How Many of you guys / gals

[gymguy30]

How many of you are prescribed controlled substances even though you have had a history of substance abuse in your chart in the PAST not Present moment. Like I have had a history of substance abuse but thankfully my doctor trust me enough to still prescribe me the meds I need given that I pass my drug test every month and pill counts (if he thinks they are needed) etc. Just wondering. I love the engagement from you guys

 

[dobbyonket]

I was prescribed methylphenidate and dexamphetamine despite having a history of addiction and substance abuse, no drug tests required. Short term I've been prescribed zopiclone but aside from that nothing else, doctors are very very iffy about pain meds with me.

 

[Helpmeescapethis]

I was prescribed methylphenidate and dexamphetamine despite having a history of addiction and substance abuse, no drug tests required. Short term I've been prescribed zopiclone but aside from that nothing else, doctors are very very iffy about pain meds with me.

Did you have to take the ADHD exam prior to being prescribed these drugs? Just curious.

 

[gymguy30]

I was prescribed methylphenidate and dexamphetamine despite having a history of addiction and substance abuse, no drug tests required. Short term I've been prescribed zopiclone but aside from that nothing else, doctors are very very iffy about pain meds with me.

I don’t get prescribed pain meds ! But I do get prescribed Subutex and klonopins thank god

 

[dobbyonket]

Did you have to take the ADHD exam prior to being prescribed these drugs? Just curious.

Yeah, I had to be diagnosed with ADHD. When I got diagnosed at first they couldn't prescribe because I was in active addiction and very underweight due to an eating disorder. I ended up going back a couple years later and they were all good, but I did already have the ADHD diagnosis and they were stringent on monitoring how you responded to the drugs.

 

[Deleted member 576750]

I think it depends on the Dr and the medication

I believe current clinical recommendations are to ensure ADHD patients get their meds even with active/past addiction because it prevents them from looking for treatment "elsewhere"

 

[gymguy30]

I think it depends on the Dr and the medication

I believe current clinical recommendations are to ensure ADHD patients get their meds even with active/past addiction because it prevents them from looking for treatment "elsewhere"

I’ve got addiction in my charts and knock on wood my doc has no problem treating me with the same dosages etc he would someone who wasn’t a recovering addict. Pretty awesome. ! So thankful that there are some docs out there that actually listen to us and treat us like human beings instead of after a couple fuck ups they cut someone off of medications that help them tremendously.

 

[evo4ever]

I've got a past addiction to Cocaine and my doctor still prescribes me Oxycodone and Pregabalin. Luckily in the UK there are no urine tests, contracts, or pill counts

 

[ageingpartyfiend]

Yeah, I had to be diagnosed with ADHD. When I got diagnosed at first they couldn't prescribe because I was in active addiction and very underweight due to an eating disorder. I ended up going back a couple years later and they were all good, but I did already have the ADHD diagnosis and they were stringent on monitoring how you responded the drugs.

They don't mind giving users adhd meds due to the fact that self medicating is pretty much a symptom of the disorder (It's surprising when people present with adhd who are not / have not been self medicating even)

 

[pixies+]

I was given adderall because I had a cocaine addiction. My doctor tends to have a bit of an “unpopular” opinion amongst other physicians. He also stopped treating me based on labels and was the first that treated my symptoms. Meeting him has been life changing.

I was never formally diagnosed with adhd. I have been diagnosed with OCD, anxiety, and depression. However… everything that came out of my mouth suggested that it’s something I’ve dealt with since I was a child. Some form of OCD/ADHD all wrapped up in a fun ball of debilitating anxieties, routines, sadness, and organized disorganization.

One of his first questions to me was how cocaine made me feel. I said “like my mind and the world made sense for the first time.” Which was true.. until of course, it wasn’t. But you get the idea. Adderall played a significant role in managing my O’s and C’s (along with therapy, exercise, and certain substances).
It also helped soothe some of my anxieties, allowing me to focus and helped me get things done.

Not a magic fix, but part of the tools I use to manage symptoms.

 

[pixies+]

They don't mind giving users adhd meds due to the fact that self medicating is pretty much a symptom of the disorder (It's surprising when people present with adhd who are not / have not been self medicating even)

This is the logic my doctor uses. It makes a ton of sense. I had no idea I was doing it. And the fact that ADHD often presents itself differently between girls and boys. Girls tend not to have the classic “jumping off the walls” type of behaviours that boys seem to have. I was always physically active, but my mind was far more hyperactive in a way that was physically uncomfortable at times.

