Did They know?

[Tom86]

Im just curious.  We all worry so much when we come clean to our family and friends about our drug useage.  We all really think that no one knows.  How many of us told our loved ones what was going on and they already knew?  I was suprised when I sat my wife and parents down for "the talk" and they already knew.  Please share with me your reactions you recieved.  Many new addicts here are so afraid of telling our loved ones.  In reality they have seen the elephant in the room for a while now.  Its so uncomfortable to talk about but when it comes out how did they react?  Tom

[Danny111]

It's funny that you mention the memory issues.  I was having those too and I actually went to a fricking neurologist to make sure I wasn't have early onset dementia or something.

Of course she said everything was fine and I never bothered to mention that I was high most of the time.

[NeverAgain127]

I was a pretty high functioning person while on oxycodone.  It took away my pain (until it didn't) and allowed me to work 12-14 hour days in commission-only sales.   Brutal work.   I achieved a lot, and then crashed when the drugs stopped working, and I refused to up my level (my doctor was more than happy to give me script for a higher dose...but I've worked in the healthcare field for 20 years and I knew where i was heading, so I said NO.)

Did people know?  Sure, but mostly because I told them.  My friends were noticing that I was having memory issues, and I was straight up about it...got tested, and told everyone "I think it's the pain killers I'm taking."  

I'm not trying to sound like I'm better than anyone else...but I honestly thought that since I DID have legitimate medical issues (degenerative disk disease, esophagitis, costochondritis, just to name a few) and my own doctor was prescribing me these pills, why should I feel embarrassed or ashamed?

It is a simple biological fact:  You ingest a drug with high potential for addition for long enough, and YUP, you will develop a dependency.  I'm still struggling to understand the difference between dependency and addiction.

When I wanted to stop, I just decided, and I told everyone...friends, family, and clients.  I had the shakes for a good 3 months so I just told the truth.  Here is the shocking part:  At least 3/4 of the folks I came clean with shared that they had addiction issues themselves, or HAD, or knew a family member who did.  

It's such an enormously common problem.  We think we are alone, but we're not.  The whole world is taking pain killers.  

[motye51]

No suprise in my household either.....they all knew. My husband i knew he knew but i really thought i hid ot from my kids. What a joke! When i sat them down to tell them i was in trouble and was going to detox at home off of subs they were all very happy. Also, they rallied around me to ensure my success! They took care of my home and the shopping and cooking etc, while i was down! My family was fantastic....and they knew the whole time!
BTW....when i picked up my one year key tag from n/a my husband, 4 kids, 2 of their spouses and my parents ALL showed up!

[dominosarah]

Good post!!

It was no surprise to my family at all.  They knew something was up.  I thought i was so good at hiding my addiction and only i was the one fooled.  There were so many questions and at that time i didnt know how to respond.  I felt backed into a corner, all the lies and deceit were coming out.  At the same time it was the biggest relief i had ever experienced.  My family was angry and rightfully so.  Today is a different story.  We deal with our emotions, we are open and honest.