to MEdical Detox or at home

[suzieneedshelp]

Dr.  I know you will recommend medical supervision so i dont really know why i am asking this question. but our insurance is not in effect yet and i want to do this now!  I have been addicted to stadol for over 10 years with no wihtdrawl ever from it.  I take about one bottle every 4-5 days.  I also drink but do not think i am alcoholic...yet...Only really started drinking daily in evenings a few months ago.  My bp is borderline.  I am a medical person, have masters degree and medical knowledge.  If i can do this at home, i want to. And...Wut do i watch  out for?
thank you!
Suzie

[saveyourself]

This is my first post, hope it is in the right place. I wanted to thank everyone for all the suggestions, fears and help you have shared.  I have been lurking on the site for the last month.  Like most of us I knew it was time to stopped my addiction to the pain pills long ago.  Speaking for me I have used opiates for the last 10 years.  Quit for awhile and go through hell on earth withdrawals for a week or two.  Then of course, some pain or excuse would cause me to see the Docter a month or two later.  The cycle repeated over and over. For the last 12 months I have been using 300 to 400 mgs of oxy and 10 to 15 perc 10s as a cocktail.  Of course I had  built up a tremendous tolerance.  I am in my 6th day clean now, I quit cold turkey and expected violent withdrawls for weeks.

However, God Bless the man who created the Thomas Recipe,  I have followed it to the letter since day one and Have not had any severe withdrawl symptoms like I have had in the past with a lot less opiate medication.  I told my Dr. and showed him the list and he was totally coopertive.  Once again thank you for all your honesty on this message board.  I will update on my progress.  I want my life back. you all have helped.

[Rex1]

It is that very brush off attitude that general practioners have when they pull out that little prescription pad for Vicodin instead of helping the patient find the real cause of their pain.

I do think, though, that Dr. Horvath and most medical people suffer from the same thing the rest of us do in the current world we live in - they're way too busy. Its insane...(We should probably also remember that we are not paying them, I plan to when I can because this forum is awesome). They are likely faced with diving in to help one patient thoroughly at the expense of helping 5 others. Don't know that this is true but think it probably is...

The real caring that physicians and other medical people are famous for seems to be in serious decline, and it shows in the lack of direction to specific resources that only they may have an insight into finding. Navigating the maze of health care is a nightmare for all but those who claim it as their native world...

My three cents...

Rex

[MethMan]

First, let me thank you for your time you provide to all of us.  It is much appreciated.

Second, with all due respect, I feel compelled to differ with your opinion on addiction being a medical problem.  While I am acutely aware of the medical issues surrounding the initial phase of detoxification, I am equally aware of the far reaching effects of psychological issues that are present FAR past the initial medical detox phase.  Surely during your tenure at impressive institutions, schools and forums you've witnessed the degraded self-esteem issues surrounding an addict.  Underlying issues such as OCD and ADD playing strong roles in continuance of substance abuse.
Pointing anyone to "the world wide web" and explaining the symptoms is something I can do as a recovering addict.  Why not point the person that asks for help to a direct connection for the help they are literally begging for?
I mean no disrespect with this response.  I am simply tired of good people getting the brush off response from medical & psychological professionals.  Afterall, it was a psychiatrist that recommended that my 8 a day 5mg hydrocodone habit would be best resolved in a methadone clinic.  10 years later, I am free of that recommendation.

All the best,
Mike

[Moxy-oxy]

Mariposa-
I have missed reading your posts, which tend to be well thought out and eloquent. How are you doing with your clean time? Are you feeling like you are over the hump, and really coming into your own sobriety? For me, this is the challenge that I still face. I love drugs, and the temptation to use is still too great for me to completely quit. It makes me wonder how anyone does it..

[hippy]

i hope you have a wonderful christmas and new year,
i hope it is filled with joy and hope and lots of
other good things

preac!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[suzieneedshelp]

Thank you for the advice.  i will let you know wut happens.'

Suzie

[groovygirl]

Hi - I had no idea you were in the medical profession.  What do you do?  Being in that profession, I would think you have a lot of resources available to you.

Detoxing from Stadol would probably be the same as detoxing from most opiates.  Do you mean you've never been without Stadol long enough to detox, because I would think after taking it for 10 years you'd definitely experience some if you stopped.

"Physical symptoms include, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, muscle and bone pain, runny nose, tearing eyes, yawning, excessive sneezing, etc. While this withdrawal syndrome is very uncomfortable, the medical risks associated with it are very low. However, due to the extreme discomfort experienced during detoxification, most opiate addicts need to go into a detox program before they check into treatment."  I copied this from recoveryfirst.org.

Are you planning to stop drinking as well?  Alcohol withdrawal can be deadly, so if you are stopping you should seek professional advice.  I think most experts would tell you to quit one at a time...good luck.

I'm sure as a medical professional you have some great reference materials and resources at your fingertips.