Restless Legs During Opiate Withdrawal

Hi Folks and welcome to my blog about opiate addiction. When one quits opiates by going cold turkey or after a tapering process, they will most likely experience a variety of withdrawal symptoms. Some are worse than others while others are barely noticeable and simply a minor nuisance. Some of these withdrawals last for a few days while others can be felt for weeks. All and all, withdrawals from opiates can really make quitting opiates and staying clean an extremely difficult (yet possible) task.

If you were to ask me what withdrawal symptom I dread the most, I can say right off the bat and without a doubt that restless legs takes home the prize. Sure, the chills, sweats, aches/pains, stomach problems, and lack of sleep make for one hell of a week(s) but in my opinion, none of these symptoms come remotely close to how bad restless legs can feel. The awful feeling of having to constantly move one's legs while changing positions every 30 seconds is about as close to Hell as I can imagine. To make matters worse, I actually have the condition Restless Leg Syndrome, which makes the common opiate withdrawal symptom of restless legs feel like a million times worse when detoxing. Hell, even if I'm not withdrawing from opiates and am experiencing restless legs I feel so frustrated, defeated, and weak.

Therefore, I would like to use this post as an opportunity to provide you guys with some quick information about restless legs during opiate withdrawal along with some ways to help provide relief for such a nasty withdrawal symptom. While I will talk a little bit about the condition Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), most of this post will concern restless legs as a symptom of opiate withdrawal rather than the actual medical condition of RLS.

 

What are Restless Legs and Why Do We Get Them

 

It is important to first identify and separate the medical condition known as Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) and the symptom of restless legs that one would experience during opiate withdrawal. While both items carry with them near identical symptoms, RLS is usually a chronic condition meaning it is something one will have for quite some time and possibly for their entire life. On the other hand, restless legs as a symptom of opiate withdrawal is a result of the body undergoing a detoxification process and these symptoms will eventually disappear over time. To provide you guys with an example, pretend an individual takes part in an intensive exercise routine that results in their blood pressure increasing momentary. While this person did experience a bout of high blood pressure, it does not mean that the person suffers from the condition of having high blood pressure. Rather, the increase in blood pressure for this individual was a direct result of the exercise rather than an actual medical condition, illness, or disease. Thus, for this particular post, we will focus on restless legs occurring as a result and symptom of opiate withdrawal.

 

Restless legs can be described as having any of the following symptoms:

 

• Constant or frequent urges to move legs
• Itchy feeling in legs commonly described as "an itch you can't feel or itch"
• Crawling feeling within the legs
• Random jerks or reactions from legs
• Hot or cold flashes in the legs
• Pain or burning sensation in the legs

 

Common Symptoms of Restless Legs

Restless legs can truly be a nuisance and often limit or disturb one's sleep making detoxing off opiates that much harder. The condition also seems to worsen for many at night and/or when they are sitting or laying down. For many, this leads to numerous nights of tossing and turning in bed late at night in hopes of being able to find a comfortable position and achieve some level of sleep. Although less common, some people report having these feelings in their arms, neck, and shoulders as well.

The understanding of Restless Leg Syndrome and restless legs in general is pretty limited as of right now. Fortunately, the topic and area has been getting more attention over the last couple of years as the number of cases of patients experiencing restless legs or related symptoms continues to grow. In years past, many doctors and specialists thought restless legs were a symptom of a condition rather than an actual condition in itself. Today, the condition is actually labeled as an entirely separate beast and not simply as a symptom of something else. Some studies suggest that as many as 1 in every 10 people will develop Restless Leg Syndrome at some point in their lives, with those over 55 appearing most vulnerable.

Now, the restless legs episodes that most of us who are reading this blog experience are most likely a symptom resulting from opiate withdrawal rather than the actual condition of RLS. However, I mention the increase of attention in the condition RLS as it has led to numerous medications and treatments becoming available that can also be used to treat restless legs resulting from opiate withdrawal. Most of these medications are still in the early stages and as a result, there has been mixed reactions as far as how effective these medications are in treating restless legs.

According to the website Help Guide, scientists and doctors believe the cause of restless legs is as follows (in blue font):

"Experts believe that restless legs syndrome is caused by an imbalance of dopamine, a chemical that transmits signals between nerve cells in the brain. Restless legs syndrome is usually genetic, about 60% of people with restless legs have a family member with the condition. Although anyone can have restless legs syndrome, it is more common in older adults and women. In fact, about 40% of mothers experience temporary restless legs syndrome during pregnancy. Health conditions such as diabetes, iron deficiency, rheumatoid arthritis, and kidney failure can also trigger restless legs syndrome."

 

Web MD provides the following information (again, in blue font) in describing some of the potential causes or factors contributing to the presence of restless legs:

 

Chronic diseases. Certain chronic diseases and medical conditions, including iron deficiency, Parkinson’s disease, kidney failure, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy often include symptoms of RLS. Treating these conditions often gives some relief from restless legs symptoms.

