Nurofen Plus

[sohhs29]

I am a returning member to this forum. I went through ct 2 years ago and am now doing it again. I am up to day 5 ct and it is crap. I know what to expect so this is nothing new. What i would like to know is how the hell do I stay off these things.

[clean_in_ks]

Glad you found the info helpful...however, I'm not sure I understand what you are saying in your last post?
Is it that you learned/realized that "once an addict...always an addict"?
That your brain chemistry truly IS different than a non-addicts?
Just because the statistics show "relapse" is a fairly common occurrence with addicts...doesn't mean all addicts DO relapse.  As you said you have relapsed 3x and yet you continue to take new steps each time to insure your success THIS time.  That's what's important.....you have informed all your chemists.....you are getting some aftercare.....and you aren't hidiing your addiction.....that's quite a formula for success in my book~
You go girl......don't overload your head.....the info was only meant to help you understand yourself.....not to confuse you or give you a sense of dread.

[sohhs29]

I've just had a look at the links you gave me. tHANKS so much for giving me the information I really need.

I am a bit emotional at the moment because I am reading about brain functions being altered and stuff like that. It has made me jolt and think, what the hell have I done to myself?  Surely if I decide I am not going to take codeine anymore, my brain isn't going to stuff me up by saying sorry, you are now programmed to relapse..... what am I up against? I am sad because I just realised what I have done to myself. Apparently it is normal for addicts to relapse once. I have 3 times. WTF?

[sohhs29]

Oh and btw thank you so much for giving me the links - I am going to watch them, I just couldn't do it at work so will do it at home. I am sorry for raving on, I am just thinking out loud. sometimes it helps to put words on paper.....

Hope everyone else on the forum is doing well.....

[sohhs29]

Hi there, to answer your question, yes, I think what you have said is what he was getting at, I guess I was just thinking out loud in my last post, because tbh, I can't really put my finger on any past experience that may have caused me to numb the pain, not to say there isn't one but to me, I don't see any defining moment. I guess further sessions will make things clearer. Again, tbh, I just think I liked the feeling of being high....it made everyday life easier ......

I have used many drugs in the past, but none of them got me to the point of addiction where I couldn't do without it (like Nurofen Plus did). I only ever used them in social situations like parties etc. They NEVER ran my life.

It is bizarre that things that were illegal I could handle, but something as basic as an otc pain killer did me in...... anyway, needless to say I don't do anything anymore, except for an occasional social drink.

I am stoked to be where I am today and look forward to a much more sober therefore happy future.........

Time will tell why I have done the things I have I guess......

[clean_in_ks]

34 DAYS NOW?????  Good on ya!!!!

Usually that first appt with a drug counselor is full of questions....getting your background and history, etc.  And unfortunately, a lot of that appt can be "eaten up" with getting down the basics.  It's hard for me to imagine a drug counselor asking YOU what makes you an addict.  I mean if the drug counselor is "worth their salt" they will understand that the brain chemistry of addicts is TRULY different than non-addicts.  It can even be proven by brain images on an MRI.  Is is possible he was asking you about some past experiences in your life that created trauma or deep hurt...and implying that you may have sought drugs to "numb" that pain?

If you want to know more about addiction....here's a web site that I really love for explaining addiction:

http://www.hbo.com/addiction/

There are six tabs at the top of that site.  Understanding Addiction is the first one.  If you click on it, many articles below will "open"...and you can then read each one.  As you click on each one....short videos will even be available to view on the right hand side of each article topic.  
The "Understanding Addiction" tab is chock-full of good information, but so are the other tabs/topics at the top....like "Stigma & Discrimination".

Hope that helps....congrats on 34 days....even tho you've made it to 60 before......sounds like you're really doing things different this time....good for you!!!!!

[sohhs29]

I am feeling stronger and stronger each day. Had my first appt with drug counsellor and it was okay. He asked me a lot of questions I didn't know the answer to.... does anyone really know why they become addicted, and why others don't?

I really don't know the answer to why I have been troubled by this in the past few years........ I guess I need to find out......