Hi, Davey's post re cravings, and the replies got me thinking. Do those of us who are clean and on scripts get more cravings for heroin than those who are clean but are not on a script. It's just although I get cravings from time to time, I don't get them bad any more, like Davey was describing. I was wondering if the ups and downs of methadone actually cause us to crave. When I was on methadone, I found it impossible to break away from the junkie mindset, and relapsed over and over. Subutex were much better re cravings. But since I came off my script, my cravings have really subsided. It was jack who got me thinking, coz he's been clean for ages, but still takes the 'done, and still seems to have bad cravings. As does Davey. I'd like to see what other folks think, cause it might gives us some more insight as to our own long term plans and thoughts regarding how we want to best manage our addictions. Your thoughts, please, ladies and gentlemen...
love
Diff xxx
I ain't no lady, but I ain't on the 'done Diff and ya got a good point......from the sounds of it and what we've been sharing that is quite possible........I don't get the cravings like that.............although I may see a Bubble Yum wrapper on the pavement...........they are blue just like dope bags are and frankly that gets me to craving...............otherwise, nope.
No matter I want you guys also to be O.K. with your script and all.
No matter I want you guys also to be O.K. with your script and all.
I think ...Diff for us specially on methadone and go to a clinic as Jack&I do.....we are more at the coalface of recovery...wereas..like yerself are pure clean and dont want or need to come into any direct contact with smack.At my clinic i know i could score without much hassle within 10mins.....and knowing this and rubbing shoulders with folks who are still using irks my addict brain into ohh!!how easy it would be and why not just a bag or three.I understand its my choice to stay on methadone l/t so i have to put up with the associated pitfalls.....but ...in the setting it makes it that much harder to detach yerself......my routine is to be at the clinic door first get my dose ...give my sample then collect my takeaways....i try to time myself to have this done within 20mins and keep the conversation with others to the minimum.......but people are nosy and know i get takeouts so im forever being badgered ....if i want to sell on any of my meth.....you know the score im sure.
Also with methadone its more of a narcotic effect than subs....although ive never had subs.....but sometimes if i top up my daily dose i get a slight euphoria and a nod from it...so the thoughts of heroin come at me maybe more so than someone who is clean of all opiates but was addicted in the past.
Diff good question but one i cant answer completly this is just my take.
All the best.........Davey
Also with methadone its more of a narcotic effect than subs....although ive never had subs.....but sometimes if i top up my daily dose i get a slight euphoria and a nod from it...so the thoughts of heroin come at me maybe more so than someone who is clean of all opiates but was addicted in the past.
Diff good question but one i cant answer completly this is just my take.
All the best.........Davey
Yeah Davey, I used to get the same sort of probs when I was on a script. I had a daily pick up from a local chemist, and a fortnightly appointment on "junkie tuesday" at the Drs. I used to hate it and was so glad when I didn't have to go any more. But I'm a strong believer that people should maintain a script as long as they need it. It took me 18 months to come off my script, from the day I made my decision to get clean. I'd been on a script for years - first meth, but subs since Sept 2004, but used on top regularly, even with the subs. It was my state of mind that changed, and we all get to our "eureka" moment at different times. I just knew I wanted to make the break, when the time was right for me.
love
Diff xx
love
Diff xx
Methadone made me high and woozy. Perhaps I took too much of it being the addict I am.
Subutex was kind of hard to slam so I took it the proper way and found that it eliminated cravings and also took away the psychological withdrawal episodes as well.
Did the drugs for three and a half hard years, went on to Subutex beginning with 3 or 4 8 mg. tablets for one month straight, then down to 3 a day, then 2 a day, and now - one year later, I am on one half in a.m. and one half in p.m. if I think of it. It's my objective to get off them completely now as I don't find the need for them any longer. I think I'm as better as better can be. And I shall leave the drugs alone, God willing.
Subutex was kind of hard to slam so I took it the proper way and found that it eliminated cravings and also took away the psychological withdrawal episodes as well.
