Opiate Addiction

Opiate Addiction: Alcoholics Anonymous – Hints and advice about your...

2012-04-22T17:05:00.001-07:00

Opiate Addiction: Alcoholics Anonymous – Hints and advice about your...: Am I supposed to be here? AA is not just for alcoholics! If you are addicted to anything, you can go to an AA meeting and get help. Every ...

Opiate Addiction: Am I an addict or Alcoholic?

2012-04-22T17:04:00.003-07:00

Opiate Addiction: Am I an addict or Alcoholic?: Am I an addict or Alcoholic? Defined as a compulsion or excessive psychological dependence on something (x), addiction is not usually ref...

Opiate Addiction: Pain Pill Addiction -- How Does It Happen

2012-04-22T17:04:00.001-07:00

Opiate Addiction: Pain Pill Addiction -- How Does It Happen: How Does Pain Pill Addiction Happen? People become addicted without even knowing it is happening. They become addicted without any intenti...

Am I an addict or Alcoholic?

2010-06-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

Am I an addict or Alcoholic?

Defined as a compulsion or excessive psychological dependence on something (x), addiction is not usually referred to as such until the use of x causes a problem. Only then do we usually refer to the obsession as “addiction”. For example, some people may feel they have an addiction to exercise, since exercise is usually “good for you” people are less likely to call it an addiction. We tend to use the term when we are referring to something “bad for you,” such as drugs, alcohol, sex, etc. When done in moderation none of these would probably be much of a problem, sex for example is a normal part of life, but when it becomes excessive, it becomes an addiction. When a person is addicted to something, they can be physically and mentally obsessed to do something over and over, whether it is good for them or not. Since the addiction symptoms are both physical and mental, it can be quite an undertaking to quit. People who do not experience the mental dependence that an addict does do not understand how addicts cannot just stop using, and that is the difference between simply using and addiction.

We can probably agree that drug and alcohol addictions are “bad for us.” Many do not realize they are addicted until they try to stop the behavior, and then the inability to do so makes it apparent there is a problem. Becoming aware of the problem is the first step in solving it. Obviously, if we are not aware that we cannot stop drinking little effort will be made to stop. Some people are simply oblivious to the world around them, alcoholics, and drug addicts most especially. Drugs and alcohol dull the senses making the user unaware of a problem in the first place. However, if once a person becomes aware that they have a “problem” and are able to stop, they are not truly addicted, simply guilty of inappropriate behavior that needs to change. College students for example, are notorious for binge drinking on weekends and still being able to get good grades. When they graduate, responsibilities pop up and the student quits drinking because they have responsibilities and more important things to do. They are not alcoholics or addicts, they may have drank or used too much for a period time, but when it comes down to it, they can stop anytime and are not addicted.

Take a heroin addict for an example, we can be sure that they have both a mental and physical dependence on the drug. Heroin is a drug which effects our systems quickly, tolerance to opiates increases quite quickly, and becoming an “addict” becomes apparent in a matter of days, unlike an alcoholic who may drink for years having no idea they are an alcoholic, heroin users become aware quite quickly that there is a problem. If you use heroin more than three days in a row, and then try to stop, you can expect to experience many unpleasant physical symptoms, such as, diarrhea, stomachaches, body aches and pains, headache, muscle aches and a huge overwhelming desire to use. This is a warning, your body is telling you to stop using immediately. Since heroin tolerance is apparent quite quickly, to achieve the same “high” on Friday the user experienced on Monday will probably cost 3 to 4 times more than it did Monday. It is usually a matter of a week or so before an addict goes from a $10/per day habit to $100/day. The problem with heroin and other drugs is even if you can get past the obsession to use more drugs, the user must continue to use heroin if they wish to stay “well”.

If you are not sure if you are addicted, simply test yourself. If your issue is drinking, stop drinking for a while, say a month, if you are able to quit and not feel the need and overwhelming desire to drink, then you are probably not an addict. If you find it difficult to stop then you may want to consider that you may be addicted and should seek help. You do not have to go through quitting alone! There are millions of people just like you, people who were blessed enough to realize they had a problem and reached out for help and have recovered from their addictions. If your family suggests that you may have a problem, try to quit, if you have a problem or it’s difficult to stop reach out, there is help for you, you don’t have to go through it alone. A good place to start is an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, not just for alcoholics, anyone with an addiction is welcome at a meeting, AA is worldwide organization that is easily located in any city’s local yellow pages, or you can call (212) 870-3400. There is also an AA website www.aa.org with information and help with all your questions. There is help for you, if you think you have a problem, then you probably due. Do not let fear stop you from trying to find help, find it now, before it is too late.

Alcoholics Anonymous – Hints and advice about your first AA meeting

2010-06-20T16:14:00.000-07:00

Am I supposed to be here?

AA is not just for alcoholics! If you are addicted to anything, you can go to an AA meeting and get help. Every time the world alcohol is used just replace it with your choice of addiction. Say it is drugs, when the word alcohol is used, in your mind replace it with drugs, it’s simple and may sound stupid, but it works. AA was the first 12-step program, NA didn’t come along for a few decades, and then of course all the other anonymous’ followed, the gamblers, over-eaters, etc.

Chances are if you are at an AA meeting, you belong there. Judges, parole officers, counselors, and therapists among other professionals send people to Alcoholics Anonymous to get help. At least that is their intention. Some unfortunate behavior has landed your butt in a chair at an AA meeting. Or if you are one of the blessed few, you have come to AA “on your own” for help. Regardless of how you got here, just relax; this process is “simple but not easy.” You’ll find out that there are hundreds of clichés and sayings in and around AA, you’ll get used to it.

“Newcomer”
For your first meeting, don’t be scared! It’s not that bad! Everyone in the meeting has been in the exact same position you are in right now. “The newcomer” the person who has never been to a meeting will probably be a bit apprehensive and who can blame them? Here are a bunch of strangers that will be hugging you and welcoming you like your long lost cousin Bertha. You will probably not understand this behavior nor are you likely to care for it much, until you have been to a few meetings, but you will be ok. There is no way for me to cover AA history in an article, I am simply going to give you some tips to get through your first couple of meetings, after that, you’ll catch on. You are at a meeting out of your own free will, someone may have suggested you go, or even told you that you have to go, or go to jail or some other consequences, but you are free to get up and leave at anytime you choose.

“Hi, I’m Toni, and I’m an Alcoholic”
Being a drug addict myself I didn’t understand why I said “Hi, I’m Toni, and I’m an alcoholic”, but that’s what they told me to do, so I did. Later, I found out that it is an old-fashioned AA courtesy, which my sponsor (a type of mentor) told me I should do; you do not however have to say it. You are free to say hi, my name is Toni, I’m and addict, or whatever you choose. Do not use your last name, as it is an anonymous program, meaning, what you see and hear at a meeting is not supposed to be repeated to anyone outside of a meeting. For example, if you happen to see your next-door neighbor at an AA meeting, do not go to the school the next day, and say, did you know, “Susie is an alcoholic and goes to AA?”

At the beginning of each meeting, the good folks at AA will read a list of 12-steps; these they believe are the 12-steps to recovery. Recovery being the time in your life when you no longer drink (or do drugs) and are not miserable, but at peace because of it, or in spite of it, which ever your case may be. If the meeting you are attending is located in an AA facility there will be some posters on the walls. At the beginning of the meetings it is customary for someone to read the steps, read the rules, and read some excerpts from the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

A few “rules”
Some things for you to remember, if you forget, trust me you will be gently reminded of the rules. They may seem like common sense, but one must have rules at an AA meeting.

You should not talk while other people are talking. If you are under the influence, you are welcome to stay and listen, but it is not recommended that you share (talk). After the large group is done with the “readings” people break off into smaller groups or tables, usually no more than 8 at a table, but it all depends on the venue and what is already established. Just try to go with the flow.

