I've had substance abuse problems for many years

[Jesus Christ 5 Life]

It was not until I decided to try opiates(oxycodone) that I truly fell into an addiction that absolutely took control of my life. I used for about 5 years before hitting rock bottom and in a way this ended up being a good thing because it put me into a position where I really felt like I needed God's help. I used methadone for probably around a year and I was clean from other opiates during this time and I eventually came off the methadone all together. I experienced some minimal withdrawal symptoms when coming off the methadone but since getting off opiates completely I've realized just how difficult life was going to be without any opiates at all. I seem to be in a type of semi-permanent withdrawal. I had never heard of this prior to experiencing it but apparently its not so uncommon. I find it difficult to find happiness and joy in life and notice quite a bit of physical pain I never had prior to opiate use. This may, in part be related to getting older in the period of time I was using but I have recently slipped back into opiate use(oxycodone again). I do not use nearly as much as I once did and I don't use everyday but I still feel like its getting in the way of my life and causing me to be distracted by the physical need. I have considered trying other opiate substitution drugs such as suboxone but I'm really not too keen on the idea of going back to a methadone clinic where I will have to pee on camera every week(which is very degrading). I have trouble going when under that kinda pressure which required me to drink large amounts of water the night before and then walk straight to the clinic when I awoke. Basically I had to create a situation where I had to go so bad I was splitting just so I would be able to pee on command.

Anyways, I really wish I could live without opiates right now and I'm wondering if I should just stick out this semi-permanent withdrawal which could last years but I find it very hard to even get out of bed in the morning because of the depression I feel if I use no opiates at all.

I don't really have any questions but advice is welcome if you have it. I'm mostly hoping for prayer that I might be able to find a solution to this and overcome this affliction once and for all.

 

[Christos Anesti]

You have my prayers. It's a hard struggle. I wish I had better advice to give but what little I know I'll share. What helped me a lot when I stopped taking opiates was getting on Lexapro (an SSRI antidepressent) , eating better, forcing myself to work out even though I hated it at first ( I lost over sixty pounds after I got of Methadone from eating better and working out) , and taking lots of vitamins and amino acids. I've heard that L Methionine is good for rebuilding the brain chemistry after you stop taking opiates. SAMe is moderately effective at fighting depression. By themselves none of these will make you wake up with a smile on your face in the midst of withdraws (which can be lengthy) but the synergistic effects of all them over time help your mood a lot. It also helps to get active... at nearly anything. I found that going to Karate helped me a lot. Church too.

Narcotics anonymous can be a real help too. I've slacked off a lot in going. I've only been going once a week and I ended up having a drink at a bar last weekend probably because I haven't been going to enough NA meetings and working the program as they say. NA can really help a lot though. I know that for a fact.

If you feel comfortable giving me your first name I will pray for you by name. If not that's understandable too. My name is Scott if you would be so kind as to pray for me.

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

I don't really have any questions but advice is welcome if you have it. I'm mostly hoping for prayer that I might be able to find a solution to this and overcome this affliction once and for all.

I got addicted to drugs out of high school, pills were my favorite, they controlled my life for 4 years. I tried to stop on my own many times, I never could, I would quit for a few weeks and start back up again, I know how difficult life can be after you are used to a permanent high all the time. Its depressing and it can feel like it will never end.

I have been sober now for over 2 years, God has taken the strong desire to use away and His love is sufficient for me now. Its not that I replaced drugs with God, although I guess that has some truth in it, what it really is and was, is God's love overpowering the false peace of drugs. His love for me broke my dependence on drugs, I realized that He loves me and that He died for me because of what I am doing to myself.

God can be all-sufficient in your life, He can be all you need to get by, He does not want you to be addicted to anything but Him. Jesus came to earth to set the captives free, to deliver those who are bound in affliction. You are bound my friend and Jesus wants to set you free, ask Him to reveal this truth to you, God bless.

 

[Detroit313]

the semi-withdrawl is called Post Accute Withdrawl, and gets better over time until it goes away after a year or so. I'm a recovering heroin/opiate addict of 10 years myself, and it took a while but gradually went away recently, after about a year. The last of 7 rehabs I went to was a dual-diagnosis facility. They taught us about not just substance abuse but mental disorders as well, saying that many addicts also have mental disorders that make it very difficult to stay clean when left untreated. I was diagnosed and am being treated for Bipolar Disorder, and for the first time in years I've been able stay clean longer than 30 days. Maybe it might be useful to see a psychiatrist and get his opinion? It's got to be better than getting strung out again. I've tried suboxone maintenance, its better than methadone because theres no daily trips to the clinic, just once a month to the doctors office, and is easier to come off of, but presents many of the same problems once ur off as methadone did.

Of course working a program, AA,NA, or some people can use just church, personally I need church and an AA/NA program, would be extremely helpful I'm sure. I'm no big book thumper, but if it can keep me clean it can work for you too. Just suggestions though!

 

[Christos Anesti]

Proper nutrition and exercise can help a lot with the lingering effects of withdrawal. I was on a high dose of methadone and was very scared to get off it because of the long term withdrawal effects of not having heroin that I had previously experienced (I always made it through the worst of it and then gave up when I felt like I was never going to get better.. then had to do it all over again ). Immediately I started eating right, and taking supplements and vitamins, and as soon I was able (in about 2 weeks) I started exercising a lot and I was surprised at how much sooner I was able to feel better as compared to the past. Opiate use really wears on your body and messes up your brain chemistry. You need to feed yourself properly to rebuild. Get all the good amino acids and vitamins. Cut down on trans fats. Trans fats can actually make a person depressed.