 

Medications. Some types of medications, including antinausea drugs, antipsychotic drugs, some antidepressants, and cold and allergy medications containing antihistamines may worsen symptoms.

 

Pregnancy. Some women experience RLS during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. Symptoms usually go away within a month after delivery.

Other factors, including alcohol use and sleep deprivation, may trigger symptoms or make them worse. Improving sleep or eliminating alcohol use in these cases may relieve symptoms.

 

Now, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the reason most of us who are reading this blog experience restless legs is due to withdrawing from opiates. However, some people (myself included) may actually have Restless Leg Syndrome so it is important that one is able to differentiate between the two. You don't want to be experiencing restless legs 3 months after detoxing off opiates thinking that you are getting the restless legs due to no longer using opiates. You may in fact actually have the condition Restless Leg Syndrome so make sure you evaluate your situation and talk openly and honestly with your doctor. A simple physical and possible lab blood test can sometimes determine whether or not you have RLS as well as possibly identifying the cause of it. Having any conditions, problems, or issues taken care of and in control will only make your road to recovery easier in the long run. You don't want to end up one night feeling frustrated and uncomfortable because you can't sleep or that your legs are bothering so much that you end up turning to your drug of choice for relief. I have been there before... more than once unfortunately.

As I previously mentioned, restless legs can be a direct result of something else other than opiate withdrawal. This situation is referred to as Secondary Restless Leg Syndrome and can occur in situations such as pregnancy, disease, nutrient deficiency, or as a side effect from certain medications. Diphenhydramine, the main ingredient in Benadryl, is a perfect example of Secondary RLS. A common side effect of this over the counter medication, especially when taken in higher dosages, is restless legs. I use this medication as an example because I know it is a popular choice as a medication among addicts (as well as non-addicts) to use to provide relief for insomnia. The sedative effect of Diphenhydramine is appealing to many addicts who are struggling to sleep during detoxification. However, the medication can have the exact opposite effect on some leaving them with a sense of restlessness and feeling worse. This was something that I dealt with numerous times until I finally figured out the medication was doing more harm than good. Please not that I am not knocking Benadryl as it can be really effective for some. At the end of the day, know your body and what works and doesn't work. The chart below provides some common factors that can lead to Secondary RLS.

 

Possible Causes for Restless Legs

 

Remedies and Treatments to Help Relieve Restless Legs

 

As I have previously stated, the methods and treatments used for treating restless legs right now are somewhat limited. There are several tips, treatments, and medications out there that claim to help in providing relief for restless legs. Some work well for some people while providing little to no relief for someone else. In other words, these medications and treatments have different degrees of success. At the end of the day, like so many other things in life, everyone is different and their bodies will react differently to different treatments and medications. However, I would like to include some of these medications and treatments in hope that maybe you will find one that works well for you. As always, be sure to talk these items over with your doctor and to know what you are putting into your body. A little research can go a long way.

 

This information was provided by the website Help Guide. You can access this information and learn more about restless legs by clicking HERE.

 

Help Guide's Lifestyle treatments for restless legs syndrome (RLS):

There is a lot you can do to take care of restless legs syndrome yourself. Mild RLS can often be treated with lifestyle changes alone. The following daytime habits can help reduce the frequency and severity of your restless legs symptoms.

• Sleep better by sticking to a regular sleep schedule. Fatigue can worsen the symptoms of restless legs syndrome, so doing what it takes to get enough sleep is crucial. Try hitting the sack at the same time every night, (or try warm baths or reading in bed) allowing plenty of time for winding down.
• Exercise in moderation. Daily activity, including moderate aerobic exercise and lower-body resistance training, can significantly reduce the symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Swim, go for a walk, take the stairs, or spend a few minutes doing jumping jacks. Keep in mind that excessive exercise—like training for a marathon—can actually make restless legs syndrome worse.
• Cut back on caffeine. Caffeine often makes the symptoms of restless legs syndrome worse. Try reducing or eliminating your consumption of coffee, tea, soft drinks, and caffeinated foods such as chocolate.
• Avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Many people with restless legs syndrome find that their symptoms improve when they stop drinking and smoking.
• Consider dietary supplements. Check with a doctor or nutritionist to find out if you’re low on iron, vitamin B, folic acid, or magnesium. Deficiencies can bring on RLS.
• Lose weight. If you’re overweight, dropping the extra pounds can often relieve or lessen the symptoms of restless legs syndrome.
• Try practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation. Stress can make RLS symptoms worse. Daily stretching and meditation can promote relaxation and alleviate (RLS).

Help Guide's Self-help treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS):

Living well with restless legs syndrome means knowing how to manage situations where you must be still. The following tips and tricks will help you control RLS so it doesn’t control you.

