Newbie
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In a good place
Posts: 4,482
Newbie
Hi, I'm the mother of 20 year old opiate addict. Her DOC is dilaudid and it started about 10 months ago. She's detoxed a few times and tried outpatient rehab once. She's on suboxone right now and obviously there's a whole lot of info in between I'm leaving out. Right now it's just too much to type but I wanted to at least start.
I'm glad this forum is available because I live out in the sticks and the closest NarAnon meeting is over 150 miles away. Several NA meetings, but not NarAnon. I've been seeing an addiction therapist and he's a huge help, but sometimes I need to talk (type) more than once a week. My friends have all been wonderful but I think it's time to spread out a little more.
Thanks for having me
I'm glad this forum is available because I live out in the sticks and the closest NarAnon meeting is over 150 miles away. Several NA meetings, but not NarAnon. I've been seeing an addiction therapist and he's a huge help, but sometimes I need to talk (type) more than once a week. My friends have all been wonderful but I think it's time to spread out a little more.
Thanks for having me
same planet...different world
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
Hello Chino -
and welcome to SR!
There's a wealth of information to be had here, as well as a wealth of fellowship and support and friendship. I urge you to check out the Friends and Family Threads, read the stickies at the tops of each forum ... read and post to your hearts content!
and welcome to SR!
There's a wealth of information to be had here, as well as a wealth of fellowship and support and friendship. I urge you to check out the Friends and Family Threads, read the stickies at the tops of each forum ... read and post to your hearts content!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Lake Tahoe CA
Posts: 1,098
Hi Chino...Welcome!
I am the mom of an opiate addict myself. My son is 29 years old. Watching him destroy himself is hurting me in ways that I can't even begin to explain.
To add to that, I am a newly sober alcoholic. There are hours that I don't know if I am coming or going. I just keep coming back here, reading and posting. I attend meetings of AA. I know that I need Al Anon/Nar Anon also.
That is a free support for people that have a loved one who has a problem with Alcohol or Drugs...Trying to build my own foundation first. As Barb said, much can be learned by reading the stickies on the top, reaching out, posting and asking questions. I swear this place will save your life if you let it in. Take care.
I am the mom of an opiate addict myself. My son is 29 years old. Watching him destroy himself is hurting me in ways that I can't even begin to explain.
To add to that, I am a newly sober alcoholic. There are hours that I don't know if I am coming or going. I just keep coming back here, reading and posting. I attend meetings of AA. I know that I need Al Anon/Nar Anon also.
That is a free support for people that have a loved one who has a problem with Alcohol or Drugs...Trying to build my own foundation first. As Barb said, much can be learned by reading the stickies on the top, reaching out, posting and asking questions. I swear this place will save your life if you let it in. Take care.
InnerWinner
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Milwaukee
Posts: 22
Hi Chino,
I have been in recovery for 2 years from alcohol, drug, gambling and substance addiction. For this time I have been living with my parents. I give you a lot of credit for joining this message board. As a parent, it takes sometime more than love and encouragement to get a child back to normal again. Keep looking for answers, go to your library and take out books, read stories of other people who have comeback successfully from drug addiction so that it gives you the inspiration to push forward with helping to heal your child. best of luck in your journey.
I have been in recovery for 2 years from alcohol, drug, gambling and substance addiction. For this time I have been living with my parents. I give you a lot of credit for joining this message board. As a parent, it takes sometime more than love and encouragement to get a child back to normal again. Keep looking for answers, go to your library and take out books, read stories of other people who have comeback successfully from drug addiction so that it gives you the inspiration to push forward with helping to heal your child. best of luck in your journey.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: England
Posts: 1,733
Hello Chino and welcome.
For me, the first few weeks SR helped keep me on track. People around me are not like me and reading on here was a massive help. Now i get on here whenever i can and am always inspired, best wishes to you.
