Question about things again...

[nomad1985]

It's been 35 days since I ended my stint with painkillers and about a week since I decided to start seeing a counselor at the school I go to to help me deal with my emotions.

The problem I am concerned about is that I am still moderately depressed, and by moderately, I mean that I'm finding it practically impossible to enjoy anything. I also haven't had any sexual desire in the last two weeks. My counselor says that this won't last for very long and that I need to just tough it out until it starts to get better.

Has anyone else dealt with the loss of sexual desire after quitting and how long does this usually last?

Thanks!

Nomad

[ccgirl]

Loss of sexual desire could be from discontinuing drugs, but it is also a very common symptom of depression.

[nomad1985]

Well, I've never had a problem with depression until after about 2.5 weeks after I stopped taking the drug. My pyschologist and psychiatrist say that the depression from discontinuing the drug will clear up with time and that it shouldn't take too long. Could it be that the depression I'm feeling is from discontinuing the drug and the loss of sexual desire could be from that depression?

Just curious, I'm having a tough time with all of this.

Nomad

[ccgirl]

It absolutely could be that. Give it a little time. I think everything will be OK

[catcrazy]

There is a ton of info out there on the effects of opiate use and the damage and chemical changes it causes in the brain. Its important to recognize this aspect, as one of the biggest results of the chemical changes in us is depression.
I copied and pasted some information on paws below, because I hoped it would explain how common symptoms are after withdrawal is over.
There is alot more on the actual endorphins and receptors in our brains, that truly explains what causes all these feelings, look it up if you have chance, understanding what is going on scientifically has always helped me really get a better handle on things.
Hope you get to feeling better soon..

"Post-acute withdrawal means symptoms that occur after acute withdrawal. Post means after. And syndrome means a group of symptoms.

Syndrome: A group of symptoms

Post: After

Post Acute Withdrawal: Symptoms that occur after acute withdrawal.

Post-acute withdrawal is a group of symptoms of addictive disease that occur as a result of abstinence from addictive chemicals. In the alcoholic/addict these symptoms appear seven to fourteen days into abstinence, after stabilization from the acute withdrawal.

The severity of PAW depends upon two things: the severity of the brain dysfunction caused by the addiction and the amount of psychosocial stress experienced in recovery.

The symptoms of PAW typically grow to peak intensity over three to six months after abstinence begins. The damage is usually reversible, meaning the major symptoms go away in time if proper treatment is received. So there is no need to fear. With proper treatment and effective sober living, it is possible to learn to live normally in spite of the impairments. But the adjustment does not occur rapidly. Recovery from the nervous system damage usually required from six to 24 months with the assistance of a healthy recovery program. Recent research is showing that for some recovering people the symptoms of PAW often occur at regular "moon cycle" intervals and without apparent outside stressors. Often those 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 1 & 2-year sobriety dates seem to be "triggering" times for PAW symptoms to increase. People recovering from long term opiate and stimulant use often have PAW symptoms for no apparent reason for up to 10 years after they have stopped using their drug of choice.

TYPES OF PAW SYMPTOMS

1. Inability to think clearly

2. Memory problems

3. Emotional overreactions numbness depression

4. Sleep disturbances

5. Physical coordination problems

6. Stress sensitivity"

[nomad1985]

The only thing with reading about PAWS is that it just worries me without warrant. My substance abuse counselor says that not only was I not using that much, or for the long, but the odds that I would get anything like that are statistically absurd. I feel better week by week, so it can't be PAWS because PAWS gets worse before it gets better.

Being depressed and anxious after discontinuing the use of a drug doesn't neccesarily mean that it's PAWS.

Am I right or am I just spouting out nonsense here?

Just need some more clarification.

Thanks.

Nomad

[ccgirl]

I'm curious - how much were you taking and how long?

I read somewhere that it takes months but sometimes weeks only to get addicted, so I'm wondering where you doctor was kind of saying it wasn't a big deal. At least that's how I took it.

[nomad1985]

I used off and on for a little less than a year. When I was using, it was a darvocet pill a day. Over the christmas break I (stupid me) took a 5mg pill of methadone, but not every day, for a couple of weeks.

He says that he's baseing his assumption that I wasn't addicted on my pattern of using and not precisely on how long or how much I was using.

His words exactly, "Don't worry, because this isn't going to turn you into a drug addict."

I have no fear that I will use again, because I am positive that I will not. It's done too much harm to me.

Nomad

[blackbird]

nomad, were you taking only 1 darvocet a day? For how long were your taking darvocet? Why were you taking it, was it prescribed for pain? I am interested what you have to say on this subject, when did you personally fill you addicted or had a problem and what was your first step in addressing it? peace-blackbird

[Ten Chips Down]

Just under a year Black.

Nomad, your case presents interesting dilemmas. You were using so little and unusually indeed (for an "addict") that I suspect no one here quite knows what to tell you LOL.

People are reluctant to label you an addict when you yourself are casting off that label. Further confounding things is that you should come here asking open-ended questions about addiction to Darvocet if you are, indeed not addicted... to, well, Darvocet.

One also wonders why you are asking us and not your counsellor. Some of those questions are just impossible for people on an internet forum to answer, like "Could it be that the depression I'm feeling is from discontinuing the drug and the loss of sexual desire could be from that depression?"

- Impossible to know that sort of thing!

I hope your counsellor is a real live doctor. You need that expertise right now.

Either way, I am confident that if you stay dope-free, you will be fine!

Ten

[northbelle]

Can I EVER RELATE!!! Depression has been MAJOR for me this time. I was so low last week I thought I would NEVER get better..That inability to enjoy ANYTHING..and feeling like I just could not rise up out of that pit again...
I have 55 days.
I also thought I was just dead in the sex department but I am happy to tell you..it got better too!!!!
Just want to share some hope..my depression is MAJOR..and I started ZOLOFT a few weeks ago. I think it may be working. I was seriously having thoughts of death I was sooo miserable.

But I KEPT PUTTING ONE MISERABLE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER>>>
and I got THROUGH it!!!
It will get better again..I swear if you stay clean it WILL.
love north

[Sunflower]

Sure doesn't sound like 'moderate depression' to me--are you on any anti depressants--they lower your sex drive--plus serious depression makes everything seem like a chore just getting out of bed!I hope you are seeing a psychiatrists who can help you and order medication if you need it---some of the new meds work wonders for people.You are going throug a lot right now--give yourself credit...good for you...

[nomad1985]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. I have seen my counselor again (after my sexual desire has started to come back too, thank God) and he assures me that since I feel better every week that this shouldn't last too much longer.

It's the rumination that really gets me. Sometimes I feel like it's just going to take too long for me to get back to normal again.

I'm still only sleeping about 6hrs a night, usually after waking up at about 3 or 4, laying around for a bit, and then dozing off until about 6 or 7. Should get better too, I guess. It's hard not getting that much sleep.

Nomad

[nomad1985]

Also, my pyschiatrist and counselor both agree that this is something that doesn't need medications. I tend to agree.

Nomad

[StagebearNJ]

Originally Posted by nomad1985

I'm still only sleeping about 6hrs a night,

There were days, early on, when I would have sold my a$$ for six hours sleep.
That is not meant to minimize your issue, just maybe a little perspective.
Bear