What would you do?

Opiatehell85

Opiatehell85

Bluelighter
Joined
Jan 11, 2016
Messages
223
Location
Uk
Long story short, I've been approached by a huge newspaper in the uk that wants to take on my story of addiction to painkillers, I will be named and a photo shoot also. My rehab doctor also wants me to be their rep, to do interviews with media etc and try and get other people like me more help, along with helping them to come forward. Thing is, I'm a mummy to three beautiful children, if I do this, will I be recognised? All the other mums in the school playground will know my past? Social services might be involved? There's absolute no threat to my children, they are treated like royalty by me, I mean they're my reason for getting clean, but will other people judge me on my past? I really don't know wether to accept or not? Any advice? What would you do?
 
Opiatehell85 said:
Long story short, I've been approached by a huge newspaper in the uk that wants to take on my story of addiction to painkillers, I will be named and a photo shoot also. My rehab doctor also wants me to be their rep, to do interviews with media etc and try and get other people like me more help, along with helping them to come forward. Thing is, I'm a mummy to three beautiful children, if I do this, will I be recognised? All the other mums in the school playground will know my past? Social services might be involved? There's absolute no threat to my children, they are treated like royalty by me, I mean they're my reason for getting clean, but will other people judge me on my past? I really don't know wether to accept or not? Any advice? What would you do?
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Will your story make a difference if a similar one has been told a thousand times? If you believe it will then go for it otherwise let it be.

End of the day work out what's more important, the protection of your kids or a story for some newspaper?
 
it's hard to judge simply by a post on the internet but from the post it really looks like your rehab doctor is just after some credit or something? i mean...

anyway, personally, i'd advise against it. not a good kind of exposure, it's a taboo thing... plus people are generally stupid and say all sorts of shit. not worth the hassle IMO.
 
For the sake of society, I think doing the interview could be beneficial. The more mainstream society is shown that PEOPLE, including parents, and regular humans, take drugs, the more they realize that drug-taking is not some evil behavior but actually just normal human behavior.

For the sake of your children, however, I think you should avoid it. Being recognized by their friends' parents could be devastating socially. I hate to advise you not to do the interview, but as a parent, I would stay away from that myself.
 
Be careful you are not made the poster girl/boy (sorry cant tell your gender from your username) for prohibition, stricter laws and/or higher sentences for users. More often than not these major "news" papers use gutter reporting to appeal to the emotions of the uneducated masses.

Also consider that the majority of people view drug use/abuse in a dim light so by allowing them to use your real name and photo you will be viewed by people in a negative way, this includes strangers, relatives and any future job prospects.

Once published you will be labeled and judged by a huge demographic
 
If your kids were a bit older then I would probably say go for it, however knowing how cruel children and parents can be when a family secret is revealed and how these things can haunt a child and have a negative impact on their schoolwork and social standings, I would say avoid putting them in that position.

Regardless if your not using or not - your children may be branded as 'that junkies kids', the schools will also be put on high alert looking for signs of abuse or neglect.

Give your story, be the voice of this but protect yourself and your children first.

(showing your face and using your real name will add nothing more to this story)
 
Thanks everyone, yeah that was my thoughts, kids can be cruel. Basically my rehab doctor has made his own website, for people with painkiller addictions, he said that I'm not the usual drug abuser that they see come through their doors, and he thinks that me speaking out could benefit other people in the same situation, he says a lot of people don't come for help because they have to mix with heroin users and feel they are put in the same catogary, which is understandable that some would be scared but to me it doesn't make a difference, I've actually made a fair few friends thru rehab, they are ex heroin addicts but the same as me they want help to get clean. The doctor wants to open up a rehab just for painkiller addictions and that's why he needs my help, he wants me to talk with NHS bosses and work alongside him to make this happen, which I'm up for. But to do this means going public to get people's attention. I just don't know what to do. I genuinely do think there's a hidden painkiller epidemic, I do want to help. But at the Same time I don't wanna ruin my kids childhoods because some people can be ignorant, judgemental and stupid. I've got till the 18th April to give him an answer, I mean I'm still on buprenophine detox so I'm not fully clean myself yet. Would people even listen to my story and then decide they want help, or am I going to be wasting my breath? I'm slightly annoyed he's put this on me so soon, but he said he's been waiting for someone like me to come thru their doors for years. Other rehab patients are shocked when I tell them I'm an addict too, one thought I was a doctor haha! I'm female too to whoever asked if I was male or female, and I'm 30. Thanks for advice it's appreciated :)
 
