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PAIN PILL ADDICTION
HI I HAVE BEEN READING POSTS ON THIS FOR DAYS AND DECIDED TO POST MY OWN LOL, I HAVE BEEN TAKING PAIN PILLS FOR I THINK 2 YEARS NOW I TRIED TO QUIT AND AFTER 3 DAYS MY BACK STARTING HURTING SO BAD I RELASPED, I WENT TO THE CHIROPRACTER AND THE XRAY REVEALED I HAD A SPINAL BONE OUT OF PLACE AND IT WAS PINCHING A NERVE, I DONT KNOW HOW LONG IVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I WAS TAKING PAIN PILLS EVERYDAY, NOW EVERYTIME I TRY TO QUIT IT SEEMS LIKE MY BACK HURTS SO BAD I CANT STAND IT, I DONT KNOW IF ITS THE CRAVING OR A SERIOUS CRAVING OR BOTH, WHY IS QUITTING SO HARD BUT USING IS SO EASY, I QUIT ONE TIME FOR 6 DAYS, WHILE ON VACATION, BUT I REPLACED THEM WITH ALCOHOL THOSE DAYS LOL, AND WHEN I GOT BACK HOME IT SEEMS LIKE PPL WHERE WAITING ON ME WITH ALL THESE FREE PILLS TO GET ME STARTED BACK, IM ALSO AN ALCOHOLIC WHICH IVE PRETTY WELL QUIT ENTIRELY, I DRINK OCCASSIONALLY, I THINK THAT ALSO MAY BE WHY IT IS SO HARD TO QUIT, IVE REPLACED ALCOHOL WITH HYDROCODONE, IVE WENT THROUGH ALOT OF DRUGS IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, COKE, SHROOMS, WEED, ANYTHING BESIDES FOR NEEDLES, WHEN I HAD KIDS I QUIT ALL THE HARD ****, BUT ALCOHOL AND PAIN PILLS STILL LINGURE ON, IVE STOPPED DRINKING, AND DIDNT HAVE WITHDRAWALS AT ALL, MAYBE BECAUSE I WAS TAKING PAIN PILLS, IM SO WEAK WHEN IT COMES TO CRAVINGS, I CAN WAKE UP ONE DAY AND THINK TO MYSELF IM DOING NOTHING TODAY AND THE DRUG FINDS ME, AND ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT IS TAKING IT, THIS SUCKS, PROBABLY WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO QUIT, LIKE I SAID ABOVE QUITTING IS HARD AND USING IS EASY, TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK?
Here is an article about tapering, first you will need someone to hold your pills. An addict CANNOT administer their own taper. you are taking a large amount of pills per day. Thats over twice the maximum amount of tylenol per day that is recommended. You should have a liver enzyme test done to see how badly your liver is compromised. Read this and set an amount that you feel you can start at. Take them on a strict schedule for a few days. Set up times and stick to it. You have to stop taking enough to get high. That is the first step in tapering. the second is a strict schedule.
Time for some technical talk... One of the things which increases "dependence" is a spike in drug blood plasma levels. Addicts do this on purpose to get a "high". They do it by Snorting (Very fast delivery), IV Injections, Chewing up meds and taking on an empty stomach.
The above all produce the most amount of drug in the blood in an attempt to get a buzz. These spikes are one of the reasons we addicts get hooked faster than a COMPLIANT Chronic Pain Patient.
Being compliant means they take only as directed. The goal of compliance is to maintain an even blood plasma at the minimum amount to treat PAIN and NOT to produce euphoria (a high).
Since the blood plasma levels are lower, the levels of dopamine at the synaptic cleft do not spike so the receptor sites do not downregulate or decrease in number in response to the initially MUCH higher level of dopamine released as a result of spiking.
Addictive dosing behaviors, the large doses associated to Spike the blood plasma level, vs the lower low dosing and more often which is the KEY factor to the physical changes the brain makes which cause dependency.
Dependency is the actual physical changes to your body which cause withdrawal. Addiction is the BEHAVIOR of taking the drugs to get high, not as prescribed, and when not needed for clinical reasons. It is the un-manageable behaviors associated with lack of control.
Which comes first... Dependence or addiction? Usually it's addiction, but it can be the other way, but the key issue which causes the progression of addiction are the behaviors.
Addiction is what makes you take more and more, spiking doses, etc. This in turn increases dependence. The higher your dependence the higher the tollerance... Round and round you go. The addiction merry-go-round.
