Greetings

[TooOldForThis]

Hi everyone! I have been lurking for several months, and decided it was time to join. As my username implies, I am not a youngster. I am 50. I used drugs way back when I was a college student, but stopped once I graduated and started working. Now I am an empty nester, and due to multiple surgeries, I am on pain meds. My main interest in BL is in harm reduction. I feel like I am on a very slippery slope.

I have been so I impressed with how respectfully people are treated here. I am looking forward to being a part of this community.

 

[NeauxDoubt]

Hello 2O4T.

I'm new and older as well. 48.

I hope extending welcomes isn't frowned upon.

I've been around the block a time or two myself.

 

[Cadamec]

Welcome, TOFT.

You will find some good info here and is a good place to get info. Like you, I am well past my college days and chronic pain brought opiates to my life. I have tried most of the prescription ones so feel free to ask questions openly or privately.

As I suggest to my friends and other chronics here: I decided not to party with my pain meds since I will be needing them for who knows how long... I find a little grass on occasion amusing and safer than alcohol; especially on main meds and anti-anxiety meds.

I am still getting used to the different rules of the different forums, but the mods are helpful in helping threads find the right forum if you are not sure where to post a question.

Your life experiences can be very valuable to some here, too.

 

[usedtobe]

Please be careful with the pain meds. A year ago, I was taking percs for migraines, and now I am shooting dope and can't stop. I have again destroyed my life at the age of 52.

 

[stormyskier]

Welcome to BL, I too am new and 48 years old. Chronic pain sucks!!! You will find lots of info here.

 

[bronson]

Welcome to bL. Have a look at Pain Management Mega Thread if you haven't done so yet.

If you have any questions about how the site functions, feel free to ask here or PM me.

 

[username13]

Welcome too old. I say you are only as old as you think you are.

 

[TooOldForThis]

Thanks so much everyone. I always seem to always find an excuse for continuing my excess use of meds.

I am in an interesting spot in my journey. I know that I abuse my pain meds. I know that I drink too much. BUT... My doses of pain meds are really quite low (2 perc a day max, a total of 30 a month). I don't doctor shop. I am "high functioning". No one has ever mentioned my drinking, and I don't believe anyone knows I take pain pills regularly. Some of you might think I am fooling myself, and people can tell, but my family members would confront me if they suspected.

So I know what I am doing with the pain meds is wrong (taking them recreationally) but finding the true desire to only take them for pain is really difficult.

I have another thread going about my drinking. I have gone to one SMART Recovery meeting, and have cut back on my drinking, but find the pills and alcohol seem tied together in my brain. I am a very logical, linear person and want to think I should solve one problem behavior, then work on the next, but I am not sure that will work with substance abuse.

So blessed to have found this community!