Question for opiate users

[Steve L]

I was just wondering, based on many posts I have read, if opiate users have a tendency to become high dose benzo dependents once they conquer their opiate addiction? I know this is true for some but certainly not for all. I'm just trying to learn more about opiate addiction ( NO I'm not considering using!) so that I may be more helpful and knowledgeable in the future. God Bless, Steve

[Marce4]

Hi Steve...you sound much better...I'm so glad!  I think from an addict's perspective we are all prone to get hooked on anything that alters our perception and makes us feel better. I did take Xanax when I was in the height of w/d because I felt as though I was having a breakdown/anxiety but fortunately, I hated how tired they made me so I only used them for a few days!  Helped me sleep at night.  I just think we need to be very careful with ANY substance. Alcohol included.  I truly believe that once an addict, always an addict so we need to be extra vigilant with any mind altering substance.

Peace,
Marcie:)

[liscamdave]

Ditto.....we love ya!!!

[Steve L]

Love you all right back!!

[marcatj]

... of course you are accepted. :-)   we were all so happy when you came back... don't ya ever think otherwise for a second..

have a blessed and beautiful day,
:)
mj

[oxysbliss]

I only read some of the post but as for your question..
Im an ex opitate user....and have had no need to take Benzo's...or any other meds...for pain or anxiety
I have coped with journalling, talking about where Im at..Staying in contact with good people...and try to keep a positve frame of mind..it works for me....
I have been an active member since Jan with slips here and there..and found that I dropped from....oxy's high dose to perks..and then just stopped that..as I wasnt using daily and not to get high..only for pain..when necessary, I haven't found that I have needed to take anythign though...I have pain days and some worse then other's yet I try very hard to take care of myself....with eating, sharing, writing, and exercise when I can

I hope that helps answer your question to some degree...I just cope the best way I can..without the use of drugs..Tho I have puffed here and there as well..I was a daily pot smoker..quit for a few weeks..and then back to occasionally...helps me eat..but is not a crutch as I refuse to go back there with it..Yet I know that.....there are alot of worse things I can do........so I try not to feel bad about it, just honest..
Happy Thoughts and Prayers..
Love
C

[Steve L]

Being acepted is such a wonderful feeling...thank you so much, am doing SO much better!

God Bless All of You,  Steve

[marcatj]

Honey!  NO!!  You ask anything you want...  some of us may have different opinions on stuff, but it doesn't mean we don't wish the absolute best for each other...

Ask away my brother.. and good to hear you feeling so.. good!

:)
mary

[liscamdave]

No offense taken at all sweetie. I just didn't understand your questions an thought I could be of some help. Well, my doctore gave me valium for anxiety when I detoxed off Oxy COntin. I was on a large amount of Oxy's so my anxiety was pretty bad, but I only took the valium as I needed it. If use is continued then, yes, you will become dependent on Benzo's and i heard the w/d is something fierce. Hope this helps....

Lisa

[tzt2lady]

Hi Steve, How have you been?
I dont know what the statistics are but am sure the research has been done.   From what I have experienced throughout quite a few years in recovery and then working with many addicts, I have not seen this occurence.  Opiate addicts like opiates.   Given that we have an addictive personality, Ive seen more of my peers who were once heroin addicts become addicted to gambling, sex, or food before getting hooked on benzos.    Of course, then there are those like myself AND my former counselor who get a couple of decades of recovery and then think we can take medication (duh, its an opiate, what were we thinking?) for legit pain and be in "control", thus becoming opiate dependent again.

So I guess I think it is of course possible but in my experience has not been probable.

Take care,
tzt

[Steve L]

First, doing so much better on my prescribed dose of meds.Thanks and God Bless you for caring enough to ask. And I didn't mean to offend or stir up controversy by asking this question...guess I shouldn't have posted this one, huh?  Steve

[marcatj]

Oh Beach.. you are starting to sound like Tom Cruise... :-)   In some instances, some people do need medications in pill form and it's not fair to make a blanket statement like that... be fair now, Mr. Beach.

Steve L - how ya doing otherwise these days, kiddo?  You feeling good and all that stuff?  It's good to "hear" you sounding strong and healthy... :-)

[beachtowel]

Because addicts need pills to live there lives.....

Recovery is about staying clean.......period.........

[GA Guy]

I never used them because I saw how klonopin affected my mother. I also knew that I have an addictive personality. That's one reason I tell people to use the benzos sparingly and not for more than 2 weeks. This is a question I've wondered myself.

[The_Sandman]

Not sure if the long term anxiety is a side effect of short or long term use.....I know I had minor withdraws once between scripts of NORCO (powerful vicodin- an opiate) that lasted maybe 3 days......the anxiety this last time was worse 2-3 days after stopping c/t and slowly resided..... but I believe a tapering schedule should be used first BEFORE quitting cold turkey - I think this is where one would avoid long term withdraw/side-effects including the anxiety.

It really depends on the person's brain chemistry really..... as soon as their brain realizes it's time to start working 'normal' again it's just a matter of time (depending on the person again) before their brain chemistry returns to normal.

BUT, as I have posted before in other threads: I believe that, in some cases, the brain fails to do so (get back to 'normal') and thus long term or chronic issues remain.

I suppose that is a risk one takes when developing a dependency on a drug that changes your brain chemistry so profoundly.

By the way, when I went to the doctor for some relief from withdraw symptoms....he game me benzo ------ HATED IT! thats just me....made me feel like jello and did not seem to help the anxiety.....I was still anxious (prolly not as bad as if I was not using it) ... but was too warped to use this angst for anything productive - you see - so I stopped using it after 2-3 days. I lost a whole week of work .......and still ended up back on a taper schedule (on now) which is working for me.

Honestly, I can't see how one would get addicted to benzo......blah.

S.

[Steve L]

Umm, didn't mean to be confusing  sorry!! It's just that I see alot of posts where opiate withdrawl causes so much long term anxiety that some have mentioned developing a benzo habit. Again, didn't mean to confuse or offend.  Steve

[liscamdave]

I am a three year 1200mg oxy addict, now 66 days clean. Can you be a little more specific in your question, I dont quite understand it?

Lisa

[oneway]

honestly I don't think it is a high rate but If you do take them when your dope sic I could see it easily happening.