How to break the cycle? The only way is to change the behavior. That is a very difficult thing. Pain is usually a very good motivator. So is Euphoria. When the pain out weighs the euphoria one starts to consider breaking the cycle. Unfortunately the pain being eliminated by the drug is a driving force. Then the addict associated the RELIEF of th pain to the drug instead of the drug being the CAUSE of the pain.
SOoooooooo what to do? Break the cycle.
Many have to hit bottom to do that. That's the point where the pain of using overwhelms the relief of using. It's an emotional point which is different for different people. Not every one has to hit a bottom to quit. The sooner you quit the less pain and suffering you have to experience.
For folks who are on smaller doses and their disease has not progressed very far, they have not felt the extent of pain addiction can cause. Only conceptualizing how bad it can get may not be good enough to motivate a person early in addiction to quit.
Intellectually we know what lays ahead. We hear the truth from others, but yet we continue to use. It is not until we get a glimpse of the pain that lays ahead do we become to believe we need to quit. One HAS to believe that in fact addiction does lead to the loss of everything and eventually Jails Institutions and Death.
Addiction is a lot easier to nip in the bud physically but maybe not emotionally because one has not experienced the pain first hand. Some need more pain than others to quit. Some don't make it and end up end stage and their addiction wins.
If you want to get off of the pills you have to change your behavior.
1) STOP SNORTING your pills!
2) Stop spiking your dose!
3) stop taking enough to get high
You will never quit until you do that. Weather you can or not is up to you.
You have to come to a point where you make the decision you want to quit. The en you have to make a plan then you have to execute that plan. SIMPLE .... but not easy.
The solution from a clinical point of view for you at your point of addiction is so easy. A simple taper, and change the behavior. In short break the cycle.
How to do a taper is easy. Changing the behavior is the HARD part, but you have to want to change.
If you are taking 6 pills a day... then start taking them in even doses and don't take like 3-4 at a time. 24 hrs divided by 6 = 4 hrs. So only take one pill every 4 hrs. Then take 5 pills in 24 hrs. That's 4.8 hrs. Then 4 pills a day... break pills into 1/2's so you have 8 1/2 pills. and take 1/2 a pill every 3 hrs. Etc.
If you can't stick to a taper give the pills to a friend to dispense.
Mean while .. you have to start changing the way you think and the things you do... You should educate yourself... Good place to do all of that is NA or AA. It's FREE and takes up time. It forces you to be doing something other than sitting around with nothing to do and just thinking about using.
It's not the only way, but it's a good place to start. Take what you need from it, and leave the rest.
If you take the same amount or less every day and don't spike your dose you will eventually quit.
30 mg of Hydro can be tapered to 0 in 2-4 weeks painlessly. The PAWS will be minimal too.
The ball is in your court. We can not make you do anything. Only YOU can.
When you are ready is up to you. If you need to stay "out there" using and see for yourself how bad it will get that's up to you.
My recommendation.. Start to QUIT now! It will be a whole lot easier.
Time for some technical talk... One of the things which increases "dependence" is a spike in drug blood plasma levels. Addicts do this on purpose to get a "high". They do it by Snorting (Very fast delivery), IV Injections, Chewing up meds and taking on an empty stomach.
The above all produce the most amount of drug in the blood in an attempt to get a buzz. These spikes are one of the reasons we addicts get hooked faster than a COMPLIANT Chronic Pain Patient.
Being compliant means they take only as directed. The goal of compliance is to maintain an even blood plasma at the minimum amount to treat PAIN and NOT to produce euphoria (a high).
Since the blood plasma levels are lower, the levels of dopamine at the synaptic cleft do not spike so the receptor sites do not downregulate or decrease in number in response to the initially MUCH higher level of dopamine released as a result of spiking.
Addictive dosing behaviors, the large doses associated to Spike the blood plasma level, vs the lower low dosing and more often which is the KEY factor to the physical changes the brain makes which cause dependency.
Dependency is the actual physical changes to your body which cause withdrawal. Addiction is the BEHAVIOR of taking the drugs to get high, not as prescribed, and when not needed for clinical reasons. It is the un-manageable behaviors associated with lack of control.
Which comes first... Dependence or addiction? Usually it's addiction, but it can be the other way, but the key issue which causes the progression of addiction are the behaviors.