• Pressure can help relieve the discomfort of restless legs syndrome. Try wearing compression socks or stockings or wrap your legs in bandages (but not so tight you’ll cut off circulation).
• Try sleeping with a pillow between your legs. It may prevent nerves in your legs from compressing.
• Try to find or create a work setting where you can be active. If you work at an office, look into a desk that lets you stand and type.
• Tell friends, family, and coworkers why you have to move more than others. They’ll likely be accommodating and want to help you create a healthy environment.
• Choose an aisle seat at movies and on planes so that you can get up and move.
• Give yourself stretch breaks at work and during long car rides.

Help Guide's Stretches for restless legs syndrome (RLS):

Simple stretching can help stop the symptoms of restless legs syndrome in their tracks. Here’s a handful to help you get started.

• Calf stretch – Stretch out your arms so that your palms are flat against a wall and your elbows are nearly straight. Slightly bend your right knee and step your left leg back a foot or two, positioning its heel and foot flat on the floor. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds. Now bend your left knee while still keeping its heel and foot flat on the floor. For a deeper stretch, move your foot back a bit farther. Switch legs and repeat.
• Front thigh stretch – Standing parallel to a wall for balance, grab and pull one of your ankles toward your buttock while keeping the other leg straight. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds. Switch legs and repeat.
• Hip stretch – Place the back of a chair against the wall for support and stand facing the chair. Raise your left foot up and rest it flat on the chair, with your knee bent. (Or try placing your foot on a stair while holding the railing for balance.) Keeping your spine as neutral as possible, press your pelvis forward gently until you feel a stretch at the top of your right thigh. Your pelvis will move forward only a little. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds. Switch legs and repeat.

Help Guide's Treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS):

If self-help doesn’t relieve your restless legs syndrome symptoms, you may benefit from visiting a doctor or a sleep specialist.

Diagnosing restless legs syndrome (RLS)

While there are no laboratory tests that can determine if you have restless legs syndrome, your doctor can diagnose it by reviewing your medical history and conducting a physical exam. To diagnose RLS, your doctor will request:

• A complete medical history
• A survey to see if anyone else in your family has similar symptoms
• A diagnostic interview, to rule out other medical conditions
• A blood test for low iron levels

Your doctor may also review the medications you’re taking as some prescription and over–the–counter drugs can make the symptoms of restless legs syndrome worse.

Help Guide's Medications that can make restless legs syndrome (RLS) worse:

• Over-the-counter sleeping pills
• Antihistamines (found in many cold and allergy pills such as Benadryl, NyQuil, and Dimetapp)
• Anti-nausea medications (such as Antivert, Compazine, and Dramamine)
• Calcium channel blockers (used for high blood pressure and heart problems)
• Antidepressants (such as Prozac, Effexor, and Lexapro)
• Antipsychotics (used for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia)

If a medical condition, such as iron deficiency, diabetes, or nerve damage is triggering your restless legs syndrome, treating the underlying problem may relieve your RLS symptoms. But if there is no underlying condition and lifestyle changes don’t bring enough relief, you may need medication to reduce the restlessness in your legs.

Help Guide's Medication as treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS):

No single medication works for everyone with restless legs syndrome. In fact, a drug that relieves one person’s restless legs may actually make your symptoms worse. In addition, many people with restless legs syndrome find that medications that work initially become less effective over time.
It’s also important to be aware of potential side effects, such as nausea, headache, and daytime sleepiness. If you struggle with compulsive shopping, gambling, or binge eating there is also a risk that medication for RLS could make these problems worse.

Before using medication for the treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS)

Have you…

• given self-help a fair shot with non-medication treatments?
• considered how medication side effects may impact your life?
• weighed the pros and cons of medication vs. lifestyle changes?
• talked to your doctor about existing health conditions and drugs you’re taking?

Parkinson’s medication for restless legs syndrome (RLS):

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three Parkinson's medications for the treatment of restless legs syndrome, with the latest addition, the dermal patch Neupro, approved in April, 2012. The three are:

•  Pramipexole (Mirapex)
•  Ropinirole (Requip)
•  Rotigotine Transdermal System (Neupro)

Medications Used to Treat Restless Legs

Other Parkinson’s drugs that are sometimes used to treat RLS include Sinemet (carbidopa/levodopa), cabergoline and pergolide. Side effects of Parkinson's medications for restless legs syndrome include nausea, lightheadedness, fatigue, and an increased risk of heart disease.

Help Guide's Other common medications for restless legs syndrome (RLS):

• Prescription painkillers (such as codeine, oxycodone, Vicodin, and Percocet) can provide relief in severe, unrelenting cases of restless legs syndrome. However, prescription painkillers can be addictive. Side effects include nausea, dizziness, and constipation.
• Sleep medications and muscle relaxants (such as Ambien, Sonata, and Klonopin) can help you sleep better if the symptoms of restless legs syndrome keep you up at night. However, these medications do not eliminate the uncomfortable leg sensations and can cause daytime drowsiness.
• Anti-seizure medications (such as Neurontin, Tegretol, and Epitol) can be effective for painful daytime symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Side effects include dizziness and drowsiness.

