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Tips for overcoming opiate addiction
I realize that questions regarding this topic already exist, however I would appreciate feedback directed towards my personal situation.
I am a 19 year old male, who has been battling substance abuse since age 15. However, the latter year or so of my battle solely involves opiates in the form(s) of hydrocodone and oxycodone. In fact the longest break from opiates I have taken in the past year was roughly a week and a half. This break was brought about by pain in my RUQ that still persists as I am typing this. This pain may be the determining factor of my sobriety due to the fact that (after Internet research using my colleges databases) I have determined the pain is from my gallbladder which is characteristic of opiate uses. I realize that I should seek medical advise, but I would like to be at least 2 weeks opiate free before I run crying to a doctor.
I am currently 2 days completely opiate free. I can handle the physical withdrawals, but the mental aspect of the process is where I am struggling. I currently have a Manual labor job with my best friend from high school who is also big into opiates (he is by no means An addict). Between the demanding nature of my work and the fact that I'm with a friend who is a trigger I culpulsively think about the pills.
I suppose I am babbling at this point, but please bare with me, my point is coming shortly.
Before the pain in my RUQ I ate the pills as they were. After the pain I started performing CWE on every dose. Before the CWE my dose was limited to 4000mgs of APAP. After the CWE I would dose approx. 35 mgs of oxy at once and then intervals of 12.5 throughout the day. The dosing for hydrocodone was slightly more. I realize my doses are nothing compared to tried and true addicts, which explains why my withdrawals were not excruciatingly painful, but I dosed 4000mgs of APAP rather consistently for 5 months so I'm afraid that may have damaged me.
Now my questions.
1) has anyone who has had a similar situation as me expierenced the RUQ pain, and if so , what was causing it. It may or may not be important to not my pain started in mid February after I was prescribed amoxicillin for a sickness. Also, I had a rather heavy alcohol binge in december whilst on winter break ( however i NEVER mixed pills and alcohol, but i did use pills to cure hangovers.
2) how does go about stopping the cumpulsive obsession over the perfect high that opiates provide.
*i apologize for any grammatical/ mechanical errors, I have typed this entire post from a phone.
I am a 19 year old male, who has been battling substance abuse since age 15. However, the latter year or so of my battle solely involves opiates in the form(s) of hydrocodone and oxycodone. In fact the longest break from opiates I have taken in the past year was roughly a week and a half. This break was brought about by pain in my RUQ that still persists as I am typing this. This pain may be the determining factor of my sobriety due to the fact that (after Internet research using my colleges databases) I have determined the pain is from my gallbladder which is characteristic of opiate uses. I realize that I should seek medical advise, but I would like to be at least 2 weeks opiate free before I run crying to a doctor.
I am currently 2 days completely opiate free. I can handle the physical withdrawals, but the mental aspect of the process is where I am struggling. I currently have a Manual labor job with my best friend from high school who is also big into opiates (he is by no means An addict). Between the demanding nature of my work and the fact that I'm with a friend who is a trigger I culpulsively think about the pills.
I suppose I am babbling at this point, but please bare with me, my point is coming shortly.
Before the pain in my RUQ I ate the pills as they were. After the pain I started performing CWE on every dose. Before the CWE my dose was limited to 4000mgs of APAP. After the CWE I would dose approx. 35 mgs of oxy at once and then intervals of 12.5 throughout the day. The dosing for hydrocodone was slightly more. I realize my doses are nothing compared to tried and true addicts, which explains why my withdrawals were not excruciatingly painful, but I dosed 4000mgs of APAP rather consistently for 5 months so I'm afraid that may have damaged me.
Now my questions.
1) has anyone who has had a similar situation as me expierenced the RUQ pain, and if so , what was causing it. It may or may not be important to not my pain started in mid February after I was prescribed amoxicillin for a sickness. Also, I had a rather heavy alcohol binge in december whilst on winter break ( however i NEVER mixed pills and alcohol, but i did use pills to cure hangovers.
2) how does go about stopping the cumpulsive obsession over the perfect high that opiates provide.
*i apologize for any grammatical/ mechanical errors, I have typed this entire post from a phone.
Hey there!
So Glad to hear that you felt okay on day three (rather Awesome, actually.) My only concern re: your friend (and believe me, I hear you when you say he's your Best Friend.) is that I read your initial post as saying he was doing opiates & I felt that this would just be too much of a temptation.
The Pot thing, in my opinion, varies from person to person. (I love your term 'fiending', btw. Right On! So True.) I've known plenty of people that wake up & smoke in the morning every day. They can't do without it. (I've generally found that these folks end up getting paranoid, eventually. I'd characterize that degree of pot use as an addiction.) On the other hand, I've also known people who only use it casually & are able to maintain this. I'm not really sure how pot affects dopamine receptors so I can't really comment on whether it's safe to say it's 'OK'. I think it would tend to depend on the person but I would caution against using anything as a 'replacement' drug (emotionally/mentally/behaviorally.) Meaning, if you're doing it each day, then, you're changing your chemistry out of the same 'need' that you used opiates. I know that Pot is considered a 'gateway' drug, etc. but there's a whole separate set of issues/downsides to using it daily & I suspect that eventually someone who's an addict who move back to his/her DOC.
