Hooked on Painkillers.....AGAIN

[jkh1919]

I have been addicted to opiates for about 6 years now, and it has been an ongoing roller coaster of a struggle trying to keep my life normal amidst this addiction.  I have already been to rehab once, in 06.  I was doing good for a while, but just last year, I started working in restaurants again, and found myself taking hydrocodone every day.  I have spent all of my money and am engaged to a girl who has no clue that I am taking anywhere from 6 to 12 lortabs 10mg every single day.  I took 7 today, and that feels like nothing.  I am planning to use the next 2 days to ween myself off, and just the thought of being without them makes me feel like I am already starting to detox.  I will take 4 tomorrow, and 3 the following day, then I am planning to go cold turkey after that.  If there is any advice anyone can give me i'll greatly appreciate it.  My typical withdrawal symptoms are, in this order, runny nose, then diareah, goosbumps, then muscle cramps, and sleeplessness.  I am trying to appreciate life more, after I detox, and trying to keep myself in a frame of mind in which I will not feel like I need any drugs to "make my day a little better", but that is another discussion.  What I am concerned with right now is making the detox as painless as possible.  

[shauna268]

Sorry Fiancé

[shauna268]

Oh trust me...I understand completely. The funny thing about our industry...is drugs is somewhat of a social acceptance, plus fast cash...easy to feed, right? I used to be a heavy cocain user and that was how I started OXY'S....was to stable myself...plus I loved the feeling of the two combined. I was using 300mg of oxy daily for 5 years before I decided I needed some help. I tried a cold turkey detox before...didn't work. I tampered my own recovery and had 80's snuck in. Currently I am on a tapering system which I have the support of a WD MGT support team and my doctor. Each week...I do my sessions with my WD team...then I go to my doctor who reduces my dose. I do this every Monday. If you are concerned about you're husband, or placing that responsibility on him...you're doctor may work with you. So every Monday..after my WD support session...My doctor then gives me my script 'tapering/lowering' from the previous week. I then have to pick up my dose DAILY from the pharmacy. So on any given day...I never have more then 3 pills. Although this may seem like ALOT of leg work....and it is....don't get me wrong, so far...I have found it successful. I started at 300mg...and now on week four...I am down to 30mg..3x daily. Maybe this system might work for you???

If you wanted to share some information on you're location,just general surrounding...I could look into these locations for you? After doing all the research...I know who to call...and who not too. If you want some help...I wouldn't mind doing that for you at all

[Florida_Guy737]

Hi,

I tapered alone for three weeks and quit successfully; was on a 5 year run with patches and percs.  You have to keep your eye on the prize (sobriety) and keep moving towards that goal.  I read your post that you wouldn't drink water...not a good idea as you'll need to flush your system.

Guy

[jkh1919]

shauna, are you doing this tapering program alone?  or is someone helping you?  I have just been thinking to myself lately, "wow....you STILL haven't quit taking pills yet!?!?" i started in 02.  Restaurant work puts a BIGTIME strain on your body...and your patience...which is the main reason I started taking lortabs.  My back was KILLING me after a 10 hour shift at an UNBELIEVABLY busy restaurant, but at the end of the day, I had something to make it all go away.  Now, I have no idea why i'm taking pills again, because I am very happy in my life, I have everything someone could ever want, yet, I still find it necessary to take pills to get thru the day.  I believe that I need to find a new line of work(much easier said than done btw), because I am surrounded by drugs every single day at work, any and all types of drugs are within walking distance evern single day.

[shauna268]

jkh1919,

My story is very similar to yours. I am 25..and have been an oxy addict for 5 years. Daily my usage was 300mg..to function. Being in the restaurant business I understand how easy the lifestyle is. At 25...I went from being a server/bartender to travelling and being a Corporate trainer and Developer. Travelling to each location...I would hide my oxy’s in my bra going through the airport. I had a wonderful, wonderful man...downtown apartment, high end everything...and guess what...I lost control. I eventually had to come clean...lost the guy...and left my job. I am now almost 26...at home...BUT...on a tapering program, With SUPPORT who love me...and also are aware of my situation. You would be surprised how being honest...the support levels around you will step up...because honestly...often...they already know. They just don't know how to address us...because we have become master manipulators at convincing everyone that we have everything under control, and nothing is wrong. Four weeks ago I had everything...but was an addict using 300mg just to get by. Today I have tapered to 30mg 3x daily....it's a start....and you can do it too!!!!