Addiction is what makes you take more and more, spiking doses, etc. This in turn increases dependence. The higher your dependence the higher the tollerance... Round and round you go. The addiction merry-go-round.
How to break the cycle? The only way is to change the behavior. That is a very difficult thing. Pain is usually a very good motivator. So is Euphoria. When the pain out weighs the euphoria one starts to consider breaking the cycle. Unfortunately the pain being eliminated by the drug is a driving force. Then the addict associated the RELIEF of th pain to the drug instead of the drug being the CAUSE of the pain.
SOoooooooo what to do? Break the cycle.
Many have to hit bottom to do that. That's the point where the pain of using overwhelms the relief of using. It's an emotional point which is different for different people. Not every one has to hit a bottom to quit. The sooner you quit the less pain and suffering you have to experience.
For folks who are on smaller doses and their disease has not progressed very far, they have not felt the extent of pain addiction can cause. Only conceptualizing how bad it can get may not be good enough to motivate a person early in addiction to quit.
Intellectually we know what lays ahead. We hear the truth from others, but yet we continue to use. It is not until we get a glimpse of the pain that lays ahead do we become to believe we need to quit. One HAS to believe that in fact addiction does lead to the loss of everything and eventually Jails Institutions and Death.
Addiction is a lot easier to nip in the bud physically but maybe not emotionally because one has not experienced the pain first hand. Some need more pain than others to quit. Some don't make it and end up end stage and their addiction wins.
If you want to get off of the pills you have to change your behavior.
1) STOP SNORTING your pills!
2) Stop spiking your dose!
3) stop taking enough to get high
You will never quit until you do that. Weather you can or not is up to you.
You have to come to a point where you make the decision you want to quit. The en you have to make a plan then you have to execute that plan. SIMPLE .... but not easy.
The solution from a clinical point of view for you at your point of addiction is so easy. A simple taper, and change the behavior. In short break the cycle.
How to do a taper is easy. Changing the behavior is the HARD part, but you have to want to change.
If you are taking 6 pills a day... then start taking them in even doses and don't take like 3-4 at a time. 24 hrs divided by 6 = 4 hrs. So only take one pill every 4 hrs. Then take 5 pills in 24 hrs. That's 4.8 hrs. Then 4 pills a day... break pills into 1/2's so you have 8 1/2 pills. and take 1/2 a pill every 3 hrs. Etc.
If you can't stick to a taper give the pills to a friend to dispense.
Mean while .. you have to start changing the way you think and the things you do... You should educate yourself... Good place to do all of that is NA or AA. It's FREE and takes up time. It forces you to be doing something other than sitting around with nothing to do and just thinking about using.
It's not the only way, but it's a good place to start. Take what you need from it, and leave the rest.
If you take the same amount or less every day and don't spike your dose you will eventually quit.
30 mg of Hydro can be tapered to 0 in 2-4 weeks painlessly. The PAWS will be minimal too.
The ball is in your court. We can not make you do anything. Only YOU can.
When you are ready is up to you. If you need to stay "out there" using and see for yourself how bad it will get that's up to you.
My recommendation.. Start to QUIT now! It will be a whole lot easier.
probably about 10-12 7.5mgs per day sometimes less sometimes more usually i take 20-25 mgs at a time to just feel numb, i do admit im a addict thats the first step lol, i had been to some AA meetings in the past, i need to try to taper somehow
I think you should look into an addiction specialist. They would be able to help you with all your addictions. And help you taper or whatever you choose. At least you would be helping yourself to better yourself. If you are gonna attempt a taper, you need to first stop taking the amount you get a buzz from. You will have to start at the amount you don't get sick from but also do not get high. How many pills are you taking per day?
Why can't you go to the doctor and tell him/her you have a problem and need help? Or, if you can't do that, go to the ER. See if you can get a script for
Clonidine which helps a great deal with withdrawl symptoms, maybe something
for nausea.
The sooner you get off of these things, the better your life is going to be...it can be done..there are many of us who have done it. Read Lisa's story....(with deep heartfelt respect to Lisa)..is your story anywhere near what her's is? and she's been off of them for 79 days...I'm about to hit 90...there's countless stories
on here of people who said they couldn't do it..and they did.
Stay with us..we can help you through it.
