Will some of you stand with me, and kick this life-swallowing, creativity-drowning, life-ruining, horrible addiction to Opiates???

[DJ_Kleen]

Will some of you stand with me, and kick this life-swallowing, creativity-drowning, life-ruining, horrible addiction to Opiates???  

I'm on day 4 of Opiate withdrawals...  Talk about about going to hell for a few days...  It's no way over, but the worst is over, for sure.  I've done a lot of reading and researching regarding opiate withdrawal, which has helped me tremendously.  I I realize that everyone is different, but if I could just help one person to make it    through the withdrawals and kick this nasty addiction, it would be SOO worth it!!!  
I also enjoy writing and it helps me deal with my own problems when I write them
down, as opposed to talking about it.  Anyways, up until last Friday, I was taking up to 20-25 Norcos, that were 10mg each!  That's 200-250mg of Hydrocodone, NOT GOOD!  Let us not forget the always possible Liver Toxicity
which starts at about 3G of Acetominophen...  Typically, the most common form of Norco is 10mg Hydrocodone and 325mg Acetominophen.  People need to remember that not only will the opiate (Hydrocodone, in this case) kill you, but the Acetominiophen (Tylenol) can cause severe damage to your liver upwards in doses over 3G per day.  3G or 3 Grams, is also equal to 3000mg, or 3000 milligrams.  If people choose to abuse these drugs, they better know what they're getting into...  Sorry for the running of the mouth!!!! Focus!! Focus!!
My whole point here is to offer my personal advice to those who would like to quit opiates altogether, and/or hopefully guide you in the right direction towards sobriety!  I have plenty of information to share, and have had experience detoxing from Oxycodone, Oxycontins, Percocets, Percodans, and most recently Norco (Norco is a trade/brand name for stronger Hydrocodone [Vicodin])
The hardest detox I've ever been through was that of Methadone.  If I can get through THAT, I can get through anything...  It's almost impossible to find success stories regarding quitting Methadone, it just doesn't happen often.  I'm not saying I'm special, but my doctors seemed to think so..
People need to understand that many of the opiates discussed are similar, and often are referred to as different names, due to brands, strengths, time-released formulas intended for patients with severe pain (cancer patients, traumatic injuries, etc.)  
I'm starting to get too technical again, but I just want to educate those that may not know what they are doing to their bodies..  Of course its fun, thats why we all did it, right? That "fun" eventually turns into ruined lives, jobs, relationships, and ultimately lost lives.  I've already had two close friends in college succumb to narcotic overdose.  I don't want it to be you, I really do care about people!  I work as a Firefighter-Paramedic, so taking care of people comes naturally to me.  But, most of my experiences I have learned came prior to my career, as I never would have secured the career without a clear, sharp, and level head.
I want to help!!!  Please tell me if I can!!!  I've never posted like this before, but always wanted to...  We'll see what happens!

[sudie58]

hi, and well done on your day4, i think its great you posted, sara is right though, you must look after yourself first,  but posting on here really helps me stay clean , i am 81 days now, after several relapses, i think its good you point out that lots of codeine drugs contain Acetominophen(paracetomol in uk), at my addiction group, there are real horror stories of what its done to folks, ulcers ,liver damage, kidney damage, and i have a friend who nearly died because of scar tissue build up , it does need pointing out that its not just the codeine in these drugs, i really wish you well,  god bless

[Jammerson1906]

I am all for it....whatever you learn and want to share, I am here to listen. Day 5 for me tomorrow and knowledge is power.
God bless for reaching out...if thats what helps you stay clean, then keep reaching! I will be happen to listen and learn!!!

[worried878]

sounds like u r a caregiver by nature
I am a nurse so I hear ya
sometimes we gotta focus on caring for ourselves.....and only ourselves until we get ok....or we r no good at our career or our life calling

good luck to u and regards

[dominosarah]

Hi and welcome to the forum.  Congrats on 4 days clean.  I grew up in a family of firefighters and paramedics so i understand your wanting to help but how about focusing on you for awhile.  Sounds like you have a history of detoxing off many drugs.  Have you gotten any kind of recovery care during any of this?  Using is just a symptom of this addiction.  Take some time to get to know you.  I am in no way saying not to help as you sound like you have good knowledge about the dangers of drugs.  Be selfish for awhile and take care of you.  Again, welcome to the forum.  You will find alot of support~~~sara