Showing posts with label Opiate Addiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Opiate Addiction. Show all posts

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Getting Rid Of The Monster

 It's the beginning of the big 3--Halloween,Thanksgiving and Christmas!  Right now, ghosts, goblins and spooks are restless to get out! And since we're in Halloween mode, I thought I might talk about something very much in keeping with the season, but a lot more serious. It's about that monster that lurks on the nightstand, in the medicine cabinet and in your purse to take you down. It's very much an epidemic in the U.S. and it's called opioid addiction. With two million Americans living with prescription opioid abuse or dependence, the latest statistics say that 46 Americans die each day from prescription opioid overdose. If you're not creeped out yet, watch the video below!

I can speak from experience because someone I know is entrapped by addiction to pain medication and doesn't want to admit it. The addiction occurred because of 2 back-to-back injuries. This person  suffers all or many of the symptoms of classic opiate withdrawal like----
  • Irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Yawning
  • Muscle Aches and Pains
  • Abdominal Cramping
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Vertigo
 But this person won't admit he has an addiction problem. Instead, multiple doctors are consulted because of his on-going symptoms, tests are taken, days of work are missed. After awhile, my friend gets tired of the constant pain and symptoms, and falls back onto what gives some sense of temporary relief--opiate pain killers. Then the cycle starts all over again.

I know about the denial because I approached him about it, and he flatly refused to consider it. He takes pride in saying he has outsmarted the pills and knows when to quit and how much to take. His doctor finally put limitations on him, but probably too late. Now he has acquired a cache of medications that he uses when he feels "sick". Deep down, I know this person is a fine human being. But when he is suffering from opiate withdrawal, he is a horrible person to be around. His irritability is irrational. He becomes a bully. He can't make rational decisions and he destroys relationships because of it. He blames others instead of himself. Another thing that I see is that he is extremely paranoid about people and his good-will is buried underneath the monster of his addiction.

Total recovery from opiate addiction usually takes 2 full years. During this time, the symptoms tend to alleviate for awhile and then they surge back to their original, painful state. The good periods gradually become longer and longer, but each withdrawal period is extremely troublesome and the danger of relapse is very real and present. Many people experience severe depression because they do relapse. But they need to know that they should keep trying. So many people give up right before they reach success.

The first step to overcome addiction, obviously, is to recognize it for what it is and admit it. Some people go all the way to the grave before they will admit what is obvious to everyone else around them. Take this easy test and if you answer yes to 3 of the questions, you are addicted to opiates.
  • Has your use of opiates increased over time?
  • Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using?
  • Do you use more than you would like, or more than is prescribed?
  • Have you experienced negative consequences to your using?
  • Have you put off doing things because of your drug use?
  • Do you find yourself thinking obsessively about getting or using your drug?
  • Have you made unsuccessful attempts at cutting down your drug use?
The second step is to get professional help. This is an almost insurmountable thing to conquer on your own. 

The third step is to utlilize opiate withdrawal medications that are designed to take away or greatly lessen the torturous symptoms of withdrawal. One of the most successful of these medications is Elimidrol.
It can be purchased without a prescription and has been scientifically formulated to be the #1 opiate withdrawal supplement! 
The fourth step is to get into a support group that will walk you through even more steps to get you on the road to recovery! One excellent group is the Addiction Recovery Program by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a 12-step program that uses your faith in God to help you get through the hard process. 

If you know someone who is struggling with this problem, try to get them to understand that it isn't them, it's the monster of addiction that has them hooked. There is hope for recovery and relief from these symptoms. Hopefully, they will get help and know that they will only be stronger for doing so!


Sources: AddictionandRecovery.org
ASAM