12-10-2021, 09:11 AM
(12-09-2021, 02:54 PM)grampahol Wrote: Thanks and yeah, it's tough. I've done it cold turkey and through methadone treatment. Cold turkey was about 3 days of feeling worse than garbage, but it didn't last very long. I got my face kicked in and had a busted eye socket a year or so later and was right back to the races. It took about 4 tries with clinics and finally ended up in Texas with almost no other options but the clinic and spent 10 years in treatment there. Again I injured my back and got re-addicted to pain meds so I'm just now wrapping up another stint in rehab. I'm still on a very low dose of methadone, just a few drops every few days now. I have enough experience to know better than to try to rush it.. I figure another month or so and I'll be free and clear once again.
Anyone who thinks they are immune to addiction is a damned fool. It can sneak up on anyone who takes any opiate based medication over any length of time.. If you have an addictive personality it's just that much harder. Anyone who struggles with controlling alcohol is vulnerable too.. Watch yourselves fellas..
Addiction is a strange affliction. I have tried all sorts of addictive drugs and never got hooked. I even used to smoke regular cigarettes for the head buzz they gave me and never became a smoker. But it has nothing to do with my "willpower" because in other phases of my life I have none. I am about 80 lbs overweight and absolutely can not control what I eat for any length of time. I am just as "weak" as a drug addict. I am just lucky that the glitch in my brain, or whatever it is involves a substance that does not get me thrown in jail.
I do most of my work in criminal court and juvenile court. Over 90% of the issues in those courts involve drug addiction. Almost all the people stealing stuff are doing it to support their drug habit. If you ever hear of a home invasion or violent robbery it usually is a drug deal gone bad or the target is drug money or drugs. Most fights and domestic assaults involve people who are drunk or high. And then there are all of the charges for possessing, selling, or driving under the influence of drugs. In juvenile court BY FAR the number one reason people lose their kids is drug addiction. I have seen so many parents completely fall apart and break down in court when their kids are removed, but they still can't stay clean long enough to get their kids back.
The hardest part is not getting clean. It is staying clean. Addicts have to have proper counselling, after care, and support in order to stay clean. That is where most of them mess up. They get clean for a while (usually while in jail) and they think they have it under control. Or maybe they think they can use "just a little bit". But unless they understand how to deal with their triggers and other underlying issues they will always relapse.
And finally, the number one problem is prescription drugs. There are more people addicted to prescription opioids (painkillers) and benzodiazepines (valium, xanax) than all other drugs combined.