For me, the first few weeks SR helped keep me on track. People around me are not like me and reading on here was a massive help. Now i get on here whenever i can and am always inspired, best wishes to you.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In a good place
Posts: 4,482
The first few months were the worst and I wish I had found this place earlier. The sticky "What addicts do" would have saved me a lot pain. I lurked here for a little bit before joining and printed that out, took it the addiction therapist. He said he'd add one more thing to it, "I believe every lie I tell."
I'm going to keep it with me at all times and who knows, maybe it will spare someone else a little agony. Forewarned is forearmed.
My daughter has my compassion, especially after what she's gone through the last month. After several relapses she decided suboxone was the way to go temporarily. Problem was, only a few doctors in a 75 mile radius are certified to dispense. One doctor took two weeks before bothering to schedule her an appointment and then it was three weeks out.
She was so frustrated to be told to wait that she chose to switch to methadone for a week at tapering doses. Then she was off everything, clean at last and she did it on her own. I was so proud of her. Then everything crashed. Her wisdom teeth decided to make their presence known and they weren't friendly about it.
Instead of running back to D's for the pain and withdrawals, she went back to the House and bought suboxone. She isn't pain free but at least it's keeping the receptors a little more quiet.
She swore up and down the other night, said God must hate her and loves to throw stumbling blocks in her way. I really can't imagine her frustration after cleaning up on her own. Then, just when she needed it most, the suboxone list was updated and two more docs in this area were added. She has an appointment next Tuesday hooray!
She also has oral surgery scheduled tomorrow for all four wisdom teeth. They're all impacted and wedged underneath her molars, making her gums bleed. Today was the first time she had to warn an 'outsider' about her addiction. It was a smart thing to do, he said they have to adjust anesthesia for recent addictions. He also told her she will be in pain afterwards because Mepergan is the strongest thing he can give her. No more suboxone for her until she withdraws from that, probably just in time for her appointment.
Backing up a lot, she also has anxiety disorder, has had it since she was a young girl. After no hits and all misses with anti-depressants, we found a psychiatrist who did neurological diagnostics (EEG, QEEG, rEEG). Beta blockers are it for her. Another hurray!
He also found something else -- at some point in time she suffered a mild TBI (traumatic brain injury aka concussion). It's located above her left ear. It impaired her logical abilities and essentially made her all right brain (emotion). It's being treated with neurofeedback (she's thinking with a lot more clarity now instead of just reacting) and thank goodness it was discovered now instead of later. Some brain injuries, for specific neurochemical reasons I forgot to write down, have a tendency to predispose towards opiate addiction.
At this point I'm honestly looking at those wisdom teeth as a gift from God. She'll be on suboxone for a while, no more cravings, and she can finish her neurofeedback. She has a plan of action after she heals from the surgery and that is a first. Another hurray!
I don't deceive myself in thinking this is the end of it, we all know it's a life long struggle. But I do feel good in that I've left no stone unturned. Even if she caves in after surgery, I know there's nothing more I can do. It's all up to her, one day at a time.
I'm going to keep it with me at all times and who knows, maybe it will spare someone else a little agony. Forewarned is forearmed.
My daughter has my compassion, especially after what she's gone through the last month. After several relapses she decided suboxone was the way to go temporarily. Problem was, only a few doctors in a 75 mile radius are certified to dispense. One doctor took two weeks before bothering to schedule her an appointment and then it was three weeks out.
She was so frustrated to be told to wait that she chose to switch to methadone for a week at tapering doses. Then she was off everything, clean at last and she did it on her own. I was so proud of her. Then everything crashed. Her wisdom teeth decided to make their presence known and they weren't friendly about it.
Instead of running back to D's for the pain and withdrawals, she went back to the House and bought suboxone. She isn't pain free but at least it's keeping the receptors a little more quiet.
She swore up and down the other night, said God must hate her and loves to throw stumbling blocks in her way. I really can't imagine her frustration after cleaning up on her own. Then, just when she needed it most, the suboxone list was updated and two more docs in this area were added. She has an appointment next Tuesday hooray!
