codeinne addiction

[girlie7]

Hi I am struggling with a codeine addiction in the form of ibuprofen and codeine I can have up to sixty a day. I used to have a problem with heroin many years ago and now I am a social worker with a high pressure job that I love and I have become dependant on pain killers and guess what I do not have any pain problems other than my physiologically. I have tried to get off these and I get one day maybe two maybe three and then I relapse can not seem to get more than four days up if I am lucky. I am so sick of it but I am stuck in this vicious cycle and I don;t want to take time off work cause I am so busy. I am scared my world is becoming so small I am so isolated and alone. I am just working popping pills and thats about it. I am single, attractive 37 years old woman with a great job and lots to live for but on the inside  I am wasting away because I cant stop even if I want too. I got worse with my addiction when my relationship ended and I gave up smoking, I just felt like I was never going to meet any one and I wont while I am doing this but please some one help me. I go to narcotics anonymous since I gave up heroin and I am scared to tell people there because  they rave about their heroin addictions and they laugh about people having codiene problems so I don't feel safe to talk about it. I feel like I need support online every day is there some one who can tell me there story.

[girlie7]

Thanks for everyone that has written to me it has sure helped, I have now gotten through one day and I am sure tomorrow will be harder but at least I am giving it ago. I do feel like I have been in a drug haze and its hard to get out of it cause like any addiction it seems like you cant even if you want to. I will have to go back to work on Tuesday and obviously wont be feeling the best. I find work really triggering cause I like the energy and I usually have some in the day and the rest when I get home so people don't notice how high I am. I do get quite high when I take a big amount. I feel isolated so I hope I hear back, Thanks

[ladywithtime]

you can do this! i too isolated myself when i was using and i became very anti-social--

you are on an awful lot of ancetemetophin and that in of itself is doing extreme damage. i'm not trying to scare you but that is the reality. i understand when you say that life cannot stop so you can go through detox, however, with those levels of tylenol, stop it will--so let it stop on your terms.

you seem like a very compassionate person who would go outta there way to help someone, so please be kind to yourself and help you! there is lotsa help out there and if you feel that your NA group isn't working, find another! can you go to counseling? i see an addictionologist who not only holds me accountable but is helping me understand why i allowed myself to get so bad.


once you reach out and get a support system in place you will feel so much stronger and your addiction which seems insurmountable at this point, will be much easier to handle. i wish you luck and God Bless you. YOU CAN DO THIS!

[girlie7]

Thank you x

[Bubulous]

Hello and welcome to the forum,

Find another NA meeting.  If nothing else go to an AA meeting as they are two peas of the same pod.  Your problem is nothing to be taken lightly and I hope you find a lot of help on here.  It is important for everyone to quit but in your situation do it as fast and safe as possible.  I don't know what kind of social work you do but if you are in a position to help people you could do so much better without the codeine.  Here is an explanation:

Recovery takes time because it hurts three important elements of you....Mind Body and Spirit.

It affects your mind by relacing a lot of your primative desires such as the need for food or love.

It affects you body by making it more susceptible to illness and slows the effects of anti-biotics, as well as taking longer to heal from minor scratched.  It also takes away the need for exercise and beneficial effects of it.

It affects your Spirit by both harming the mind and body.  That is why it is so hard to stop and why your pregress is amazing.  You have truly done an amazing thing.

Here are ways to rebuild the three elements.....

Body- exercise, eat healthy, and get enough but not too much sleep.

Mind- Play like a kid and try to learn something every day like you are doing on this forum.  

Spirit- Find a higher power, whether it is the people who are concerned for you here or if possible put it in God's hands.  You can have no better safety net than the "God of your understanding"  However, remember if you feel like sometimes he or she doesn't hold you accountable remember that we do : )  Stay Strong