If you feel really awkward, ask someone, they will be overjoyed to see a new person (you will come to understand this later), and they will do everything they can to make you comfortable. Before you sit down, they normally have coffee or some sort of refreshments available, get it before you sit down, once the meeting has started you shouldn’t get up and walk around.

If you need to use the restroom, quietly get up and leave and quietly sit back down when you return. When everyone settles down to a seat a table leader is usually chosen, at that point it will be decided what the topic will be. It can be a step (from the 12-steps), and issue, or it can be anything the person wants.

Depending on the leader, they will usually start the table off talking about what ever the subject is, and then ask the next person to share. At that time, anyone at the table can talk, they start by saying, “hi my name is Joe, and I’m and alcoholic”, the rest of the table, says “hi, Joe” and then Joe begins speaking about whatever it is he chooses, hopefully on the topic that was previously chosen.

How Long Will It Last?
Meetings generally last about an hour, depending on the size and location, so each person should keep what they are saying down to 3-5 minutes. Of course, if there is an emotional issue, or someone is sharing something very personal, you don’t cut them off at the 5 minute mark, but if they are just rambling away, the table leader will usually suggest it is time for the next person to talk.

At your first meeting you will not be expected to say much, it’s normal to say, “hi, I’m Toni, I’m an alcoholic, and I’m just going to listen today”, they will say “hi, Toni, thanks for coming, glad you’re here”, or something along those lines.

See More helpful information about meetings.

AA Meeting -- More Miscellaneous Information

2010-06-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

Can you bring the kids?
You should not bring children to a meeting, unless there is absolutely no way around it. If a judge has ordered you to go to meetings, and there is no one at all that can watch them for an hour, then you should make sure that they are occupied and quiet during the meeting. Remember this is an adult meeting, people will cuss sometimes, sometimes they will get loud, alcoholics and addicts have very adult issues and an AA meeting is the place where they need to feel comfortable sharing their lives with other people, and it is not always pleasant. I’m not saying you need to worry about things getting crazy, but people do get emotional sometimes, especially when they are sharing some deep emotional problems with others.

Praying
At the end of meetings it is customary for the people around the table to hold hands and say a prayer, it can be The Lord’s Prayer, or the Serenity Prayer, or whatever everyone agrees on. If you don’t believe in God, or praying, or feel uncomfortable, you may quietly excuse yourself a stand off to the side while the others pray, or just hold hands in the circle and remain quiet. Don’t run out of the meeting like a jack rabbit because it’s over.

Meeting Sheets
If you have a sheet that needs to be signed, proving that you attended an AA meeting, you should now ask the leader of the table, or anyone else who was at the meeting to sign it. Do not ask them to sign before the meeting. If you want your sheet signed, you should stay for the meeting.

How Much Do Meetings Cost?
You do not pay for AA meetings, there are however expenses for meetings, for coffee, for rent, etc. Usually a basket is passed around and people give a dollar, if you don’t have money, do not worry, no one will care, seriously, you do not have to pay to go to AA! If you can’t afford to pay, it is etiquette that you help clean up after the meeting, straightening chairs, clean ash trays, stuff like that.

Why Do I Have to Ask for Numbers?
After the meeting, if you are a woman, now is the time for you to seek out other women, simply tell them you are new and ask them for their phone number, normally they will make a big deal out of it being your first meeting, and do everything they can to help you out. If you need rides to meetings or someone to talk to, that’s what the phone number is for. Do Not go to the opposite sex and ask for phone numbers. This is not the place to find a new guy. For men, vice verse, seriously, think about it. If you have just attended your first meeting, and are trying to stop using or drinking, do you really think this is the place to find the right guy for you?

The Meeting After the Meeting
You probably just want to go home but, sometimes after a meeting people will get together at a nearby restaurant or coffee shop, if you feel up to it, and you are invited, go, even if you are not invited, go anyway. You might feel funny, but think about it, these are the kind of people you need to be hanging out with.

It is popular for AA people to say something along the lines of, if you wanted to get drunk or high, you’d go hang out with drinking and using people. Doesn’t it make sense if you are trying to get sober, to hang out with the sober people?

What does 90 In 90 Mean?
You should try to take the suggestions that AA people offer you, even if you don’t like them. You will here things like try to go to 90 meetings in 90 days. It is a good idea, and if you have been ordered to AA it is normal for the judge to tell you to go to 90 in 90 anyway.

What's A Sponsor and Why do I need one.
You should try to find a sponsor. A sponsor is someone of the same sex, that you feel comfortable with, to help guide you through the AA 12 steps and offer you moral support. You probably won’t want to do it, but again, the judge will probably tell you to anyway. Try to find someone that you feel comfortable talking to, that you have something in common with, near your age, or with a similar background, it’s not mandatory, but it help’s. Sponsors will generally tell you to call them everyday, just to check in, just do it, you’ll see all they why’s later. For right now, just pretty much do what people suggest, go to meetings. Depending on where you live there will be a meeting near you at least everyday, sometimes several times a day. Larger cities have more meetings than the rural areas, but AA meetings are everywhere. Just look in the yellow pages under Alcoholics anonymous or go online to http://www.aa.org/ that is the official AA website, it has links to all types of information including how to find the meeting nearest to you. Click on the “How To Find Meetings” tab and put in your zip code. The website has all types of information about AA and alcoholics check it out.

One Day At A Time
So if you find yourself in an AA meeting, chances are you belong there. I have not explained all there is to know about AA. I will tell you that it is a popular choice for people in recovery and whether you believe everything or anything they have to say, it is a good place to be when you are trying to get sober, for the simple fact that everyone else there is doing the same thing. Remember One Day at a Time; take it One Day at a Time, what choice do you have really. Seriously, what they mean is yesterday is over, do not worry about tomorrow, just take care of yourself today, and the rest will follow as long as you don’t use.

Misconceptions about Opiate Withdrawal

2010-06-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

Do Not Let the Fear of Opiate Withdrawal Stop You!
The media and movies have sensationalized the effects of coming off drugs to such an extent, that you would be crazy to want to go through that willingly. Known by many different names, detoxing, withdrawal, dope sick, booge, heebie jeebies, it has been promoted as pure agony, and I’m here to tell you it is not that big of a deal, seriously, the flu is worse. As a former junkie (over ten years using heroin and other opiates), I will tell you the truth about what really happens. I have kicked in just about every atmosphere you can imagine. I have done it at home alone, and with other users, in hospitals, in jails, living in the street, and while pregnant. I have come off $400 a day habits and small $40 a day habits. I am still alive; you cannot die from opiate detox! It may seem like you want to, but the actual detoxifying of your body will not kill you.

The first day of detoxifying is not that bad, the anticipation of being sick is worse than the actual symptoms. You may feel nauseous, you probably will not want to eat, and you will have diarrhea, you will NOT be shaking, rocking, and sweating like in the movies, unless you choose to be a drama queen/king and milk it for all it is worth. There are some medications available to soothe your stomach; an excellent home remedy is chocolate. The chocolate takes away the stomach problems for a while and you can get it cheap and just about everywhere, even jail.

The second day, you may have a horrible taste in your mouth, no amount of brushing is going to help, but the chocolate does help this symptom also. Your skin will be uncomfortable, and you will not want to be touched. Some think soaking in water or showering helps, I personally preferred to just lie down and to move as little as possible. You may feel a need to yawn, and I mean yawn hard, yawning so hard your face hurts. You will have some sniffles and running nose, and sometimes you can sneeze repeatedly for 5 minutes. It will be hard to sleep and uncomfortable, but it is not much worse than the aches and pains of the flu. At this point, the worst of it is over.