One of my biggest symptoms on the OCD side of things is ruminating thoughts. A psychologist I met with in my early 20s noticed every time I explained a ruminating thought, I would shake my head and rub my eyes and face (I did this to try to make the thoughts go away because they made me feel sick but I didn’t realize how often I would do it when I was by myself). My legs or feet moved non stop without me being aware I was doing it. And he pointed out how I would touch both sides of every finger on each side (to make it ‘even’) while I would listen to him. He caught a few other little ‘quirks’.

When he first asked how many hours a day I spent doing things of that nature I think I said something like an hour?
When I got home and caught myself doing ‘quirky’ things, I began to realize that my life revolved around me doing that stuff. They weren’t just quirks. They were intentional things I had to do to make myself feel ‘safe’ and ‘even’. Not doing them made me wildly uncomfortable. I did this stuff in an attempt to keep bad things from happening.

None of that stuff is outrageous by any means. I just had no idea how much of my energy I was spending each day on doing things like that. And it was exhausting, to say the least.

Cocaine smoothed those things out. Alcohol soothed me. Opioids relaxed me. Benzos made the panic ease off. Sleeping pills allowed me to close my eyes for a few hours.

All those substances served a very real purpose for me until addiction ultimately took over and I was killing myself while trying to save myself.

Humans are weird lol

 

[Deleted member 576750]

This is the logic my doctor uses. It makes a ton of sense. I had no idea I was doing it. And the fact that ADHD often presents itself differently between girls and boys. Girls tend not to have the classic “jumping off the walls” type of behaviours that boys seem to have. I was always physically active, but my mind was far more hyperactive in a way that was physically uncomfortable at times.

One of my biggest symptoms on the OCD side of things is ruminating thoughts. A psychologist I met with in my early 20s noticed every time I explained a ruminating thought, I would shake my head and rub my eyes and face (I did this to try to make the thoughts go away because they made me feel sick but I didn’t realize how often I would do it when I was by myself). My legs or feet moved non stop without me being aware I was doing it. And he pointed out how I would touch both sides of every finger on each side (to make it ‘even’) while I would listen to him. He caught a few other little ‘quirks’.

When he first asked how many hours a day I spent doing things of that nature I think I said something like an hour?
When I got home and caught myself doing ‘quirky’ things, I began to realize that my life revolved around me doing that stuff. They weren’t just quirks. They were intentional things I had to do to make myself feel ‘safe’ and ‘even’. Not doing them made me wildly uncomfortable. I did this stuff in an attempt to keep bad things from happening.

None of that stuff is outrageous by any means. I just had no idea how much of my energy I was spending each day on doing things like that. And it was exhausting, to say the least.

Cocaine smoothed those things out. Alcohol soothed me. Opioids relaxed me. Benzos made the panic ease off. Sleeping pills allowed me to close my eyes for a few hours.

All those substances served a very real purpose for me until addiction ultimately took over and I was killing myself while trying to save myself.

Humans are weird lol

I think everything you wrote here would resonate with many people who found themselves using non prescribed substances, people are always going to look for ways to make themselves feel better in order to be functional or solve some other issue they may be having

sadly our mental healthcare system has stigmatized those of us who want to try and deal with our issues because accessing proper care is difficult and that ends up in a catch 22 because when people don't have access to healthcare many times they end up using what they can access. if the healthcare system learns about it, they're suddenly labeled as problematic and stigmatized by health care professionals

I'm so happy you found a physician who truly listens and cares, it honestly is life changing but unfortunately it isn't a very common experience

 

[pixies+]

I think everything you wrote here would resonate with many people who found themselves using non prescribed substances, people are always going to look for ways to make themselves feel better in order to be functional or solve some other issue they may be having

sadly our mental healthcare system has stigmatized those of us who want to try and deal with our issues because accessing proper care is difficult and that ends up in a catch 22 because when people don't have access to healthcare many times they end up using what they can access. if the healthcare system learns about it, they're suddenly labeled as problematic and stigmatized by health care professionals

I'm so happy you found a physician who truly listens and cares, it honestly is life changing but unfortunately it isn't a very common experience

Absolutely. I agree with every doctor that says exercise and diet are very important. 100%. But that’s not going to solve everything either. And as you said, people are always going to find things that make them feel better and take them.. regardless of its legality.

Healthcare is majorly fucked up pretty much everywhere. What a disgrace.
It’s painful to read about what so many people are going through these days. Not just ‘old’ people. People of all ages from all walks of life.
Of course there needs to be regulations and systems in place to keep people safe. We don’t need doctors giving a 30 day script of OxyContin for a sprained ankle. We also don’t need people suffering alone at home because their bodies are deteriorating from a lack of pain management. We went one way for a while, now we’re at the opposite side of that spectrum and shit seems to be A LOT worse.

