Pain Killer Addiction

[Angelcakes]

Pain Killer Addiction

WOW, I just read that article & I'm GOBSMACKED...I thought it was only Vicodin and prescription painkillers that were a worry. I'm amazed I've never had to deal with this - my Dad was a pharmacist and we had a virtual dipensary in our kitchen...no wonder I loved my chemicals back in the day LOL!!!

xo

[startingover]

Pain Killer Addiction

Its scary isnt it Angel? Have a look at the Overcount website Over-Count Drugs Information
This is a UK website but there are loads of everyday meds that are abused here.
You are doing great by the way!

[kipper]

Pain Killer Addiction

Thank you for having the courage to start this thread. I have been AF since 1-11-09, and quit my prescription meds (tylenol 3, soma, and xanax) the following week.

I battled with staying sober for most of my adult life (on and off for 30 years) and had been on the prescription meds for 7+ years, due to three bulging discs in my lower back and constant non-specific anxiety.

I have hated being a slave to these substances and am proud to be doing without them, but everyday is a struggle--in one way or another--and knowing that I am not alone in this fight helps so very much...

Thanks to everyone who comes here and shares what they can, I now have many new resources and tools that I might otherwise never have found.

[startingover]

Pain Killer Addiction

Hey Kipper, you are doing great!
I read that it takes about 3 months to get back to normal after taking opiates, It should get easier for you in time...are you taking any supplements to help with your anxiety? My anxiety eased when I stopped drinking and then got over the initial withdrawal of the drugs.
How will you manage your pain now?

[kipper]

Pain Killer Addiction

Thanks for the encouragement. =]

It is late right now (I am on EST), but tomorrow I plan to go over the alternative meds links in this very thread (!) with a fine-toothed comb. It looked, at a glance, like there were many encouraging options for pain/anxiety relief that are non-harmful AND non-addictive.

(PS - Next up on my list of improvements is quitting smoking. I need to read up a bit more and I will post when I begin, hopefully in the next week or 2...)

[startingover]

Pain Killer Addiction

I am on day 8 nicotine free today! We can beat all these crappy addcitions I am sure!
I find Gaba and True calm help me for anxiety (from this site) plus amino acids seem to make a difference to my feeling of wellbeing.
Sleep well and see you tomorrow!

[fickle]

Pain Killer Addiction

Once again Starts,
Soooo grateful for this thread. No wonder the pharmasist asked me so many questions when I was buying painkillers with codine in them. I was taking more & more until I finally googled & discovered how addictive they are! Got quite a shock! Off em now thank goodness.

[startingover]

Pain Killer Addiction

Well done Ficks! Did you find it hard to stop? I have to say I was fully aware of their addictive properties so I dont even have that excuse.

[startingover]

Pain Killer Addiction

I have found quite a good forum for PK addiction if anyone is interested
Addiction: Substance Abuse Help - Forums and Discussions - MedHelp

[startingover]

Pain Killer Addiction

bumped for ficks

[boozehag]

Pain Killer Addiction

Jeez
I can totally relate to the PK scenario - they were the only thing that kept me functioning through my binge drinking cycles. I knew the codeine content of every single painkiller and made sure I took the ones with the max codeine in them. I was a walking painkiller shop always had some handy. I think I probably was addicted to them and I am sure they were doing me a lot of damage on top of the binge drinking and smoking. I was particularly addicted to solphadeine as they have the codeine but also sort of fizzy stuff to keep you going. You cant buy them here and when I was last in Ireland I was rushing around in the airport at the last minute trying to buy some when I should have been focusing on saying goodbye to my elderly parents who I might never see again. I finally found them and bought a big box of 48. I was over the moon. My mother said to me what do you want all those for? I said for hangovers. She said what are you planning on having 48 hangovers? I said no not planning but just in case. There were all gone in six weeks. I discovered afterwards that a girl was arrested in Dubai for having two Solphadine on her. I went through Dubai and I had a box of 48 of them (and more in my luggage) if they had searched me I would have been done for drug trafficking for sure. Anway since I stopped smoking/drinking I havent had the need for any PK's and although it didnt occurr to me at the time I am sure it must have contributed to the withdrawals.
BH

[startingover]

Pain Killer Addiction

Boozy, thanks for sharing that story..yes, solpadeine was also a favourite of mine too!
That was a close call wasnt it it Dubai? Is it just Dubai or everywhere? I carried a load to Mexico with me and thought nothing of it.
I am so glad you came off them, but yes, I am sure they would contribute to your withdrawals. I read that you can have problems for up to 3 months of stopping them. I am having problems at the moment with fatigue. I fall asleep so many times a day. I cant help it. I am really hoping that gets better soon, or I will have to go to the doctors.

[startingover]

Pain Killer Addiction

Oney, thank you for posting that.
Its a very real problem that as usual with addiction is terribly isolating.
I have noticed that now, after 2 months without these, my mood is much more stable. Its amazing how something we enjoy and come to rely on can do so much damage to our mental health.

[boozehag]

Pain Killer Addiction

hey Oney
I just read that a few minutes ago - we must be reading the same papers. I always read the mail - its got the best goss. Isnt is sad about poor Jade. She certainly got her 5 minutes of fame but not in the way she would ever have imagined.
BH

[startingover]

Pain Killer Addiction

Thank you Oney. It really is so worth it, I dont want to sound preachy, but without drugs and alcohol I am a totally different person. I think I am an OK one :-)

My heart goes out to Jade and her family too....time for us all to get our smear tests up to date girlies.