[jkp423]

Start it immediately after you use last(or that night rather). Doesn't have to be the brand I mentioned but make sure you find one with a total body purifier that comes with it. Either that or buy some goldenseal. Most meds leave some residual in your liver and kidneys,bladder,and the purifier or goldenseal will help flush you out in that way. The colon cleanse actuall helps remove the remnants of meds as well as other junk that absorbs meds in your bowels. I know it sounds dumb, but it really worked well for me. You have to make yourself drink water though.

[jkh1919]

so a colon cleanse will help it leave my system faster?  When I am detoxing I don't want to drink water....that would involve moving...I just do not want to even get out of bed....for days....but, I have a SUPER busy life, and can not afford to be bedridden for days, constantly trying to restrain myself from getting up and going to get pills.  The problem with the weening is that I keep saying I'm gonna do it, usually at night before I go to sleep, its all I think about, but as soon as I wake up, the first thing I can think of is, "i need my pills".  I don't know if your natural opiate levels are lower in the morning or what, but getting thru the early part of the day without popping a few pills is something that seems like a foreign language to me.  Not only is it costing my all of my money, but taking A LOT of my time, and i'm constantly aggravated.  the thing is, I'm aggravated because nothing in my life is working out.  Then at the end of ever single day, I tell myself, "its not working out because you are hooked on painkillers, the first thing you need to do is STOP"., BUT AS you have read, when the day begins, its a totally different story.  I am REALLY planning to cut my use by 50% in the next 2 days, then just stop completely, using OTC remedies to help with the discomfort.  These include Immodium and Theraflu Nite time.  I have never heard of the colon cleanse idea though, about how long after my last use should I take it?

[jkp423]

Started 1987 myself. Lost 4 houses, two wives and the custody of my son. At one point I was up to over 30 7.5's a day. Went through rehab 15 yrs ago. Got out of rehab and took 47 of them at once to try and kill myself. All it got me was a big buzz and a stay on the psyc unit. Started on Methadone in July 05. That was no better. So in Sept of 06, I FINALLY decided that I had had enough. I flushed the remainder of my methadone, and waited for withdrawals. The physical withdrawals surprizingly only lasted about 3 days. I drank water like crazy(bout 1 1/2 gal/day) orange juice and took double doses of the one a day vitamins. Also used a colon cleanse total body purifier(dual action cleanse). The faster the drug is gone out of your system, the faster withdrawal stops. I have only known one person in my life that weaning actually worked for. I hope this helps.
With prayers for you,
Jon

[jkh1919]

I am engaged to a wonderful woman who is totally cluless about drugs altogether, and has absolutely no idea that I am severely addicted to opiates right now.  I am trying to get off of them, (for the 100th time), so I can live and enjoy life like everyone else does.  For some strange reason, I always feel like I need to make my day, "a little better", which is the reason I started taking painkillers to begin with.  I am taking between 6 to 10 lortab 10's daily.  I have detoxed many times, but I REALLY am having a hard time "just saying no" this time.  I do not want to quit taking pills, but I do not want my life to go to hell....again....either.  I took 7 today, and am planning to take 4 tomorrow, then 3 the following day, that way the detox won't be quite so intense.....the only problem is....I have had this "gameplan" for the last 3 months or so...and my instead of my number decreasing every day, i'll go down to 3 or 4 in a day, (which is a very low number btw) and then the next day i'll just say screw it and take 10.  This is my current situation, and my fiance knows that I am having problems in my life, but she just thinks its because i am overwhelmed with my priorities (which i am) such as work, school, and planning a wedding, (of which I will not be able to even afford if i do not get this under control VERY soon).  Each time I fail, I feel a little bit more helpless, and the only thing that takes that feeling away...is drugs.  I have been an addict since I was 14 and it is something that I have yet to truly get a grip on.