The third day, you feel better, not perfect, but a lot better, your symptoms will go away slowly and your mind will begin to clear up. The hard part is staying away from the drugs. If you are lucky enough to detox while in jail, it is much easier. You simply resign yourself that you are not getting any more and deal with it, because nobody in jail is going to care how sick you are. Then there are addicts that go through this whole process just to start using again, thinking that their habit will now be smaller only to find out that they’ll be back to the same use and more with in days.
See it wasn't so bad

You Can Do It!
When you make the decision to stop using, it is helpful to have a support system, but not necessary. Do not however, put off getting clean because you are scared of the sickness, I went through it hundreds of times, literally, sometimes on purpose, sometimes I was forced, but every time I was just fine and you will be too. While working in a treatment center I asked some of my clients, "Did the fear of getting sick, stop you from relapsing?" They ALL said no! The last time I had to kick was over 7 years ago. Today I am ok, and living a “normal” life. Not exactly normal, but without drugs, just for today.

Pain Killer Addiction

2009-10-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

Pain Killer Addiction is becoming more and more prevalent among a “new” type of addict. Often, the addiction starts as prescription for the temporary relief of pain from an injury or other problem that has caused pain. Low-back pain in particular is a very popular gateway to pain killer addiction. Who doesn’t know someone with a “bad back”? Most people suffer from pain at one time or another in their lives. If the pain is chronic and pain pills have been prescribed, a temporary pain in the back could very well lead to pain killer addiction and often “harder” drugs.

People unknowingly take their prescriptions from their trusted doctor and if the medication is in the opioid “family”, as it usually is, the patient’s tolerance will lower over time, thereby making more medication necessary to achieve the same pain relief results. In many situations, it seems easier to simply take a pill then find the source of the problem and try to heal it. It is a cycle that is very easy to fall into, and one that doctors do not pay nearly enough attention to.

By the time pain pills become a “problem”, the patient is usually already addicted. Opioids are present in many prescribed pain pills from vicodin up to morphine. Beyond morphine are stronger opioids that are used in the manufacturing of street drugs such as heroin and opium. You may think to yourself, why would a doctor prescribe something that could lead to addiction and possibly “harder” drugs? Many people take the medication prescribed and the temporary pain is healed before tolerance builds up. A “normal” person will take their medication and simply stop when they are no longer in pain. But, pain pills cause side effects that some people simply “fall in love” with, the feeling of euphoria, and a sense that all is well in the world can be very desirable, especially if the patient has problems in their life that they don’t want to deal with. An addict is born.

When the issues of your life can be temporarily “fixed”, it’s very tempting to continue using this temporary fix on a regular basis. Issues can range from anything from childhood abuse that is troubling the addict, to a tough time paying bills. Anything unpleasant can be considered an “issue”. Especially in today’s society, we want instant gratification. No one wants to go through years of therapy and counseling to get past problems in their lives, when the can simply take a pill, and carry on with life, as if nothing is wrong.

One of the main problems with opiods is the vicious cycle that begins when the patient try’s to stop taking the medication, suddenly faced with the very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, the addict will chose to continue taking the drugs rather than deal with the detoxification process. To many addicts it comes as a surprise that you cannot simply stop taking the medication, even if pain is no longer present, there is an intense psychological desire for the euphoric feeling. Giving up that sense that all is well with the world is difficult, especially combined with the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal. Depending on how long the person has been medicated and the strength of the medication, withdrawal may be just a feeling of being uncomfortable combined with a strong mental desire to use. If the addict has been using for quite a while and has increased their dosages, basically the more drugs you were taking, the worse the symptoms will be.

Withdrawal can be quite uncomfortable, there may be a feeling of flu like symptoms, such as a runny nose, scratchy throat, sore muscle aches and pains, combined with difficulty sleeping, diarrhea. The symptoms of pain pill withdrawal are very much the same as heroin or any other opiate withdrawal.

When faced with the decision of whether to continue on with the euphoric feelings and sense of general well being. It seems like an obvious choice to choose to continue using the drugs rather than going through the physical pain of withdrawal and psychological changes you will have to face. It’s easy to see why an addict would choose the vicious cycle of addiction, over sobriety. Eventually the consequences of addiction will add up, the addict will not enjoy the feelings from the pills anymore, because, an addict gives up the right to live freely. An addict has to depend on getting drugs everyday to simply function, it is not a life of euphoria anymore, it becomes a life of slavery, an addict becomes the slave to drugs, losing the freedom to go through the day without taking medications. In the absence of medication, facing withdrawal, the life of addiction is really no life. A life without freedom to live day to day without depending on chemicals, is not an enjoyable way to live, giving up pain pills is not easy either, but in the end sobriety is worth the pain. It won’t last forever, life will eventually get better as the desire for drugs slowly goes away, as you begin to deal with your issues instead of hiding from them, you will get better. The best part is as an addict, you have the opportunity to recover, your problems and issues can be discovered and therefore dealt with and you can move on with an incredible gratitude for life, that people who don’t go through this process will never understand.

Do you need Drug and Alcohol Rehab?

2009-10-04T13:13:00.000-07:00

Will drug and alcohol rehab work for you? More importantly are you ready to work for your own recovery. Rehab is a great tool in obtaining sobriety and providing you with the tools you will need to remain sober, but it is still up to you to do the real work.

Work? Remember, drinking or using drugs is a symptom of the real problem, most alcoholics and drug addicts are using to avoid dealing with their problems. By either numbing ourselves, or getting high, we do not have to deal with our real issues.

What are issues? They are anything that you do not have the tools to deal with on your own. They range from everything from child abuse to self-esteem problems. Whatever the issue is, until it is dealt with, staying sober will remain quite difficult. Counseling is usually provided during a stay in rehab. You must be completely honest, or counseling is simply a waste of time, a waste of your time, the counselor’s time, and the other client’s time. Group counseling is a popular approach because the others in the group usually have similar issues that often have similar solutions.

Counseling is a difficult process and usually needs to be continue on past the standard rehab time of seven to twenty-eight days. Part of your “aftercare” will probably include some sort of continuation of the counseling that you have begun in treatment. Again, I must reiterate, counseling will only help, if you are willing to do the work, and be completely honest, otherwise, it simply will not work. It is not easy to tell others about problems you have had growing up or with your relationships. There is always the fear of being judged. That is one of the reasons “group-therapy” is so beneficial, things that you have done, that you thought for sure no one else had every even considered are suddenly common. After you get past the worry of being judged, you can move on to how to affect positive changes, to deal with and move past your issues, thereby removing your reasons for drinking and using in the first place. Your “issues” are probably personal, embarrassing, even horrifying, but you must deal with each and everyone as they all contribute to your need to use.

While in rehab, you will learn that a new set of friends and acquaintances is most likely necessary, you can attend 12-step meetings, church, or other sober functions while working through your issues. It remains imperative that you stay away from using people, and keep yourself safe from those who want you to keep using. The people who you have used within the past are NOT your friends, they DO NOT want what is best for you, they want what they is best for them, and that is someone who will go along with their using without complaining and lecturing them. They wish to stay oblivious to what a healthy emotional life is. It will always be easier to avoid the big issues in your life, but avoidance will do nothing to help you heal, it will in fact, keep you using. You don’t need me to tell you how dangerous drinking and using drugs are, if you’ve landed on this page, it’s obvious you’ve made some sort of decision that your life needs to change. Take the next step, you can get through it, and your life will not only improve, but it will be a testament to others that still drink and use that there is life after using. You may not only save your own life, but the lives of others you don’t even know, just by living as an example of how good life is once you obtain sobriety.

Do you need Alcoholism Treatment?

