oxy help

[chessclock]

Hello this is a first timer to the board. Please respond to ***@****
I have been addicted (or at least I think I am) to oxy for over a year now. Two cancer surgeries and two knee surgeries can leave some serious pain) but no excuses. I am a fully, well almost fully functionaing addict. No one knows of my delema. I start my day by chewing a 40 and taking 4 percocette. Yesterday I started logging the amount I took. 6..40's, 16 percocettes and 9 ir's and never felt a huge buzz and run a huge professional organization. My tolerance level has dramamtically increases over the years. Now the question. I want to start a weaning off program on my own and would like advise and guidance. Please help!
thanks and G-d Bless! <><
again please respond to ***@****

[ssfr]

Just the facts:

(1) Social Security disability  requires that one has enough work credits- those are often referred to as "quarters of coverage" or simply "QCs".  The number of QCs one needs is contingent upon their age, but generally someone 31 years of age or older needs 5 years of work out of the last 10 years. Payments are made from the social security trust funds.  Hopefully common sense will prevail- all those who call for privitizing the social security programs must be made to understand that a young worker whose social security contributions are invested in the private sector (i.e. stock market), and who becomes disabled at a relatively early age, will not have enough invested to support the family for even a few months, let alone the rest of that workers life if that worker continues to be disabled.

(2) Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a disabilty program administered by the Social Security Administration- it has no work (QC) requirements, but rather is for those whose income and resources fall below certain levels. SSI is not funded through the social security trust funds, but through general revenues of the federal government.

(3) Both programs mentioned above are disability programs that assume that one cannot work- that is, they are disabled to work- that is why they are called disability programs. Recent legislation somewhat liberalized the rules, in that someone can actually have limited earnings and still qualify for social security- provided they are actually disabled to work- from a medical viewpoint.

(4) Neither drug addiction or alcoholism can be considered when deciding whether one meets the definition of disability or not.

(5) The assertion that is often made that "everyone" who applies for social security disability is turned down initialily is patently false- nationwide, approximately 23 % of first time applicants are approved.  Approximately 5% more are approved at the second appelate step (referred to as a reconsideration), and then 20-70% of the those who appeal to the third appelate step (referred to as a hearing) are allowed- the percentage is a direct function of where in the country the applicant resides- the hearing step is not performed by the Social Security Administration- but done by an agency that is totally independent from the Social Security Administration (the Office of Hearings and Appeals-aka OHA)- oftimes many, many applicants are approved enmasse by OHA- perhaps to clear the desks of the decision makers- the Administrative Law Judges- anyway- this oftimes leads to mistaken conclusions that the original decision to deny benefits was wrong- who benefits from all this? Primarily the attorneys who get their large chunk of the pie, unscruplous doctors and psychiatrists who write fraudlent reports about so-called disabled patients, and the applicant themselves- who quite often just want to sit home, and let society take care of them- this is not to say that there are not many, many disabled folks who have contributed into the social security system, and who are legitimately disabled and thus deserve every single penny they can get- but workers and taxpayers alike should grow weary of all those who can work, but just want a free ride- and let the wantabee freeloaders know that the system cant support everybody- after all- somebody has to work and pay in-
anyway- I am only posting this to help clear up some of the social questions posted earlier in this thread- hope it is informative.

[jennyfla]

I did want to tell you that i spoke to a legal assistant today, and she told me it would be difficult to get benefits since he is currently working, but did say to apply.  He will get turned down, but apply again and then contact them.  We can't afford for him not to work is the problem.
I wonder if that will get us anywhere with him working.
Your information was wonderful, more than i ever hoped to hear; this forum amazes me, i thank god for all of you!!!
Can he qualify by working i wonder, and should we mention the depression and anxiety and being treated my a pyschatrist, and also the addiction.  I wonder how that will go over with social security.
I know it will take time, but it's worth a try, but he can't not work.
Thanks sweetie.
Good luck!
Lv Jenny

[jennyfla]

Thank you ladies so much for your help!!!
I'm so sorry about your situation Kerrie, i know that must be do difficult to have such pain, and also the problems of money and you're husband's troubles too!  I'll say a little prayer for you that things will work out once the money stops.
My husband sees a pyschiatrist for depression and anxiety, not to mention his addiction.  He just isn't a strong person and falls apart easily.
I feel for him and his pain, but also worry about us (the children), and hope for a secure and safe home for them too.
It's so difficult, but i know things will work out some way.  We are both 'good' people, and i think as long as you are a good person in this world, things have a way of working out; although scarey and very difficult at times, the goodness prevails!
Good luck to you both and thank you so much for your information!
Lv Jenny

[Angelica]

....I was just getting ready to tell you that I don't know all the details  about SSI, and then I scrolled down and saw Kerri and JBs post/reply.  This is what I love about this site.  We are like one big family, and there is always someone here to answer your questions w/ knowledge, care and concern.  I don't even get that from my own family.....just hassles(I seem to be there ROCK), but here, I almost feel awkward at times, because I not used to getting information/help w/o someone wanting something in return.  I love you all a great deal, and thank you for coming to the rescue, yet once again!
Love,
Angelica (:

PS/Jennyfla- You need to jump on this right away,cause if there is one thing I know, its: this takes a while to go through.  It's a fight, but one you certainly can win.....Get the ball rolling!

[cindi]

Hi girls,   All of you  LOL    my sister's  LOL  just wanted to drop in to say hi.....I think my husband is going to have to fly eown and get me,,there is no way in hell I am doing the mountains again...NC is beautiful and tomorrow dad is taking us to florida....my kids are having a blast,,I did read all the posts and I really don't have anything to add.....you guys are great and helpful....this is what we are here for....to stand by each other..you are all a great bunch of girls and I love you all     cin

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I found your comments on Social Security Disability interesting.  I am on SSDI, myself.  I agree about the nerve wracking frustration of getting accepted.  As for me, it took the help of an orthopedic, a rheumatologist, a psychriatric, a gastroenterologist and finally my family doctor to get the okay.  This all took eight months with an initial turndown.  I got my first check during the ninth month and a large retro paycheck about 90 days later. I only threatened to involve an attorney.  The point is, get all the documentation you can and try to stay on top of things.  Everybody gets turned down the first go around so refile immediately. The MGH website has a SS forum that was very helpful to me during all of this waiting game.  J.B.