Good days / bad days

[Buzz Kilowatt]

I quit an 8 year 15 mg/day hydro habit on December 31.

Although the initial W/D is unpleasant and often miserable, the days following are up and down. Exercise seems to help me a lot, but I need to feel better.

Although I have no desire to go back to opates, I can see why people do. It's an anti-depressant and it makes you numb.

To feel and to hurt is to be alive.

Just wondering if anyone has thoughts / strategies for dealing with the "middle phase" of PAWS.

Thanks!

[Jane63]

Welcome to SR Buzz!
I just have a minute and really no experience with PAWS but wanted to say congrats on your clean time and to check back some on this forum as I do remember seeing a thread a ways back with info on PAWS!

Ohh and I agree...Exercise is a wonderful motivator so keep it up!!
{{HUGS}}
Jane

[Phinneas]

Originally Posted by Buzz Kilowatt

Just wondering if anyone has thoughts / strategies for dealing with the "middle phase" of PAWS.

Congrats on your clean time, Buzz. You're doing great!

As an opiate addict myself, I discovered that the best thing to jump start those feel-good brain chemicals again are 1) exercise, 2) sex and 3) laughter.

Otherwise, keep doing the usual - hot baths, Ibuprofen and lots of fluids.

Good luck and hang in there.

[Dawn10]

Welcome to SR and congrats on starting a pill free/drug free life. It is harder in the beginning, but you can get through it. Just remember the physical withdrawal will only last a short while. Recovery is a lifetime.
The only other thing to add to the good advice already offered is something that worked for me and I had to make myself do it. DON'T ISOLATE YOURSELF!!
That is the worse thing I could have done because it allowed those lies my addict brain would tell me to surface. If I was out with others, I couldn't think about using. I couldn't think of how bad I felt. Even if you just go to your local Starbucks, take a good book or magazine and sit in the sunlight, it is better than sitting at home alone.
Keep posting. We are here for you!

[illbeback]

Buzz, I totally understand what you're saying. I was taking 80mgs hydrocodone per day and, while it was great in the beginning...and I THOUGHT everything was great at the end, the truth is, you'll get more done being clean. You'll have more energy being clean. You'll be more productive being clean. You'll be healthier being clean. You'll be better at everything. Trust me. It takes work and time, but it does get so much better.

My problem is that I don't really like to drink, and I quit smoking at the same time I quit the hydros, so now I have no real vices. What's a guy like me going to do to wind down? Honestly, I'd rather have a hydro over a drink any day of the week - the feeling is better for me and there's no hangover! BUT, I know now that I can't stop at just one or two on the weekends. If they're in the house, I'll take them daily until they're gone. So, learning how to go to parties, cope with boredom (that's my biggest problem) or just get through mundane tasks...that's the challange.

You can do it, Buzz. Just stay strong, keep busy and come here (or go to meetings) often.

[Buzz Kilowatt]

Thanks, y'all. I appreciate your collective wisdom.

I think addiction has a big spiritual / existential component. That's why 12 step programs and the like are effective. One difficult part of the recovery process is facing all of the things that you've buried or avoided over the years.

I'm not drawn to drink or any other substitute. Small amounts of Xanax help when the anxiety kicks in, but I sure don't want to make that a habit. I believe meds are useful when they are taken for their intended purpose, and feel sorry for people who HAVE to take pain meds for chronic stuff. But my hydro use continued long after the pain was gone . . . .

I think I'd be fine if it weren't for some minor physical ailments (e.g. extra systoles and misc. abdominal cramps, sensitive gut, etc.) to constantly "remind" me that I'm quitting. But I'm optimistic that these will resolve in time.

I appreciate the "virtual fellowship" immensely.

Thanks!

Buzz