Time of reckoning

[starfarer]

Ive been an opiate addict for 3 years now and ive always managed to lead a reasonably successful dual life. However things have come to a head and im now just about surviving by the skin of my teeth. Being at university in Liverpool (100's of miles from home) means that not only does the mere mention of money send me into paroxyms of feverish delight but I am isolated without any means of securing help.
So I cant afford a 60 pound plus opiate habit any more. Ive tried just throwing caution to the four winds and cold turkeying it but invariably I reach the 2 day mark and do exactly that without the intended outcome.
My only escape route it would seem is to contact a doctor. I have already gone to drug treatment where I tested negative for opiates even though im on 300mg every other day (go figure) so subs and Meth are out of the question.What I would rather pursue however is a steady course of dihydrocodeine in order to allow me to find some stability. How should I go about this? And can anyone reccomend a dotor who will be willing to pull out all the stops even if it may mean the censure of their colleagues (Im living near Pembroke Road Liverpool England atm)

 

[Missykins]

The sub doctor would not treat you because of a negative urine?

 

[starfarer]

Yeah - well since I tested negative for opiates 2 days after a 300mg dose am "only" addicted to dihydrocodeine and was not in any real discomfort (i'd taken other psychoactives which helped significantly) I wasnt a viable patient. Which means that my use is now escalating and im drawing closer to dangerous territory

 

[sid3]

Then go back as you're now a viable patient. Also you can look for another Dr. Not sure how it works over there but there has to be other options than the one Dr that you got a negative test at.

 

[starfarer]

Im investigating the other options but my problem is the fact that treatment services tend to focus on bupe subs or Meth and I really would rather maintain my current level on DHC than switch to a more potent opiate.
I just really wanted to know if anyone has any experience/advice when it comes to presenting a senstive case of this kind to a doctor who may be a straight-laced prohibitionist.

 

[Bojangles69]

I agree with your logic starfarer and I think you know whats best for yourself.

I do NOT think sub/meth is the route you want to take. And I secondly advocate the plan you proposed with DHC. In fact, I'm doing a very similar process myself. School/money is far too stressful at this point to keep scraping my bankout and living week to week on opiates.
So I'm tapering down my habit, and am eventually doing a substitution just like yours. However it IS a bit more elaborate because my plan is to stop completely at the end.

As far as presenting it to the doctor, I'd present it exactly how you want to, if they don't like it, find a doctor who is willing to help you. I've done this before and actually told a doctor "no problem, just because you won't help doesn't mean the next doctor won't" and I've been stopped halfway leaving the office.

But in all honesty, as for DHC DHC, its a VERY easy med to get whether you go to a dr or not. If you need pointers pm me, I'm not soliciting, just showing you whats available to the avg person.

 

[adubwakka]

Bojangles, I'm in pretty much in the same boat as OP, and im considering similar solutions. I can't pm you yet, but do you think you could email me at [email protected] with some advice, maybe we can communicate backand forth easier that way.


Id just like to get some tips from someone who seems much more knowledgeable on this topic than i.

 

[starfarer]

I did go ahead and present my arguments to the Gp who was at first reluctant to be complicit in a junkie's desperate schemes, but who came round to my way of seeing things with a bit of honey- tonguing, that is after I pulled the veil from her eyes, revealing me in all my responsible and functional glory.
I am now on 300 mg and 90 mg on alternating days, which puts me in a better situation than I was in before. The doctor however wants to taper down next week - I am faaaaar from ready. Besides when I want to stop, I will just sit it out for 3-4 days, rather than prolonging it over weeks and months.
She has threatened or rather informed me that failure to play by her rules will result in my being placed on methadone. She believes that methadone and DHC are both essentially one and the same. I was under the impression that methadone lacks the emotional component and has fiercer withdrawals????
I am going to try and explain that I am between a rock and a hard place atm and the last thing I need is for the rug to be pulled slowly from underneath my feet - hope it goes well !!!

 

[starfarer]

My 2 remaining options are Bupe and DHC. Ive collected enough evidence to dissuade the gp from prescribing Meth, however bupe sounds promising. My fear is that I will crave the soporific effect of DHC. Bupe would be ideal as the icing on the cake once I have finally bidden farewell to my depression.
I dont think I can deal with the trauma of suddenly being unable to use DHC at all , since of course the bupe monopolises receptors. Will the GP appreciate that im not just a junkie craving a fix, but I want to be able to recover at my own pace?

 

[sid3]

There's been a good deal of sub patients who've reported good A D effects from taking bupe. Doesn't for everyone, but sounds like it helps quite a few that do suffer from depression. Keep an open mind

 

[cj]

Stay away from Bupe the withdrawls are nasty theses no glow horrible constipation its like all the negatives with none of the positives of opiate abuse.

 

[sid3]

Stay away from Bupe the withdrawls are nasty theses no glow horrible constipation its like all the negatives with none of the positives of opiate abuse.

^ really, even when his Dr is doing a quicktaper and the only other option is MMT, although CT is a second option, actually, I think your right, kicking DHC shouldn't require either one AFAIK.