2009-10-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

Alcoholism Treatment is a valuable tool when you are ready to stop drinking. The keyword here is “ready”. No treatment can work without you. There is no magic way of curing Alcoholism. There are many different types of treatment available to you. If you have a severe physical addiction, you may want medically supervision during the detoxification process. Alcohol withdrawal can be very dangerous and even fatal. The spectrum of alcohol withdrawal symptoms ranges from such minor symptoms as insomnia and tremulousness to severe complications such as withdrawal seizures and delirium tremors. Seizures are the most dangerous of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

After the physical withdrawal from alcohol, treatment can assist by teaching you how to live an alcohol free life. The process can be helped a great deal, by what treatment will provide. Most treatment will consist of learning a new way of living, many use 12-step methods to assist the alcoholic learn a new way of life. Alcoholism is a disease, there is no cure, but you can live as a sober alcoholic and have a fulfilling life. It’s simply a matter of re-learning how to live.
It sounds a little crazy, re-learning how to live, you may be wondering what that means. You will need to learn how to deal with life’s ups and downs without the use of alcohol. Alcoholics will drink when they are happy, and when depressed, to celebrate, or just because it’s Tuesday. Any reason is a good reason to drink. That is the thinking that needs to change. Becoming sober is only the first step, living sober is the hard part. A life of sobriety is not easy to obtain, but with the proper help, advice and counseling that treatment provides, it is not quite as difficult.

Treatment can help you be successful in your quest for a better life. Treatment helps you to prepare for the times when you’ll want to drink. It can be a type of boot camp, it will give you the tools you will need to remain sober and achieve serenity. But, keep in mind, you are still the one who will have to do the work. No one can do this for you. Only you can do what is necessary to give yourself a happy, joyous and free life. Once you’ve quit drinking the world’s problems do not just disappear, but the things you learn in treatment will teach you how to deal with life without the use of alcohol or drugs.

Help through Oxycodone Withdrawal

2009-10-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

Oxycodone withdrawal due to addiction to Oxycodone can be quite uncomfortable. Many Oxycodone addicts starting using Oxycodone or OxyContin (which contains Oxycodone) because it is prescribed to them for the treatment of pain. Like all opiod analgesics it is popular for the euphoric feelings and mental relaxation it induces.

Many addicts will use Heroin, Morphine, Methadone, Oxycodone, Oxycontin, Vicodin, Percocet, and other Opoids interchangeably, they all produce very similar euphoric effects and they all have very uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. I know many addicts that have been clear for years, only to relapse due to a prescription for pain. At one time I had been sober and not used Heroin for several years. A horrible toothache was all it took for me to relapse, first using the prescription the doctor gave me, and then I moved on to anything that would produce the same euphoric effects and put off withdrawal.

Having been a Heroin addict for years I knew better than to take that pill I knew better than to have the prescription filled, but I thought I could sneak past my past, and maybe just get high one time, and then of course I would take the rest of my medication as prescribed. Pain medication can be a hazardous way to set yourself up for relapse. Unfortunately, during life things happen that cause us pain, but as addicts we need to stay aware of exactly what we are doing. For example hiding the fact you’ve been prescribed medication is a huge warning sign that you may become addicted again. By not telling people that know you that you’ve been prescribed medication that you know is dangerous is in effect lying to yourself and your loved ones.

You can tell yourself you are hiding the fact you’ve been prescribed pain pills, so your loved ones will not worry about you. Bologna, you know what you are doing, and it is dangerous, and it will lead you down the road to relapse as quickly as a shot of dope will. Lying is the first sign that addiction is rearing its ugly head. Stay on top of your game, getting high is not worth losing all you’ve gained while sober. Luckily, I got help before I died. That is not always the case. Some people just don’t make it back.

Oxycodone withdrawal is very uncomfortable but not fatal, it doesn’t last forever, and living a sober life is so much more enjoyable than the vicious cycle of just trying to "stay well". The physical addiction of Oxycodone is the same as all opoids, and withdrawing is really the easy part. Dealing with you reasons for substance abuse is the real work. Yes, withdrawal is a hurdle, but if you want to live free of the obsession to use, it is a necessary step.

There are many ways to detox from Oxycodone and from all opoids, there are medications available to help you through the worst of your withdrawal symptoms, and many treatment centers are now medically assisting you with detox. Of course, you can get through it without the use of medication, opiate withdrawal is uncomfortable, but when you are ready to live life again, it will be the first step towards recovery and freedom from drugs.

Don't let your fear of withdrawal stop you from achieving sobriety!

Long term drug treatment

2009-09-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

The hardest thing about long term drug treatment is staying there. If you are serious about your recovery and the need to change your whole life, long term treatment is an excellent place to start. The most important thing to remember is this is not something that you go to for six months and get out and go back to life. That's not what it is about, so many people treat the experience as a jail sentence, that is the biggest mistake you can make.

Long term drug treatment is long because addicts need to learn how to live again. Live without drugs and alcohol, function in society, go to work, be responsible, treatment is not about ceasing the use of drugs, its about learning how to not be an addict. The life of a drug addict is so full of lies, deception and manipulation, and avoiding the truth, that when we stop using, we don't remember how we are supposed to act.

Some addicts steal to support their addictions, when you stop using, you must stop stealing also. It sounds strange to "normal" people, but that is one of the hurdles you need to face. Drugs make us immune to your conscience. When you don't have feelings, or your feelings are numbed to what is right and what is wrong, it's easy to steal, and manipulate, to buy drugs, because as soon as you get your drugs, you don't feel guilty about the stealing anymore, it's another one of the vicious cycles addicts get stuck in.

Long term treatment helps you to learn the whole new way of life you will have to learn how to live if you are going to stay sober. There are rules that are very basic, but serve a definite purpose, things like you have to get up at a certain time, make your bed, attend groups, and usually a 12-step meeting of some sort a regulated amount of times a week. You must go to counseling, and usually after a certain amount of time get a job. There are all different levels of treatment to go through, at first you'll probably have very few privileges, you will have a curfew, and probably won't be able to go anywhere alone for at least a few weeks. All of these rules serve the purpose of supporting you through the process of recovery.

I know I've said it many times before but recovery is a PROCESS, we did not become addicts over night, it was a process that steadily became worse and worse, crossing the lines of "I'll never do that", it's so funny how drug addicts set little limits for themselves and if they don't cross that line then they are fine, they don't have a problem. For example, "I'll never use a needle" is a big one. As long as you don't use a needle that you don't have a problem, well of course, that is ridiculous, but it is an addicts way of saying what they are doing is ok. Of course everyone who uses iv drugs at one time or another said to themselves, "I'll never use a needle". When it come to getting high we addicts will do anything we have to in search of that high we want so badly, but never seem to find.

Long term treatment should not feel like a sentence - a certain amount of months or days until you get out. It is a new life style that you slowly learn to live. Many addicts started using at such early ages, that they've never been "responsible" before. Learning how to make the correct life choices is not an automatic thing, we have to learn to live that way, and that's what the counselors, therapists, and other recovering addicts are going to help you learn to do. If you are serious about your recovery and have quit using many times but have a hard time staying sober, long term treatment is something you should consider. It's a process, take the time you need to learn everything you need to, to live a happy life, without drugs and alcohol. It's a small amount of time in the big picture, but a very valuable foundation for a life of serenity.

Increase Your Chances of Staying Sober

2009-09-21T15:54:00.001-07:00

Your odds of staying sober increase at least ten-fold by following some simple advice. Not my advice, well to a certain extent, but I am talking about the advice of people who are “doing it”, living life, staying sober and remaining happy, joyous and free.

The best advice I ever got was: “Ask advice from the person who you most want to be like”. If they have what you want, ask them how they got it. This is fabulous advice for people in recovery, the guy who keeps relapsing always has tons of advice for you, what you should do, the best meetings, etc, etc. But, when it comes down to it, he’s doing something wrong or he wouldn’t keep returning to the same behavior.

When you do the same thing over-and-over you get the same results over-and-over, it makes sense then, if you want to change the result, the behavior is what needs to change. You know the story of the person walking down the street that keeps falling in the same hole, day after day, same street, falls in the same hole, until he figures out, he needs to go down a different street. It is the same thing with recovery. The same behavior will bring about the same results.

