[jbuttz]

I used any opiates I could find my hands on for 7 years and I made the switch back to weed. I can't even go 30 minutes without taking a rip from my bong. I always feel like I never have enough. I can't get myself to feel good. Just one more.

I guess I'm happy I no longer use hydromorphs or oxys but I still get that feeling like my life is missing that special something (hard drugs)

I would feel bad if I used again because it's been a lengthy time that I'm proud of. I'm currently smoking way too much and I know this. I just want to feel okay today.

[Moogieotter]

Hi,

Sorry you are struggling. Depression is common in early recovery. I hope you find relief soon. Welcome to the PC Addiction Forum!

moogs

[Serzen]

Please stay away from opiates! Don't poison your body and mind.

[spondiferous]

I agree that opiates should be avoided by the plague, and that it sounds like you've managed to find at least a little success in what most would consider 'harm reduction', but since you still recognize the problem in it, and you still have the feeling of never getting enough, and worry that you will relapse on opiates, have you considered speaking to someone about this? An addictions counsellor perhaps? A support group? There are things other than AA/NA, if you don't feel comfortable with the 12-step approach. Just a consideration. I know that my life - and my ability to manage my addiction - improved significantly when I was no longer going it alone all the time. best of luck to you, and congrats on making a break from it.

jubttz, the greatest high i have found is putting on a pair of hiking boots and going outside and walking. The endorphines kick in and you feel great. there is something about the human psyche that we are attached to nature and need it to heal. perhaps you might want to put the bong aside for a pair of hiking boots...let beauty sink into your soul and become a part of it.. the birds, the trees, the wind... and you will feel a spiritual element that is missing from being inside all the time... blessings.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Opiates are the worst to get off of. I myself have been trying to quit Suboxone for over a year now but if it's there, I'm taking it. And I can't afford to be sick from withdrawal so my only way out is tapering. But like I said, I have little self control. You are substituting the high with pot but you know what I think? It's way safer than opiates! However you say you're still not feeling good. I would seek therapy if I were you. When I quit drinking I became a total mess. Physically and mentally. I stopped taking care of myself and my home. My house looked like something from the tv show hoarders. I'm also bp2 and wasn't taking my meds though. My bf almost left me because he couldn't take the laziness and the filth anymore. And I refused to work. I just now got a job after 10 months of unemployment but it took a lot of work on my part. I had to get back on meds and stable again. I still get panic attacks though. But as I mentioned I'm still on suboxone just to keep me straight. That's my next hurdle. If only pot took away the withdrawal from that! But good for you for how far you've came so far. Opiates are very hard to kick! And you're lucky you didn't turn to suboxone. It's just a synthetic opiate that's being abused more and more lately. And the half life is twice as long so withdrawal symptoms lasts up to weeks. As far as the mental part, that's all you. I think if you're strong enough to overcome the physical part then you can see a therapist and maybe even get on an antidepressant if needed. Good luck to you!

[jbuttz]

Originally Posted by RxQueen875

Opiates are the worst to get off of. I myself have been trying to quit Suboxone for over a year now but if it's there, I'm taking it. And I can't afford to be sick from withdrawal so my only way out is tapering. But like I said, I have little self control. You are substituting the high with pot but you know what I think? It's way safer than opiates! However you say you're still not feeling good. I would seek therapy if I were you. When I quit drinking I became a total mess. Physically and mentally. I stopped taking care of myself and my home. My house looked like something from the tv show hoarders. I'm also bp2 and wasn't taking my meds though. My bf almost left me because he couldn't take the laziness and the filth anymore. And I refused to work. I just now got a job after 10 months of unemployment but it took a lot of work on my part. I had to get back on meds and stable again. I still get panic attacks though. But as I mentioned I'm still on suboxone just to keep me straight. That's my next hurdle. If only pot took away the withdrawal from that! But good for you for how far you've came so far. Opiates are very hard to kick! And you're lucky you didn't turn to suboxone. It's just a synthetic opiate that's being abused more and more lately. And the half life is twice as long so withdrawal symptoms lasts up to weeks. As far as the mental part, that's all you. I think if you're strong enough to overcome the physical part then you can see a therapist and maybe even get on an antidepressant if needed. Good luck to you!

I found throughout the years of my opiate abuse that the withdrawal symptoms weren't that difficult for me. The diarrhea, restless legs, achy bones I was so used to it never bothered me. It was always a mental issuewith me trying to quit. It often makes me think I was mentally ill before I started using. It seemed to make my mind at ease, at least that's how it starts. I admit that I'm pretty lazy myself and my hygiene could use some improvement. I blame working nights for the most part. My doctor says I'm depressed and anxious but I feel something more. Like in between bp2 and ADHD? I find it hard to focus on conversation, racing thoughts, hypomania caused by my antidepressant. It's cipralex or lexipro you might be familiar with. Work seems to be the only thing going really well in my life atm but I bet my colleagues would describe me as anxious, loopy, snap out and be your friend the next minute. My antidepressant doesn't work. Feels like a placebo. I'm trapped in groundhog day. I wanted to drink tonight but I don't. I was never a drinker. Thanks for your message. I know at times my life may be chaotic/neurotic I am aware how far I have came with my opiate use and I feel great physically just not mentally (which basically sums up my entire life)

[jbuttz]

I kind of actually feel drunk most of the time. Not like reckless driving but foggy memory, selective hearing, negative intrusive thoughts. I just want that voice to ease up a bit. Thats why I thought add or ADHD (I don't know the difference)

[Slowbrains]

I think switching opiates to pot is a very good start. If you've been 7 yrs on opiate abuse, i wouldn't hurry too much to try to be completely sober. It might be just too hard task and cause relapse. Of course it's better not to smoke pot for the rest of your life so maybe a new year promise for 2017?

I was addicted to opiate based painkillers and it took long time to get rid of them. Alcohol helped (Not recommended treatment) as i was alcoholic already. Maybe after year i could say i was off from opiates. Wasn't easy, I even bought cough medicine with some kind of codeine compound and drank one bottle in a day. It was desperate... But i'm easily addicted to anything...

[jbuttz]

Originally Posted by Slowbrains

I think switching opiates to pot is a very good start. If you've been 7 yrs on opiate abuse, i wouldn't hurry too much to try to be completely sober. It might be just too hard task and cause relapse. Of course it's better not to smoke pot for the rest of your life so maybe a new year promise for 2017?

I was addicted to opiate based painkillers and it took long time to get rid of them. Alcohol helped (Not recommended treatment) as i was alcoholic already. Maybe after year i could say i was off from opiates. Wasn't easy, I even bought cough medicine with some kind of codeine compound and drank one bottle in a day. It was desperate... But i'm easily addicted to anything...

I hear ya there. I've quit one substance for another over the years and then 7 years on opiates. Thats why I'm ok with just weed but I'm unsure if it's helping or harming my state of mind. Am I feeling high and all other feelings are mental illness?

[Wanderlust90]

I have substituted methamphetamine with marijuana & I don't know one person who has successfully quit who hasn't done it with bud. That's just my experience but it says a lot. That said I want to stop but it's defiantly harm reduction.