Most of us here are quitting or have relapsed, so there's likely not a lot of people here that have been "clean" for any length of time. Still, I'm wondering if anyone out there has in the past been clean for a year or more at some time?

I can make it through WD, but the depression and lethargy of post-withdrawal really scares me. I suffer from depression to begin with, and when you pile on the depression from withdrawal on top of it, its brutal.

I'm really looking for someone's experience on how the "moods" progress in the days, weeks, and months afterwards. I don't mean pouting about no more drugs, or cravings, but rather dealing with the boss, getting out of bed in the morning, etc...

Does it really last up to a year as they say?

Thanks!

Bradth, long time no see. The question is a good one, there are a few members who have gone without opiod meds. for quite some time, and seem fairly chipper when they post, I do not have an answer other than (if able) to join a gym, even a modified work-out will help, your brain has to get those endorphins working without the use of opiods...I go to mental health regularly, but I have not found the answer, I know how you feel and I hope you get some good responses. Depression is painful, acute depression is even worse, hang in, hope you stick around for awhile, you have been missed.
My very best,
David

Thanks! Haven't taken any optiates other than sub for coming up on a year now. I do agree sub is a monster to get off of, but in retrospect I'm still thrilled not to have been on Hydro. At least its legal and I'm not dealing with ROPs or NROPs and sweating it out waiting for the FedEx truck!

Never forget the two big mistakes in my life: the day the first bummed cigarette actually tasted good, and the week I decided not to take a few days off Hydro as per usual because my neck hurt and I was on vacation... sigh.

I have quit before, and like you know the initial part is pure hell. The reason it takes like a year for you to get back to feeling normal, is your brain chemistry has been changed by taking these opiates, and has time have time to get back to normal. I have been told sometimes your chemistry does not return to normal, if thats the case I dont know what to tell a person.

But generally speaking, it took a long time to get in the shape of an addiction, so it also takes time to get out of one. But I know everyday that goes by is one more day without being in bondage to those evil pills. Set anniversary days of when you quit, the last thing you want to do is have a relaspe. Good luck.

Quote from planonit:
"But I know everyday that goes by is one more day without being in bondage to those evil pills."

planonit, if you are referring to the use of narcotic pain medication as prescribed by a dr. for a legitimate need, you are totally 100% wrong and that is a ridiculous statement. Those of us who are chronic pain patients who are suffering rely on narcotic pain meds for relief from unbearable pain. Without them alot of us cannot function at all or even get out of bed. My mobility depends on narcotic pain meds, so I speak from experience. You need to educate yourself on the subject before making ridiculous untrue statements. The first thing you need to learn is "I have been told" or "I hear" means nothing. You obviously got your information from someone else who is misinformed, or maybe its your own personal problem. What is the source for the information you are giving out? One size does not fit all, people who abuse pain meds are making it miserable for those of us who take them legitimately. Try looking up the subject and educating yourself.Your kind of thinking is warped and from the dark ages. People who abuse narcotic pain medication have caused so many problems for those of us who have a valid need. If you yourself have a problem, go get help, but don't label the medication as evil, when, in fact, it is a god send for many of us. There is a reason why they make narcotic medication and prescribe it and you obviously don't understand that. You certainly shouldn't be giving anyone advice on the subject. Know what you are talking about before making dumb untrue statements. Btw, after reading all of your posts, none of what you say makes any sense, you are mixed up and all over the road.

quote:

Originally posted by planonit:
I have quit before, and like you know the initial part is pure hell. The reason it takes like a year for you to get back to feeling normal, is your brain chemistry has been changed by taking these opiates, and has time have time to get back to normal. I have been told sometimes your chemistry does not return to normal, if thats the case I dont know what to tell a person.

But generally speaking, it took a long time to get in the shape of an addiction, so it also takes time to get out of one. But I know everyday that goes by is one more day without being in bondage to those evil pills. Set anniversary days of when you quit, the last thing you want to do is have a relaspe. Good luck.

Okay..there are many things that just don't make sense here.
First, just like pain meds to begin with, one size(one pain medication)doesn't fit all. Not all that stop medication has withdrawals. Thats a misnomer. I have taken myself off the duragesic patch and not had w/d's from it.

A year to get back to normal? Is that for the addicted person? Or for someone that has finally got out of the tunnel of chronic pain? I would love to see statistics on this particular nugget of info you toss out there.

Disclaimer to others reading this thread: Everyone is different, everyone's results are different. Please take a grain of salt with posts.
Even mine.

JohnO? Amen...nice post!

Johno123, Kat and Scotty all I can say is I agree 100% with everything you all said. No reason for me to add to it.

Libby

Well said Johno123!

I agree with all said here too, but to add...

The way you may or may not feel in the coming weeks/months/etc will depend on what your use was up to...how much and how long you've been taking it. And it will also depend alot on your personality and pre-existing factors such as depression and whether you are addicted or not.

I've said it before, I will say it again, most of us know that

Addiction is not the same thing as dependence!!!!!

My experience was not real typical from I read. I was on hydro for a year and a half of daily use...probably only 50mgs a day. I had wds for three days...but was able to function through them (yes I went to the bathroom at work several times to throw up among other things).

I also suffer from depression, but I'm not sure that had any effect with coming off the hydro for me. Also, I still take hydro for time-to-time for pain when prescribed without becoming "hooked".

So, like everyone said, it can be very different for everybody. Certainly wish you the best and there is a lot of support here, no matter what the deal is.

I've known people who have gone through PAWS and come out the other side.
It CAN take up to a year to feel "normal" again. Why? because the brain does not naturally produce the necessary endorphins and dopamine any longer.(after relying on opiates to fill those receptors for so long) It takes time for that to happen again. Sometimes it doesn't.
That is an excellent question.

I'm not in any way saying that narcotics are BAD..in fact, chronic pain patients cannot live without them.
I KNOW what it's like to not be able to get out of bed without the help of them.

I also know the bad sides.

Let's not judge eachother over a post here and there..ya know?

Ema
just my 2 cents