When you are new to recovery, it is easy to fall into the trap of trying to do what everybody is telling you to do. Your desire to succeed sometimes will run over your common sense. Your best bet is to find the people who are really experiencing all that recovery is. Many people go to meetings, do not use and are miserable, simply because they are not using is not a good enough reason to take their advice. Recovery is a different process for everyone, no two people will remain sober exactly the same way, some use 12-step programs, praying, and jogging, and others may never go to a meeting, but call a sponsor every day, meditate and pray. The people who are making it, the ones that are succeeding, are the people you need to talk to, to reach out to and emulate.

Asking for help is not always easy, so remember, would you have asked for help to buy drugs? Probably, you probably would have done anything to get high. You need to be just as willing to do whatever it takes to remain sober. I know it’s cliché but clichés become clichés because they are right. People would not keep repeating them if they were not true. Just like the hole in the road, only in reverse, if something is working, you need to keep doing it, and it will keep working.

Find the people you most wish to be like, the person with the quiet, unspoken contentment, the person that everyone is happy to see when he or she walks into a room. Usually they are incredibly grateful for what they have, they want to share their experience with others and help people on their quest for serenity. Ask them what it is that works for them, how do they make it through the hard times, they experience challenges also, the difference being, instead of complaining about the problem, they are doing something about it. Ask their advice and they will be honored by your request, and will be glad to share their experiences with you. Serenity does not happen overnight, the quiet peacefulness of some people is almost palpable; if they have what you want; ask them how they got it.

Recovery takes action, you must find a different way to live, you cannot simply stop using and not change anything else, even if it’s just your attitude that needs to be changed, ceasing to use is just the first step, it’s the easy part, staying sober and remaining happy while you are sober is the hard part.

Drug Treatment Success

2009-09-21T06:29:00.000-07:00

Drug Treatment Success depends on you and your commitment to recovery. Recovering from addiction will probably be one of the most challenging things you will ever do in your life. It may takes hundreds of attempts to quit using your preferred compulsion or addiction. Drug and alcohol addicts have a particularly difficult time because of the changes the body goes through during the process of detoxification and the psychological effects of drugs and alcohol on your brain. A few things can make the process a little easier on yourself. Regardless of what you do, there will be tough times, no amount of ambition will minimize the effects drugs and alcohol has had on your mind and body, but it can be easier with the right attitude and support. Simply remembering that “this too shall pass” or “it won’t last forever” can help immensely. It won’t last forever, it will get better, it may feel endless, but as time goes by life will get easier the longer you stay sober.

Pay no attention to relapse rates, even if the chances are one in a million that you will recover from drug or alcohol addiction, you can always be that one. Nowhere else have I witness as many miracles, as in recovery. It seems like the people who appear to have what it takes to “make it” and have it all together, know all the right things to say, and attend AA meetings on a regular basis, can relapse more often as the people who don’t seem as motivated. We may have to quit a hundred times before it “takes”, many people have remained sober for years only to become relaxed and relapse, stay on “top of it”, addiction is sneaky and will swindle its way back into your life when you least expect it. By the way, the odds are WAY better than one in a million, I simply don't trust the statistics, because there is no way to truly count everyone that is trying to recover.

Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs are a great foundation, especially in early recovery but it is not the only way to go. Combine whatever works for you, going to meetings and perhaps attending church, or taking up exercise, whatever it takes to distract you from your desire for drugs or alcohol. There is no “right” way to get sober, as long as you don’t use, the rest will fall into place. The change is not simply the absence of drugs and alcohol, but an entire spiritual change in your life. If we don’t research and address the reasons for our drug and alcohol use, we have the potential of relapsing that more quickly. Remember drug and alcohol use is not the problem, but a symptom of it. In many cases, the problem is the inability to deal with the underlying issues in your life that you probably don’t want to “deal with”, so instead of facing the problem head on, we use chemicals to avoid those undesirable feelings, numbing ourselves to the “real problem”.

You can recover from drug and alcohol addiction, it is your responsibility to yourself and your family to live the most gratifying and rewarding life you possibly can. No one else can make you happy. You are responsible for your own serenity and the benefits from your contentment will be infinite.

Residential Drug Treatment – Why you should go!

2009-09-18T23:33:00.000-07:00

Why you should go to residential drug treatment.
There are countless residential drug treatment programs to choose from to help you to recover from drug and alcohol addiction. Assuming the addict is past the physical detoxification part of the process, the next step is to stay “sober” and not to use. This is the difficult part. Getting off drugs and alcohol is uncomfortable; even painful, sometimes it is downright disgusting. No one wants to go through it, and it keeps many addicts from even attempting to get sober, but as hard as it is, “detox” is not nearly the challenge staying sober is.

Treatment can be the determining factor of success vs. failure. Treatment is a sort of sober boot camp. It is where you learn the rules; it is a sort of basic training. I had never heard of Alcoholics Anonymous before I went to treatment the first time. Once I saw something about it in a movie, but I had no idea what it was really about. Before going to treatment, I did not have a clue about therapy or counselors, and had no idea how many people were going through the same thing I was. Our lives were so similar, it did not matter what the drug was that we were addicted to, in fact, it did not even have to be a drug or alcohol, some were addicted to food, others to sex, and others were taking small razors and marking up their arms and legs. I found out that taking drugs was the symptom, just as drinking and all the others, it was not the problem. All this time I thought my problem was that I took drugs, I thought all I had to do was stop taking drugs. That probably would have worked to a certain extent, I suppose I could have stopped using drugs out of shear willpower or as I like to call it (won’t power). Unfortunately, it was not going to be that easy.

I was introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous, a 12-step program used in the treatment of ever type of addiction there is. There are programs for drugs (NA); gamblers (GA); over eaters (OA); you get the idea. All of the programs for recovery are based on the same 12-step method, it works for some people and for some it doesn’t. Regardless of how you feel about the 12-step rules doesn’t matter because the real help you get from AA is from the “fellowship”. It is my opinion that the fellowship carries much more influence with the recovering addict than the 12-steps do. “Fellowship” is simply the people in the program, people who have experienced the same things you have. Have done the same things you have. No one is shocked or judgmental about what you have done to get drugs. In fact, most of them will have very similar stories of their own. Once I stopped feeling as if people were judging me, sobriety started to look a little more realistic and maybe, just maybe I could pull it off. So much about being an addict, relies on how bad you feel, the guilt, the shame, the embarrassment, it’s enough to make you do drugs (once you are in recover a sarcastic sense of humor is essential).

Learning how to live as a sober person. They have specific rules that at first seem to exist simply to irritate you. In my case, I felt, “I’m not using drugs anymore, you expect me to work now, and take care of my responsibilities, isn’t that a bit much?” That may be part of the reason I entered treatment over a dozen times and graduated from treatment exactly once.

