Family Intervention

drewskie

Bluelighter
Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Messages
125
Location
just around the corner
Well it seems as though I'm about to go through a family intervention whether I like it or not. I'm 23 and have been addicted to hydrocodone and thank God I've never done heroin, I heavily abuse hydrocodone daily. My family is worried about me, though I act normal on opiates like most do, they think that I'm killing myself slowly. There are making me move back home, and though they are not mad at me, they want me to be clean and have a productive, happy life. I thought I did but I guess if your on opiates you can't be productive, they think anyway. Thats the opposite in my case, they make me productive and social. Either way it probably is for the best and it will be hard and no fucking fun at all. Although, I will save a lot of money, I'm not looking forward to this. I would like to hear anyone's thoughts form people thats had to go through this, and any advice and help. I do want to quit using, and that makes this more likely to work. THanks for any input.
 
I'm currently in a similar situation. After a couple years of opiate abuse I'm trying to kick it. Early on its gonna suck. I've found that long term hydrocodone use can cause more anxiety during withdrawal. The physical symptoms will be there, but once you get to the 3 day mark your going to start feeling better. Try to stay away from thoughts like saying "opiates make you more productive." I've often caught myself saying similar stuff but after 15 days clean time I'm starting to find out that its not true. Also try to find stuff to occupy your time. Hobbies, reading, whatever. Exercise helps a ton during the initial withdrawal too.
 
Thank you , that makes me a little more at ease about the whole situation. I won't have any way to access anything after tomorrow. So I don't have a choice and thats probably a good thing. Now if I was smart, well I wouldn't be here, but I would use the rest of my "supply" to wing my self off and that would be really helpful. I could take two a day for the next couple of days, one in the morning and one at night. Either way after this I'm done. And your right about the more productive thing. I am kind of waiting to see what its like not having to take something to feel "normal". If its gonna happen might as well be postitive about it.
 
Absolutely. The main thing is to get to the acute withdrawal phase. Once your body is no longer physically dependent then you have to step it up a notch, and remember that if you go back to using once in a while your likely to end up right back where you started. The process repeats itself. I was never able to taper b/c if i knew i had too, then i wouldn't be getting high and ultimately prolonging the inevitable. That's just me though. If you can do a reasonable taper, it will help lessen the withdrawal.
 
I also have plenty of darvocet. I know it has no real recreational value, but when in WD's it helps alot as well. I don't enjoy taking them for fun but they will help tremendously with the winging off process. going the weakest opiate for a few days and then hopefully 1,2,3 home free.
 
drewskie, your family rocks. BTW It's weaning, not winging :) Sounds like you definitely want to quit. You are lucky to have the support of your family. Be thankful they are there for you and good luck to you sir.
 
drewskie, first of all I wish you all the best with getting clean. It really is the best option for your long term health and wellbeing.

That is so amazing that your family is so supportive and encouraging. They are right to be concerned and it just shows how much they really care and how much they love you. It's going to be tough alright, but I think it will be just that little bit easier having a loving family around to get you through this. Like you said, it's not going to be any fun at all, but once your body and brain are clean, you will find new ways to appreciate and enjoy life.

Are you going to get some counselling as well? It might be something to consider because it could give you a lot of help not only to quit in the first place but to stay off drugs for good.

Keep us updated <3
 
Well said n3ophy7e. I can't tell you how lucky you are to have such a caring and supporting family drewskie. You want to get clean - that's obvious. You can and will do it. Especially if you have such an awesome family. You're 23. Do you have any career plans in place after you get clean? What do you want to do with your life after you're done with drugs?
 
Hey man,

Sorry to hear that you're back on an opiate (forgive me if I am wrong, but I seem to recall you having said something in the past about quitting?). I do echo what everyone has said about it being a good thing to have a supportive family. Not a lot of us are fortunate enough to have parents who refuse to give up hope (no matter how serious a situation actually is), so definitely consider yourself very fortunate in this way. After you get through the initial actute WD phase and the inital awkwardness of being around your family again after having lived away, your life should take off in a completely now (and better) way. And it will for sure lead you toward a strong future.

