My opiate experience was different

[kk1303]

Ok, I've been on this site for a little over 3 weeks now & I've done so much reading every day. First off, I want to say that I'm 21 days sober & I want to thank all the people on here who have been supportive of me throughout this time. You are amazing! But this post is about my confusion about those of you with (now or in the past) opiate addiction...from what I've read, my experience on them was unlike anyone elses & I'm confused by this. When I was on Norco & oxycontin, I never lost an appetite...I seriously ate 5 meals a day. They NEVER gave me energy. They actually made me really tired & lazy all the time. I didn't wait till the evening to take them...I took them whenever I  had pain. (I was prescribed both for a painful disease I  had.) I just read everyone's posts and see that pretty much EVERYONE who took opiates didn't eat much, got energy from them, etc...completely opposite of my experience. Do y'all know why this is? Its just been so baffling to me so I want to figure out why I was so different...

[kk1303]

I never took pain pills to get high. I was prescribed them for my disease and over time I developed a dependency (like anyone who takes opiates do). I was tired of my doctor increasing my dose and I was tired of masking my pain by taking pills. I decided enough was enough and I wanted to quit now before I look down the road several years from now and my body is even more dependent on them. I do think I am a bit different b/c I don't consider myself a drug addict, but more of someone who's body became dependent on drugs...if that makes any sense. Ricart gets it. I do NOT think I am better than anyone on here, that's not what I'm saying. I just try to relate to people on here...I WANT to relate to people on here, and most of the time I just cant. I don't understand the mind cravings and much more...Like I said, I guess its hard to explain.

[IBKleen]

Thinking you are different from other addicts has caused a great many to relapse. It does not matter what drug you took or how long you took it. Addiction is not about the drug but about the behavior---it is about the feeling of despair---it is about the loneliness---it is about covering our feelings---THAT is what makes us addicts.

My doc is heroin. I don't think in 4-1/2 years I have met but 20 people who I actually spoke with that were heroin addicts. Yet I relate to everyone here.

You have your whole life ahead of you hun. Enjoy it and congrats on getting clean!!!

[kk1303]

It does, ricart, thank u! I've just been trying to relate to people on here & trying to give advice, but I feel like I really can't relate on some level. Its hard to explain, I guess.

[ricart70]

I can definitely answer this for you.I ate alot and even enjoyed food more while on opiates,That being said,the difference in your opiate experience lies in your brain chemistry.You are what they call dependent.You are not an addict the opiates work differently on an addicts brain giving them(also me euphoria and energy.With you they did what they are supposed to do which is alleviate the pain.Opiates cause physical dependency in anyone who takes them though.I hope this helps clear things up.

[IBKleen]

Why would you even question this? Why dwell in the past---your active addiction? You are off now and that is great. Move forward honey and enjoy your life!

Learn from your past. Don't re-live it.