Rules
There are rules to follow, because in life, there are rules to follow, and drug addicts have been breaking the rules for a long time. We have to learn what the rules are again. For most addicts, lying and manipulating has become a way of life, it is how we get drugs, and how we keep doing drugs. Even if an addict never spoke to another person, they would still be the biggest liars walking the earth. Why? Because they are lying to themselves. Addicts believe they need chemicals to feel the way they want to feel. Learning how to deal with feelings and how to achieve good feelings without the use of drugs is a one of the most difficult, if not the most difficult things an addict will ever do. When in recovery we do not simply stop taking drugs, but we have to stop the behavior that goes along with it, this means, no more lying, manipulating, stealing or breaking the law. To continue to live like a drug addict will prevent us from achieving any assemblence of serenity, and if we are honest with ourselves, it’s not the drugs that are our problem, but the living in misery that is ruining our lives. I can’t say that treatment got me sober, nor can I say AA was the answer, but what I can say is, once I was ready to be sober, it’s the tools I learned in treatment and AA that helped me achieve sobriety. There may be no one right answer for any addict. Early recovery is confusing and emotional; there is no easy way through it. If you really want to be sober and enjoy all that goes with sobriety, then the best thing to do is, use every opportunity you have to help you get to a place where you are comfortable with yourself. Do not fight treatment, AA, therapy or counseling; use every asset available, it is worth the effort, because your worst day sober will always be better than your best day using. Soak it all up, like a sponge, take the advice you need, and forget about the rest, not everything you hear will apply to you. Some people in the field of recovery don’t have a clue what they are talking about, but some do, so listen to all of it and use your common sense, if it applies then keep it in mind, and when the time comes for you to cross that hurdle, you will be prepared. The recovery process is just that, a process, it is not easy, but it is rewarding, you will never regret being sober. You will never feel bad about yourself because you did not use today, it is not going to happen overnight, but with due diligence, it will happen and you will succeed, and your life will be better, it may not be perfect, but it will be better, guaranteed.

Depression and Substance Abuse – Learning how to deal with feelings

2009-09-18T00:30:00.001-07:00

Feelings
After I got sober, the last time, I had a hard time adjusting to the fact that I had to deal with my feelings. Gross, feelings, I hate mushy stuff! While I was using, over a period of about 15 years on and off, I cried a total of about 4 times. Once I got sober, I cried everyday! How was I supposed to stay sober if I couldn’t quit crying.

It took me about 10 years to get 30 days clean. I know it sounds funny, right, but it’s true. I knew my life was a wreck and that I had to stop using drugs, so I’d quit, sometimes for a day, sometimes three days, occasionally I’d even piece together a few weeks and then, RELAPSE. Relapse, the word relapse implied that I had actually accomplished something to begin with.

I stopped calling it that after a while, how can it be a relapse, when I wasn’t even sober long enough to get past the side effects of getting the drugs out of my body. Then I learned, there is a difference between being clean and being sober. Clean is when you are simply not using. Sober is when you are living your life as a person who doesn’t use. Big difference, anyone can be clean and miserable, chances are being miserable led to being an addict or alcoholic in the first place. No one likes to feel bad, whether it be short-lived like grief after someone dies, or a long depression over a abusive childhood, feeling bad is something most of us would rather not feel.

Don't Worry Be Happy

Drug addicts and alcoholics don’t have the coping mechanisms to deal with our feelings. We prefer to numb ourselves to the situations we don’t want to deal with and/or get high to forget it and just feel good. The problem with that is after a while we don’t know what is a real feeling anymore.

After achieving a decent amount of clean time, the idea is to achieve some amount of serenity. Serenity is a feeling of peace or contentment with your life, without the assistance of chemicals. Many addicts and alcoholics have been using for so long they may not even remember what it is they are trying not to feel, or to feel, whichever the case may be. Being able to deal with ones issues is difficult in itself, but there is more bad news. All the years of using has taken away your brains ability to feel happy without chemicals. Now you’re thinking, what good is being sober if I’ll never be happy again, that’s not what I mean at all, it is possible to feel good, but it may take a little work.

The Pink Cloud

A few weeks or a month after you get past the physical effects of detoxing you may experience, what many in AA call, the pink cloud. A feeling of walking on air, that there is nothing wrong in the world and everything is perfect. When you feel it, you will know what it means to be happy, joyous and free. That’s what we want to feel like all the time, but face it, life is a series of challenges, struggles, achievements and disappointments. The goal is to stay sober all of the time, during life’s ups and downs, and the downs won’t be as bad as they were when you were using, because you won’t have the consequences of your use to deal with on top of whatever the challenge of the day is.

It doesn’t really do a lot of good to try and analyze why you used drugs or alcohol, the goal is to make sure whatever those reasons are, that you learn to deal with them sober. You may consider therapy; many addicts including myself have conquered their issues with the help of a therapist. There are many places to receive therapy on a sliding scale (based on your ability to pay) and often there is free help available to recove

ring addicts and alcoholics. You must remember though, therapy is work, you have to do the work, not the therapist, their job is to guide you through the process, helping you to deal with your issues without the use of drugs and alcohol. Depending on your issues, it can take a long time to work through them all, and then again, you may understand yourself well enough after a few sessions to be able to handle life without much stress at all.

In addition to therapy, there is medication available to help those of us diagnosed with a clinical mental disorder. It is common after becoming sober for a doctor to tell say you may be bi-polar, or suffer from any number of mental illnesses. They may have been at the root of your problem to begin with, contributing to your addiction or alcoholism. Do not get all upset, this is not a big deal; you have been using chemicals for a long time to adjust the way you are feeling. Once diagnosed, you can get help. You may take medication temporarily or for the rest of your life, but either way, it is better than being a slave to drugs and/or alcohol. I am being honest with you, I’m not going to sugar coat it, the hard part of being sober, is being learning to be happy without drugs or alcohol.

Once you are content with your life, it’ll be a whole lot easier to stay sober. That doesn’t mean accepting less out of life, it is allowing yourself to be grateful and content while you move up and try to live each day better than the last. You do not have to be miserable because you do not make a lot of money, but you do not need to accept being poor either. The contentment comes in being ok with the fact that yes, right now, you are struggling financially, but eventually, with hard work, you will overcome your difficulties and your life will improve. Having faith does not mean having blind faith, you will not suddenly have a perfect life the minute you stop using/drinking, but once that roadblock is out of the way, you can continue on making progress with your life.

Finding your joy may be a difficult undertaking. It may take years to find your true inner happiness, it is a process, you are not going to be “cured” over night, but with some work, it will get easier to live with yourself without the use of drugs/alcohol.

Grateful

Many people have said they are grateful to be a drug addict or alcoholic, what, that doesn’t make any sense, right? The point is, if they hadn’t been and addict/alcoholic they may never have gone through the process of finding their true serenity. Many sober people walk through life miserable as can be, they may not use, or drink, but they are still miserable. They would probably benefit from therapy or 12-step work but, since they do not have a “problem” they will not try to find the cure. So yes, we are blessed; we know what is wrong with us, because now that we know what the problem is, we can fix it, the problem is in the not knowing.

So enjoy being sober, learn to be happy without drugs and alcohol, once you can feel joy without the use of chemicals you will notice that it is a new type of pure effortless joy, one without the consequences of using, and it is worth it! As they say, “Don’t leave before the miracle happens!” it means tomorrow might be the day, the day when you aren’t sad anymore, when you are content and happy for no reason other than to be alive and free of drugs/alcohol.

Relapse Prevention – Do Pain Pills Cause Relapse?

2009-09-16T21:53:00.000-07:00

Should an Addict Take Prescribed Pain Medication?

Many addicts, myself included, after having been clean for many years, are faced with the decisions that need to be made about what types of medication are appropriate for you. Following a car accident, I was prescribed medication for my pain. The affects of the medication were similar to the feeling I had experienced years ago, during my active drug addiction.

It was very challenging to take the medication as prescribed. Even more distressing, was the anguish I experienced when I no longer needed the medication. This is a very precarious avenue for many addicts. Things happen in everyday life that may result in the need for medication. You may have a tooth pulled, or fall down and hurt your back, and the next thing you know, you are addicted to your medication, it is gone, and you can’t avoid the temptation of just one more. Do Not Do It!

Protect Yourself

If you are sober and in recovery, and a doctor prescribes pain medication for you, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself.

Be honest tell someone (your sponsor, a friend, anybody). Keeping a secret will backfire on you.

Talk to someone; tell them about your feelings regarding the medication. People in general want to help, especially people in recovery, or people who have experienced the same problems you are having in your life.

Take your sponsor or other reliable friend to the doctor with you.

Tell the doctor you prefer not to take narcotics. There are many dependable narcotic-free medications available today.

