The Good Stuff

[JD1885]

Hi.  I've heard a million times about all of the bad things that happen when you come off of opiates.  Does anyone know if there is a timeline type publishing outlining the POSITIVE things about leaving addiction behind.  I know there is one for smoking that tells you after so many hours your lung functions improve, after a month your heart attack risk decreases, etc....I'm wondering if there is anything similar to this for clean time for opiates.  I would love to know what to expect in the coming weeks and months....:-)

[ricart70]

Yeah that too....what lulu said  lol

[lulu747]

ummm.  I can add to this by saying the last time I kicked opiates I saw everything more clearly and was so grateful for all I had in my life.  Food tasted better, I liked looking at myself in the mirror and oh hey-my sex drive came back like gangbusters(:  

[ricart70]

lol  Thats funny..Keep working out and running.It's so rainy here I have had to workout on my elliptical machine(boring).Now I know how my hamster felt.I have heard alot of people sight research that says the brain returns to 50% of normal endorphin/dopamine/seratonin levels at 30 days.Believe me,that 50% feels like 85% once you get there.

[JD1885]

HAHA you're right about that.  Positives - definitely more money in your pocket!  I know a "one size fits all" isn't possible for someone on four 80mg oxycontin a day for 5 years versus the person on one 10mg lortab for 8 months.  

There is definitely a lot less anxiety.  It's crazy how that works.  It's been nice the past 6 days when I see my wife's number on my cell phone ID not to immediately think, "$hit!!!! she got the bank statement today!!!"

[ricart70]

THat's a good idea jd maybe we should make one.It is different for everyone though.I think that DR.Drew has a book that tells about the physiology of the brain recovering after opiate use.I think the first thing you can expect is more money in your pocket though.The next thing will be alot less anxiety.

[vicki595]

I've never heard of one but that would be a great idea!   Kind of like the book: "What To Expect When You're Expecting". LOL  I loved that book!

I know there's a book "Addiction For Dummies" but I haven't read it...I'm going to search this a little...