Cold Turkey Day

[ItIsTime]

I went cold turkey on Thanksgiving Day.  At 5:15pm today, i will be 120 hours clean.  Was taking about 10 Lortabs a day.  Days 1, 2, & 3 were awful, physical withdrawals all day and night.  I toook multi-vitamins and went to steam room each of these days.  I can only imagine what I looked like to those other guys at the health club. On day 3 I made myself get on an elliptical machine for 30 minutes.  First 20 were hell,  but the last 10 I felt better.  Day 4 was back to work day.  I spent most of the day hiding from co-workers because my anxiety level was through the roof.  When I got off of work, I felt so much better.  I played tennis with my wife.  We only made it about 20 minutes because it was so cold.  Now I'm here, day 5.  My anxiety level has lowered tremendously.  I have been getting my work done and conversing with my co-workers all day.  I'm going to the gym with my wife after work.

From what I have read on this forum, it seems that my recovery is going well.  Maybe it's because I only used for 10 months.

For anybody out there that's in those first three days, just keep going.  I feel better every passing hour.  I'm starting to feel like myself again.  While I was using, I didn't even realize what I had become.  I was a zombie to my wife, my family, and my friends.  I feel like my entire self is re-booting.

Good luck to all!

(I hope that this does not come off like I'm bragging, I'm just really excited about my life again and I thought I might be able to help others that are in the beginning of their recovery.)

[Dave1963]

Awesome job bro!!  I'm 4 days clean and the first 3 were aweful, today is a little better though.  First day back in the gym and I feel a little better.  I had been taking vicodin for the last 3 years and just dropped them C/T (for the 2nd time).  This time is it though, it's been really hard on my family (aweful temper and mood swings) and that's not the kind of guy I used to be.  I am new here but this is a great place to get inspiration and support.  I don't post much, but all of your ppost sure have been a great help to me.  Thanks everyone and thanks ItIsTime!!

[reachingagain]

I really appreciated all you wrote. I've been on hydrocodone for almost a year and have gone through a couple days of w/d's (because of running out too soon). I liked what you said about values. I always thought that if I had the pills then I would have the motivation to get an academic accomplishment I've been wanting to do. Well it's been a year and I haven't even started. It seems I spend more time and money on getting the prescriptions filled than anything else. Thank you for sharing.

[DirtyJer_z]

Thanks for posting this. My situation is similar to yours and I am on that horrible Day 3! It is good to see that it does start to get better. I am going to try and get out there and get some exercise if possible tonight. I am just so tired though. I wish I could get some sleep. :(

[Clamity2]

Yep we are in the right place. I love it here. You all help me so much. I was on here for about 2 hours this a.m. reading post. I can't believe it but I honestly didn't concider going to a dr or blackmarket once today. That is amazing to me. Honestly I did think a joint would help but didn't do that either.  Peace to you all. I pray we all make it to Christmas and compare notes then. But I'm grateful for today.

[ItIsTime]

Thanks for responding.  I am so happy; to think I don't have to figure out how to get pills in order to do things anymore.  No more mysterious flues that cancel fishing trip and nights out.

Michael_777 - trust me buddy, I know about the cravings.  Cravings are the single hardest part of this.  You start to think that if I could just give up and get some pills, I can be normal again.  But you and I know that you are not really "normal" when your on an opiate buzz all the time.  It is just within the last two days that I am remembering how it is to feel normal again.  Not all the way there, but at least I remember.  Thanks for the encouragement.

tramham - I tried tapering a few times before deciding to go Cold Turkey.  It never worked for me.  I always decided that I needed a reward for doing every day things like finishing a hard day's work and that it would be okay to break the taper schedule for just this once.  "Just this once" turned into every day.  What really helped me is a book I am reading called "7 Tools to Beat Addiction".  The first tool is VALUES, i.e. being a good family member, working hard, being social, etc.  The book helped me to think about what my values really are and how my addiction was affecting my values.  It was strange, but as I thought of my values and who I am, I realized that I had been ignoring what I truly want for the last year of my life.  Remember, it is your life; do what you want with it; but be sure you know what you want because you only get one.  If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know.

avisg and allaboutmary - I have been reading this forum for about a month now, but very seldom posted anything.  That may be why I'm busting out of the seams right now.  Anyway, when I first started reading this forum, someone had written something that has helped me.  They said that after a week or so, that the endorphines started to kick in and that it was quite a natural high.  In my recovery, I have done everything that I could muster up to get some endorphines going.  It is coming slowly, but I have noticed the natural high.  Forcing myself to do exercise, and I mean really FORCING, has helped so much.  Thanks again for the encouragement.

This forum has really helped me and I hope that everyone here finds it as helpful to them as it has been to me.

[allaboutmary]

Wow ! You are doing great.  Thank you for that post. You just motivated me to get off my *** and take my dogs on that long walk they have been beggin for. Great job !  Keep it going.   Mary

[MICHAEL_777]

Sorry, I was on the wrong post.  However, I still suggest you to start your own.

[MICHAEL_777]

Start another post with your questions, so we can give you the answers you want/need.  Some may skip this post as the coke aspect doesn't interest them.

[tramhamilton]

I am so happy for you, sounds like you have your addiction under control. I  myself tried to quit c/t, I only made it half way thru day 2. I have been on Tramadol 50mg, 30 tabs per day for about 2 years. I am going to try again. Tried tapering off, but if I have them I will take more than the taper calls for. I do not have a support system except for this forum. Too much time on my hands. Unemployed, fiancee works out of town during the week, one child 12 in school all day, goes with father every weekend. No one knows about my addiction, I think that is why it is so hard for me. Any suggestions?????????

[MICHAEL_777]

Way to go brother!  Brag all you want, because what you're doing is an awesome feat.  It certainly sounds like things are going well for you in the wd department.  However, be wary of the ever lurking craving that may be around the corner.  Keep up the great work!  Love and Strength be with you!

[avisg]

You are doing great ... its ok to brag a  little you are getting clean ,be very proud of your self.
Your detox is very close to how mine went ... I try to tell people all of the time exercise even if it is just walking will help sooooooooooooo much ... keep up the good work and keep us posted.
avis