Hydrocodone is one of those opiates that does make one a bit more enthusiastic about putting yourself out there and wanting to get stuff done (lifts your mood and spirits temporarily and whatnot), so I can see where you are coming from. I've had several friends feel the same way about it. With that said, especially if you haven't been using for a long while, it's easily to be distracted by this and not realize that if you are using daily/heavily, you are doing damage to your body. It's just not as visible as other forms of abuse, drug-related or not. And often by the time the damage starts becoming visible to you (either your physical body or your surrounding life), it's too late. You're either taken up an ignorant stance about it, or you're eagerly moving on to a harder drug. And turning around at that stage is much, much harder.

Moving from that, it's great that you're catching this before it became something harder than hydrocodone. And also, I agree with nowitson in that it's wrong to think that because a drug makes you more ambitious/productive that it's not a bad thing at the end of the day to be taking. Opiates should really only be used habitually for pain management, and (and not even for all people) once in a blue moon for recreation. Being productive and social are two things which are very important to having a good and rewarding life, and as such, one shouldn't fall under the false pretence that these cannot be achieved without drugs.

Keep us updated on how your intervention goes, and how you're feeling as time goes by. Stay strong and you'll get through this!
 
I thought I did but I guess if your on opiates you can't be productive, they think anyway. Thats the opposite in my case, they make me productive and social.

I used to get the same way with opiates. They'd make me want to grab the world by the balls. Eventually my tolerance skyrocketed, I went on Suboxone, and after a year of taking that it went from making me productive to making me apathetic as fuck, especially when it came to doing boring things even if they were good for me.

Point being, opiates made me happy, productive, more social, calmer, etc., etc. at first, but those effects really diminish over time in my experience. Quit before opiate addiction really fucks your life up. Good luck. I think the Darvocet taper sounds like a good plan.
 
You sounds pretty good. I hope you make it. I have found Darvocet, while miserable as far as rec. value, work realy well for tapering. Take it easy with them, though, as they can be really nasty/dangerous.

Quit telling yourself that you are more productive on opieates. You can be just as if not more productive once you get a little clean-time under your belt.

Get well-stay well!

HC
 
if you are going to take the darvocet route, be careful as they can be highly cardiotoxic and once you get past a certain amount you greatly increase the risk of negative effects.
 
I agree with all who are saying that this is a good idea. I am considering participating in one of these in the near future, except that I am the friend/family member of someone that needs to stop their polydrug abuse (mostly prescription drugs, but addictive ones) and I know it is going to be difficult to stand my ground about what will happen if they do not get treatment. Also tough is that the person is very stubborn and will insist that it be outpatient when in reality they probably need at least detox. They definitely do not want to stop using either. But a lot of us have completely lost patience with their drug use, it has caused us stress, caused a couple people in the family to lose money, you get the idea.

You have a significant advantage in that you already have the desire to go to treatment, and a loving family who clearly will give you a tremendous amount of support as you go through treatment of whatever type. You are doing the right thing to ensure a productive and healthier future for yourself. I wish you the best of luck, and although I do not have any significant experience with opiate w/d (never had an opiate habit because they make me too nauseous, though I do use tramadol - another taper option but it has issues of its own) but there is loads of information on that in Other Drugs.

Good luck man, and respect to you for doing the right thing.
 
Hey Guys :)

Thank you all so much for everything that you have said here. it has been an awakening to read that you think I have a loving family, I'm blessed, because I do have a very loving family. You guys made me realize this a little more and appreciate it more as well. I have been home for 6 days now, and I'm doing great. My dad is letting me clear some land for him and that is keeping me outside and occupied as well as money in my pocket. I don't have a license right now, which is a good thing actually because I can't go anywhere and get drugs. I have not taken any hydrocodone in one week exactly. It is hard but my family, and my girlfriend are making me feel good about being me, instead of using lortabs for this, I can talk to them. I am going to go to counseling as well. My parents are paying for everything and not bitching at me at all.

It is wonderful to be home and feel safe as well as loved. My dad told me that he went through this when he was my age so I think he knows what I am going through, so he really does understand and he can help me more because of this. He also pushes me to get up early and work and be on a regular schedule and get my act together. He told me that I was fighting for my life, and I really am. I don't want to go to jail or die.

This is such a good thing for me and it is about time, I am actually excited about my future again, instead of wondering how to get high tomorrow, I actually look past tomorrow. I hope that you guys all stay in touch, your words have also motivated me. I just thank everyone here.

- FINALLY, I AM HAPPY BEING ME, SOBER :)
 
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