Here For Each Other

Pain Pills
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We all found this board while seeking information for our addictions. It was very comforting (for me and Im sure for most) to know I could go to a place with others in my situation I could commisserate with and learn from. THAT is the whole point of this board. There is such a vast array of information being posted here though that we all have to realize that not everything we read here pertains to us. I have a friend who worked thru her addiction very successfully through NA. She was told NEVER to discuss the amounts she took (a famous actor said something similar after his detox). What can be safely taken by one can be fatal to another. Its a double edge sword. One can assume hmmm Im not really taking that much - so and so took 50 a day, I only took 10.... At the same time, someone who may be so fearful they cannot do this on their own and simply cannot share with family is comforted to know that since they have been at 6-8 or so they CAN do this more easily than thought. EACH CASE IS UNIQUE. But each case also has words of wisdom for someone else to learn from. When it comes to the benzos, which I never got involved with, I learned HERE that that can be deadly to withdraw from versus Vicodin which is safer to withdraw from. Not everyone can discuss these things with their doctor. That is why they come here in the first place. We have to all remember that some are taking our very own words and living by them. A case in point is Melatonin. Many mention taking it to sleep, etc. However, it is a hormone and can be VERY dangerous if taking incorrectly. If one cant go face to face with a doctor, at the very least do some research on the internet and then proceed with caution. The list of OTC meds thread is one of the most helpful and I think something we ALL benefited from by visiting this board. Thats another reason why it is so infuriating when some here think its funny to mess with peoples feelings and play games. Some may think of this board as a playground, but I think most are here to find information and to share with others. Lets all try to be a little bit more careful with the advise we give and the advice we take. In the meantime, the best we can do is understand and comfort with kind words.
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BAH-HUMBUG,lol,just kiddin.................vinny.
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There are a few here who I dont believe a word of what they say. I wonder if they are even trying to get sober at all but then there are others who I believe are working so hard on their sobrietry that they are a constant inspiration for me. And of course there is always that person who is there for the first time as each of us was and we want them to have a place that will actually give them the support they need. Every method of recovery should be touted and discussed, not ridiculed. We all have to find what works for us and us alone.
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Amen. These words are so true.
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Vinny, while I CRINGE at your posts lol I dont ignore them as I do some others. We need to know that comedy is alive and kicking during recovery as well! Even YOU have a person lol. And Im glad you are here.
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Donnatwo,

Im not sure how i feel anymore...I know that the 12 step board dont talk of doses etc..but when others ask you, especially newcomers who want toknow what yoour DOC is and where you are now, what you are doing..Do you share it?
Not share it...in the past when I first came here I was leery to share it as it wasnt done on the other site....but I felt that by NOT telling, that I was being secretive, and less than honest.

I shared my max to..well be honest about pathetic it is, and or was...to show others my situation....when i hear what others take, I think it has helped me.

I have never done benzos either, but have certainly learned from this board how dangerous the w/d/ can be....when i hear that others have cold turkeys from a certain amount....well i do think that maybe i can do it without dying...so im glad they shared it with me..

I dont know hon, its a double edged sword i guess to discuss dosages and yet you think you are in a safe place where you can admit your bottom..your hitting bottom and what you were taking when you did that...

I wont discuss my taper anymore, if that is best, but also dont want to come across as secretive or look like Im hiding something..

Its a difficult thing to know what to do.

hugs to you,
\
Ali
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Janet - YOU are an inspiration. If things every get tempting for you, remember how much you can be of help to others who walked in your footsteps.
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gee donna thanks,now that i know that i will be able to sleep at night[lol]....................vinny.
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Donna... very well said. Love, Bri :)
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Ali, if it helped you to get these things off your chest, then thats what matters. There is something for us all to learn with each post. We just have to be careful we dont allow information to make us go the OTHER way. People here depend on each other.
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Vinny, Im sorry I replied to you lol... Even I have things to learn lol
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i will forgive you this time donna for responding to me,but dammit don't let it happen again[lol].................vinny.
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Thanks Donnatwo...I have been tempted, but have fought it, found that my E,S & H can help others as well as myself in these times.

Having a clear head is such a wonderful thing.

My son and I just had a discussion on why he couldn't use my car. Number 1 he is not insured. All his arguments of "gee, it's only a mile up the road" were stopped, by my saying in all honesty, "I know that you and the kid you want to visit smoke pot, you will NOT drive my vehicle under the influence" to which of course he replied that I had been in 3 accidents and I said, yes, because I was high.

His friends mother let him pick my son up, no license, no insurance.

Ahhh yes, the power of thinking with a clear mind.
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Ali, I am like you when it comes to sharing information. While in rehab we didn't discuss how much we took, how we got it, or share any "war stories"... meaning we didn't tell of things we did while we were using. In my AA groups we don't discuss how much we used or even what we used. However, this forum is not solely AA/NA based either. So, it is like you said... kinda hard to know when it is okay. For me, it was important to share with others how much i was taking, how i got them, and what my doc was. This is because it helped me to fully take in the "reality" of my addiction. I also wanted others to relate to what i was saying... i didn't want to feel alone... like i was the only one who did the terrible things i did when i was using. Now that i am farther along in my recovery i don't really discuss it that much anymore. But, i remember how alone i felt in the beginning and it really helped me to know that i was not the only one taking insane amounts of pills.
I hope this makes some sense... i have never really been good at putting my thoughts onto paper and into words. Love and God Bless,Bri :)
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Very good points as well Donnatwo and Bri. Couldn't have said it better. It truly is a catch 22.

There are some brilliant people on this board. I commend all of you. Inspiration beyond belief.

Oh and vinny your reply meant the most it really hit home. Touched my heart if you will, made me cry.. NOT lol Kidding..


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Dearest Bri,


Gosh honey, I really thankyou for posting it...that EXACTLY the way I feel, like if Im gonna do this, I had to be honest.........it would not have been as therapeutic, if i wasnt able to "purge" the truth, all of it, even the "horrible" facts
that was hard to admit. Im ashamed of my max dose, ashamed I abused somthing that was given to help me for serious pain.

I felt it was like going to a shrink, but even better, after all Im surrounded by people who will understand...right? obviously not always..lololol You wouldnt go to a shrink and then only tell him HALF-TRUTHS....lol, no, you have to confess all......

thankyou for understanding, and by the way you wrote it downbeautifully, it went straight to my heart.

Big hug to you Bri,

Ali
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Donna two,

Thank you and I agree with you..God people please do not take the amounts that I was once taking...a grown hippopautamous would have a cardiac arrest if he tried that......( did i spell hippo right?lolol)

Appreciate your post.

Hugs to you,

Ali
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bump from bumps
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STOP THE BICKERING FOR HEAVENS SAKE! Perhaps instead of taking every post as a personal attack, some here should step back a sec and look their words and actions. REMEMBER, you are posting on a public board. While cleansing ourelves, lets not dirty everyone else. We are here for each other (ARENT WE?????)
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Donna..while what you're saying is absolutly right, there are times when asking what and how much someone is taking is necessary when trying to give advice. If someone is taking both benzos and opiates, then it's a good idea to tell them that they should c/t and see their dr. As far as amounts? That's a gray area. I don't know how to respond to that except that when I told someone how much I was taking at the end of my using days, they were shocked. If they tried to take that much it would have killed them, so you're right, that information wasn't a good idea for them. It's a tough call.

Thanks for your post. Smart girl.


Cowgirl