[mamie]

Hi,

I am a Norco user and am in a dual recovery program after relapsing about 3 -4 times. I have been in agony. I took up to 15 pills a day, plus xanax to ease my anxiety. I have chronic migraines and panic disorder. I was prescribed too many pills by my doctors, and then they added on xanax - which is a much worse withdrwawal. Anyway, I an coping , but I still want to use. I have pain still and feel it somehow unfair to be completely abstinate -- but it is necessary. Being an RX junkie seems a little less "evil" than going out on the streets and obtaining it. I feel, to some extent, the doctors are to blame. Anyway, the withdrawals are miserable and I don't want to go there again. I am considering Suboxone to help with the cravings? Does anyone know much about Suboxone? I don't want to relapse, but I have constant anxiety, and want to use. It takes all of my will to NOT use. I am a mother of a 5-year old, with a supportive husband and I am former journalist and editor -- I don't want my life to go down the tubes. I am angry about the whole situation. I just want to feel well -- out of pain and without anxiety. It is so hard to drum up the energy to do what comes neturally to normal people - doing the dishes, cooking, etc. Please help with words of wisdom or support or anything.

Mamie

[zippysgoddess]

Many people are raving about Suboxone and have had good results with it. If you look around these forums, you will find a ton of information on it.

verwon@gmail.com

My information is not guaranteed correct. I do not get them right all the time, but I do enjoy the hunt~

[laup]

mamie,

I was taking 30-60 norco a day and started suboxone last Saturday. I'm on my 5th day. Other than having to be in withdrawl when you start taking it, which you might already be in I have had very little side affects. I'm really surprised how easy its been. Read the boards however, not everyone has had the same experience. Some have reported having a bad time on it. I can only tell you mine hasn't been too bad. Hope that helps.

[bsolem]

Dear Marmie,

I am a RX addict as well. You don’t need to hear my war stories, but I assure you it was bad. I was about to lose everything including my family when I entered a 28 day treatment program in February 2003. I can’t tell you how to get through the beginning of sobriety, because I am not completely sure how I did it.

One day at a time, HAH! I asked to get through the next minute. String those minutes into an hour, the hours turn into a day, days into a week, weeks into a month and months into a year. Don’t get too far ahead of your self, take it all in small pieces and forgive yourself, even if others never will.

I have been sober for twenty-one months now and I want you to know that it does get easier with time. Of the seventy plus peers that I went through treatment with, five of us have made this far without relapse. Each has done it differently, but we all had one thing in common. In treatment, when they told us 7% would make it a year without relapse, in our minds, we each claimed one of those spots for ourselves.

I am not against all RX. I still see a Psychiatrist and take antidepressants daily. Regarding Suboxone, I know the AAer’s don’t believe in it and say it is the elusive “softer and easier way.” Most hardcore AAer's don't believe in anything outside of the book and the Program.

If there was a medication that cured addiction, there would be no need for treatment programs. The only addicts would be those so sick that they didn’t want to get better.

However, if you think Suboxone works and believe in it, it does. If you think it makes withdrawal easier, it does. Who cares how you get through it, as long as you do.

When I was an active addict I was as bad as can be. Everything in my life revolved aroud drugs. I would like to share my story and help any way I can. Please send me an email at speedfasthub@yahoo.com.

Do whatever you have to do to get through the first few months and it will get easier. I promise!

One Minute at a Time,
Brian

[bsolem]

Mamie,

Sorry about getting your name wrong.

Brian