This sounds like a bad idea. Shouldn't the "DR" be more concerned over your recovery? You haven't even detoxed and he's pulling this shit. Seriously, fuck that quack. This is the last thing you need to be doing at this point in your recovery. Your story has been told before I'm sure. It's good to want to help, but this is way too soon to be talking about helping others. You need to worry about YOU and your kids.

I say that with all the respect. I'm stunned a "DR" would ask that of someone who isn't even technically sober yet. No one will take you serious at this stage. Sorry.
 
ThaDudeAbides said:
This sounds like a bad idea. Shouldn't the "DR" be more concerned over your recovery? You haven't even detoxed and he's pulling this shit. Seriously, fuck that quack. This is the last thing you need to be doing at this point in your recovery. Your story has been told before I'm sure. It's good to want to help, but this is way too soon to be talking about helping others. You need to worry about YOU and your kids.

I say that with all the respect. I'm stunned a "DR" would ask that of someone who isn't even technically sober yet. No one will take you serious at this stage. Sorry.
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My mother said the same, in fact he asked me on my third visit, he asked my key worker if I was stable and then went in for the kill. I was a little shocked myself, I dunno if he means after treatment? I'll be speaking with him tomorrow and saying no, I'm not gonna do it. I've thought long and hard about it and it's just not worth it! Thanks for your advice, appreciated :)
 
I will preface this by saying I have a bit more cleantime than you.

I am open an honest with people about my life. I do this on a much smaller scale. I talk to addicts that are being bailed out of jail in the hopes that I can keep them from going back. Right now I am actually helping the mother of an addict learn to cope with her son being in jail. If you truly want to help people you are going to need to get a little more clean time and stability and then help people on an individual basis. What I see this doctor doing is a good idea at the core, but ultimately not beneficial to your recovery. Addicts do not need lots of exposure. If you were using a pseudonym, or your identity was obscured, I would say go for it...it may actually help someone, but for right now you need to focus on yourself and healing your family.

Addicts already have so many sources trying to segregate them from society many of which are internal. Another news article will just give people that are abusing painkillers another metric for which to measure their own addiction. It may actually go a different way than the doctor wants...it could give some the thought; "I am not taking as much as she is. I do not need help."

In the end do what is best for your individual recovery. When the time comes the right circumstances will present themselves in your life that you can use your experiences to help another person. (This is not some God thing, but rather some addict thing.)
 
manboychef said:
I will preface this by saying I have a bit more cleantime than you.

I am open an honest with people about my life. I do this on a much smaller scale. I talk to addicts that are being bailed out of jail in the hopes that I can keep them from going back. Right now I am actually helping the mother of an addict learn to cope with her son being in jail. If you truly want to help people you are going to need to get a little more clean time and stability and then help people on an individual basis. What I see this doctor doing is a good idea at the core, but ultimately not beneficial to your recovery. Addicts do not need lots of exposure. If you were using a pseudonym, or your identity was obscured, I would say go for it...it may actually help someone, but for right now you need to focus on yourself and healing your family.

Addicts already have so many sources trying to segregate them from society many of which are internal. Another news article will just give people that are abusing painkillers another metric for which to measure their own addiction. It may actually go a different way than the doctor wants...it could give some the thought; "I am not taking as much as she is. I do not need help."

In the end do what is best for your individual recovery. When the time comes the right circumstances will present themselves in your life that you can use your experiences to help another person. (This is not some God thing, but rather some addict thing.)
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Thanks for advice, well done for helping others. I can see what you're saying and you are right!! I've called today and told him I might do in the future, but for now I want to concentrate on getting well for my family. I'm going away for a week on holiday on Friday, be nice to get away from all this for a while, I just want a normal life!
 
