Why Stop Taking Opiates?

[lisacolombo]

Here is my problem, I am being treated with oxycontin for about four years now for an old back injury by my doctor. I find that I have much more energy more focused and more open towards others. This is truly not denial, I have been promoted to a senior management position on the job, I have written a software program, which I was able to market and sell for a lot of money. It only becomes a problem when I run out. I realized I had a problem when I came up short one month and I could not function and had your classic symptoms. To be total honest I do not want to quit but refuse to go to the streets and spend my hard earned money on drugs. What do I do?

[Rupp86]

whats up lisa? glad to hear your doin good.  I'm at 21 days now feelin better than ever.  Excedrin actually works wonders.  The only non-narcotic ive found that helped with pains and RLS.  Anyways keep it up!  Best of luck

[Avallonmist]

I know reading this is hard and you're probably desperately searching for one of us to give you an answer that will let you keep the pills and live sober...I know... I looked for that answer too, about 3 years ago.
Now you're coming up short every month; and let me guess, your ran out faster this time than last time..mm?  You have choices; they aren't fun choices, but they are available. 1. You can go to your Dr. and let her/him help you come off. Most Dr.s will help their patients through withdrawal.  
2. You can check into rehab and probably have the most success via that route.  3. You can quit cold turkey...(disclaimer, I'm not a Dr.so, if you go this route, tell someone, don't do it alone !!!)
But if you stay on this road eventually you'll find yourself doing things you never thought you would.  After you have exhausted all of your resources, you will go where ever you have to to get the drugs.  I promise you I'm not being condescending; scholastically you're smarter  than I am; but, I'm speaking from experience.  That's another thing, the pills will begin to affect your memory and your intellect.
Please get help now.  It sounds to me like you were reaching out and a lot of people on this site care about you because we have all been down this road ourselves.  It is a hard, hard road;but, you will be the better for it when you get clean.  I wish you luck,  and hope everything works out wonderfully for you.
)O( Avallon )O(

[sobermommy]

I hope that you are able to make the decision for yourself. The others are right when they say you have to be ready or it will never work. It is one of the truest things ever. So when you are ready...you will know. You have a great support system here when the time is right for you. Best of luck you you.

[lisacolombo]

I think the activity is because we all asked ourselves that question as to why should I quit, it is still a decision I am struggling with, I have more focus and more energy on than how I am now. Right now it is a $15 cost for a month supply, I have been reading where people have been paying upwards to 20 a pill from the street right know I pay for my health coverage which covers pretty much all of it.    

It is like the commercial with the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. The devil is saying as long as you can sustain your inventory of pills until the next doctor visit why stop? The angel is saying that you are starting to lose control, you have a great family, awesome job and why even jeopardize it.

Now that I have more control with lowering my daily dosage, I am seeing that this is something I can do with stopping, but I see that big hurdle in front of me which is WD and it is scary. Right now I am taking it day by day and I am just not ready to make that jump, I know this shows weakness but I lowered my daily dosage by 80% in a 24hr period and it has been sustained for almost a week, I think a couple of more weeks like this will help me build up the confidence. Really I am in maintenance mode, I do not want to get high I just do not want to get sick.

[sobermommy]

Lisa...wow what an amazing group of supporters you have here. This is a very intense post but you have received great advice, support and encouragement. I wish you all the best. I hope for your sake that you are able to set yourself free from the pills. I couldn't help noticing thoughout this post you mentioned several times that you have a great job and didn't want to spend your hard earned money on pills when you ran out at the end of the month. Just a random thought....haven't you already been spending your hard earned money on the scripts and doctor bills...etc???? I hope the day comes soon when you truly don't have to spend another single dime of your money on pills. Your life will be so much better. Best of luck to you...God bless...Lynn

[lisacolombo]

Wow 21 days, must feel nice, stay the path, I will look to start posting my days clean Monday after next, planned a week of vacation, will just shut down next Friday night and suck it up. I will have my significant with pocketing some for me, again it just helps with the anxiety. Having them at your disposal has its pros and cons, right now I have been stretching the hours in between, telling myself I can wait it out and I have. My mind set is that I do not want to get high I just do not want to get sick!