If You Absolutely Must Take Narcotics

Have a trusted friend hold the medication for you. This will reduce the temptation to take more medicine than prescribed.

Talk about your feelings with other recovering addicts. Practically all addicts have had to struggle through similar situations. Ask them how they were able to survive without relapsing, and if they did relapse, ask them if it was worth it.

There is a great deal of danger in keeping these feelings to yourself. Do not keep your mouth shut. It is much better to talk about the struggles you are facing with medication, than it is to relapse.

Always Talk About Your Fears!

Fear has power over you until you tell someone. Secrets will keep you sick (an AA cliché) but it is so true. Some cliché’s became clichés because they are true. Take the power out of your fear, talk to someone, preferably someone who has been through the same or similar situation you are facing. Ask for suggestions, and follow them. The only stupid question is the one that hasn’t been asked. Think about it, would you rather suffer through the fear of relapse, the fear of making mistakes and relapse, or take the power away from the fear, put it out in the open and destroy it with knowledge. When you know what to do about it, then it is not scary anymore. Relapse is scary, as it should be, it is dangerous, everyone does not make it back, so prevent relapse at all costs, don’t be embarrassed, don’t worry alone, because after you relapse it’s too late. They’ll all be saying, I wish she would have talked to me.

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Pain Pill Addiction -- How Does It Happen

2009-09-16T21:31:00.001-07:00

How Does Pain Pill Addiction Happen?
People become addicted without even knowing it is happening. They become addicted without any intention of doing so. When the prescription for pain medicine runs out the user often wants to continue feeling the euphoric affects of the medication, therein lies the problem. The desire to continue feeling good becomes more important than what is best for them, then the user must find a way to keep getting that medication, or something similar to produce the euphoric feelings.

Most people enjoy feeling good (emotionally and physically), but to achieve the feelings because of medication/drugs is not acceptable. Upon the discontinuance of pain medication is usually when the trouble materializes. Whether it be from pain pills or street drugs, the basic results are the same. The chemicals that reduce pain also produce a feeling of euphoria. Medically recognized, euphoria is an emotional and mental state of elation and well-being. This affect of the medication can be quite pleasing to many people. It may be so enjoyable that it feels as if all of the users troubles have disappeared and there is an over whelming feeling of happiness and contentment.

Does It Keep Taking More and More To Feel Better?
One of the many problems with the chemistry of pain medication is tolerance. In other words, it takes more and more medication to achieve the same result. For example, if were prescribed one pill every six hours, within a few weeks or a month it will take more pills, more often, to achieve the same affect.

Some people do not care for the effects of the medication, others, simply, fall in love with it. The euphoric feeling from pain medication is very similar to the feelings produced by heroin. The main difference between medication and street drugs is the intensity and the speed of the feeling of euphoria and pain relief. Receiving pain medication in an IV at an emergency room, is almost equal to the experience of heroin user when they “get a hit.” You can probably now see why people will continue using medication, even after their pain is gone. The feeling of euphoria can be quite tempting, for some, it is irresistible, and they will find someway, somehow, to get that feeling again. When that desire overpowers everything else, it is called Addiction.

Pain Pill Addiction vs. Heroin Addiction

2009-09-16T21:24:00.000-07:00

Medication vs. Heroin

Pain pill addiction is very similar to heroin addiction, the effects and symptoms are practically the same. Painkillers have also been blamed for the relapse of many heroin addicts. What can a prescription and a street drug have in common? Quite simply put, the chemicals (or ingredients) used in most pain killers are the same or quite closely related. Most painkillers contain opiates, opiates are derived from opium, heroin is also one of opium’s derivatives.

Where Did It Come From

Once upon a time, heroin was legal. Created and used successfully to relieve pain for many years, it was believed to be a non-addictive morphine substitute and cough suppressant. Marketed as a cure for morphine addiction, the company that produced heroin was profoundly embarrassed, when it became clear that it was essentially a quicker acting form of morphine. Soon it became apparent heroin’s propensity towards addiction far outweighed its merits.

Other medications were developed from the same components as heroin, becoming the medications we use today. Although newer medications do not produce the same intensity for cravings as its predecessors; they do affect the user quite similarly and have the same fundamental risk of addiction.

The Change From Medication to Recreation

In many cases, prescribed for the temporary relief of pain (an injury or ailment) medication is intended to be use for a short amount of time. When taken as prescribed by, once the pain is relieved, the medication is no longer used. Addicts find this quite a difficult undertaking, the desire, and cravings to continue taking the medication can be irresistible. At this point, the medications transforms from a medical necessity use to a recreational desire.

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Addiction Treatment Information – A day in the life of treatment

2009-09-13T21:12:00.000-07:00

Addiction Treatment Centers are all different, but in general, they all run about the same way. This is an example of a day for a normal residential client, one that is past the medical and physical symptoms of withdrawal for the most part, and is in the process of learning how to live sober.

I am a recovering addict; this information is from my own personal experiences. I did not get sober the first time in treatment, or even the second, I went to various types of treatment over a span of about 12 years, everything from outpatient to long-term residential. This is example is of a basic 14 – 28 day program. I have also had the great pleasure of working in a residential treatment center, so I have the added information to why things are structured the way they are.

The goal of residential treatment is to get out of the habit of being an addict, and becoming a contributing member of society. Everyone from millionaires to homeless people go to treatment, for a variety of different reasons. We will look at the different people and their reasons for treatment later. This is simply an overview of what an average day is like.

Rise and Shine
Early rise: Usually around 6 am. Addicts have usually changed their lifestyles to fit their addictions, so to get back into the flow of an average “normal” person, the day start early.

Many clients will fight this early day with a million different reasons, they are tired from detoxing, they work midnights, they don’t like it, it doesn’t matter. The staff has heard all the different reasons. Their usual response will be: “If you had to get up at 6 am for your addiction would you?” or “Are you willing to go to any length to get sober?” It is only for a few weeks, so suck it up and save your arguing for the more important things.

Remember I am using general times, they may vary but they are pretty consistent in the various types of treatments centers.

Routine
Before 9 am. You will have to get cleaned up, shower, clean your room/area, eat breakfast, and do some chores. Everyone will have chores. Usually a client, based on seniority or by votes will be in charge of a list of chores and assigning said chores to different residents. Things like, wiping down the tables in the eating area, clean up, trash, etc. Nothing any normal healthy person can’t do. These are not a big deal, but people will fight it, clients will fight everything, they are learning how to live a new way, and don’t like it.

Readings
There will also be some morning readings from AA material or other recovery related books. Usually a daily reading from 3 or 4 different books on the subject of self-improvement, self-discovery and all around affirmation material is read from while the rest of the residents listen.

The Day
The rest of the day will be broken up into separate sections, varying in length from an hour to two hours. There will be breaks in between classes and groups of 10-20 minutes or so, and breaks for meal times.

Informative classes about drugs and their effects on your body physically. Informative classes about the effect of drugs on you psychologically

Spiritual type classes – not usually affiliated with any one religion unless the treatment center and its program are religiously involved.

Parenting classes – the relationship issues of addicts and alcoholics and their children are different than that of “normal” people, they have their own unique problems and addressing them can be difficult.

Health classes –addicts have many diseases and other health issues to deal with that they probably haven’t dealt with during their using. Once a person becomes sober, the consequences to their bodies appear. Often because the person hasn’t taken care of themselves, but also because of the risks of using.

Group therapy is common in treatment centers. It is an excellent form of therapy for this population. Addicts are usually quite accustomed to lying and manipulating people in their lives. This group atmosphere allows others to communicate with honesty and without judgment and guilt. Addicts have all hurt and used the people in their lives. Group therapy allows them to look past what they have done wrong, to why the did it, and to begin working on the problem from a different point of view.

One-on-One therapy is a more intimate therapy between the addict and a therapist and/or counselor, usually one with specific training in the area of addiction and familiar with the problems addicts face.