She also has oral surgery scheduled tomorrow for all four wisdom teeth. They're all impacted and wedged underneath her molars, making her gums bleed. Today was the first time she had to warn an 'outsider' about her addiction. It was a smart thing to do, he said they have to adjust anesthesia for recent addictions. He also told her she will be in pain afterwards because Mepergan is the strongest thing he can give her. No more suboxone for her until she withdraws from that, probably just in time for her appointment.
Backing up a lot, she also has anxiety disorder, has had it since she was a young girl. After no hits and all misses with anti-depressants, we found a psychiatrist who did neurological diagnostics (EEG, QEEG, rEEG). Beta blockers are it for her. Another hurray!
He also found something else -- at some point in time she suffered a mild TBI (traumatic brain injury aka concussion). It's located above her left ear. It impaired her logical abilities and essentially made her all right brain (emotion). It's being treated with neurofeedback (she's thinking with a lot more clarity now instead of just reacting) and thank goodness it was discovered now instead of later. Some brain injuries, for specific neurochemical reasons I forgot to write down, have a tendency to predispose towards opiate addiction.
At this point I'm honestly looking at those wisdom teeth as a gift from God. She'll be on suboxone for a while, no more cravings, and she can finish her neurofeedback. She has a plan of action after she heals from the surgery and that is a first. Another hurray!
I don't deceive myself in thinking this is the end of it, we all know it's a life long struggle. But I do feel good in that I've left no stone unturned. Even if she caves in after surgery, I know there's nothing more I can do. It's all up to her, one day at a time.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,473
Hi and Welcome,
It sounds like your daughter is handling her situation pretty well right now and I hope that the surgery of the wisdom teeth goes well.
Remember to take care of yourself as your're dealing with these issues.
It sounds like your daughter is handling her situation pretty well right now and I hope that the surgery of the wisdom teeth goes well.
Remember to take care of yourself as your're dealing with these issues.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In a good place
Posts: 4,482
Rowan, something I learned a long time ago is that everyone should have a patient advocate. I've had 20 surgeries in my lifetime and learned more than I ever wanted to about pain, injuries, doctors, nurses, and hospitals.
I learned to ask who, what, when, where, why and how about everything. If it meant detaining someone longer than the allotted 5 minutes, I didn't give a damn. If they couldn't answer my question then tell me who could.
I did that for two years with my father's docs before he finally died from the complications of diabetes and heart disease. I know in my heart he passed a lot more comfortably and peacefully, because of pushing his doctors into seeing him as person, not a slab of flesh. Now I'm doing the same with my daughter.
I started seeing the addiction specialist because I wanted to learn everything possible about it. Today, after sharing some of the things I've learned, my daughter said she should start seeing him too. Oh my God, I wanted to cry tears of joy.
After reading the steps, I realize I've been doing them all along without even knowing it. I thank my HP all the time for helping me find the necessary resources, including this forum. I did a search the other day about suboxone and that's how I found you. I wasn't looking for a community but I'm glad I did.
I'm reading all these personal accounts and I'm finding strength. I prayed that my HP would give me His strength because mine was running low. I just hope I can give back to others what they are giving me.
I learned to ask who, what, when, where, why and how about everything. If it meant detaining someone longer than the allotted 5 minutes, I didn't give a damn. If they couldn't answer my question then tell me who could.
I did that for two years with my father's docs before he finally died from the complications of diabetes and heart disease. I know in my heart he passed a lot more comfortably and peacefully, because of pushing his doctors into seeing him as person, not a slab of flesh. Now I'm doing the same with my daughter.
I started seeing the addiction specialist because I wanted to learn everything possible about it. Today, after sharing some of the things I've learned, my daughter said she should start seeing him too. Oh my God, I wanted to cry tears of joy.
After reading the steps, I realize I've been doing them all along without even knowing it. I thank my HP all the time for helping me find the necessary resources, including this forum. I did a search the other day about suboxone and that's how I found you. I wasn't looking for a community but I'm glad I did.
I'm reading all these personal accounts and I'm finding strength. I prayed that my HP would give me His strength because mine was running low. I just hope I can give back to others what they are giving me.
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