recovery first

[lilfee]

i am a recovering addict who have been clean for 2 years. three days ago i got a super bad tooth ache from an infected tooth. i dont have medical insurance and so a friend gave me a vicodin to ease the pain. i took one on friday and i havent been in pain since and i havent taken another one. i would like to know if i am still considered clean?

[Ben727]

My $.02: Taking exactly the appropriate amount for legitimate pain and no more = normal. Taking exactly one dose more than that = relapse. Just my opinion.

[conhall]

Yes You are still considered clean . When you truly need pain meds sometimes you have to take them. I would say if you went to dentist and he gave you script for them i would have someone hold them and give them to you as prescribed just to be safe being clean for 2 years is GREAT and because of your addiction I would just be careful. Did you get tooth fixed?
Just dont start thinking that well one dint hurt what if I just took 2 then so on and so on.  But that doesnt seem like thats whats going on so hopefully your tooth has been fixed and you are on the mend God Bless

[clean_in_ks]

So did you make an appt to get your tooth fixed?

Taking a pain pill for pain is what "non-addicts" do and it's how many of us started out using pain pills before we ever knew we would become addicted.  We took them for very serious, very real pain, surgeries, accidents, etc.  You know WHY you took one, you haven't taken anymore, that was Fri and now its Sun.  That's a good thing!  
You have 2 yrs of clean time so you are doing something RIGHT LOL!
I would not even consider that it changes your "clean clock".
Congrats on your 2 yrs btw......that's HUGE!!!!
.
But, it would seem a "healthy" decision to get to the dentist so that you don't tell yourself one didn't hurt and made the pain go away and then start the whole mental/physical cycle again.  Ignoring the "root" (literally ha!) of the pain is essential.  You didn't start the rollercoaster ride by what you have done, but that could change, too, depending on what you do about your tooth and the source of the pain.
Having a "source" for opiates without a dr or dentist would concern me more than taking "a" pill on Friday.  I don't have ANY type of insurance either, but can set up pymts or use my charge card.
Glad you posted.......hope you'll post more......I need to hear from people that have 2 yrs clean time.!!!!!
Blessings to you~

[abritt121222]

I wouldn't worry about it at all even recovering addicts sometimes need help with pain and sometimes may very well have to take pain medicine. As long as you don't keep going and going then he's you are still clean you just had to have something to help a toothache and not using that as an excuse to take more and more. I may have a different opinion on this than many ppl but to me I wouldn't worry about this because it was one you haven't used in two years and u didn't continue to use them which says your head is in the right place but this is really up to you to decide because you are the one that has to say yes I'm clean or no I'm not. But congrats on the two and a half years. And in my opinion still counting.