Hi I am new here. I was using Lortab 4-6 x's a day for 2 and a half years. I stopped only once before and for 5 days. It now has been a week since I last took a pill. I came clean with my wife, as she already knew what was up. I also talked to a Buddy that has been clean over 10 years. The past week has been hell, I work around 70 hours a week, no way I could have taken off work. My problems are now are that I only sleep about 4-5 hours a night and I am nervous and am afraid of going back to the pills. What are the stages of this type of recovery? How might I feel in another week and after a month ?
Good morning and congratulations! How the heck did you work all those hours? I have trouble working 4 hours a day! I don't know about your drug of choice but i imagine it is like my vicodins.. i am only on day 3 of tapering down and last night i only slept a few hours.. the thing i am noticing is a genuine desire to live life on lifes terms again.. i think a lot of it is because my circumstances are getting better and better.. i had a hell of year..loss of job, bankruptcy, daughter on crack, loss of son-in-law and now have her (out of rehab) and 3 little girls living with us..she deserves better than to live with an addict.. but thats what we are and are coping as best we can.. i think you have a lot to look forward to and have come so far already! No more obsession talk going on in your head, your body gradually taking over the natural way to take good care of you, laughter, genuine concern for others, i wish you the very best of luck...hang in there
Neighbor,
At Day 7, sleep (or lack thereof) was really the only physical symptom of withdrawal that remained. Maybe some edginess also, alternating with fatigue. 4-5 hours a night is more than I was getting, but everyone's different. For me, it continued to get better in week 2, and by the end of week 3, I think had my first night of 6+ hours sleep.
I think your fear of using again is healthy. For me, the mental aspect of addiction has proven much more powerful than the physical dependence. You'll need to build up your mental defenses, and change. What did your Buddy do to get 10 years clean? Following his example may save you some trial and error. If you want to know what's worked for others on this Board, just ask....it's free! Peace to you, M.
At Day 7, sleep (or lack thereof) was really the only physical symptom of withdrawal that remained. Maybe some edginess also, alternating with fatigue. 4-5 hours a night is more than I was getting, but everyone's different. For me, it continued to get better in week 2, and by the end of week 3, I think had my first night of 6+ hours sleep.
I think your fear of using again is healthy. For me, the mental aspect of addiction has proven much more powerful than the physical dependence. You'll need to build up your mental defenses, and change. What did your Buddy do to get 10 years clean? Following his example may save you some trial and error. If you want to know what's worked for others on this Board, just ask....it's free! Peace to you, M.
7 days is GOOD. And you are showing up for work as well!!!!! I am in the same boat. I am on day 10. I was taking 10+ hydro. I tapered and went c/t in a week. I am working too. Haven't missed any days....maybe not working to my full performance but I am doing it. It is really a crappy feeling. The flu symptoms are gone, but I still have that "cloudy" feeling in my head. I am starting to talk to people again. You will feel better. Give it time. It is so so scary but you are being very very brave.!!!!! Keep going.
My buddy is a NA member and I attended my first meeting last night. This really opened my eyes even more. The struggles I am going through are similar to so many others. Yes I have to work many hours a week, I own my own business. I can easily say that I was not working at 100%, not near that. Last night I slept 6 hours and it was awesome. I still crave the pills. Mornings are hard for me, most of my habit was 4 pills per day, all at once all in the morning. I have a harder time getting going in the morning, but after I do get a start my energy level is increasing day by day.
I am not blaming anyone for taking these pills, its only my fault. Tough these doctors have no idea what they are doing to people, writing so many pain pill prescriptions. The are glorified prescription writers in many cases. I used to think an addict was someone that would be spotted easily in a crowd. Not a guy like me, most people would think of me as very successful, a family man and strong and solid member of the community. Inside I was in pain, I had no self esteem and I was not the person that people believed I was. Thank GOD and thank my wife for being there, Today I have taken one more step to staying clean. I think the more I read the more this pill addicition is an epidemic. I can think of people I know and I bet they are in the same situation I was before.
I am not blaming anyone for taking these pills, its only my fault. Tough these doctors have no idea what they are doing to people, writing so many pain pill prescriptions. The are glorified prescription writers in many cases. I used to think an addict was someone that would be spotted easily in a crowd. Not a guy like me, most people would think of me as very successful, a family man and strong and solid member of the community. Inside I was in pain, I had no self esteem and I was not the person that people believed I was. Thank GOD and thank my wife for being there, Today I have taken one more step to staying clean. I think the more I read the more this pill addicition is an epidemic. I can think of people I know and I bet they are in the same situation I was before.
I am on day 11 today. Last night I couldn't sleep. I had a better time sleeping when I was at day 7. I guess it is the adjustment my poor body is going through. Stay tough. You can do it.
