Is Anybody There?

Hello to you all!!!
I did post a message last week, and whilst I have recieved loads of general replies, I haven't had a specific reply to my e-mail, which makes me wonder if it was recieved at all. Lets hope that this one gets through.
I'm contacting you from Worcester in the UK, and attended my first N.A. meeting last week, even going to a convention over the weekend, which I found really useful.

Firstly, my real name is Joanne.....Dingdong is my password, because my surname is Bell. And my addiction........Painkillers!!!

They have been the thorn in my side now for about 2 years. It all started when I was prescribed a painkiller called Co-Proxamol when I was diagnosed with Arthritis 6 years ago at the age of 28. To be fair, I was taking them on and off for about 4 years before I realised that they were highly addictive. Me, in my infinate wisdom didn't realise that you could get hooked on anything prescribed by your doctor. I actually thought that addictive substances were only obtained illegally!!!!..........ok, you can stop laughing now.

Then, things started to happen to me personally, my marriage was under huge strain becuase my arthritis really took hold and I spent most of my day in absolute agony. Taking just 2 painkillers just wasn't enough, so I started taking 3. It was then that I started to get this really nice feeling, helping me cope with the pain and get me through the day. It wasn't long before I started to increase my intake at any given time, I stopped watching the clock for the 4 hour time limit and just took them as and when.......before I knew it, I was hooked, but the problem was, I didn't realise it...honestly!!

I will be honest, I'm in quite a bit of pain at the moment, so I am going to cut this e-mail short.....I'm so sorry, this seems awfully rude of me, but I would dearly love to hear from any of you out there......PLEEEEEEESE. I desparately want my life back, before this awful disease destroys my marriage, my relationships with my family and most importantly my life!!!

I will be staying with my mom and dad for the next few weeks, because I am also being treated for Kidney stones right now. So you can contact me on

EBEGL@AOL.COM

Lots of love and luck to you all!!!

Take care.

Jo


Dear Jo:

We are all here for you. Your history is similar to many of ours. Hang in there, keep the faith or whatever might carry you through and know that you in the company of many who care for you and can support you.

pnjmn@aol.com
T
Joanne,

Your prior post may have gotten lost in someone else's thread, thus the absence of direct replies. Glad you tried again, though. It sounds as though you're on the right track, desiring to quit and attending NA in your community. Abstinence is the goal if you're addicted -- first quitting, then staying quit. The latter can be the most insidious challenge because of the nature of addiction, but NA should help with that a lot. Is there any way we can help you beyond offering encouragement and support as you try to get clean? Allt he best to you, and good luck with your current medical condition -- I've heard that can be very painful. M.
Hi Jo, I live in Worcester too, only Im in Worcester Massachusetts USA. When I have more time later I'll email you.

Good luck

John