Please, let us know what your thoughts are on this & how you're faring. We're Here.
So Glad to hear that you felt okay on day three (rather Awesome, actually.) My only concern re: your friend (and believe me, I hear you when you say he's your Best Friend.) is that I read your initial post as saying he was doing opiates & I felt that this would just be too much of a temptation.
The Pot thing, in my opinion, varies from person to person. (I love your term 'fiending', btw. Right On! So True.) I've known plenty of people that wake up & smoke in the morning every day. They can't do without it. (I've generally found that these folks end up getting paranoid, eventually. I'd characterize that degree of pot use as an addiction.) On the other hand, I've also known people who only use it casually & are able to maintain this. I'm not really sure how pot affects dopamine receptors so I can't really comment on whether it's safe to say it's 'OK'. I think it would tend to depend on the person but I would caution against using anything as a 'replacement' drug (emotionally/mentally/behaviorally.) Meaning, if you're doing it each day, then, you're changing your chemistry out of the same 'need' that you used opiates. I know that Pot is considered a 'gateway' drug, etc. but there's a whole separate set of issues/downsides to using it daily & I suspect that eventually someone who's an addict who move back to his/her DOC.
Please, let us know what your thoughts are on this & how you're faring. We're Here.
I am aware that weaver also had a similar question, but due to the fact that I am new to the site and am posting from my phone I decided to address the concern about my friend in this manner (comment).
The friend that I work worth is by far my best friend. I've known him since the days before we got high. He knows my dillema and even about my RUQ pain so he is on board with me cutting out the opiates and (alcohol <- which is not nearly as hard, I mean there is a reason it's legal haha.) However, he is kind of a pot head and the option to smoke is always their.
I do plan to partake with him from time to time for a few reasons. The most important of which is that when I do smoke my mentality towards the opiates changes. I no longer fiend for them, in fact I even rationalize why I should not use them. The second reason is that there is no way I will replace one substance problem with another because I don't like smoking during the day, or even two days in a row for that matter.
Anyway
Day three has been a success. I went to work sober and I feel more energized than when I started. As opposed to coming home from working on percocets and crashing hard.
I feel better than I have in a long while. But I found a loose Percocet today and although I didn't take it, I didn't have the heart to dispose of it.
So do any of you recovering opiate addicts have any opinions about marijuana use? My girlfriend and most of my friends all smoke so I'm not sure if a complete sobriety is in the cards for me at the moment. Opinions, critism and scolding are all welcomed about this topic. And any thoughts about marijuana use and liver/GB abnormalities.
The friend that I work worth is by far my best friend. I've known him since the days before we got high. He knows my dillema and even about my RUQ pain so he is on board with me cutting out the opiates and (alcohol <- which is not nearly as hard, I mean there is a reason it's legal haha.) However, he is kind of a pot head and the option to smoke is always their.
I do plan to partake with him from time to time for a few reasons. The most important of which is that when I do smoke my mentality towards the opiates changes. I no longer fiend for them, in fact I even rationalize why I should not use them. The second reason is that there is no way I will replace one substance problem with another because I don't like smoking during the day, or even two days in a row for that matter.
Anyway
Day three has been a success. I went to work sober and I feel more energized than when I started. As opposed to coming home from working on percocets and crashing hard.
I feel better than I have in a long while. But I found a loose Percocet today and although I didn't take it, I didn't have the heart to dispose of it.
So do any of you recovering opiate addicts have any opinions about marijuana use? My girlfriend and most of my friends all smoke so I'm not sure if a complete sobriety is in the cards for me at the moment. Opinions, critism and scolding are all welcomed about this topic. And any thoughts about marijuana use and liver/GB abnormalities.
Hi there & Welcome! Thanks for your well-worded post (quite impressive from a phone, btw.) & Congrats on Day 2!!
The following jumped out @ me right away:
'but the mental aspect of the process is where I am struggling. I currently have a Manual labor job with my best friend from high school who is also big into opiates (he is by no means An addict).'
Well, you pegged it! The 'mental'/emotional aspect is really at the heart of our addiction. As you know, it's not really about losing the physical addiction (if it were -- no one would relapse.) So, when you ask about how to stop 'obsessing' about the perfect high you've asked one of the key questions. (Btw, I hear you. I used to do that, particularly, when I was your age. Quick heads up: You'll never achieve it! [unless you get clean & then relapse. You can also OD this way.])
Many folks find that the longer time they put between themselves & their DOC, the less the obsessive thoughts come. HOWEVER, there are some important steps that most of these people take. The first is to get rid of all your stash, block your dealers # & stay away from drug people (even if you don't believe they're addicts -- you are!) The second would be to do some serious soul-searching to identify your triggers & if possible, why you began to use in the first place. The third would be to come 'clean' to as many people as you can. This makes it a little harder to relapse as you have more than just yourself to answer to. The fourth would be to get yourself into some form of addiction counseling &/or meetings. If you have some form of Spirituality, this can be very grounding, as well. Learning how to sit with stress & uncomfortable feelings is what it's really all about. When those obsessive thoughts come up try to do something positive for yourself instead of reaching for a pill. Also, ask yourself: 'What's up, here?' 'What's my habit trying to trick me into?' Every time you don't give in, it makes you a little stronger & you'll start to see that it's possible to go without. I, personally find that meditation (breathing) really helps.