Conclusion

 

As you can see, there are several ways one can go about in treating restless legs. In my opinion, the most important step one should first take is to determine why they are getting restless legs. Ask yourself if you were experiencing restless legs before, during, and after your use of opiates or rather did they appear right after you began detoxing and withdrawing off opiates. One must determine whether it is the detoxing off of opiates that is causing the restless legs or is it perhaps an underlying condition or symptom of one?

 

It may also be a good idea to get a lab blood test done as deficiencies in certain vitamins or minerals such as Iron can also cause restless legs. The lab blood tests are pretty easy to get done and can tell you and your doctor a lot about what is going on inside your body.

 

In my experience, I have used hot baths, stretching, moderate exercise, and the medication Requip (Ropinirole) to treat bouts of restless legs. Overall, these have provided me with moderate relief but are defiantly not miracle drugs or techniques. I have yet to withdraw and experience withdrawal since being on Suboxone so I can't speak much about how effective the Requip medication is in treating restless legs from opiate withdrawal. As I stated earlier, I actually have Restless Leg Syndrome and can honestly say the Requip has been effective in treating the restless legs but as most of you, opiate withdrawal is an entirely different beast so its effectiveness for this kind of situation remains to be seen.

 

My best advice is to talk with your doctor about what your options are for treating this dreadful withdrawal symptom. Your doctor might be able to prescribe you with something or possibly recommend some things, such as a change in diet, that can help your particular situation and needs.

 

As always Guys, thanks for taking the time to read and participate in my blog. Feel free to leave any comments in the comment section about your experiences with restless legs and what helps/doesn't help in treating this symptom of opiate withdrawal. I look forward to hearing from you guys in the comment section and remember to keep seeing the light!

 

Take Care,

 

Seeingthelight

Rapid Opioid Detoxification

Ah what a beautiful fall day here on the East Coast. The weather is as close to perfect as one could ask for when taking into consideration the sometimes baffling New England weather. The birds are chirping, the sun shining, calm guests of wind pass by creating an almost picture-like atmosphere around me. And here I am enjoying this wonderful day demonstrating the beauty of life....sitting behind my computer screen typing away!

I recently took somewhat of a break from blogging (not intentionally however) and I must say, it feels good to be back at it. For those of you who haven't yet read my "comeback" post, check it out. It's labeled as "I'm Back" and can be found on my blog homepage. Now lets get to business.

For anyone visiting this site for the first time, I welcome you to my blog and hope you will find it both helpful and an enjoyable read. This is now my 14th post and I must say I am becoming more and more pleased with the blog as each post is thought of, written, and published for you guys to read. Over the past several months I have gotten a few comments, a solid number of page views, and even an e-mail from someone looking for a little more advice and someone to "just talk to". I have also noticed that a few people took the most recent poll as well which only adds to my satisfaction. It makes me feel like that I'm getting my blog out there to anyone who's looking for any advice and information about opiate addiction and that I'm not just typing away for nothing. I would like to take a second to thank all of you who have read my blog, commented on it, taken part of the poll, or have passed the word around. THANK YOU!

For this post I would like to talk about a treatment option for opiate addicts that is relatively new. This method of treatment is commonly referred to and known as Rapid Opioid Detoxification and has been met with both praise and criticism. To make things a little easier for myself, I will be referring to the Rapid opioid detoxification as ROD. To give you guys a quick idea of what this is, please let me explain and sum it up in a few quick sentences. ROD is a method of treatment for opiate addicts which often places the patient in a state of unconsciousness while doctors provide the patient with a variety of medications that will help speed up the detoxification process. The patient will be "asleep" for a period of time and will then awaken after the normal period of opiate withdrawal. To put it bluntly, they basically put you asleep, give you some medications to speed up the detox process, and allow the patient to awaken feeling little to no withdrawal symptoms.

When I first heard of this method of treatment, I was very enlightened and curious about the process as it seemed far too good to be true. After doing some research and asking both my addiction doctor and consoler some questions about the matter, I was left with the impression that this method of treatment has a lot of promise but is still in its early stages and needs a lot more work and research put into it. Similar to many of my other posts on this blog, I would like to take this post and divide it into a few sections that will further discuss the matter. I would like to give you guys a brief overview and history of this method of treatment, its effectiveness, the general census of it currently, and my thoughts on it. After that, I'll leave the rest to you guys provide any comments, inputs, or even experiences you have on the matter. On that note, lets begin.

A Basic Overview/History Of  Rapid Opioid Detoxification

 

The origins and history of ROD are somewhat unclear and shady from what I have been able to research and understand. After doing some of my own research on the matter, I came across a website that gave me a few answers on this question.  This website states that "rapid opiate detox was created in Israel almost 20 years ago by Dr. Andre Waismann, who still practices his craft in Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, Israel," and that this method of treatment came about after a striking number of soldiers from the Israeli army were found to have been suffering from opiate addiction. The army and its doctors (or scientists, not exactly sure who?) came to the conclusion that something must be done to address this growing problem and that the traditional methods of treatment were not good enough for the situation at hand. Over time, research, and much effort, this is where Rapid Opioid Detoxification (ROD) emerged as an option.

