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  • TDS Moderators: AlphaMethylPhenyl | paranoid android

Opiate addiction to sex addiction?

C

chris2512

Greenlighter
Joined
Dec 4, 2008
Messages
14
I've been on Suboxone for 10 months now and in the past 5 months have decreased my dose from 20mg to 4mg. Even though I've been at 4mg for 6 weeks, I periodically will have minor w/d symptoms (runny nose, stomach cramps, yawning). They're annoying but tolerable. Nevertheless, they are proof to me that my body is, indeed, missing my drug.

This is a problem because I'm obsessing about using again. (This past couple of months, I've had a few slips with alcohol, Tramadol (which did nothing other than to throw me into a bit of withdrawal), and flexeril (another failure). I'm trying so hard. I go to meetings and even have a person who sponsors me and is working the steps with me despite me being on Sub.

Here's the crux of my problem... I've discovered that, when the anxiety gets really high due to wanting to use, if I'm able to orgasm several times, it helps to relieve the need to use (temporarily. Sometimes it will last longer than other times--the relief, not the orgasm, just in case someone wants to be a smart ass ;)). Seriously, though, I'm so afraid of swapping addictions. I'm a woman who doesn't want to walk out of an opiate addiction and into a sex addiction. I feel like such a freak. I'm too ashamed to tell even my sponsor about this.

Has anyone ever battled anything like this? Any advice? Maybe I'm just a junkie who's also a closet sex addict?
 
I replaced my binge drinking with an occasional opiate habit. When I was considering stopping, I was so worried that I'd go back to drinking a lot and maybe become an alcoholic. To stop myself from going down that path, I just avoided alcohol and places where it was being consumed by my friends.

I know that it's very hard to avoid something like sex when you're freaking out so much, but in terms of avoiding the cravings to use, I find that thinking about what you want and how you need to get there always help. There have been so many times that I've been wanting to just use every day, but I remind myself that that's not what I want for myself.

All easier said than done, but worth a shot.
 
I don't think you should worry about it, from what you posted. Sex and masturbation is normal and healthy. As long as you don't start locking yourself in your home, turning off the phone, and doing nothing but getting off for days - you're ok. You know? When an addiction, or any behavior, becomes a problem is if it's causing you to turn away from responsibilities, friends and family. When the quality of your life seriously suffers because of sex, chasing after sex, or obsessing about sex - then it's a problem. Relax, and be good to yourself.
 
The feeling is most likely temporary and will balance out in time.

Opiates/opioids have a way of reducing your sex drive. So when you start tapering down and getting used to lower doses, your libido typically goes into overdrive. Plus, even if you were used to your old dose of suboxone, opiates can make it harder to reach an orgasm. Going on a lower dose can suddenly make it a lot easier, so you'll most likely be more sensitive.


There is the possibility that you can trade addictions, but for now I think you just have to take some time to get used to your current dosage. You mention you still feel WD symptoms at times, so that makes me think it's almost definitely a temporary side effect. I have the same thing happen to me whenever I try to get off of suboxone.
 
mallocup said:
increased production of oxytocin?
Click to expand...
I believe that I've read something like this before. But, I don't know what conclusions to draw.

As far as not worrying about it, I wish that it were that easy. It would be if things such as masturbation didn't go against my personal belief system. That's what is so problematic. Because an addiction doesn't begin as being an all-consuming behavior that istantly makes our lives unmanageable, I'm afraid that I'm on a slippery slope and what seems just a little problem now will take over later, you know?

Of course, what I really want is the relief that I know using will bring. But, I can't do THAT. If I use once, it just goes downhill too friggin' fast. BTDT. I know that I can't stop once I start. But it's so hard to stay stopped.

The anxiety and tension that I experience while wanting to use but not being able is so intense that orgasm is practically effortless and immediate. That's how I discovered that it would bring relief. Of course, my mind isn't the least bit sexually aroused. All I can think is how much I want to use.

I hate this. :(
 
chris2512 said:
It would be if things such as masturbation didn't go against my personal belief system.
Click to expand...


Personal belief system or society inflicted pseudo-morals?

Don't beat yourself up over masturbating! and in doubt before you use, go and masturbate! always!


not wanting to slip into patterns that reinforce addiction is fine but torturing yourself is not the way to go! in the end everybody has "addictions" be it food, sports, intellectual games, fleeing from reality (like reading books or watching tv f.e.) the question is what do these addictions signify?

An opiate habit signifies destroying your body and putting your mind to sleep whereas masturbating is a relaxing activity that helps you know your body and even could be counted as sports (of course depending on the energy you invest in pleasing yourself :D )

But even if you would want to word it like "trading addictions", i can see a HUGE difference between the two! don't make it too hard on yourself! Kudos for stopping opiates!

btw are you catholic? :D (i am, and i know how beating yourself up over shit like this is...)
 
Ive found that when im clean from opiates and not sick my sex drive which is already high goes through the roof for a few weeks. This goes double if im taking amphetamines. Granted some people say that sex is the only thing on my mind anyway :p but holy fuck is it ever bad once the sickness is over with.

So yeah id say this is just normal don't worry about it. Hell enjoy it it's not like it's going to hurt you.
 
I don't want to be a jerk...and I mean this well...

Is your "personal belief system", and need to live to this supposed "standard" a possible cause of your escape to opiate land?

It was for me...

Doesn't mean it was for you, but wanted to throw that out there...no judgements here.

M.

PS

Sex addict? So what. Think of what you were addicted to before...you could have DIED.

Perhaps you should enjoy this re-discovery of your body and it's natural functions?

I will shutup now.
 
Don't feel bad about that. Sometimes you have to pick the safer habit and go with it for awhile. When I quit taking Tabs I was like a nympho! I swear my husband was thrilled. We are prob too laid back about stuff, but he isn't offended when I do it myself. I went through exactly what you're going through.
I think that you should be proud of how far you've come. Enjoy the orgasms!
Your "personal belief system" will still be there.
 
;)haha, I reckon it is actually a good sign, it means your body is waking up from its opiate slumber, and your nerves are coming back! and if having an orgasm makes you feel better then definitely roll with it, I mean, gotta be better than going out and scoring
after more time passes and your body settles down your libido should to. that is if you want it too....
 
Decay said:
;)haha, I reckon it is actually a good sign, it means your body is waking up from its opiate slumber, and your nerves are coming back! and if having an orgasm makes you feel better then definitely roll with it, I mean, gotta be better than going out and scoring
after more time passes and your body settles down your libido should to. that is if you want it too....
Click to expand...

I agree 100%! After awhile my sex drive calmed down, but "waking up from its opiate slumber" is very true!
 
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