I want to use

[Beckers74]

I am 20 days today opiate free/ 7 years no booze. Came down with legit flu/cold. Is god testing me? I finally strated feeling good, until I woke up with bad cough & body aches. Why? My mind is playing tricks on me. I am like thinking I could just take a pill because I am sick. I don't want to do that do them again, so thought came to mind to just drink since I already Blew my sobriety date. . Alcohol is my drug of choice. I just have to make it though the night.  I am a true addict/alcoholic.

[dominosarah]

Congrats on your 6 yrs!!!  That is awesome!  No, God isnt testing you, this is just life.  Feel better~

[antnoly]

WOW!!! - Your questions blew my mind -  and I loved reading the responses - I am going thru the same "stinking thinking" - have been alcohol free 6 years and still trying to get off xanax - I also got the flu/cold legit last Sunday (almost 2 weeks now) - it's like you read my mind - and I thought the same thing - is God testing me etc? (I really don't believe this to be so, as my God is loving God and wouldn't do this to me) - Congratualtions on all your triumphs!!!!!! - I wish you all the best  and THANK YOU ALL WHO POSTED ABOUT THE DEMONS OF ADDICTION - I REALLY NEEDED TO HEAR THIS!!! (see, now this posting was definitely a God thing -

[dominosarah]

Using is NOT an option.  We dont need pain meds for the flu, nor do we need a drink.  Do you have pills readily available?  OTC meds work such as Tylenol, Motrin or Advil.  If you have a bad cough NyQuil does make an alcohol free cough medicine,Delsym(sp) is a good cough med too.  You have done so good so dont let a cold bring you down.  You said you blew your sobriety date....did you already drink?

[adexec181]

Sorry, but I have to absolutely agree with Nursegirl, no one needs an opiate for a cold.  Many of us have excruciating pain...I for one am a partial amputee with necrosis in the bones of my feet, and despite not be able to walk some days, won't even put an Advil in my body right now..am trying to get clean of all chemicals.  And I know that is just a personal choice, not everyone can do this and needs help along the way as pain is different for everyone.  But we've all become so used to popping pills or drinking something to eliminate ALL pain, whether it be physical or emotional...to become clean, you have to expect to deal with at least some pain without help from narcotics.  It's a natural part of life, and non-addicts learn healthy was of dealing with it.
So don't drink or pop pills for the flu, look for something OTC and try some alternative therapies, like hot baths, breathing in steaming water over the stove, neti pots, heating pads, juices...anything....but don't let this steal your sobriety!  You've come so far..you should be proud of yourself.  Every day will get better, and this too, shall pass.

[nursegirl6572]

One does not need a narcotic for a cold.  The OP has already been honest and admitted that this is the addiction talking.  Yes, it's true that there WILL be times that an opiate may be needed for an injury or medical condition, and if it is taken as prescribed, not abused, then it is not a relapse.  That's not what we're talking about here.

"Also, God does test us - remember God telling Abraham to sacrifice his son Issac to see if he would obey God at any cost? However God is a merciful God and told us to do things in moderation. The issue is the control factor and only you can know yourself."

With all due respect, you've posted this a few times in this forum.  I'm not sure if you reralize the power of your words in an addiction forum.  An addict does not have the choice to "use in moderation".  They either stay clean, or they don't.  It's very cut and dry.  It's not about self control, it's about the addict mindset.  An addict's brain will always find a reason to make using okay.  This thread is a PERFECT example.  A person must guard their sobriety at all costs...and taking an opiate for cold symptoms isn't doing that....it's the addiction using the cold as an excuse to take a pill.

beckers...hope you feel better soon.  Colds need to be treated symptomatically, tylenol, motrin, cough medicine, cold medicine, rest.  You just have to give it time.  Please also be careful of products like Nyquil, as they contain alcohol.  There are lots of cough/cold products that are alcohol free.  Just be sure to pay close attention to the label.

Using is NOT an option...21 days is GREAT!!  And your 7 years of sobriety from alcohol!  Amazing!   Keep up the good work!

[shezzreal]

I do not totally disagree with not taking a pill, however,  if you have a legitimate need well that is one thing and you think you can handle it well it mighht be ok only you can decide. I was sort of in the same boat with a surgery but I was very careful and only took them when needed and as prescribed and did fine with the short term and had no withdrawals when I quit - that is not a break of sobriety or so my doctor said. Drinking the alcohol would be I would rather deal with the 20 days instead of the 7 years and alcohol is not a prescribed drug very often if at all. Flu aches can be aweful and it is not a failed attempt if there is a legitimate need again if you have it under control and think you can stop when there is no more need - no one should have to be in pain! OTC drugs might work for you but they don't for me however give them a try first. Also, God does test us - remember God telling Abraham to sacrifice his son Issac to see if he would obey God at any cost? However God is a merciful God and told us to do things in moderation. The issue is the control factor and only you can know yourself. God bless you!

[ElaineMaine091510]

Oh please don't drink or take the pills. Please you will regret it so bad. You've came this long DO NOT DO IT NOW! Your so strong for thing this far now get your mind right and think of how much your life has been better since being sober. YOU CAN DO THIS

[hope4good]

Congrats on 21 days.  I know what you are going through.  When I was about a month clean I got the flu.  I was more achy than when I detoxed.  It was horrible and the thought crossed my mind to take a pill.  Thank god I didn't.  Just tell yourself you won't be sick forever but if you take a pill you will keep taking them even though you are better.  You can tough through this.  Good luck to you.

[atthebeach]

Congrats on 21 days

[atthebeach]

Hey my friend . I hope and pray all is well. The chains and bondage of addiction are being broken. Don't listen to the lies in your head. God doesn't test. The enemy does. Stay strong . You don't have pills do you ?
Have you gone back to meetings yet?
Keep up the good work. Life on its terms. Yes we get sick sometimes.
Praying for strength,
Debbie

[killerzoey]

Oh--and CONGRATULATIONS! 7 years / 20 days is HUGE!

[killerzoey]

Yeah...don't do that. Think it through. Take a Tylenol. Or an Ibuprofen. Take a Tylenol PM! Or an Advil PM! But don't take a pill and then think, "In for a penny, in for a pound!"

I'm pretty sick with a bad cold, have been for days. I'm weeks off hydros and Tramadol. Yeah, it's no fun. But you know what? It's cold and flu season! Welcome to normal :)

Hoping you think it through. Don't give up everything you have for a moment of weakness.