If you drank a lot & took opiates with NSAIDS in them (you don't have to take them together, btw.) the pain might actually be liver/gallbladder related. The gallbladder would be a sharper pain, though. The liver would be just a 'full' sort of feeling @ first & then mild pain later. I know you mentioned that you'd see a doctor. I think this would be a good idea.( I'm not crazy about going to the Dr. either but you just don't want to mess around with something like that, my friend!)
I'd close by asking a similar question to my buddy Weaver71's: How are you going to stay clean when you're working with someone who's a friend that you were partying with?
Please, let us know what you think & how you're doing. This site is an Amazing recovery tool! Congrats again on your decision & your first 2 days clean. Wishing you all the Strength & Clarity to punch through this! We're here & we're pulling for you.
The following jumped out @ me right away:
'but the mental aspect of the process is where I am struggling. I currently have a Manual labor job with my best friend from high school who is also big into opiates (he is by no means An addict).'
Well, you pegged it! The 'mental'/emotional aspect is really at the heart of our addiction. As you know, it's not really about losing the physical addiction (if it were -- no one would relapse.) So, when you ask about how to stop 'obsessing' about the perfect high you've asked one of the key questions. (Btw, I hear you. I used to do that, particularly, when I was your age. Quick heads up: You'll never achieve it! [unless you get clean & then relapse. You can also OD this way.])
Many folks find that the longer time they put between themselves & their DOC, the less the obsessive thoughts come. HOWEVER, there are some important steps that most of these people take. The first is to get rid of all your stash, block your dealers # & stay away from drug people (even if you don't believe they're addicts -- you are!) The second would be to do some serious soul-searching to identify your triggers & if possible, why you began to use in the first place. The third would be to come 'clean' to as many people as you can. This makes it a little harder to relapse as you have more than just yourself to answer to. The fourth would be to get yourself into some form of addiction counseling &/or meetings. If you have some form of Spirituality, this can be very grounding, as well. Learning how to sit with stress & uncomfortable feelings is what it's really all about. When those obsessive thoughts come up try to do something positive for yourself instead of reaching for a pill. Also, ask yourself: 'What's up, here?' 'What's my habit trying to trick me into?' Every time you don't give in, it makes you a little stronger & you'll start to see that it's possible to go without. I, personally find that meditation (breathing) really helps.
If you drank a lot & took opiates with NSAIDS in them (you don't have to take them together, btw.) the pain might actually be liver/gallbladder related. The gallbladder would be a sharper pain, though. The liver would be just a 'full' sort of feeling @ first & then mild pain later. I know you mentioned that you'd see a doctor. I think this would be a good idea.( I'm not crazy about going to the Dr. either but you just don't want to mess around with something like that, my friend!)
I'd close by asking a similar question to my buddy Weaver71's: How are you going to stay clean when you're working with someone who's a friend that you were partying with?
Please, let us know what you think & how you're doing. This site is an Amazing recovery tool! Congrats again on your decision & your first 2 days clean. Wishing you all the Strength & Clarity to punch through this! We're here & we're pulling for you.
Hey my Friend, (RUQ) abdominal pain is also indicative of someone who insulting their liver by the amount of APAP/acetaminophen that is in the pills you are taking try a liver cleanse using "Milk Thistle and Dandelion extract. Due not continue to insult your liver by using!!! As it could result in severe Liver damage. I've been in the Medical field for 37 years Holistic/Eastern and Western. I work in emergency medicine now and I was Addicted/Dependent on opiates from 1992 - 1999. I am clean 14 years and leading a productive life.
Prayers and Blessings, Always
jimi (lil wing =0)
Prayers and Blessings, Always
jimi (lil wing =0)
A lot of us realized after enough clean time, that opiates made our pain worse. I know mine is less. You are battling the mind, I know that feeling. Cognative/behavioral therapy helps me most with the mental part, but we are all different. For some, NA is the best. Glad you found us and posted, that will help too. It was many years ago that your doses even relieved withdrawal symptoms, it will get real bad unless you do what it takes now. Like Ricart posted, give it a month to 6 weeks, you will be amazed. For now, I'd find an addiction counselor. Even if you are not a full blown addict, counseling can help you never go there. Hang in there and good luck. What does your friend at work think about all this?
Great that you made your own thread. That is the easiest way to get help and get noticed,smart . I am going to stop right at the beginning of the second paragraph where you said the longest time you had clean was a week and a half. That is not enough time for you to get your brain chemistry back to a more normally functioning level. Try a month and it will make a world of difference. These pain problems may very well clear up when you get that month in . Great job on the two days and glad you see this as a problem so early in life . You can do this and it is best that you do it now before you reap some of the consequences that we all have. Keep it up and keep posting friend best wishes to you ;) hope this helps
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