Physical and mental dependance for 13 years…….trapped


Physical and mental dependance for 13 years…….trapped

by Eli

(FL)

Hello, my name is Eli and I am a 30 year old child. At least that is how this dependence I have on benzo’s and Suboxone make me feel.
I also take a generic form of Lexapro for my anxiety and depression. Though the time I was prescribed and diagnosed was so long ago I honestly wonder how I would do without.

In the span of a decade I have been to jail once and from there entered into a detox probation program for a year to get off of Xanax, my first addiction.

I went to three different detox clinics, one of them out of pocket and emptied my savings account to take my life back. I once went a full MISERABLE year of sobriety. For at that time, anxiety controlled my life. I had a bad bad bout with opiates. Roxies or blues. I don’t think they are around anymore but they are just a few notches under oxy.

I shot up twice but did not enjoy it amazingly. Skipping around a lot here to get to where I am now as a 30 year old man. I have been taking benzo’s for nearly 10 years straight and the suboxone was meant to get me clean off the opiates because that was my rock bottom.

At first it was my miracle drug. No sickness and I felt normal again. I know it is something not meant to be taken long term but for whatever reason I feel stuck. When I try to taper off either the sub or the clozapam I get sick, irritable, sweaty and my mind feels like it’s spinning out of control.

On top of all this I drink way more than I let on to my family. And boy can I drink. I can take a handle of rum and within a 2 night span if not one long night will have polished it off myself. I drink sometimes out of boredom or even worse, to make it so I feel I don’t have to take my medication.

I’m ok with the anti-depressant even though I wish I could be all clean but the all things considered….I am killing myself very slowly. My doctor does not give me enough and he is expensive and does not accept insurance AND I have to buy any benzo or sub I can find just so I can make it through my day to day until that next appointment.

This has held me back to the point where sometimes I am pretty much living check to check. When I take the time to think about it I get angry and drink. I’ll even think of dying but never think of acting it out. I feel like a burden to my family. I do pay my rent but sometimes I don’t have enough and sometimes I do.

I know that if I keep at this the way I am going that I will probably consider killing myself in the future or becoming homeless (which I did try and did not enjoy). I have built my own prison and all of this has also destroyed every relationship I have had with a woman as of late.

I never speak of this side of me to anyone. Perhaps a very small amount of people. I used to go to AA/NA but have not in years. Something has got to give……I cannot afford to go off to some detox center again due to cost and my recent and FIRST full time job with benefits. I am surrounded by awesome friends that love to party and we all still act like a bunch of kids but the dark secret weighs heavy on my heart and I stress out every day.

On a daily basis I focus on how many tiny pieces of clozapam or suboxone I can use so I can ration it. This is not living……it’s barely surviving.

Thank you for your time. Any replies are so very welcome.

Comments for Physical and mental dependance for 13 years…….trapped

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You do have options but you have to be open to them.


by: Debbie Wicker


Dear Eli,

Yours is a sad but all to common story. Addiction attacks the brain and CONVINCES us that our only option is to use. You have MANY options but your addiction is blocking you from seeing them.

Addiction causes us to have extremely black and white thinking and shuts off our ability to see anything positive or to understand all possible steps to get into recovery. That’s why we feel trapped with no good choices, when in reality we have many good solutions if we become willing to pursue them.

Here is my suggestion for you (this isn’t the only choice it’s just one of many):

Because you’re both drug and alcohol addicted you must attack both of these issues together to move into recovery. If you only address one then the other will cause you to relapse.

I recommend that you go to your local hospital ER for an assessment. Tell them your circumstance and ask them to help you to get the resources you need to detox to the drugs and alcohol safely.

Then consider going into the Salvation Army addiction program in Florida. It’s a wonderful free program that will teach you everything need to end your addiction.

Good luck and there is hope for you to regain the life you want to live,

Debbie


Thank you for your reply


by: ELI


In many ways you are telling me things I know but need to hear. I have not sought fellowship support such as NA which I NEED but if I were to detox I don’t think I have the time because my new full time job is very strict on making your full time hours and for the first time in many years I have insurance but the ironic catch is I can’t put it to use for the real purpose I have in mind.

I have a primary care doctor again which I’ve not had since I was 18(remember I am 30) and a “Suboxone specialist” who doesn’t take insurance and never gives me enough for me to get through a month so I must spend more money on the streets.

I hate this situation and I hope to be free of it before it takes me out. This life for the past decade has taken so many years from my life due to stress. I’m pretty sure I have more white hair than I should as a 30 year old with a baby face. I am desperate. Both to get free or keep my family in the dark so they think I’m ok. I know I can’t keep the charade up.

Eli


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