There’s really nothing in the middle that anyone can think of? We can fly people around the earth in a spaceship just for fun - but we can’t come up with a healthcare system that’s based on medicine and logic? Oh throw some compassion in there too

Not just pain either.. everything. I really don’t see it being that hard. I’m only 38, but I don’t remember people dropping like flies from all the garbage drugs on the streets from say.. the 60s-2000s. Medications seemed to be handed out ‘liberally’. Were there issues? Of course. There’s always going to be issues.

Some people will always get addicted to whatever the hell the med is, be it for pain or anxiety or sleep. But I’d argue that most people take their prescriptions ‘properly’. Some drugs will cause unwanted or dangerous side effects. Some may have to be recalled. That’s life.

But it’s getting harder and harder to simply live. People should not have to lie in a hospital bed for weeks or months in extreme pain at the end of their lives because “drugs are bad”.

No one should be denied access to medications that work. Whatever the problem is that they need them for. It doesn’t make sense.

I’d rather die at 70 than live to 80, if it meant the medications I was prescribed allowed me to live a ‘happy’ and ‘productive’ life. Both words are subjective and mean something different to everyone. But I think my point is clear. I feel like it’s rational. Maybe it isn’t… who knows lol

And thank you. I realize I’m one of the ‘lucky’ and that’s sad (lol).

I’m prescribed 8mg subs (I want off) 45mg adderall, 15mg diazepam, 11.5mg zopiclone, and 0.4mg clonidine.

That helps cover my ocd/adhd, anxiety and insomnia. My depression is more about circumstance than it is chemical for me. It’s not a ton, but it gives me enough relief to get by and live my life.

 

[rentedbythehour]

It's in my medical records that I have a history of substance use. I have chronic migraines and fibromyalgia. I have been prescribed various controlled substance over the years, including oxycodone, Clonazepam, eszopiclone, methocarbamol, Ativan, etc. Over the course of 15 years or so, I've taken one drug test.

 

[deficiT]

Moved thread from BDD -----> DC

 

[pixies+]

It's in my medical records that I have a history of substance use. I have chronic migraines and fibromyalgia. I have been prescribed various controlled substance over the years, including oxycodone, Clonazepam, eszopiclone, methocarbamol, Ativan, etc. Over the course of 15 years or so, I've taken one drug test.

You lucky duck! Seriously. That’s kinda unheard of.

Because I’m prescribed suboxone, monthly urine tests are mandatory. Ive missed tons of them due to shit happening in life.

Some clinics would kick me out for missing one. I’ve found an incredible doctor that actually gives a fuck about addiction and mental health issues. He has his family practice, but spends two days a week at the recovery clinic.

Patients can go spend the day there if they wanted. They give 3 meals a day and someone to chat with. They have a tv room with couches and chairs, games, music and the nurses/social workers are there to chat with. It’s a warm atmosphere and the staff are lovely people.

The first place I was introduced to was not the same. It was a get in, piss, get out type place.
Both work, I suppose. One worked better for me.

 

[Deleted member 576750]

Absolutely. I agree with every doctor that says exercise and diet are very important. 100%. But that’s not going to solve everything either. And as you said, people are always going to find things that make them feel better and take them.. regardless of its legality.

Healthcare is majorly fucked up pretty much everywhere. What a disgrace.
It’s painful to read about what so many people are going through these days. Not just ‘old’ people. People of all ages from all walks of life.
Of course there needs to be regulations and systems in place to keep people safe. We don’t need doctors giving a 30 day script of OxyContin for a sprained ankle. We also don’t need people suffering alone at home because their bodies are deteriorating from a lack of pain management. We went one way for a while, now we’re at the opposite side of that spectrum and shit seems to be A LOT worse.

There’s really nothing in the middle that anyone can think of? We can fly people around the earth in a spaceship just for fun - but we can’t come up with a healthcare system that’s based on medicine and logic? Oh throw some compassion in there too

Not just pain either.. everything. I really don’t see it being that hard. I’m only 38, but I don’t remember people dropping like flies from all the garbage drugs on the streets from say.. the 60s-2000s. Medications seemed to be handed out ‘liberally’. Were there issues? Of course. There’s always going to be issues.

