MS Contin Question

[Cleo44]

Hey folks :]
I started abusing 30mg of this drug per day 2 years ago.
Slowly my tolerance increased to where I now take
100mg to 200mg per day, sometimes every other day.

I'm wondering how addicted I am?
I have plenty of the drug to taper down
but I don't know what sort of timeframe I should use.

Thanks in advance for any input :]

~Cleo

p.s. sorry for the x-post, i meant to post here not in the NA forum.

[ashley80]

HI, Cleo. I am an opiate addict, too. I have never used MS Contin. I think your detox will depend on how you take the drug. If you side step the extended release feature by chewing or snorting, then it will be different than if you just swallow the pills whole.

Either way, can you try to get some medical help??? Either through the doctor that prescribed them, or a drug treatment facility, or any other way you feel comfortable?

In my experience, that's a fairly high dose, and you will have some significant discomfort. There are drugs that can be rx'ed that will make you MUCH more comfortable.

For long acting opiates, a long slow taper is usually recommended, but I am NOT a doctor. I would strongly recommend professional help.

Also, of course, I have to mention, that getting off the drug is the easy part. Staying off is a different story. Most people find they need some help with that, too. (I did!!!)

I'm sure you'll get some more support/help soon.
Ashley

[Cleo44]

Ashley, I do swallow them whole but I intend to try to taper down on my own, very slow. I also have Xanax & Klonopin to help me as I taper.
I've known people who take much higher doses than me.....600mg to 800mg
every day. I gotta give it a shot.

Thanks for taking the time to talk :]

~Cleo




HI, Cleo. I am an opiate addict, too. I have never used MS Contin. I think your detox will depend on how you take the drug. If you side step the extended release feature by chewing or snorting, then it will be different than if you just swallow the pills whole.

Either way, can you try to get some medical help??? Either through the doctor that prescribed them, or a drug treatment facility, or any other way you feel comfortable?

In my experience, that's a fairly high dose, and you will have some significant discomfort. There are drugs that can be rx'ed that will make you MUCH more comfortable.

For long acting opiates, a long slow taper is usually recommended, but I am NOT a doctor. I would strongly recommend professional help.

Also, of course, I have to mention, that getting off the drug is the easy part. Staying off is a different story. Most people find they need some help with that, too. (I did!!!)

I'm sure you'll get some more support/help soon.
Ashley

[1badrabbit]

Crushing or messing with the time release on MS Contin is pointless anyway as they have a wax that makes getting them to a fine powder near impossible and gums up your nose if you try and snort them. 100 to 200mg of oral morphine a day really isn't that much to come off of especially if it is time released. As for how addicted you are thats hard to say. Only you can answer how mentally addicted you are, but to get an idea of the physical side just try not taking any of the drug for about 2 days. If you can do that you will be feeling withdrawals depending on the severity of the withdrawals you will have an idea of how severe your physical addiction is. Personally I would try to find something shorter acting to taper with. When You do quit I would try and stay away from the benzos as they could just end up being another problem for you. Good luck in getting clean

[Cleo44]

Yes I heard exactly what you said about crushing them, makes no difference.
Yes 100 to 200mg of oral is less painfull especially because it's time released. If it we're MSIR (immediate release) 200mg a day I think I'd be in more trouble. I also may use my 15mg MSIR immediates as another "tapering device". I don't always take MS Contin everyday, but usually by the 3rd day I take some cuz I feel a slight bit jittery. I'm very confident I will be able to do this on my own partly because it's (as you said) not a very large dosage, not taken everyday, and finally, three out of four people who have posted on my question recomended I enter a detox center. Now that made me laugh :-)
Not meaning to offend anyone of course. I guess they say that to everyone who askes the kind of question I did.
Anyway, worry not about addiction to the benzos....I've have GAD & SAD for over 20 years. I use them respectfully. As for your idea of "going without"
for a few days to see how severe my physical addiction is, I'll pass on that one....but I get your point :-)

Thanks Badrabbit
& good luck to you too!!




Crushing or messing with the time release on MS Contin is pointless anyway as they have a wax that makes getting them to a fine powder near impossible and gums up your nose if you try and snort them. 100 to 200mg of oral morphine a day really isn't that much to come off of especially if it is time released. As for how addicted you are thats hard to say. Only you can answer how mentally addicted you are, but to get an idea of the physical side just try not taking any of the drug for about 2 days. If you can do that you will be feeling withdrawals depending on the severity of the withdrawals you will have an idea of how severe your physical addiction is. Personally I would try to find something shorter acting to taper with. When You do quit I would try and stay away from the benzos as they could just end up being another problem for you. Good luck in getting clean.

Badrabbit

[ashley80]

Um, Cleo, I didn't actually suggest that you enter a detox center, I was trying to say I thought you should get some professional help. But, I'm glad you got a laugh out of it!!! There are doctors who can prescribe drugs to make the process much more comfortable.

I only said what I did because I have been around this opiate addiction block a few times, and have found out the hard way that it is one tough thing to beat. I tried to do it "my way." (without help) But it didn't work out.

Perhaps you only have a "mild" (is there such a thing???) addiction and will be successful in beating it on your own. I certainly hope so!! But if you find you need some help, we will still be here.

At any rate, I wish you well with your taper, and hope you will let us know how it goes.
Ashley