Gender therapy is great for discussing the issues of a particular gender with out the fear of embarrassment from the opposite sex. It allows for more open discussions about more personal issues and problems of addicts. Many addicts have pasts that include abuse, physical, mental, sexual, etc. It can be very uncomfortable to discuss these issues as it is, having a gender specific group can alleviate some of the reasons that people choose not to talk about their own particular lives.

One day at a Time
At the end of the day, there is usually a 12-step meeting to attend, those who have never attended are introduced to “meetings”, this also usually allows outside people (former clients and people from outside the center in recovery) to come in and introduce clients to 12-step programs. Not all treatment centers follow 12-step guidelines, and 12-step meetings don’t work for everyone, but they are well-known and popular. AA and other meetings are a great way to meet other people who are in recovery, whether you choose to follow up with the 12-step process after treatment or not, the basic guidelines can be quite beneficial, especially in early recovery.

Addiction Symptoms and Advice

2009-09-10T19:05:00.000-07:00

There are various types of “addiction” including but not limited to: alcohol, drug, chocolate, sex, caffeine, just about anything you can do, you can overuse and abuse. If, for example, you find it difficult to stop eating ice cream on a daily basis you may be addicted to it. Addiction is a serious disease that can reveal itself in many different ways. There are two types of addiction: physical and mental. Most addicts experience both physical discomfort and depression or sadness when they attempt to stop using their chemical of choice. Addiction symptoms and advice from others seems to go hand-in-hand. Everybody knows somebody that is controlled by something or another. In most cases, the addiction is to something that makes us feel good, usually a temporary feeling of utopia, or, in the least, better than we were feeling. It becomes a serious problem when you can no longer control your behavior, you must have the alcohol, drug, or snack, or you may feel like you are just going crazy.

For the purposes of this article we will be focus on alcoholism, which is defined as a physical and/or mental dependence on alcohol. When alcoholism develops, the alcoholic will experience horrifying physical withdrawal symptoms which could result in death. Some of the withdrawal and addiction symptoms are as simple as sweating, diarrhea and flu like aches and pains. Once the addict moves on to becoming a “full-blown alcoholic” they may develop tremors, hallucinations, damage to the liver, and diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, anemia, and in extreme cases organs begin to shut down due to the liver damage caused by the users consumption of alcohol.

People who are not addicts often just don’t understand the addict’s need to keep feeding their disease and continue on with the vicious-cycle they are in. “Normal” people don’t understand why. Families and loved ones of the alcoholic always want to know why the addict can’t just stop drinking. Addiction symptoms and advice for the addicts is more complicated than simply not drinking. In this very basic example Joe, our alcoholic, drinks to stop feeling sad, when he is sad, he starts drinking and begins to feel better, either the alcohol makes him feel happy, or it numbs the original feelings of sadness and/or depression regardless he believes he feels better than he did. This is where Joe’s vicious cycle begins. Joe will most likely argue with his wife over the fact that he stayed out all night drinking, Joe will again feel bad, and feel the need to stop drinking; after all, it’s hurting his marriage. Joe will try not to get a bottle on the way home from work, but he thinks, maybe just a small bottle won’t hurt. The thing about alcoholism is once you begin to drink, you can’t stop. To end Joe’s cycle of destruction he must not take that first drink!

Joe’s wife, Sue is noticing that Joe isn’t bathing as often as he should, there is money missing from their bank account, the car has a dent in it that wasn’t there the last time Sue drove it and she begins to wonder what is going on. The Addiction symptoms are right there in front of her, but if she hasn’t been around an alcoholic before so she doesn’t recognize Joe’s “cries for help”.

They Have to Hit Rock Bottom ....
Let me dispel a big myth: The alcoholic DOES NOT need to hit rock bottom before they stop drinking/using. They simply need to have a desire to stop drinking. Alcoholics Anonymous is a very large organization that uses a common 12-step method to guide the Alcoholic through their journey to recovery. There are many programs, treatment centers, clubs, and organizations all over the world that pride themselves in helping alcoholics to recover. Not all methods work for everyone. Joe may be able to attend AA meetings (free program), get a sponsor (another AA member willing to help you), and become a sober law abiding contributor to society. Other people go to church, and others trade one addiction for another addiction that is not damaging their health and well-being. One alcoholic I know traded in drinking for running and within 3 years of becoming sober began to run marathons for charities. Addicts will do just about anything excessively, so it is important to keep that in mind to take care of your self, everything in moderation, it’s hard for people who have “addictive personalities” to not overdo things that are also considered “good-for-you”. We want instant gratification; we want to change how we feel, we always want to feel better, faster.

A Drug Addict's Life

2009-09-08T07:55:00.000-07:00

Average Americans do not have a clue about the world of drug addicts. I say world, because addicts that are active and living the life, have a culture of their own, hidden in plain site. People walk right through their world and do not notice it, because they choose not to, just like the homeless person who is asking for money, we look right through them as if they do not exists.

A junkie’s life is not glamorous or exciting; movies tend to lead you to believe otherwise. This seems odd to me, Hollywood usually exaggerates certain aspects of an addict’s life and glamorizes others, what are trying to accomplish with this approach, shouldn't they be encouraging and rewarding those who recover from addiction?

The daily routine of a junkie is pretty much the same for all average users. Junkies or heroin addicts live a lifestyle that is simply a race against getting sick. I am not talking about the guy who comes in to the city on payday and gets high. I am talking about the true addict, the person who lives, breathes and sweats dope.

Upon waking up, the very first thought instantly is, “did I save some for morning?” The addicts mind races until they can remember if they did actually save “a wakeup”, if so, where did they hide it, and how quickly can they get it in their veins? If the junky is having a good day, they’ll get a hit, (inject the heroin into the vein), if not they can poke themselves that needle a hundred times (literally) before finding a vein that can handle the injection. You can imagine the aggravation of the day, if they succumbed to their addiction and did their wake-up the night before.

The day’s mission, just like every other day, is to make money, to get more drugs. Most junkies break the law in some way or another to get money. The average user spends at the very least $100 a day on drugs alone, a 9-5 job usually won't take care of their habit. Once they have money in their pocket, for a "do" and, maybe a rock on the side, the need to get high is overwhelming. They probably told themselves thousands of times that they were going out to work once and not coming back until done for the day. That plan goes out the window just as quickly as they can hit speed dial.

Doing it All Over Again... and Again... and?
Back to the neighborhood in search out drugs, hoping to not get ripped off or beat up and get high. At this point in their addiction, they do not get "high" too often; the whole point of their existence is to just “not get sick”. It is just a race, making money as fast as possible, so they can spend it all attempting to get high. When the junky stops working (committing crimes for money) for the day, and goes back to where they live, they buy as many drugs as they can. Of course, they may be robbed, beat up, or overdose, but, usually they simply buy drugs and go home, pass out and then wake up wondering, “did I save some from last night?”

So Many Mistakes

2009-08-31T21:36:00.000-07:00

There were so many mistakes,
there must be a reason..
I made so very many mistakes...

My hope is the colorful bits of information from my life will entertain, inform, enlighten, and provide some topics for your amusement and perhaps encourage seeking a different perspective, when faced with life’s joys and disappointments. My gratitude for life is infinite, it is truly a miracle to be alive, the “adventures” of my life have been everything from fabulous to devastating, and I have made more mistakes then anyone I have ever known. My life does not fit neatly into any one category; it has been quite diverse. I have experienced the great joys and disappointments of motherhood and marriage; lived through abuse, drug addiction, and prejudice; and I am ready to start the next chapter of my life. My hope is that some of my experiences may help others to overcome their own suffering and triumph, to discourage becoming a victim and encourage everyone to make the best of everything; learning from yesterday, appreciating today, and praying for another tomorrow.