Hi. I'm an addict with 82 days clean. I got detoxed off my drug of choice the opiate-based pain killer Ultram 82 days ago after going into the hospital as an attempted suicide patient. I didn't mean to detox, they just did that to me once they ran a tox screen and found the ultram. Question is, I was put on the Ultram for a chronic back pain issue that I've had for the past 14 years. What do I do for pain now? What happens if I get furthur injured or have an accident. What is the rule for pain meds and addicts. Very confused in PA!
NA has a good handout that deal with this topic: In Times of Illness. http://www.na.org/?ID=litfiles/us_english/Booklet/In%20Times%20of%20Illness.pdf I suggest you read it and talk to your sponsor. I'm assuming to go to NA meetings and have a sponsor.
I was also on ultram(tramadol). I've been off since 3/30/2011. My doc just stopped my script suddenly so I was on about 500 to 600 mgs a day to nothing! I thought id die. I got put on suboxone to ease my withdrawal and its worked miracles! But I want to get off of it asap bc its addictive too. However it hasn't seemed to help w any pain but id talk to your doc about alternative methods besides pain pills! I hope u get some answers. Keep us updated! Good luck!
This can become a very tricky area in recovery. Our disease does not distinguish between street drugs or prescription drugs..it just wants us high. Period. As addicts, speaking for myself, if I'm not on solid spiritual ground, I can manipulate and justify anything to make an excuse to use. That's where the program kicks in. I have to tell people whats on my mind..let them get to know me..that way if I start acting squirly, they can call me out on it. If you don't have a sponsor, get one. Preferably a sponsor who has a sponsor who has a sponsor who works the steps. Let them know what's going on and they should be able to direct you in a way that doesn't jeopardize your recovery.
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Carrying the message of hope and freedom from active addiction to the addict who still suffers.
Thanks to all who responded. I don't have a sponsor yet and meetings are tough for me to go to where I'm at. I'm getting ready to make a move and hopefully there will be more meeting places for me to go with different times. I'm never going back to ultram no matter how much I hurt but I definitely have to look into some alternatives for the issue of pain. The Gabapentin is helping some and I was on hydroxy hydroxone for withdrawal but that helped with just the physical syptoms of withdrawal not the mental. This is half a head game now I know. I just have to beat it. My husband who is a 20 sober AA is helping me quite a bit but I know I need a sponsor to kick me when I need it. You guys are a great help with you think you are out there all alone. Thanks again and peace to all!!
