Hi, This is my first time here. I have been abusing Norco (10/325) for close to 3 years now. I have tried many time to stop on my own couldn't do it. I am up to 30 a day. Sometimes a few more than that, I just lose count. I have a daughter, she is on spring break, so I sent her to see her grandparents yesterday. The minute she left I drove myself to the hospital and went to the ER and asked for help,, and if I could get into a detox program. After SIX long hours in the ER, they took me by ambulance to the detox unit they had on site. Now, in the past, withdrawls are HORRIBLE, I feel like I have the worst case of the flu ever, diaherra, bone chills, twitching legs. etc etc. When I got to detox they put a patch on my back that they said would stop the withdrawl symptoms. I was very skeptical, becuase I know how bad the detox is. Well, I haven't had on physical symptom and it's been two days. It's like i'm not even going through detox. I feel physicall normal. It doesn't however help the depression. It's some type of blood pressure patch that they found out works for detox from opitates. It's a miracle drug, at least for the physical part of it. Although, my legs did still twitch all night. But, at least I feel fine all day. My concern is the doctor checked me out after 24 hours and told me to see someone to get on suboxone, TOMORROW. and that I should stay on it for the rest of my life. And that it will not hurt me, I can take it forever. I asked him if I would ever get my life back, I said I lived 30 yrs w/o this stuff, can I just get back to my old self? He flat out told me NO. When your brain gets a taste of Opiates over an extended period of time, you will never feel them same again without it and that is why I should take suboxone for the rest of my life. He said it's not bad for you, and safe to take forever, and will make me feel much better. I know how bad the depression is getting off this. Anyone tried this ? (suboxone) I go tomorrow to get it. Does it make you feel mentally better as well as physically? Wow..that was long. Thanks for listening
Britty, I am not a doctor, and if I was I would not know enough about your case to say what you should do. NA does not express any opinion on outside issues, and drug maintainance programs are one of the outside issues we have no opinion on.
That being said, perhaps you would be better served seeking out a doctor with experience on the matter of addiction. I personally know many opiate addicts who are living free and clean today, without using maintainance drugs. The old lie that "Once an addict, always an addict" has been dead since 1953, when NA started to hold regular meetings. But again, I am not a medical professional!!!!! Will you ever be normal again? Only God knows, it is not the place of us humans to know. Drug use changed me forever, but I live clean and free today. I go to meetings regularly, I have and use a sponsor, I work the steps, I pray, I live for today. All of the rest comes with time if you do your part.
The only thing I can really advise you to do is to seek out a medical professional who specializes in the field of addiction, and listen to what they have to say, go to NA meetings, and follow the suggestions. Know that you are not alone!
Lon
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Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.----Alice Mackenzie Swaim
Hi, thank you for responding..I'm on the fence about the whole thing to. But today I met w/ a psychatirst that specializes in addiction, and she put me on Suboxone, with the plan being I end it in a year. I took my first dose at noon, and I honestly feel wonderful. No w/d symptoms, no depression, etc. It feels like a miracle drug. I don't feel euphoric or high, but I feel clear headed and healthy. Better than I did when I was popping all of my pills. She did put conditions on it, I have to go to a 30 day out patient program, and get drug tested for the first 6 months, and if I dont' go to the meetings or fail a UA, I won't be able to continue the suboxone. This drug has taken away the cravings (about 75%) and I don't feel sick, and I have energy. When I tried quitting cold turkey I was a wreck and so sick that I only got off the couch to run to the bathroom. I feel like this is the way for me to go right now. I've tried so many times to quit and have failed, and if taking one of these pills a day will stop me from taking 30 of the norcos, I feel like it's better for me. I just want to be happy, and healthy...and this makes me feel like it possible. I'm still wearing the patch they put on my in detox for w/d symptoms, so I can't say for sure which one is eliminating the w/d's , but whichever it is, it's working. I feel very good. And I feel like I have a chance now. I have hope again, which I haven't had in a long time, and it feels good....
has anyone else tryed suboxone? If so, can you tell me how you felt about it?
Hi Britty, They call it detox for a reason! Go to NA meetings, make a commitment, find someone you relate to and ask them to sponsor you. If you work the steps and admit that many aspects of your life need to change, life will get better.Remember the only promise NA makes, "you never HAVE to use again."
Lon
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Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.----Alice Mackenzie Swaim
I am starting the outpatient 30 day program at the hospital I was in on Monday, It's 4 nights a week, for 30 days. I also found a meeting in my area, so I'm going to my first one tonight. I'm a little nervous, not sure what to expect...
Britty, I am sure that the disease of addiction will tell you that you don't belong there, just as it did me. Ignore it, remember your best thinking got you where you are today, sometimes the disease makes us believe a lie; in order for it to stay alive. If you get invited out for coffee afterwards, be sure to go, that is where many of the bonds that will help you to stay clean will be forged. The key is to realize that while you may have always felt apart from the rest of humanity, the way to stay clean is to feel that you are a part of NA.
Lon
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Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.----Alice Mackenzie Swaim
