addiction & withdrawal

[terrified2Bout]

I was being prescribed 8 norco 10/325 pills per day for a period of over 3 years for pain management, when the drs office abruptly closed, I honestly didn't realize I  was addicted to opiates, until my remaining refills ran out. Several doctors apologized as the original scripts were written by a physicians assistant, I was told I should have never been prescribed the amount I had been given, I am 6 ft and weighed at the time 158 lbs.During the 3+ years I lost 40 lbs.Several doctors asked me to enter a drug rehab program but  i was going through a very nasty divorce and there was no way i could admit to the problem or seek inpatient rehab, or i would have lost my children. A family member then handed me a suboxone to help with withdrawal and I felt like superwoman, now 2 years later, I am still buying them off the street, I was diagnosed with C.O.P.D. 2 years ago, and desperately want to stop this cycle. I am so embarrassed, none of my family or members of my community have any idea, its like living a horrible lie. I am dying inside, I am a junkie because of legally prescribed  pain medication. Between the cost and fear for my health, i just am terrified, when i try to stop the suboxone i feel breathless. If i stop cold turkey, whats going to happen to me and how long will i be sick from physical withdrawal? After just stopping for a 2-3 days I can't function, so I go get more. please help, i am in my 50's, my kids are 9 -15 yrs old, one is multiply disabled, i really need some advice.My family has only me, so I can't be outed so to speak, but desperately want to stop.  Is there anything  i can take to ease the withdrawal both physically and mentally??

[pmlchnc]

you really should try na classes they have them everywhere and you dont take anything and the classes really help..you need support from people who are going through the same thing you are..it really helps i'm a single mom of 3 they are 13, 11, 9 years old and i was on oxy for 6 years..i got carried away with my medicine and lost everything but working the 12 steps with a sponsor in na classes have really helped me..and i went to detox for only 5 days before i started na classes

[vicki595]

You need to taper off that Suboxone and it's very hard. I don't know what dose you're on but I'd get with a very good doctor so you can be weaned off and medically supported. Don't try this on your own,okay?

[GMcp]

i find taking a hand full of vitamins i take really helped with my withdrawal and then valerian and melitonin and relora at night gets me to sleep all the night which give me better energy in the day, ive been off the pills for 28+ days with one relaps around day 14 but the vitamins really helped