Jim
I WOULD LIKE TO TAPER BUT AT THE PRICE IM PAYING FOR THE **** I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD AT LEAST GET THE FEELING OFF IT, THERE IS NO HOPE FOR COLD TURKEY, MY BACK GIVES ME HELL EVERYTIME, I WISH I COULD GO TO THE DOCTOR AND GET A LEGAL SCRIPT FOR SOMETHING, THAT WAY WITH INSURANCE THEY WOULDNT COST MUCH AND I WOULDNT FEEL THE NEED TO TAKE THEM FOR PLEASURE
ohhhh i wish it was a small problem i am sure you know any addiction is not a small problem . You seem to pick up one addiction and put down another . Tt sounds like to really get this in hand you are going to have to get to the root of why ? That usually is the hardest to do also. What is it that you would like to do cold turkey or taper , how can we help?
avis
avis
First, Welcome....
Second, yes..it is hard, but it can be done. If you look at most of our profiles, you will be able to read our individual stories. Most are success stories and most are those trying to make a success story. I thought that I would never be where I am today, after struggling with a three year, $400.00 a day or more, Oxy Contin Habit. I was taking anywhere from 1200 - 1600mgs a day of Oxy. I lost my husband due to an overdose, spent almost $100,000, this year alone, on Oxy's. I pretty much almost ruined my life completely. But here I am 79 days and counting. It is so hard, but if and when you really want it, it can be done.
Third...we are here to help. On this forum you will find support, guidence, caring. love and friendship. We are a tight group who stick by eachother. Post whatever you think you need help with and we will help you. I am sorry you felt as if no one was helping.
What can I help you with. Tell me what it is that you want for yourself. What is your goal?
Lisa
Second, yes..it is hard, but it can be done. If you look at most of our profiles, you will be able to read our individual stories. Most are success stories and most are those trying to make a success story. I thought that I would never be where I am today, after struggling with a three year, $400.00 a day or more, Oxy Contin Habit. I was taking anywhere from 1200 - 1600mgs a day of Oxy. I lost my husband due to an overdose, spent almost $100,000, this year alone, on Oxy's. I pretty much almost ruined my life completely. But here I am 79 days and counting. It is so hard, but if and when you really want it, it can be done.
Third...we are here to help. On this forum you will find support, guidence, caring. love and friendship. We are a tight group who stick by eachother. Post whatever you think you need help with and we will help you. I am sorry you felt as if no one was helping.
What can I help you with. Tell me what it is that you want for yourself. What is your goal?
Lisa
i was just readin all the posts and trying to find some answers, some easy way to quit, which there isnt one, or maybe some support, and was getting frustrated because no one is replying lol, im like everyone else on here, just need guidance i guess i dont know
At the risk of sounding rude, why are you here? You think your problem is small? No offense and I am sorry if I sound mean, why did you come to the forum?
AFTER READING MORE SEEMS LIKE MY PROBLEM IS SMALL COMPARED TO OTHERS, GUESS ITS BEST TO JUST CONTINUE ON LIKE I HAVE BEEN, IF YOU HAVE PAIN TAKE A PAIN PILL
I THINK THE MAIN PROBLEM IM HAVING IS GOING WITHOUT ANYTHING FOR ONE DAY, IVE ALWAYS HAD SOME KIND OF DRUG TO GUIDE ME THROUGH EACH DAY FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS, AND I DONT KNOW HOW TO GO WITHOUT, IF I DONT DO PILLS I DRINK OR SMOKE WEED, IF I DONT DRINK OR DO PILLS I SMOKE WEED, IT SEEMS LIKE I ALWAYS HAVE A BUZZ, NOT THAT IM NOT ENJOYING IT, BUT IM FINANCIALLY IN THE HOLE AND CANT AFFORD IT, EVEN THOUGH I SEEM TO FIND A WAY EVERYDAY
Hey,I know what you are saying.Quiting is very hard....but it can be done.Where there is a will there is a way.I too am addicated to pain meds and I have a cronic pain issue as well.I have complex regional pain syndrom.It is a nerve thing.My suggestion to you is to talk to your dr.Im serious,I know its hard,but he will help you.Together you two can make a plan thats good for you.He knows your background and what is the best for you.Also consider NA.There are people that have been there and done that.Sometimes its good to just have someone you can call that understands. ya know?
Anyways there are alot of people here that can help you more than myself so be patient.
Best of luck
Jennifer
Anyways there are alot of people here that can help you more than myself so be patient.
Best of luck
Jennifer
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