how do we deal with the depression that comes with getting off the pills.

[hippy]

for me i struggled with this for 2 years, every time i tried to get off the
pills i would get a week clean but the severe depression would kick in and rock me to the point of not being able to move.
i would just sit and stair out the window. then i would
get more pills because i had work that had to get done.
not untill i found this fourm and started taking the L-tyrosine
and b-6 did i get through the depression.
i also took 5htp to help with it. these supplements help ed
more than i can ever say.
peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gia]

I do not know why I can never post a question on this site. Anyhow  I went to see a counselor about my addiction and she asked me why I wanted to get clean. Was it for myself, the courts, my family or whatever. I responded that I needed a change in my life and that I know that I can not go on any longer like this, and she responded with,"why not?" She then asked why not just keep getting high and then proceeded to ask this hypothetical question."What if your drug of choice was over the counter and even after extended use there were no withdrawal symptoms,would you continue to use? Or let's say you knew for sure that the world was coming to an end in three weeks, would you use till the end? Basically she was trying to see how bad I wanted to get clean and whether or not it was for the right reasons. The problem is that I had to actually think about it for a moment, especially the answer to the second question. I can't honestly say that I am absulutely  sure I would not use in the latter situation. What does that say about me? I have only been clean for a week straight so maybe I need more time, however,I was curious as to what others might say. Please post back to me with your answers or feedback. I hope this does not offend anyone. Thanks and I hope everyone is doing well and  staying strong. I apreciate everyone's comments and I believe that this forum is a blessing. By the way is anyone from Atlanta or Jacksonville, FL? I am originally from Jax, but live in Atlanta now.

[Bodymechanic]

Hippie

How in god's name do always manage to post topics.  I have tried at all hours of the day and night to post a topic. All I ever get is a message that reads "Due to lack funding and limited staff we have reached our daily limit of new questions".  Perhaps I am mistaken, but the only people I have ever seen  answering questions on this forum are the board members.  Maybe the message should more correctly read "You could post a question here for free.  However, we would much rather that you pay some bullshit physician's assistant right out of college to give you misinformation and incomplete answers".  

Everyone

Depression has been a hot topic here in recent weeks.  The simple answer is that if you are suffering from post withdrawal depression, it will soon pass with or without treatment.  Unfortunately, there are some of us (many) who are suffering from depression that predates our drug use. It also persists in spite of exhaustive treatment and psycotherapy.  And it persists even after many years of being totally drug and alchol free. This is what I have been calling addiction related to a biochemical disorder of the brain.  I can only pray that someday it will be recognised as a genuine diagnosis and not just something invented in the mind of a sruggling addict (myself)

The best service and possibly the only service that we can do for eachother is to seek help on our own.  I am tired of the  psychatrists usual ****. I have nothing to show for the countless dollars and years I have wasted on them. In my opinion they are nothing more than drug pushers for the rich drug companies.  Which I would not mind if their potients and snake oils worked.  Now my doctor is the collective minds of the internet. My pharmacy is the online pharmacy.

My latest trial which will last 8 weeks(or forever if it works) is as follows.

1) I am discontinuing the use of ultram because using it will intefere with the other medications I will be using.
2) Deprenly 10-20 mg per day to elevate dopamine levels.
3) Busbar 20 mg per day to help reduce anziety, elevate dopamine levels and SLIGHTLY elevate serotonin levels.
4) Clonidine .1-.2 mg at bedtime to reduce sympathetic hyperactivity.
5) Tyrosine in the AM to provide the raw material for dopamine production.
6) 5HTP in the morning to provide the raw material for serotonin production.
7) Udo's Choice perfect food as an overall natural balanced food supplement.
8) BioGreens as a complete nutritional supplimentation and to balance body PH.
9) Coral calcium...Ummm....I fell for the TV hype and wanted to try it.

There are no harmful ingredients here.  Deprenly is one of the safests medications on the market.  Busbar has been around for years with no reported significant side effects. Clonidine is also a very safe medication.  All of these medications are safe when taken in combination.  The only question is will they work. At lest I will be no worse off then before.  As time goes on I will report on it's effectiveness.  I wish others would do the same things and regardless of you use, post your results. Wouldnt it be best thing ever if a bunch of junkies solved a problem that so many could not or would not solve.

United we stand.  Divided we fall.


Peace

[CATUF]

I may be posting this in the wrong thread, but . . .

Chatahan

[puma]

Catuf,

I never really thought of it that way but you are so correct. It isn't that I want so desperately to be clean and sober, but the simple lack of negatives which go along with the addiction/ withdrawals and chasing down the drug of choice.

I feel good on Codiene, but quit do to blackout seizures and lack of availability. I am quitting booze do to toxicity of daily usage on my health plus forever fighting withdrawal.

I have a chronic pain disorder and will maintain the Ultram for now, but who knows what next week will bring?

The Klonopin I take for seizures. It has solved six health related problems I have. I don't plan to give it up but the Doc here is wierd and wants me to detox. Detox to what, more seizures? I will sue him if that happens!

Thanks for the input, and congrats on being over 30 days. My cat is about to deliver and driving me nuts. I have to run to take care of her while she has her babies. Take care and God Bless.

Chatahan.......wildcat

[Sundown]

Your considering about how you would honestly answer those questions is the result of your addiction. Being straight for one week in WONDERFUL, but you are just starting the process of recovery from this terrible illness of addiction. I've been clean 34 says now, and while I am commited to staying clean, I'm not sure how I would answer some of those questions. The one about "if it's over the counter with no withfrawl" I think (IMHO) is not that pertinant, as such a substance wouldn't meet the criteria of an addictive drug, although I can imagine the question could as to whether you have an "adictive" personality. It reminds me of how freely we use the word addiction these days, with shopping "addicts","exercise" addicts", etc. But a question like what you would do if the world were going to end, or perhaps even just you knew you were going to die, would you use is a tough one. Probably in my first week, my answer would ahve been Yes. Now, I guess it would be I'm not sure. I am commited to staying clean for the rest of my life, but changing and healing our minds takes ALOT of time and ALOT of effort.

She wasn't asking you "trick" questions . She wanted to raise those issues so YOU would really think about how you would answer and feel your own commitment, and see how the pitfalls that life can bring to your future, stress, disappointments, faliures (all a part of everyones existence) can effect you and cause relapse. Learning how to not rely on drugs in the face of adversity is the biggest problem for every addict. We all used these drugs as an escape from either physical or emtional pain in our lives. What happens the next time those events occur as the test of our sobriety. Keep in mind there are no "right answers", other than knowing that remaining committed to a clean life is going to be a struggle for us all. But the rewards of that stuggle are, I think, well worth it.

Anyway, congratulations on ONE WEEK. Thats a great start.

Sundown

[hippy]

best to get a week off if possible.
if not the receipe will hep with dealing with work.