[Sugah]

I had surgery to reconstruct my lower leg when I was three months clean. I was so fearful of relapse - and I was told the same thing. Not medicating the pain was not an option. I was on a Dilaudid drip for seven days, and when I left the hospital, I was given a prescription for Percocet. My son held my meds and gave them to me. As I neared the end of the prescription, I started lowering the dose, and though I felt shaky for a couple of days after I stopped, I went through no serious withdrawals.

Other than the healing issue, there is also problem of stress causing relapse. I was blessed that one of my surgeons was in recovery and was open with me about it. He told me, "If you don't let me take care of your pain, when you leave here, you will take care of it yourself." So, I let the doctor manage it, stayed very, very close to my support system (my sponsor, others in recovery), prayed & meditated, and made sure I was accountable. I came through it without a relapse.

The medication isn't as important, I don't think, as your commitment to your recovery. If you're willing to go to any lengths to preserve that, you'll be okay.

Peace & Love,
Sugah