Some people will always get addicted to whatever the hell the med is, be it for pain or anxiety or sleep. But I’d argue that most people take their prescriptions ‘properly’. Some drugs will cause unwanted or dangerous side effects. Some may have to be recalled. That’s life.

But it’s getting harder and harder to simply live. People should not have to lie in a hospital bed for weeks or months in extreme pain at the end of their lives because “drugs are bad”.

No one should be denied access to medications that work. Whatever the problem is that they need them for. It doesn’t make sense.

I’d rather die at 70 than live to 80, if it meant the medications I was prescribed allowed me to live a ‘happy’ and ‘productive’ life. Both words are subjective and mean something different to everyone. But I think my point is clear. I feel like it’s rational. Maybe it isn’t… who knows lol

And thank you. I realize I’m one of the ‘lucky’ and that’s sad (lol).

I’m prescribed 8mg subs (I want off) 45mg adderall, 15mg diazepam, 11.5mg zopiclone, and 0.4mg clonidine.

That helps cover my ocd/adhd, anxiety and insomnia. My depression is more about circumstance than it is chemical for me. It’s not a ton, but it gives me enough relief to get by and live my life.

diet and exercise are incredibly important, you're right that they won't solve every problem for every person but just having nutritional deficiencies can cause a ton of issues and it can be nearly impossible to figure out what's really going on without a good baseline diet

I along with others I've noticed have had some issues disappear after getting nutritional stuff figured out, but its also really hard to address that stuff when you feel like crap all the time from whatever cause

 

[rentedbythehour]

You lucky duck! Seriously. That’s kinda unheard of.

Because I’m prescribed suboxone, monthly urine tests are mandatory. Ive missed tons of them due to shit happening in life.

Some clinics would kick me out for missing one. I’ve found an incredible doctor that actually gives a fuck about addiction and mental health issues. He has his family practice, but spends two days a week at the recovery clinic.

Patients can go spend the day there if they wanted. They give 3 meals a day and someone to chat with. They have a tv room with couches and chairs, games, music and the nurses/social workers are there to chat with. It’s a warm atmosphere and the staff are lovely people.

The first place I was introduced to was not the same. It was a get in, piss, get out type place.
Both work, I suppose. One worked better for me.

I think it's mainly because I didn't have to go to a pain clinic. My neurologist prescribed most of my meds. Psych prescribed the others. I was actually getting ativan and clonazepam at the same time from the same Dr. My neurologist stopped seeing patients in the office in order to alter his schedule. My primary care DR took over all of my scripts. I opted to stop the oxycodone a little over a year ago. I've actually felt better without it. I haven't had to sign contacts, take drug tests, do anything like that. I was even out of the state for over a year and they still prescribed my meds for me. It's crazy when you see how strict certain states are.

 

[rentedbythehour]

You lucky duck! Seriously. That’s kinda unheard of.

Because I’m prescribed suboxone, monthly urine tests are mandatory. Ive missed tons of them due to shit happening in life.

Some clinics would kick me out for missing one. I’ve found an incredible doctor that actually gives a fuck about addiction and mental health issues. He has his family practice, but spends two days a week at the recovery clinic.

Patients can go spend the day there if they wanted. They give 3 meals a day and someone to chat with. They have a tv room with couches and chairs, games, music and the nurses/social workers are there to chat with. It’s a warm atmosphere and the staff are lovely people.

The first place I was introduced to was not the same. It was a get in, piss, get out type place.
Both work, I suppose. One worked better for me.

I should probably say that I'm an every day meth user. I smoke. That's the only substance I do other than my scripts. I take those as prescribed. I don't smoke cigs, drink, no weed, nothing else. I get disability because my head and body really don't like me. I could barely get out of bed most days. I've talked about this before on here but since I started using meth, I'm not getting migraines every day like I was before. I've been able to function more like a 'normal' the past few years. I have never had any of the negative (psychosis) issues that you hear about. Most people can't tell I'm high. I feel normal, I act normal, I eat, sleep, socialize. I actually think it's helped me more than anything else has.

 

[ChemicallyEnhanced]

How many of you are prescribed controlled substances even though you have had a history of substance abuse in your chart in the PAST not Present moment. Like I have had a history of substance abuse but thankfully my doctor trust me enough to still prescribe me the meds I need given that I pass my drug test every month and pill counts (if he thinks they are needed) etc. Just wondering. I love the engagement from you guys

Yeah, I have a loooooong documentary history (in the past, not for a several of years now*) of substance abuse (alcohol, benzo's, amphetamines, opioids).
Currently prescribed Morphine and Gabapentin.


*as far as they know, that is