I Struggle With Addiction

After my back injury about 7 years ago, I was prescribed a lot of pain medication. It all went downhill from there. I began relying on it to avoid stress and anxiety. I was good for a while, then my wife was diagnosed with cancer last year. The drug problem has started again. Without hydrocodone or oxycodone, everything seems overwhelming. I try to escape it, but I'm only making the situation worse. I was prescribed Ativan for my anxiety, but it didn't really seem to help. The anxiety attacks keep coming. It's a mess.

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Mamapolo2016 · F

Are you talking to someone objective? That helps a great deal, weirdly. Have you tried outpatient treatment? Considered inpatient?

Help IS out there. You need motivation (sometimes tricky when you're in active addiction, but doable). And you need somebody's guidance to help you sift through your options.

Writing this is a strong first step.

GuanoCrazy · 31-35, M

@Mamapolo2016 I haven't tried seeking helping yet. I have talked about it with people, though.

Mamapolo2016 · F

@GuanoCrazy Trust me in two small things.

It isn't going to get better. Addiction is progressive.

Talking about it and admitting it are vital. They don't get the job done.

Mamapolo2016 · F

@GuanoCrazy I would recommend to you that you start going to NA meetings, or AA.

Judging solely from your user name, NA may suit you best. I can only speak abour the NA meetings I've experienced, but in my experience, they are a long-haired, tattooed, wild and crazy bunch. They cuss a lot.
They are clean and sober. They are not self-righteous, they will not judge you and they will not overwhelm you. Until you are ready to be more than there at a meeting, they will not push you.

They are often very funny, too.

GuanoCrazy · 31-35, M

@Mamapolo2016 Those are my kind of people! They may look a little rough, but they're always the nicest people. I may actually take your advice. I'll check it out. Thank you!

Mamapolo2016 · F

@GuanoCrazy Take advice? When'd they start that?

GuanoCrazy · 31-35, M

@Mamapolo2016 I mean your suggestion about NA. I'd like to give it a try.

Mamapolo2016 · F

@GuanoCrazy I knew what you meant. I have 'goofy seizures' sometimes.

I hope you do. Life is too short.