Life after the physical withdrawals

[AVR]

Hello everyone. This is my first time posting. I have been on hydrocodone for the better part of the past two years and I finally decided that I needed to stop (for my children, wife and for myself). Last friday I stopped cold turkey. Its not the first time I've done it, but this time I feel more determined. Here's my problem: Getting through the physical withdrawals, while no picnic, are not the worst part.

For me, I am terrified that in 2 weeks or so I will start using again to deal with the "lack of happiness" that I constantly feel. I have no energy, no motivation, and constantly feel that I was happier when taking the pills (although of course an artificial, fake happiness). Does anyone have any tips other than an NA group or AA group (those are not an option for me) for dealing with the long term coping? Does the feeling of happiness eventually come back? Will I feel "normal" again? and if so, how long does that usually take?

[Phinneas]

Welcome to SR, AVR.

Opiatates deplete the seritonin and dopamaine that the brain naturally produced, thus many weeks or months of depression follow a withdrawal. The first suggestion is to develop a long-term strategy for dealing with this depression - you need to just get through it, it does get better. Second, I would seek medical advice about an anti-depressant (from a Dr. who is also an addictionologist). Third, please do some reading on PAWS - post acute withdrawal syndrome (here at SR or via Google). And, last, in my personal experience, the only way I could get clean and STAY clean was by working an honest program of recovery.

I hope that helps, AVR. Keep posting and reaching out!

[AVR]

Thanks so much for your thoughts. Do you have any suggestions on antidepressants? I was on prozac before which I quit taking very shortly before I started taking the hydrocodone. My concern is that it takes many days for the antidepressants (ususally) to start working, especially for prozac.

[woops]

Nope - I wouldnt go by way of ADs. You are just storing up trouble - another addiction and another withdrawal. Why not just try going clean? It's worth it in the end.
People in other countries dont depend on pills as we do in this pill culture of ours. There is an alternative to pills....................... and your body and mind will heal given time. Dont start adding more chemicals to your poor wee brain - it has surely had enough?
You will be so glad that you didnt start on ADs if you just manage to get thro the next few weeks................................ Surely has to be worth a shot?

[windysan]

Originally Posted by woops

Nope - I wouldnt go by way of ADs. You are just storing up trouble - another addiction and another withdrawal. Why not just try going clean? It's worth it in the end.
People in other countries dont depend on pills as we do in this pill culture of ours. There is an alternative to pills....................... and your body and mind will heal given time. Dont start adding more chemicals to your poor wee brain - it has surely had enough?
You will be so glad that you didnt start on ADs if you just manage to get thro the next few weeks................................ Surely has to be worth a shot?

what woops said

[Phinneas]

Originally Posted by woops

Nope - I wouldnt go by way of ADs. You are just storing up trouble - another addiction and another withdrawal. Why not just try going clean? It's worth it in the end.
People in other countries dont depend on pills as we do in this pill culture of ours. There is an alternative to pills....................... and your body and mind will heal given time. Dont start adding more chemicals to your poor wee brain - it has surely had enough?
You will be so glad that you didnt start on ADs if you just manage to get thro the next few weeks................................ Surely has to be worth a shot?

Ah... nope, I disagree. As I stated in my first post, "I would seek medical advice about an anti-depressant (from a Dr. who is also an addictionologist)." To expand on this, a medical Dr. is the only one qualified to give this type of advice. I personally strongly recommend that the Dr. also be an addictionologist, as there are more complex issues associated with people with drug and alchohol problems. People on a message board are not qualified to give this type of advice - including me!

I stongly disagree with anyone who says that it is not ok to seek outside help from qualified Drs., therapists or the like. ANY program of recovery, in my experience, may not be enough for some. It is, quite frankly, a very personal decision that must be made by the individual and I respect those who seek outside help.

I hope that helps.

[AVR]

Well, I did go to the Dr. late yesterday and he started me on Prozac. What I kept explaining to him is that I can deal with the physical symptoms of withdrawal, that to me is the easy part. What I think is the hard part is in two or so weeks when I forget how bad the physical withdrawal is and think "well one pill won't be a problem". (I know that doesn't work!). The Dr's big thing was to go to NA, which, like I said in a previous post, is not an option for me. Anyone have any tips/ideas? Its day 6 for me now...

[amymarie]

Hi AVR and welcome to SR. I too am a hydro junkie...
I tried every way known to stop on my own and then stay stopped. I have learned that the pills were NOT my problem...I was my problem. I had to learn (and am learning daily) a new way to live and think and communicate...
I used to think "if they would just quit making those damn pills I would be okay".....and later found out that I would find anything to take their place.

Look in the secular connections forum...they can probably direct you. Personally, I would be dead without NA, but there are several ways to help you help yourself.

Best of luck,
amy