Mentally recovering from opiate abuse

[Tmb95]

I have been on and off painkillers for a few years now. The first few times the physical withdrawals seemed to be the worst part for me, but now I can seem to take the physical aspect but the mental issues I have when I am off pills makes me going back for more after a a few days or even a week of not taking them! I feel stuck like I can never feel happy or function in normal life without the pills helping me. Please help...

[Tmb95]

I went to an NA meeting yesterday! It helped me a lot! Cannot wait to go to more!

[michael1953296]

really give the amino acids a try. Many of them are brain food and stimulants in a natural way. They have the ability to hit some of the transmitters that work with endorphins.
Michael

"from the Thomas Recipe"
At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up  and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help.

[Tmb95]

Thank u all I was very happy to see people commenting and actually caring enough to help me! I am going to my first NA meeting tomorrow and am anxious yet excited too. I want to write so much more and I am going to a little later tonight when I have more time, but just wanted to through a big thanks out there for the support and if anyone has any pointers for the NA meeting please let me know :-) cya all soon...

[Jimmy1975]

Good response to TMb's post . I too was taking just 30mgs but Vicodin witch is not as strong but I was doing the same exact thing you were . God does it grow old ! Congrats on your success also ...Jimmy

[Farmgal40]

sorry TMB to "attach" on to your post...but I had just posted one also, of how bad it is for me (day 20) with the depression aspect - the anxeity seems to have subsided, but exactly like you said - I felt "flat" if I didnt' take it (and I wasn't on much tramadol, but I had to have it every single day to function)
I agree with Overwhelmed - you think its the pill that is making every day ok, then they TURN ON YOU and take your energy, and I also was obsessed with the counting, when the  next Rx was coming, etc.
   I can't really give too much advise since I am still in the feeling YUK stage mentally - but stay on here! keep posting, keep reading - I was really down today - horribly - and coming on here helped as always and gives us the power to keep going!

[Jimmy1975]

Hi there and I am sorry you're having a tough time . Listen I know right now you think this is a permanent condition but it is not I promise you ! All of us went through this and we all know it is not fun . It took me about 60 days before the mental withdrawals really started to subside but they did an they will for you too . Try and keep busy and stay on the boards . You will function just fine without them I promise it just takes a little time and you will have your life back ..Jimmy

[Overwhelmed10]

Hello,
I was same way. Not. Huge habit, but 30 mg Percocet a day and I was "set."  But then they turned on me and took my energy away and I was obsessed with the counting, will I get prescribed more- do I have them in my purse when I leave...all that.  So tiring, as I'm sure you know.  Like the above posters said, it does take time.  You just have to make your mind up to do it.  I relapsed a couple times before I just realized I had to stick to it.  If I can do it, a big baby, lol, anyone can.  Best of luck and keep posting...we are rooting for ya.   :)

[ROSYouralright]

If you hang in and hold on you WILL begin to feel alive without the pesky pills. It often times takes more than a week tho. The best gift you can give yourself is TIME TO HEAL without the pills... Best things come to those who wait. Set your mind to it and get busy living a pill free life. YOU CAN DO IT..

[Tmb95]

Thank u! I haven't tried counseling yet but did look up meetings and am thinking of going there, I just hesitate because of my anxiety.  When I go to a dr and tell them what's going on they basically tell me just give it time. I have been prescribed celexa which seems to help somewhat. My dad has chronic pain and no matter what I tell him he always seems to keep his pain pills laying around where I can see or get to them...I just want to be able to walk past a Vicodin again and not want to swallow it.  My mood is just so flat when I don't have some kind of opiate in me.  I don't even take much maybe 15-30 mg of hydrocodone a day, it just that little bump I need to make me feel alive...

[toothfairie]

Hi and welcome!  yes the mental part is sometimes harder than the physical...our brains receptors are not getting what they are used to and they will scream at you to take another pill..but you can't give in...they will even out eventually and you will feel better. Have you tried counseling or any type of aftercare to help with the mental part?  keep busy, watch funny movies or listen to music...stay busy and try to keep your mind occupied...exercise or walk, as much as you feel you can...that will help also..just hang in there...also if you cut ALL your sources out, they won't be there to tempt you...maybe talk to your doctor about this..they can help you plan this out...good luck and it will be so worth it for you!!  more people will be along to give you some advice and support....it might be a little while since it's late.  hang tight.