Mental part of wd's

[LADYDI4185]

How long does the mental part of wd's last?  I know that is a pretty tough question, but for those people who have been clean for a while, does it get  any easier?  The physical part of wd's is not too bad but the mental part is so difficult for me.  I get very depressed, an actual physical feeling of overwhelming sadness.  I am not suicidal or anything but it's so hard to stay motivated and not feel so sad at times.  I currently take cymbalta for depression that I was diagnosed years ago for but when I stop taking pills i experience horrible mood swings.  I end up using again because I can take the depression.  Is it a few weeks, months or forever?  Not trying to be dramatic but it is the hardest part of wd-ing for me.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Ella789]

  The mental is tough,  it's prob. the hardest thing I have done, it seems to hang on awhile.  I am so much better than I have been sinse detox.  I have been clean sinse Feb. 16  almost 3 & 1/2 mos. and I have to say that I am so glad I am doing better emotionaly with the craves,  it is so good to feel better.  Hang in there everyone, it does get better but while you're going thru it life seems to drag.  I hope I have given you some hope,   I do know what it's like so well.
Hugs

Ella

[ginsa]

I have been clean for 32 days off norco and  I'm still depressed, but not nearly as bad as I was for the first 20 days. Seems like it is getting better very very gradually. I will still need to try some RX for depression, but I want to wait until I get over the wd induced part. It will get better, but it takes determination and patience. I've suffered with depression most of my 50 years. Hang in there and keep psyching yourself up to take the turn to being drug free.

[refusingbondage]

Lady -  I feel so badly for anyone who suffers depression AND has to go through the depression that comes from detox.  I have never had problems with depression but was floored by it during detox - even to the point of being suicidal.  I can tell you that it is seriously a waiting game and that part of it will get better.  But, if you have it to begin with I would DEFINITELY talk to your therapist.  Tell her what's up and be open and honest.  She may be able to up your antidepressant meds or change them accordingly.  Help is out there and  you don't have to do this alone.  Its a cycle - the pills elevate the mood but then you run out, the anxiety sets in, depression sets in.  Then you get even more depressed cause you feel like a failure cause you cant quit so you reach for more drug....and around and around you go.  I always told myself when I ran low it was time to quit but picked it up immediately when it was available.  Until I got to the point where I was absolutely done and felt myself dying physically and spiritually.  You dont have to get there.  You sound like you are on the right track and thinking about what you need to do.  Now its time to put a plan in motion and take action.  Yoo can be drug free and happy.  Ask your doctors for help.  I wish you the best and send lots of hope and strength your way.

[LADYDI4185]

Hi!  Thanks for the post, I have been on cymbalta for approx. 2 years, prozac before that for years.  I wish I could get through the depression part but i hate to say it, I am not strong enough!  Wow that was hard to admit!  I just get so down that I just pop a pill and tell myself I'll try again tomorrow.  I am currently tapering down from approx. 8 hydro's per day now only at six per day.  I was doing better a few weeks ago (3-4 per day) but my dr refilled my rx for 120 pills and shocker back using!!!!  Some days I feel like I worry about this addiction as I get closer to running out, which i know sounds ridiculous but it just gets to be too much.  I sound pathetic but that's is really how I feel.  I read so many posts on here and wish i could say I am clean but it has yet to happen.  Maybe deep down I'm not ready but i know when my "stash" gets down to 10 pills then I will tell myself enough.  I do see a therapist and I am working on my issues that make me use pills but even she does not know I am still taking them!  I need help!!!!

[gizzy32]

The mental part is the hardest for sure. Not everyone is the same. I used a different drug and the mental aspect was all i knew, it was extreme. When i stopped, i did not want to leave the house, no energy and severe depression. I craved non stop everyday the first month, but from there I could see improvement. All the mind games and realizing what I had done was very hard to overcome, but we do heal. At this point I don't have to battle this everyday and to me that is a minor miracle. Believe in the process of recovery and learn as much as you can, you are not alone and it will get so much better, but there is no specific time frame. For me posting and talking about it helps so much. Recovery begins after w/d's. How long have you been on the cymbalta now? Have you looked into the amino acid protocal in the health pages?

To answer your question, it does get a lot easier, but we can never let our guard down. Stay strong!