I am an alcoholic but since stopping alcohol I have switched to codeine and now use upto 30 a day and I am just scared to let go even though I know life will be better clean. Does anyone know how to withdraw and shold I go NA (I already go to AA)
Trudi, I would suggest going to a professional in the area of addiction. None of us are qualified to say exactly what you should do as far as the physical complications of your addiction, because we do not know the particulars of your encounter with addiction. A professional, who you have been HONEST with, will be much better prepared to guide you towards what you need to do in regard to the withdrawl from codine. As far as meetings, oh yes, go to meetings. NA does not focus on any particular drug ( and we believe that alcohol is another drug), but on the disease of addiction itself. We all have similarities found in our addiction and in our personalities, that far outweigh the differences in our drug or drugs of choice.
I used to atend AA early in my recovery, but after hearing someone share at a meeting, (as he was picking up a 3 year medallion), that he still smoked pot from time to time I decided that NA was the place for me. A lot of people refer to this syndrome as the "marijuana maintainance program". It surely seems dangerous to me to attend a meeting that focuses on one drug, rather than the disease of addiction. I know how easy it is to simply switch substances while ignoring behaviors and attitudes.
It's pretty natural to be afraid of the unknow. Even a rock filled rut that is uncomfortable to lie in is somewhat comforting, due to it's familiarity. Courage is not a lack of fear, but simply acknowledging fear and doing what needs to be done in spite of being afraid. Eventually most of us recognize that addiction is simply a symptom of a spiritual disease. Break down the word disease, and you get dis -(a lack of, or not functional) and ease -(abscense of discomfort, or simplicity of results). Life does get better once we understand that we need to live a 12-step program, for the improvement of life as a whole. Stopping one substance and substituting another while ignoring the spiritual portion of the disease, can, and does, kill many addicts.
You can do it, simply go to a meeting and ask for help. You have already admitted powerlessness over a portion of addiction. We do recover, but we cannot do it alone.
Lon
__________________
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
Thanks Dave and Lon I think I will go along saturday night to the NA meeting! looking forward to it. Today I stopped the codeine and am just going to take 4 when I go to bed to try to ease the night sweats if they are not too bad tonight tomorrow i take none! Yes I am powerless and it is time to admit that and do something about this as you say exactly the same applies to my drug use as did my alcohol use. I know the answer now I plan to actually put it into practice. Thanks again.
