it anymore.  Over the years my back health deteriorated and I just kept taking more pills - mostly Tramadol, but I have been prescribed every opiate out there at one time or another.  After cervical spinal fusion last summer, I weaned off all of the "heavier" stuff OK, but the Tramadol was a different story.  I finally quit on December 1st; physical w/d was Hell on Earth but the emotional stuff is/was OVER THE TOP.  I personally believe it's the anti-depressant factor that still lingers for me, and thus my attitude about AD's.  OK - sorry bout that, I kinda got off on a tangent there :((

I take vitamins and supplements as well to help with the energy & anxiety thing.  A good MedHelp friend recently suggested Rhodiola Extract for energy.  I have been taking it a couple of days and it does seem to help a bit.  5HTP - can help w/depression/anxiety.  I believe it has something to do with the serotonin thing (might want to try if you want to stay away from the AD's).   Do you get regular exercise?  It has made a world of difference for me - helps SO much with anxiety and energy levels.

I think about the "person I used to be" a lot also.  I am just not sure who that was.  I don't EVER want to be the person I was on Tramadol, I want to be a better person.  And I know it can and WILL  happen - for me and for you.  There are many people on this forum with months and years of clean time that say pretty much the same thing - it just takes time, but your old self does come back.  These people are my inspiration and I am holding on to that and taking it one day at a time.

What you have done to get this far is amazing; be proud of yourself.  "You" are still in there and are going to "emerge" even better than before - clean and sober and ALIVE!  One day at a time.  Hang in there . . . WE will find ourselves - our BETTER selves.

P.S. You may want to post a new thread (since this one is a couple months old now).  Ask for some guidance from members with more clean time.  I'm sure you will get some great responses.

Julie
  

[Molly1046]

I'm just feeling a lot of anxiety, can't focus, and all I want to do is leave and travel.  Not sure if it's right but I refuse to be on any anti depressants. I've been taking a lot of vitamins daily and they do help with energy. I'm just worried that the person I use to be is still a ways away. How long have you been clean? Any suggestions for me?

[FourJays]

Hello - congratulations . . . you should be very proud of yourself and your progress.  I totally get the daily struggle thing - feel the exact same way.  But 3 months clean - wow - that is worth every minute of the struggle.  And it WILL get better.  Time is our friend :))  

[ricart70]

this is awesome,great job and good for you

[Molly1046]

Hi
I wanted to take the time to thank all of you that Ive interacted with on this forum. I took your advice and went to rehab on Christmas. I couldn't hold on any longer and my withdrawl symptoms were becoming more than what my family and I could handle.  Today I am almost 3 months clean. Yes, that includes suboxone. The advice I would give to any new person looking at this is to do your homework on them.  Everyday is a struggle but I'm clean! Thanks all of you!

[YesLife4Me]

Just wanted to 2nd what others say and welcome you.   Most of us went CT and given the option if it was available to us, would rather have done it with help and support through treatment.  If that's available and you have help with your kids...jump on it!   Keep us posted.  We will be here to help whatever you decide.  

[Teresa1717]

Hi Molly and Welcome! I can feel your anxiety and I completely understand. I think the toughest part for most of us is deciding which way will be the best way to detox. Tapering, c/t, IP treatment, OP treatment. I would say that if you are SERIOUS about wanting to stop and financially IP rehab is an option for you, I would jump on that!  Rehab will give you the support and aftercare you need to get through this.

Have you looked into a place you would go? Have you made  any calls yet? I think youve made the biggest step and thats wanting to stop so congrats on that!

[AlwaysHelpful123]

I would do rehab becasue there are professionals to get you through. Also, it is a huge blessing if you have medical coverage. It would be safest to have professionals help you to stop taken the meds you are on.

[Pat1956100]

Hi Molly and welcome to the forum.
I would first say you need to relax and think things over.
If you can go to rehab, by all means do so.  If I had that opportunity I would have in a heartbeat.
If you would rather do it at home, it can be done.  Maybe you can stop one drug at a time.  
What are your options for going to rehab?