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1198664 tn?1368647812

People who have stayed clean a long time I have some questions.

First and foremost I have not caved or anything like that or am not thinking about it I just have some questions that have crossed my mind. Those that have a year or more when you claim your time lets say its 2 years, are you saying that you have not touched ANYTHING in this time? For example lets say your doc was oxy. If you quit oxy and claim 5 years are you saying that in 5 years or 2 or whatever your time is that you have not had ANY opioids in that time or just not OXY'S and just not when not prescribed. Would you count dental work with a prescription followd to the t and not abused? Would you count that? Or how about chronic back pain people.  Lets say you really abused your patch or high levels of pain killers and you had 1 year and then totally wicked out your back. If you had to see a dr and had to take pain meds for a while would you still claim your time or would you start over?
How about one slip in a few years. Would you reset it then even though it was just one slip?
Just some thinking I was doing. Like I said I didn't slip its just a curiosity on how people count their time. IMO I believe even with a script you should reset your time. But that's just me.
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1269044 tn?1393189903
I wasn't trying to fight, sorry if it came off that way.
This really is a subject that is beyond tricky.
I'd say majority of the times if an addict hurts themselves minor or major they don't need anything more than Advil. But there is a small chance they might need more. But that situation needs to be thought out extremely carefully before acting.
I'll never touch them again unless I have a bone hanging out and who knows maybe not even then. Hopefully, Gods grace I'll never be brought to that road.
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Avatar universal
I only have 11 months, but want to share that I stand with atthebeach on this one. For people like me, pain is far easier to deal with than opiates. I am convinced I would be dead within a year of taking narcotics. This is very subjective, but opiates flip a switch in my brain that makes it impossible to take them as prescribed. I've never felt pain like methadone detox, not even close. If they gave me opiates while in the hospital, I'd likely be okay, but having them in my house would kill me. I found the stash when my wife was helping me taper. I don't care about the exact amount of clean time I have. There is only today, so I wouldn't have to start over counting. I guess the trick is "know thyself." And be careful. I would never tell someone else not to take their legit meds, but I know me well enough now. Great past.
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1235186 tn?1656987798
I know Tylenol 3/ with codeine. my point was he only used 3 or 4 as a 13 yr. old and didn't use it long term.  I understand everyone has a different tolerance to pain.
but yes I have seen many times on here when they bump their knee only one week into their "recovery" and get meds.
I am not looking to fight about this. I have been on this board for over three years, help addicts in my community, have a recovering son, daughter and husband who are addicts. I have loads of compassion for addicts.
I am just calling it as I see it many, many times, yes on these boards.
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Avatar universal
I don't think we are standing on a fine line. I think that at the center of our being, most of us know the difference between normal and addictive behavior. If you're in some horrible accident (like missmomma with the crushed tailbone) or need surgery, taking meds as recommended doesn't change your clean date. It should be a last resort (as it is for normal people) when other more conservative measures don't work. Now, if you have a "sore pinky toe" and are doctor shopping for 5 different bottles of opioids that's a different story. If something comes up, discuss it with your doctor, discuss it with your sponsor, etc. it's not the drugs that make us addicts, it's the BEHAVIOR.
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1269044 tn?1393189903
Tylenol 3 is a narcotic. Weak but a narcotic.
Addict or not it's ridiculous to be in extreme pain. I'm of the opinion as long as you have help from a doctor, spouse anyone trust worthy to hold the meds. Like others stated above there is a distinct difference between abusing and using to help.
Is it a very fine line an addict is standing on?  Yes very serious too. But I'll take my chances over lying there in pain.
Obviously I'm only referring to extreme pain. Not I
Bumped my knee on the coffee table.

But no matter what I say or anyone else says this is a very objective position. Each persons pain tolerance is different. No I'm not looking for an excuse to use.
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1235186 tn?1656987798
i don't want to offend anyone but I just want to be real about this. I just wanted to say that I think if someone wants to use they will look for a reason to get a "legal" script. I am not an addict so I don't have those obsessive thoughts.
I just know that I have had a few root canals and crowns done through the years, i just had one done a few weeks ago. did it hurt yep. I never asked for a script and they never offered one.
I would take a otc meds and be a bit uncomfortable for a few days. I have sprained, strained and hurt myself many times and I don't have the thought of getting narcotics. I use pain sprays, heating pads, ice, rest, otc meds.

I am sorry I really don't mean to hurt anyones feelings but if you want to find a reason to use a "legal" script I guess you could find them.
if you want to remain clean and not wake up the beast inside you then you will find alternate ways to manage minimal pain.

of course this doesn't apply to surgeries.

y son who is 13 fell during tricks on his skateboard in December he said my arm hurts no big deal. the elbow area  was swollen and he wasn't moving it that good. he didn't want to go to the ER. the next morning we went, he had broken the ulna pretty bad, definitely not a clean break. very close to needing surgery. he was a trooper, he only asked the 3 or 4 of the Tylenol 3's that was it. he managed without narcotics.

please change your way of thinking.
much love,debbie
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