I had been addicted to opiates for about
19 years. I started with Vicodin then Norcos and Lorcett. about
6 or 7 years ago I found a Subutex/Suboxone doctor who got me off the Norco with Subutex. I was fine at first. It actually really helped because I had no desire to take Norcos anymore. Every once in a while I would try to take the Norcos but couldn’t feel anything when I did because the Sub was blocking the Hydrocodone in the Norcs.
Problem was that I just became addicted to Subutex and had to take high doses every day to avoid withdrawal. I ended up with a different Subutex Dr. who told me that I should think of myself as a diabetic who needs to take Insulin every day to stay well. He said “you have the disease of addiction and you need to take Subutex every day to stay well.”
I bought it at first and stayed on Subutex for about
5 years! Always upping my daily dose just to feel “normal.” I was a slave to the Subutex and hated it but I was so panicked to even think about
going off.
Then I needed a surgery and was referred to a pain management doctor who turned out to REALLY know his stuff. He told me that because I had been on such a high dose of Subutex for so long, my opiate receptors had down-regulated and I would need more than the “usual” dosages of various meds that they use to knock people out for surgery. What’s more, I would need much higher than normal doses of narcotic pain meds for my post surgical pain as well.
He took me off the Subutex and onto Oxycontin (80’s) a few days prior to the surgery (to prevent the blocking effect of the Subutex from getting in the way of the anesthesiologist’s efforts to put me to sleep for the surgery). I had the surgery and took the Oxys for pain after (a LOT of Oxys). I stayed on the Oxycontin (and Oxycodone for “break-through” pain) for about
4 months and then I had a choice to make:
It was time to either go back on the Subutex and probably for the rest of my life OR, detox and go off everything. I opted for detox. I was SO scared and I’m sure that many of you can relate. I had detoxed MANY times before on my own and always feel like I’m going to die (or wish I would) for about
2 weeks. I knew this one was going to be bad because I had been on Sub for 5 years and more recently, enough Oxy to kill a large elephant!
I decided not to try this on my own (never really worked before so why would it now). I started looking for rehab places that also did detox. Every one that I called wanted me to come in immediately and it really seemed like they were more interested in my money than my health and well-being! I got frustrated and discouraged and ended up staying on the Oxys for about
another month.
I eventually found this free rehab referral organization. They have case workers who actually meet with you in person and really seem to care. They asked a bunch of questions about
my problems and what I was looking for. Then they took me to check out a few different rehabs and we eventually found one that turned out to be a great fit for me and my family (I have a wife and 2 kids). My adviser (Eric) was a recovering addict himself and really understood what I was going through. I honestly couldn’t have done it without his help and a little pushing.
I’ve been clean and sober for 7 months now and I’m doing great! I’m back to work, have no pain, go to meetings, have a sponsor and am on my 4th step. My life has gone through an amazing transformation and I honestly owe it all to this adviser place for holding my hand through a very difficult process for me. I paid him nothing and he has become a good friend. I’m very grateful.
Be well!
I have edited your post as it is against forum rules to list websites.I am very glad you have managed to get help with your addiction issues. There is a huge difference between addiction and tolerance, they are two totally different things. People that suffer with chronic pain do not take medication to get high as you did. Good luck to you.
Post Edited By Moderator (straydog) : 4/29/2011 6:41:43 AM (GMT-6)