 

There is a brief amount of information from this website that explains the origins and history of this method of treatment and its something that I feel I can't really explain to you guys without basically stating exactly what the website says so rather than to try to put it into my own words and possibly leave out any important information or to say the wrong things, I will put below this paragraph in blue front word for word what the website states (feel free to check out the website yourself if you wish by clicking on the link in the paragraph above).

 

"Rapid opiate detox was created in Israel almost 20 years ago by Dr. Andre Waismann, who still practices his craft in Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, Israel.

Since the original procedure was used on addicted soldiers in Israeli army, it has been gradually perfected by new medications that have since been approved by FDA to help control the effects of the withdrawal. The detoxification drug treatment procedure involves administering intravenous medications that remove opiates from the opioid receptors while the patient is sedated. The detox is done under anesthesia to avoid extreme discomfort and pain from opioid withdrawal symptoms. Additional medications are given to counteract the withdrawal manifestations and to comfort the patient.

Rapid detox under anesthesia can get you through the worst of withdrawal with only limited amount of symptoms that we can help to manage. A small implant containing Naltrexone may be placed under the skin while the patient is still under sedation. The Naltrexone implant slowly releases medication to continually block receptors and help the patient fight the physical symptoms of drug addiction. The Naltrexone implant will entirely dissolve and disappear in approximately two months. Naltrexone implant will take the daily decision making out of your hands. Knowing that narcotics will have no effect on you, if you do slip up, will help the psychological cravings as well.

There sprung up numerous small clinics all over the country duplicating the work that Dr. Waismann began in 1994. Some are well trained and well ran clinics quietly helping patients start new lives, however a few were trying to make a fast buck and ran into trouble and unfortunately those are the ones that get into news and leave a bad taste in the mouths of all.

Internists not doing proper medical screening, not making sure the patients are well enough for the procedure; Anesthesiologists who are not ABA certified, facilities that are ill equipped to deal with emergency situations, etc. Unfortunately the list can go on and on…

The procedure became somewhat controversial, because of the spectacular stories that were heard from time to time, also because no pharmaceutical company was behind it and making a lot of profit (aka Suboxone). However for the professionals who have been involved in it, Addictionologists, Internists, Anesthesiologists – are all believers. They do it because they know it works. Patient after patient, as long as there is a will and a commitment."

While this method of treatment has been around for 20 years, it really hasn't been that well known in the U.S. until recently. Some doctors are all for it while others are very much against it, so there isn't really a final census or agreement on the matter as of now. Hopefully there will be more information about this matter as time goes on and that they can fix any of the problems with this procedure. The withdrawals experienced during this procedure are often compared to as how one would feel if they were to go into precipitated withdrawal. If you remember from my previous posts (or worse, know from experience), precipitated withdrawal occurs when you take a drug such as Suboxone, Methadone, or Vivitrol without having waited long enough after any previous use of opiates such as Oxycodone, Heroin, and the like. For those who don't know, precipitated withdrawal is said to be much worse of a feeling than the "normal" opiate withdrawals one would suffer if they were to suddenly stop using opiates after a continued period of time (going cold turkey).

Normal opiate withdrawals already suck enough as it is, so precipitated withdrawals is something you don't want to mess with. While the patient would normally feel like they were in a state of hell during the course of experiencing precipitated opiate withdrawal, the patient undergoing ROD is supposed to feel little to no discomfort or pain during ROD due to the fact that they are not conscious and are under certain medications. Basically, the procedure has you sleep though the rough part while under medical supervision.



The procedure itself differs slightly from place from place but the basic concepts behind it remain nearly the same. To give you guys a description of the procedure, I have once again provided a detailed description of the procedure from a website I found online (I promise you I'm not getting lazy, I just want everything to be as clear as possible for you guys rather than putting things in my own words) while researching this method of treatment. This information is below this paragraph and is once again in blue front.

"Naltrexone is sometimes used for rapid detoxification ("rapid detox") regimens for opioid dependence. The principle of rapid detoxification is to induce opioid-receptor blockage while the patient is in a state of impaired consciousness, so as to attenuate the withdrawal symptoms experienced by the patient. Rapid detoxification under general anesthesia (sometimes called "ultra-rapid detox") involves an unconscious patient and requires intubation and external ventilation. Rapid detoxification is also possible under lighter sedation. The rapid detoxification procedure is followed by oral naltrexone daily for up to 12 months for opioid dependence management. There are a number of practitioners who will use a naltrexone implant, usually placed in the lower abdomen, to replace the oral naltrexone."

Another website provided a brief description of the process for their particular facility and I have listed it below this paragraph as well. This information comes from a facility in New York known as New York Rapid Opioid Detoxification (NYROD).

