Any Opiate Abusers On Here?

Just wondering. I'm not addicted but do abuse them quite a bit. Easy when I'm prescribed them for arthritic knees but don't take them as directed.

Low grade stuff 15-20mg of hydrocodone once or twice daily. My rx is for 5mg twice a day. I try to be careful cause I'm bipolar and I know we have a penchant for becoming addicts.

That is all. Give me a shout if you are flirting with opiates too.

Flirting with opiates only make you a junkie, stop before its too late.
been there !

Sage counsel.

Problem is I DO need to take them for my knee pain. I cannot take NSAID's like motrin, naproxen, arthrotec, etc because they make me really sick. I tried tramadol but that made me hypomanic and I'm bipolar so my Pdoc said don't take them. Regular tylenol doesn't do crap and cannot take aspirin because I've had stomach ulcers.

Thing is, I don't drink because me on alcohol is not a pretty sight and I won't drink while I'm on psyche meds. The hydros give me just a little glow for a few hours and I really don't want to give them up -just keep it under control.

The problem is there's an "invisible line" that we cross into addiction. We never know WHEN we cross that line. But when we do, it's a matter of NEEDING them, not wanting them. Then we start to CRAVE them -- it becomes an absolute incessant need that controls our mind, body and spirit. We CANNOT go without them, and we'll do just about ANYTHING to get them even if it means going into the wrong part of town to get them. I've been there and done that.
I'm a recovering alcoholic/addict. It's not a pretty picture, and withdrawal from these meds is HORRIBLE.

So be very careful - and I mean VERY careful. You don't want to cross that invisible line, believe me. God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee

Thanks Leed. I'm trying to be. For instance I haven't had any in about a week and this past week I was fine. I never go above 15 or 20mg in one dose and always make sure I wait 4-6 hours before I take another 15-20 -if I take a second dose in one day.

I don't do them 24/7. I won't do them 24/7. I have always fiddled around with drugs since I was a teen in the 70's but I have always been really good about knowing my limit and when it's time to walk away.

I'm very careful about that.

Hi Twiddle,

I take percocet for 3 ruptured discs, and I have been known to use them when I want a "lift." I'm trying to use exercise & homeopathic things like biofreeze & heating pads. I have an addictive personality, but I never tell my Dr things like that. I often don't even mention psych disorders because I feel judged.

I do agree that the addiction can sneak up on you, and I noticed you take xanax which is also addictive.

Peace & Hugs,

TnT

Hi ThickNTired, sorry about the ruptured discs. Serious pain there. Well I'm having trouble increasing my hydro rx for the knee pain, he's really stubborn. Let me say that I weigh 286lbs so I don't think asking to incr to 7.5mg twice a day is a ridiculous request.

I dislocated my r knee this past March (not the first time, I've had arthroscopic surgery on it about 30 years ago!) and was told that I have osteoarthritis in both knees. Being obese doesn't help. Getting up and down is painful, stairs are horrid and cold or rainy weather makes it worse.

As to the xanax, I can take it or leave it. I don't really like the benzo buzz.

Anyhow since my primary care doc is being such a stubborn git, on the advice of a friend I'm going to see a pain management doc to see if he can help me better than my primary.

All I can say is be careful. that is how it started for me and the end result was not pretty! Dr.s are not always on your side or have your best interest in mind. Watch out!

Flirting is a HORRIBLE idea and nothing good will come from it, been there and it was a horrible place to be, stop while you can

Actually, reading this it seems that you're already addicted, I would find natural ways to deal with pain, because the "glow" isn't worth it. You are justifying your need for them.

I got addicted to Xanax -- it's SUPPOSED to be prescribed SHORT=TERM, meaning maybe 5-7 days, not long=-term. My doctor kept prescribiing it over and over, and i didn't know anything about the drug at the time. This was in 1993.

I got addicted big time. Then i'd had enough cause I was drinking too -- I'm lucky i didn't kill myself cause booze & Xanax don't go well. I cold-turkeyed, and THAT is extremely dangerous. And I got sober at the same time too. (booze)

Addicted since I was 17 (I'm 23 now and finally getting help).