Addicted to prescription drugs...help.

flos1964

Im sorry to say this but im addicted to my pain drugs...have been taking way more than the prescribed amount and have tried to cut amount down but cant handle the chronic withdrawl symptoms....dont want to start the new year like the last....would welcome advice please...desperate to quit.

Unfortunately no one here can give you medical advice your best bet is to make an appointment as soon as possible with your GP they will be able to help you gradually reduce the dosage of painkillers.

Foweva Awone

flos1964 wrote: »

Im sorry to say this but im addicted to my pain drugs...have been taking way more than the prescribed amount and have tried to cut amount down but cant handle the chronic withdrawl symptoms....dont want to start the new year like the last....would welcome advice please...desperate to quit.

GP would be your first step. And if you have health insurance, I'd recommend giving St Patricks Hospital a call. If you don't have health insurance, your GP would be best placed to advise you on the next steps.

Make sure you seek medical advice before attempting to detox.

Foweva Awone

flos1964 wrote: »

Im sorry to say this but im addicted to my pain drugs...have been taking way more than the prescribed amount and have tried to cut amount down but cant handle the chronic withdrawl symptoms....dont want to start the new year like the last....would welcome advice please...desperate to quit.

GP would be your first step. And if you have health insurance, I'd recommend giving St Patricks Hospital a call. If you don't have health insurance, your GP would be best placed to advise you on the next steps.

Make sure you seek medical advice before attempting to detox.

Make appointment with GP and as someone suggested enquire with St Patrick’s. The prescribing doctor has a responsibility here. Certain medications should just not be prescribed long term, except in a palliative medicine situation where you are carefully monitored to get optimum benefit. If you still have chronic pain you are not coping with, an appointment with a pain management specialist would be appropriate.

You will get through this, with a very gradual reduction in dosage so your body will adjust nicely. First port of call: GP

flos1964

Deleted User wrote: »

Make appointment with GP and as someone suggested enquire with St Patrick’s. The prescribing doctor has a responsibility here. Certain medications should just not be prescribed long term, except in a palliative medicine situation where you are carefully monitored to get optimum benefit. If you still have chronic pain you are not coping with, an appointment with a pain management specialist would be appropriate.

You will get through this, with a very gradual reduction in dosage so your body will adjust nicely. First port of call: GP

My doctor did not know i was getting extra elsewhere ....he has been very supportive with my pain...am on waiting list for tallaght pain management but i have another year to wait...thanks everyone for replies...i know i have been a fool but after years of pain they made my life bearable again and i slipped into trap...i never knew the pain and blurring in my head could be so bad and i just cant do the detox....once again thanks everbody ...its been a help .

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flos1964 wrote: »

Im sorry to say this but im addicted to my pain drugs...have been taking way more than the prescribed amount and have tried to cut amount down but cant handle the chronic withdrawl symptoms....dont want to start the new year like the last....would welcome advice please...desperate to quit.

It's more common than you would imagine, be totally honest with your GP and go from there.

Not covering this up any more is a huge step to take so well done.

Make sure you get medical support and best of luck.

flos1964

Went to see my gp but he is away for the week...contacted a clinic in dublin who treat outpatients and the gp phoned me and said i need to be given a treatment called suboxone and brought down gradually ...but he said its post code dependent ...something like that and he cant do it...told me to contact my local drug and alcohol clinic and i did but all they could do was place me on a waiting list to talk to a counsellor...contacted various clinics ...couldnt possibly afford those prices...can anybody advise me please...feeling hopeless.

Foweva Awone

flos1964 wrote: »

Went to see my gp but he is away for the week...contacted a clinic in dublin who treat outpatients and the gp phoned me and said i need to be given a treatment called suboxone and brought down gradually ...but he said its post code dependent ...something like that and he cant do it...told me to contact my local drug and alcohol clinic and i did but all they could do was place me on a waiting list to talk to a counsellor...contacted various clinics ...couldnt possibly afford those prices...can anybody advise me please...feeling hopeless.

Would you consider attending an NA or Lifering meeting if there is one in your area? You might find some good support there, as well as information about local services.

Where in the country are you based, can I ask?

flos1964

Foweva Awone wrote: »

Would you consider attending an NA or Lifering meeting if there is one in your area? You might find some good support there, as well as information about local services.

Where in the country are you based, can I ask?

No problem...im outside tullamore.

flos1964

Foweva Awone wrote: »

Would you consider attending an NA or Lifering meeting if there is one in your area? You might find some good support there, as well as information about local services.

Where in the country are you based, can I ask?

No problem...im outside tullamore.

Geminigal

Well done on admitting to yourself you need a change and for posting here.

A lot of the drug and alcohol supports are closed for Xmas but I think most will reopen on 2nd January and you could link in with them then for support and guidance on next steps??

I agree that getting to an narcotics anonymous NA meeting would be a good idea if you feel you need the support immediately. If you are feeling hopeless and are a risk to yourself get yourself to A&E.

I truly hope 2020 is a good pain free year for you

flos1964

Geminigal wrote: »

Well done on admitting to yourself you need a change and for posting here.

A lot of the drug and alcohol supports are closed for Xmas but I think most will reopen on 2nd January and you could link in with them then for support and guidance on next steps??

I agree that getting to an narcotics anonymous NA meeting would be a good idea if you feel you need the support immediately. If you are feeling hopeless and are a risk to yourself get yourself to A&E.

I truly hope 2020 is a good pain free year for you

Thanks...not a risk to myself...would just like to get going with recovery, meet someone who understands, physically do something to help...will keep an eye out for services...thanks again.

JMMCapital

Stay away from benzos and heroin. Please seek advice from GP, Best of luck 2020 is your year!

flos1964

JMMCapital wrote: »

Stay away from benzos and heroin. Please seek advice from GP, Best of luck 2020 is your year!

Thanks J ...have appointment with my doctor for monday...not looking forward to telling him i have been deceiving him but will just have to bite the bullet...just want these headaches out of my head...once again thanks again to everyone, it really has helped enormously.

Foweva Awone

flos1964 wrote: »

Thanks J ...have appointment with my doctor for monday...not looking forward to telling him i have been deceiving him but will just have to bite the bullet...just want these headaches out of my head...once again thanks again to everyone, it really has helped enormously.

Honestly he'd be an absolute rubbish doctor if he takes it personally and thinks you've been deceitful - addiction is far bigger than any of us.

If you are willing to consider residential care, I would strongly recommend Coolmine. It is affordable and accessible to anyone, no matter where in the country you are or what drugs you've been using. The only caveat is that you need to be detoxed before going in. However, do keep it in mind, if you're still struggling once you've been detoxed.

Well done on taking the first step by realising that you need help. Addiction is not a sign of weakness, but making the decision to recover takes enormous strength and honesty. Wishing you all the best!