"The process begins when NYROD is first contacted by a patient or referring source. Patients then undergo a thorough screening of their medical and drug histories, and psychological profiles. Patients will complete an extensive questionnaire which will be reviewed by Dr. Brooks and our addiction specialized therapist. Dr. Brooks and out addiction therapists will speak to each patient in person, or by phone if calling from a great distance. Patient determination to end their opiate addiction is key to acceptance for treatment. With patient consent, previous therapists will be contacted to discuss your addiction and treatment histories. All patients must undergo physical examination and testing appropriate for their age and drug history.

AAROD is an important first step toward becoming opiate addiction free, but is only a first step. Therefore, to optimize outcomes and avoid relapse, NO patient will be allowed into the program unless aftercare has been established. That is, patients must have an inpatient, or outpatient post-procedure treatment plan to help them understand any psychosocial roots of their addictions and trigger avoidance. Our staff will work with you to assure a smooth transition into an aftercare program. In addition, we will maintain contact with each patient with frequent phone calls and return follow-up appointments. Every patient will have 24-hour access numbers to reach us if needed.

Patients are admitted early morning. An intravenous line is started and patients are placed on cardiac and oxygen monitors. Under the care of an ICU trained RN, patients will receive clonidine and intravenous fluids. The clonidine will help stabilize blood pressure and heart rate during detoxification. The fluids will begin the “washout” of the opiates still on the patient’s receptors.
Next, under the direct and constant care of a Board Certified Anesthesiologist, patients are brought into a state of the art procedure room. After the induction of deep intravenous sedation patients are administered the opiate antagonists naloxone and naltrexone until all opiates have been displaced from the opiate receptors and the detoxification is complete. Patients have no awareness or memory of the detoxification process which would otherwise be intolerable. Depending upon the level of addiction and the drugs to which the patient is addicted, the procedure will last from 3 to 4 hours. Before awakening, and only after the patient is completely detoxified, the patient is administered depot naltrexone injection.

Patients are next brought to a comfortable recovery area where they will be continuously monitored through the night by a trained RN. Any residual restlessness or discomfort or expected gastrointestinal distress will be treated as needed. Young patients may have a parent stay with them for all or part of the recovery period.

Before discharge the next morning, every patient will be evaluated by Dr. Brooks, and visited by our therapist to discuss immediate aftercare planning. Unless ready for discharge, patients will be kept. No patient will be allowed to leave without a responsible adult escort.

The aftercare you receive will be individualized and determined by you and your therapist. Some patients will choose to immediately continue in an outpatient setting, working closely with a therapist and joining a support group such as Narcotics Anonymous. Others may feel that they must first enter a more structured program in a protected and anonymous rehabilitation setting, far from their familiar “people, places, and things"

This procedure is supposed to be nearly painless and provides the patient with the chance to achieve sobriety without having to put up with the physical withdrawals from trying to quit opiates. The withdrawals from opiates is often a factor that prevents many (myself included) from going the cold turkey route. This option may also be appealing for those who dislike Opiate Replacement Therapy drugs such as Suboxone, Methadone, or Vivitrol or who feel they would otherwise be unsuccessful with going down this route (or cold turkey). The fact that it is basically a one time procedure (unlike Suboxone/Methadone which is an every day thing) is something that may be very appealing for some addicts.

Based on what I have read, patients will often stay in the facility or hospital for a few days and will be closely monitored. After the procedure, patients will be sometimes be prescribed Naltrexone to help them remain sober. It is important to remember that Naltrexone is not addicting and is the same drug that is found in the Vivitrol shot that I talked about here. It is also recommended that after the procedure that the patient continues to see their doctor, live a drug and alcohol free life, and seek support and/or AA/NA meetings.

Effectiveness/Opinion Of Rapid Opioid Detoxification

 

As I said previously in this post, there is still much debate as to exactly how effective the ROD can be and where it ranks among the many other treatment options out there. Many feel the procedure has much promise but is still in its early stages of development and that the procedure itself carries its own risks. There are others who feel the procedure offers little to no advantage over more traditional methods of treatments besides allowing the patient to avoid the physical withdrawals that so often accompany the challenging process of quitting opiates. In other words, while the patient may be able to avoid withdrawal, he or she will still have to face the mental aspect of addiction (cravings, depression, etc.), which can be just as difficult or harder than the physical part of quitting opiates.

 

A major drawback of ROD is that it is usually expensive, in fact quite expensive, as typical procedures usually range anywhere from as low as $5,000 to as high as $30,000 as well as additional costs of having to stay in a hospital for monitoring after the procedure and any medications you may be given. Based on my own research, it appears the average price is usually between $15,000-$20,000. That's a lot of money for most of us and to make matters worse, from what I have read getting insurance to cover the procedure can be quite difficult. Again everyone and their cases are different so some might pay more or less than others or may get better (or worse) insurance coverage. However, staying at an inpatient rehabilitation center is also pretty expensive ranging from a couple hundred dollars a day to thousands of dollars a day depending upon the place and situation. Suboxone, Vivitrol, and Methadone can also burn a hole in your pockets as well but is usually cheaper than ROD or an inpatient stay at a rehabilitation center. In other words, unless you plan on going cold turkey, getting clean can often be quite expensive.