Opiatehell85 said:
Long story short, I've been approached by a huge newspaper in the uk that wants to take on my story of addiction to painkillers, I will be named and a photo shoot also. My rehab doctor also wants me to be their rep, to do interviews with media etc and try and get other people like me more help, along with helping them to come forward. Thing is, I'm a mummy to three beautiful children, if I do this, will I be recognised? All the other mums in the school playground will know my past? Social services might be involved? There's absolute no threat to my children, they are treated like royalty by me, I mean they're my reason for getting clean, but will other people judge me on my past? I really don't know wether to accept or not? Any advice? What would you do?
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My advice (based on my own experience): Exercise extreme caution regarding the publication of your drugs of choice (present and/or former) if they fall under the illegal category. Because if the wrong individuals find out, it can end up causing you a lot of problems in the future (e.g. if competing with fellow employees for a promotion; if your family physician is an asshole, etc.). It can be used against you down the line in order to undermine your credibility. It can become noted in all your medical charts because it's in the public domain. It can end up fucking you over in ways which were never thought of in advance. So in my opinion, tread extremely lightly.
 
ro4eva said:
My advice (based on my own experience): Exercise extreme caution regarding the publication of your drugs of choice (present and/or former) if they fall under the illegal category. Because if the wrong individuals find out, it can end up causing you a lot of problems in the future (e.g. if competing with fellow employees for a promotion; if your family physician is an asshole, etc.). It can be used against you down the line in order to undermine your credibility. It can become noted in all your medical charts because it's in the public domain. It can end up fucking you over in ways which were never thought of in advance. So in my opinion, tread extremely lightly.
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They wernt illegal drugs, prescription drugs but I did abuse them, I've declined to do it with the offer of maybe sometime in the future, it's totally not worth the hassle.
 
I think it's a good thing you declined. I agree with ro4eva. Even if the drugs weren't illegal, the information may still be used against you somehow. It's better to be safe than sorry and protect yourself and your family.

Good job on staying clean, by the way, hope you're doing alright :-)
 
My POV as a mother of 5, I understand where you are coming from. If the chance comes up again when you have a fair bit of clean time I would seriously consider doing it. If you are clean/stable and in therapy and your kids are looked after, there is no risk of them being taken by social services.

I had a history of illegal drug abuse prior to having kids but I turned it all around when I fell pregnant with my first (now 16).:..and then relapsed on pills after our youngest (5) finished breastfeeding (long story but ptsd was involved.). Its a much lower scale but I lived in a tiny country town, but I stood in front of my church and told everyone about my history and how it can happen to anyone. My children never suffered for it and I got support from 90% of people. Because I do not look like the stereotypical junkie, ran my own business, am a soccer/dance/canteen mum, own a home and cars, our kids are straight A students and very talented in their sports and dance/music etc - basically we look like a 'normal and healthy' family from the outside looking in - i felt and still feel it's important for people to realise that nobody is immune and addicts don't 'look' a certain way.....and so many people suffer in silence and shame. I am open with people if it comes up - im still on SUBOXONE.

Anyway, good work on getting clean and good luck if you go ahead with it in the future. You will know what the right decision is and if the time is right :)
 
belligerent drunk said:
I think it's a good thing you declined. I agree with ro4eva. Even if the drugs weren't illegal, the information may still be used against you somehow. It's better to be safe than sorry and protect yourself and your family.

Good job on staying clean, by the way, hope you're doing alright :-)
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thanks bd! Had a lil slip up a few weeks back but I didn't allow it to drag me back into it, I seen where I went wrong and got straight back on track!
 
Anythingeverything this is exactly me!! But yeah I'm scared of a few things so have declined, I'm still being hassled at this moment. I wish they would leave me alone now!!
 
Opiatehell85 said:
Anythingeverything this is exactly me!! But yeah I'm scared of a few things so have declined, I'm still being hassled at this moment. I wish they would leave me alone now!!
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You may want to look into another facility. Recovery isn't about being hassled. I'm dumbfounded those "professionals" think bugging you is beneficial to you. I only see how it benefit$ them.

Good luck on your recovery.
 
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