Did the drugs for three and a half hard years, went on to Subutex beginning with 3 or 4 8 mg. tablets for one month straight, then down to 3 a day, then 2 a day, and now - one year later, I am on one half in a.m. and one half in p.m. if I think of it. It's my objective to get off them completely now as I don't find the need for them any longer. I think I'm as better as better can be. And I shall leave the drugs alone, God willing.
I had less craving on methadone i did not start getting craving back till i detoxed from the done. I've not been on methadone at all since jan 06. I still get the tight chest break a sweat crave. I know it's stress triggred i'm currently having relationship issue it's got me close to a relaspe. Everyone deals with recovery diffrent i found myself feeling more stable on done then i do without it. I know it's a mental thing. I've been feeling depressed and trapped but, on methadone i did not have to deal with my emotions so much. I don't want to get high so much as i just want the great excape. It is a state of mind thing.
Hey Edgar, welcome to the board. And God has nothing to do with it. Revise that to Edgar willing, and that's half the battle my friend...
best wishes
Diff x
best wishes
Diff x
Davey really tok the words right outta my head--i think having to go be around active junkies is a major trigger, now that i go every 2 weeks its not bad at all--my mind just doesnt go that way its certainly a long-term learned process your brain has to go through--cravings are just a part of recovery.
Interesting*
I remember before I got on maintenance ,& I was trying to stay clean without the m done - you know, staying away from people ,places & things- - going to meetings (or trying to)- I just had an awful time with cravings. Now maybe I just didn't want it bad enough at the time ,or I just wasn't ready to be clean- whatever the case I would get cravings from going to an NA meeting.
Since I got on & have stayed on mdone the cravings for heroin have more or less subsided. Like Daveys says -going to the clinic is a challenge, especially where mine is located- bad drug area- -but I can deal with it.
Yes for the short time Im there once a week there is a junkie mindset that I subcontiously fall into- maybe as a protective reflex-remember these people can smell weakness. Once I leave ,I rarely think about that place or heroin again -until the next week. So in that sense ,I guess being on MM can keep someone in that mindset.
Ive found that every attempt of mine to detox or to taper ends with cravings that are unbearable & inevitably ends in relapse -even if its only a short one.
On mdone, I at least have a life . I have my self-esteem, a career, and give and get respect. Sure the side effects are both mental & physical ,but in my case ,maybe its the length of time, the cravings are the least of it.
I think what I really crave for isnt so much the dope- but the ignorance of youth,the times that the mind remembers as "good times". The mind is powerful and it convienently makes you forget the horrors of the addiction.
muchlove&respect
jack
I remember before I got on maintenance ,& I was trying to stay clean without the m done - you know, staying away from people ,places & things- - going to meetings (or trying to)- I just had an awful time with cravings. Now maybe I just didn't want it bad enough at the time ,or I just wasn't ready to be clean- whatever the case I would get cravings from going to an NA meeting.
Since I got on & have stayed on mdone the cravings for heroin have more or less subsided. Like Daveys says -going to the clinic is a challenge, especially where mine is located- bad drug area- -but I can deal with it.
Yes for the short time Im there once a week there is a junkie mindset that I subcontiously fall into- maybe as a protective reflex-remember these people can smell weakness. Once I leave ,I rarely think about that place or heroin again -until the next week. So in that sense ,I guess being on MM can keep someone in that mindset.
Ive found that every attempt of mine to detox or to taper ends with cravings that are unbearable & inevitably ends in relapse -even if its only a short one.
On mdone, I at least have a life . I have my self-esteem, a career, and give and get respect. Sure the side effects are both mental & physical ,but in my case ,maybe its the length of time, the cravings are the least of it.
I think what I really crave for isnt so much the dope- but the ignorance of youth,the times that the mind remembers as "good times". The mind is powerful and it convienently makes you forget the horrors of the addiction.
muchlove&respect
jack