 

To give you guys a clearer picture of what I'm saying, take my situation for example. I am currently on 1 mg of Suboxone a day and usually end up paying about $300-350 a month for my prescription, appointments with my addiction doctor, and meetings with my drug addiction consular which are all mandatory to remain in the outpatient Suboxone program I am part of. And those numbers are with insurance coverage (I'm told I have pretty good insurance too). If you're looking at getting on an opiate replacement therapy program, staying in an inpatient program, or giving the ROD procedure a try, insurance is a near must unless you have the money to spend. I have never been to an inpatient rehabilitation program but to give you an idea of what a stay at a average/normal (not some shithole or some 5 star resort-like rehab), I have included a list of prices without insurance coverage for a typical inpatient stay at a rehabilitation center (Waismann Method Medical Group and Domus Retreat) below:

 

5 day program is $18,800

1 week program is $20,800

10 day program is $23,800

2 week program is $27,800

3 week program is $33,800

4 week program is $39,800

 

Another disadvantage are the risks involved with this procedure. For this procedure, the patient will sometimes be put under anesthesia to basically have them "sleep" through the entire procedure. As most of you already probably know, anesthesia does carry its own risks despite the fact that it is commonly used and well known. These risks can be intensified for those with medical issues or disease so be sure to think this over and talk both regularly and honestly with your doctor if you feel ROD is the route you wish to go. The patient will also be given a variety of drugs (I'm not sure what) so it is important you know what you're being given in case you have any allergies or bad reactions to these drugs. A final risk involved in the procedure is the same risk you take when you decide to go cold turkey. Detoxing off opiates is very rarely life-threatening but it still does take its toll on your body when/if you decide to go cold turkey off opiates. These same risks will be present if you undergo the ROD procedure. I don't want to scare anyone or to seem as though I'm trying to lead you guys in a direction but I feel it is my duty to at least mention that there has been cases of people actually dying during the procedure or a few days after it. This is something that really concerned me but we must also take into consideration that people can die or suffer from complications during any procedure that involves anesthesia as well as the fact that some addicts can be in a relatively poor state of health in the first place. Like anything in life, this procedure has its risks. The following excerpt is taken from an article which explains some of the risks involved with this procedure:

 

"Detox is tough on the body, and a rapid detox is tougher. Although you do not consciously feel the pains of this quickened detox, your body must endure an intensified and accelerated period of detox, and this can be very taxing on the body…and doubly so as many addicts do not enter into detox in the best of health.
 
There have been a number of deaths related to the procedure, where patients have died within days of a rapid detox, and one prominent clinic was closed down over concerns over health and safety.

Advocates argue that although there are risks, the risks of a lifetime of abuse and addiction are greater, and for society as a whole rapid opiate detox betters health. This may or may not be true, but it is not likely very encouraging on an individual basis and when deciding on personal options."

Rapid Opioid Detoxification does not guarantee life-long sobriety and a person who undergoes this treatment has no greater chance of remaining sober than someone who attempts to go cold turkey or use opiate replacement therapy. Someone can be cold turkey off of opiates for a month and suddenly relapse. Someone may be on Suboxone or Methadone for 2 years and relapse. Hell, there are people who have decades of sobriety who end up suddenly relapsing. The same unfortunately goes for patients who have undergone a ROD procedure. I'm not trying to sound like a jerk when I say that (there certainly are people who have undergone cold turkey, opiate replacement therapy, and  I'm sure ROD who have gotten and remained sober) but I want to be as honest as I can be with you guys. ROD will help you avoid the physical withdrawals but you'll most likely still end up having to fight off urges, struggle with the mind games of addiction, and live through the mental anguish for quite some time after you quit opiates. I bring this up because $20,000 is a lot to pay to get sober to end up relapsing later on. Like I've said before, some people get it their first time while others, their 100th try. Everyone is different so don't feel as if I'm speaking for you and every opiate addict out there. Getting sober is easier for others just as it can be harder for others.

This chart shows the percentage of patients who remained sober after a Rapid Opioid Detox procedure. This chart was obtained in the book Drug and Alcohol Dependence (Vol. 52, Issue 53-Pages 177-270). The link to this information can be found by clicking Here.

The following excerpt is from a study that was conducted in 1999 by American Society of Anesthesiologists. It discusses the success rate of the procedure in 20 individuals as well any side effects experienced by these people. The link to this study can be found by clicking here. Here it is below in blue front:

"Background: Opioid addiction therapy includes successful detoxification, rehabilitation, and sometimes methadone maintenance. However, the patient may have physical, mental, and emotional pain while trying to achieve abstinence. A new detoxification technique that incorporates general anesthesia uses a high‐dose opioid antagonist to compress detoxification to within 6 h while avoiding the withdrawal.

