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Treatment Doesn't Work!!

by Ralph

I injured my back in 2001 and had 4 unsuccessful surgeries. I was on Norco for at least 8 years. Recently I checked myself in to a rehab facility. It is well known. I will not release the name so I don't get sued.

I went in on the 25th of Jan. and got out on the 31st. This rehab facility was a joke! I was treated with Suboxone, also a very powerful narcotic, then weened off. I was told that I would not have cravings when I got home. They lied.

I have been crawling the walls. Some days are better than others, but it's still a struggle. 12 step is ridiculous. I did no one any wrong, and the sad thing is that I am a practicing born again Christian, whom God has decided to not help.

Believing in a power greater than ourselves is like believing in Martians. I believe in God. He has not helped. I have nearly killed myself, and my wife. There is no moral inventory I need to do. I have made my mistakes, as everyone does. I am still living in hell.

Some would advocate changing environment. Should I move? That's not realistic. If addiction is a disease, then there is more to treatment than a
counseling session. Ever heard of Cancer Patients Anonymous, or Diabetics Anonymous? No. Because they don't exist.

This disease is not treated as a disease, but as a moral failure. "Hi, I'm Ralph and I'm an addict." Do you realize how demoralizing that is. I have spent a great deal of money on products that promise the same results. I doubt a book will do any better.

People are making money on the misfortune of others, and it's wrong! If you have information that can help those in need, it should be given away freely. "Freely you have received, freely give." Remember that?

Sorry to be so harsh but I was expecting answers, not a sales pitch.

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Treatment Doesn't Work!!

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All kidding aside
by: Cheryne

Lets say your life is great, good job, awesome wife, great kids, you have a beautiful house etc etc etc. Maybe not, this is not why I am writing. Everything you said on your post I have said. Rehabs are a joke, AA/NA is demeaning, all of it I have said. If you were in rehab it was to detox from the short period of time you were there. Been there a dozen times myself. I also am in the medical field-NOT a doctor but understand more than you know about the back pain post surgery your talking about.

Now if your a patient that wants help there are implantable nerve stimulators out there that help with the pain, and many more NEW surgical things they are doing to help. Will this help completely NO!

But if you are a patient who gets mad when someone suggests any other options other than pain meds, my friend you have an addiction. Your life doesn't have to be in complete shambles to be one. I would never think of throwing scripture out there nor be judgemental of you, but different things work for different people.

Yes, you need help with the pain but understand that the years and years of narcotic abuse has made your pain tolerance to where its not easily controlled. Where you took 1 every 4 hours now probably requires 4,5,6,8, maybe even 10. Things happen to even the closest to God. It has nothing to do with you personally. Take what you've got and make the best of it. Stop the negative thinking that you are the only one God hasn't helped.

Maybe you will NEVER be pain free, but think of what your missing by staying so negative. Turn that around and find a GOOD DOCTOR for your back. Even if it's 300 miles away. This is where the addict shows in you. Don't think for a minute that your addiction isn't affecting the people around you when I (a stranger) am affected by it. Love those around you, find the peace you had when you were born again, find a helpful doctor who can help you with your pain but realize it will never be GONE.

Smile, I have been where you are and KNOW it can be better if YOU let it and don't expect so much out of others. Good luck!

Pain managment
by: Joe

Dear "Ralph",
Sorry to hear about the struggles you have been and are currently going through. I'll try to comment on a couple of things in your post.

First of all you mentioned being in "treatment" for just a few days. A few days to a week or so would be considered detox, not treatment. I agree with you about Suboxone. It's helpful for the first few weeks, after that it should be discontinued.

I also agree with you about the label thing, addict~alcoholic. I don't like those either. I don't think it's a requirement to use these if you attend the groups. All that is required is a desire to not use alcohol or drugs.

It sounds like your life has been a living hell for quite sometime. I'm not an MD but I do know it is possible to have back surgeries that are not much help (I've had one). In your case it appears that they just made things worse. Long-term use of opiate pain meds will cause a person to become dependent on them. The central nervous system will expect the drugs and if you try to stop the body (central nervous system) will revolt. Only you and know for sure the level of pain you are dealing with.

I could go on and on but what is the bottom line to all of this? I'm not trying to be too simplistic with my answer but here goes. Life is not fair. In some cases it can be much more than unfair. You situation is very difficult but there are, believe it or not, many who have it 100 times worse. Where is God? Why does he allow things like this? What about the child who is right now in critical condition in a hospital burn unit? What about the parents, nice Christian parents, standing by her bedside praying she will recover. Pleading with God for answers. Praying for some way to makes sense out of this tragedy??

Hard questions. I don't understand everything about God, but my Christian faith tells me that one day we will have those answers. In the mean time we all have to try to make the best out of the cards we were dealt.

We live in a fallen, broken world. But we are only passing through. I don't know if this offers much relieve from the physical pain.

Maybe a little piece of mind. Joe

Treatment....
by: Lynette

2/9

Dear Ralph,

Thank you for writing. I can truly understand the anger that you have. The disease of addiction crosses all social and economical boundaries and can cause so much damage! I DO believe it is an addiction, myself, because I am a recovering alcoholic and I have not drank for 25 years.

However, there are still times that I get cravings for alcohol-usually when there is some around, like at a party or wedding. I always make sure I have my own car so that if things get crazy I can leave.

When I first wanted to quit I first went to my medical doctor. He was so nice and helpful to me. He told me that I needed to learn how to cope with things without alcohol-that I had no coping skills. I agreed - I'd be a work and if things were going bad I'd just say to myself, "It will be OK when I can get home and drink."

One of the hardest things for me to do was to accept that I could never drink again. But,I had good incentive to quit which was that my son was born (I did not drink while I was pregnant). I went to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and I found it so refreshing and encouraging to hear people being so honest and open. I also started to see a drug and alcohol counselor.

The same son that gave me incentive to quit became an addict. He is now in jail for driving while under the influence of drugs. This is not his first time in jail. He now says he wants to get his life straightened out so I hope that he does.

I now go to Al Anon meetings and it helps me a lot. I'm finally learning, after many years of enabling my son and being in denial, that I need to detach from my son. I need to take care of myself and give everything over to God every day. This is working.

I really don't believe in giving advice to other addicts unless they ask for it so, instead, I'm telling you my story.

I hope that it helps you in some way and I am also a born again Christian - I WILL PRAY FOR YOU.

Sincerely, Lynette

Finding Your Path
by: Ned Wicker

I am sorry to hear that you have not found any relief and that you do not believe that God is there for you. Treatment centers do their best, based on accepted medical practices, to help people.

You say you are a "born-again" Christian, yet your posting suggests that you lack a foundational understanding of the nature and character of God.

You lack perspective and have ruled out all possibilities other than your own idea that God doesn't care.

Of course 12 Step doesn't work, you won't allow it. You talk like a person who is feeling sorry for himself. There is help out there for you, when you are ready for it.

You have to get out of your own way before God is going to be of any help. If you do allow it, and allow others to try to help, I am confident you can find relief.

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