Anyone experience NarcAnon??

[seeksolice]

So,  I am addicted to opiates and am pregnant and am on a very slow taper process. Currently taking 3 1/2 10/650 Vicodon a day.

I know that relapse prevention is essential- if not MORE important than the detox process- meaning ongoing treatment, counseling and prevention steps are critical.

So I decided to look into it. Counseling is a must- I will relapse if I don't attend counseling or meetings. I found NarcAnon online. I called a counselor, told her my situation, and she said "I'm going to recommend an out of state rehab facility for you."  My first thought was, WTF? I'm having a baby. I can't leave my newborn to go to rehab, sorry. And I'll be nursing. I told her this and it kind of went over her head.

She said "There is a 6 month guarantee with the program, so if you relapse, we will let you come back for a maximum amount of one year to get clean, for free"

THIS IS A SALES PITCH!! And, being a saleswoman myself, I could see through her smoke screen. I used to sell cars, advertising, I was a head hunter, I even sold knives for a while. I'm familiar with the old little schemes sales people use.

So... I asked her "How much does the program cost?" And you know what she said?
"It's only $29,000.00 which is a really good deal for the type of treatment center this is."
AND, mind you, this rehab facility DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL DETOX!

What do you guys think about narcAnon? And, is it really a scientology thing, or what? Thats what I've heard.

........

[wannabefree330]

Unless you weigh 500 lbs, she's feeding you b.s. While overweight people do store many drugs in their fatty tissue,  And it takes time for the body to metabolize it, its not something that applies here.  Have you ever heard of an obese person dying of 'opiate overdose' from losing weight?  No, it doesn't happen.  Nice sales pitch though!

[wannabefree330]

Oh, one more thing....AA/NA is a program that encourages a close relationship with "a god of YOUR OWN understanding".  Not scientology, nobody pressures you into accepting his or her 'God'.  I look at it as more of a 'spiritual connection' rather than a 'religious preference'.  I'm not religious, but I have a close spiritual relationship with MY God.  Make sense?  Even Athiests can have a 'spiritual' experience.  It just has nothing to do with this or that 'God'.  It's an inner peace that you feel, hard to describe, but once you find it-you know.

[wannabefree330]

There is some truth to the 'fat storing theory'.  For very overweight people they could see some release of opiate after a lengthy workout, but it's not going to get them high.  I agree with you.  I think she's trying to get you into the facility.  Look, you are already on the taper, the only thing they are going to give you are the tools in which to stay sober. NA is a great place, but so is AA.  While some in AA believe that pill poppers 'don't belong there- it's for alcoholics', most accept any addict with open arms.  Where I live, I prefer the AA meetings.  The theory and tools are the same.  I believe that addiction has little to do with the 'chemical' of our choice.  It has everything to do with, WHY WE USE.  If you can find another addict, or alcoholic who has been where you are, you can get and stay sober.  You get the most important fact here,.....aftercare is the key.  Its learning how to live life on lifes terms, and learning how to enjoy life without drugs.  YOU CAN DO IT!  Try an NA/AA meeting or two.  If you don't like that one, keep going.  Go until you find one that fits your needs.  They do help.  Look at all the people in the world who have only used AA/NA and are sober.  If they can do it, you sure as hel* can!  

NA is narcotics anonymous.  ALANON is for anyone who is affected by someone who is an addict/alcoholic.  I just found that if I kept an open mind and applied what I heard had worked for others, it helped me too.

[cattalina]

I've never heard of opiates being stored in your body forever.  What I have heard tho, is while you're using drugs, they can be expelled through your sweat.  But once the drugs are fully out of your body, they're fully out of your body.  I've heard that acid can stay in your fatty tissues for a long time.  I knew a guy who did alot of acid in the 60s and when he cracked his back he had flashbacks.  I'm not sure how true that all is, but that's not the case with opiates.  Plus paying $29,000 for rehab is a little steep for the general person.  It sounds to me like whoever you spoke to was trying to scam you.  I'm not sure what kind of "NarcAnon detox facility" you were speaking to.  You can find a detox near your area, and you may even be able to go for free.  The only NarcAnon I've ever heard of are meetings (like NarcoticsAnonymus) for families of addicts.  You should definitely try contacting other reputable counselors as well as rehabs.  Also, since youre pregnant, your taper really needs to be supervised by a doctor.  It can be dangerous for you and the baby if not done properly.  Hopefully you can get in contact with legit counselors, cuz the aftercare is definitely the most important part of getting clean.  good luck to you and your baby - make sure you have a support network put in place as soon as you can!  

[LONESOME]

Not familiar with it but I just want to wish you the best for you and new baby ok

[seeksolice]

It has been years since I last used benzos or methamphetamines by the way

[seeksolice]

That was said by the woman on the phone is that Opiates store in your fatty tissue, so even when the drug is fully out of the body, everytime you exercise and work up a sweat, opiates are released into the bloodstream.

Is this true? She said that if you are overweight, and do opiates for a long time, then quit, it will store in your fat cells *forever* unless you lose the fat, basically.

I told her I have been an addict since 14, used meth, xanax, alcohol, and told her I have never been 100% sober for more than a year of my life after the age of 14.  She said that since thats the case, I still have benzodiazepines and methamphetamines in my fatty tissues and rehab with NarcAnon will "detox" the old stuff out of my body.

Someone comment on this.