 

Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval and detailed informed consent, 20 patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists status I–II, addicted to various opioids underwent anesthesia‐assisted rapid opioid detoxification. After baseline hemodynamics and withdrawal scores were obtained, anesthesia was induced. After testing with 0.4 mg intravenous naloxone, 4 mg nalmefene, was infused over 2 to 3 h. After emergence, severity of withdrawal was scored before and after administration of 0.4 mg intravenous naloxone. After 24 h, patients began outpatient follow‐up treatment while taking oral naltrexone.

 

Results: All 20 patients were successfully detoxified with no adverse anesthetic events. After the first post‐treatment test dose of 0.4 mg naloxone, 13 of 20 patients had no signs of withdrawal and hemodynamic changes were minimal. Withdrawal scores were always very low and similar before and after detoxification. Three of 17 patients (18%) available for follow‐up have remained abstinent from opioids since treatment (≤ 18 months). Four other patients are clean after brief relapses.

 

Conclusions: Anesthesia‐assisted opioid detoxification is an alternative to conventional detoxification."

Getting and staying clean is not an easy thing but is something we (us opiate addicts) must seek, or eventually seek. Most who continue a life of abusing opiates usually end up in jail, institutions, being homeless, or even dead. For those who don't get to any of those places, they will probably end up hurting their families/friends (in addition to themselves), ruining relationships, losing their jobs, and basically destroying their lives. Think about it,  how many happy, successful opiate addicts do you know or have you heard of? If you're like me, none. Addiction may not seem so bad at first but trust me, it will eventually bite you in the ass if you put up with it long enough. Again, I hate to appear gloomy and like a jerk on a high horse, but this is usually the case and is something I know from experience. My rock bottom wasn't jail, homelessness, or death but I did hurt some of the people I cared most about, did some things I would have never thought I would have done, and changed (negatively) as a person. I hated what I was doing and who I was becoming, eventually getting help and can honestly say I am happy the way my life is going right now. It hasn't been easy but like I've said numerous times before, it is possible. I'm still learning this myself as I continue my journey towards sobriety.

What I just mentioned in the previous paragraph is there for a reason. I want to stress to you guys that just like Suboxone, Vivitrol, or Methadone, Rapid Opioid Detoxification is not some miracle drug or procedure. After patient goes through this procedure, he/she will have to continue battling their addiction. It doesn't just go away after this procedure. This is where AA/NA meetings, counseling/therapy, and changing your surroundings and people around you are critical. Just like some Suboxone/Methadone/Vivitrol and rehabilitation centers, some clinics that offer ROD may try to lure you to give ROD a shot with statements of high success rates and an answer to your problems. These places, after all, are businesses and have a product/service they are trying to sell. Remember that. I'm not trying to knock any of these things as they can certainly help someone but you must remember that they are only a tool in your battle against addiction. Think of them a weapon on the battle field. You are battling addiction and have at your hands a variety of weapons. These weapons can include AA/NA meetings, sober networks, coping skills/mechanisms, and opiate replacement therapy drugs such as Suboxone or Methadone. However at the end of the day, it is not the weapons that are on the battlefield that wins (or loses) the war, it is people who are fighting on it that do.

There are a lot of different answers and numbers out there in regards to the effectiveness and success rate of Rapid Opioid Detoxification. Some will claim close to a 100% success while others will be as low as 20-30%. Unfortunately for addicts, most (but not all!) will fail their first (or few) times of trying to get clean. My addiction consular always told me that relapse is part of recovery but that just because it's part of it doesn't mean it has to be. Meatballs can be a part of a spaghetti diner but you don't have to eat them, you can simply eat around them or not put them on your plate and you'll still have your spaghetti. While this metaphor may sound silly at first, if you take a moment to think about it, it is a great comparison for the tools we can use to achieve sobriety.

I don't really have an answer for you guys about how effective or successful this procedure is other than what I just have stated previously. There are articles out there about this topic however, and I would like to provide you guys with them. After reading through a couple of them, you'll probably get what I'm saying about how there isn't really a clear-cut answer about how effective or successful ROD is or can be. Here are some of these articles below:

http://www.choosehelp.com/detox/problems-with-rapid-opiate-detox
http://thestatsblog.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/reporters-love-rapid-detox/
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=187166#
http://journals.lww.com/anesthesiology/Abstract/1999/12000/Rapid_Opioid_Detoxification_during_General.15.aspx
http://www.mdsdrugdetox.com/faq/
http://www.rapid-detox.net/2005/08/how-effective-is-rapid-detox.html
http://www.doctordeluca.com/Library/DetoxEngage/MethodsRoleOpioidDetox05.pdf

My Final Thoughts On Rapid Opioid Detoxification

 

When I first heard of the Rapid Opioid Detoxification, I was really interested and curious about the procedure. When I heard that you could simply "sleep" through the withdrawals and wake up feeling almost "normal", I simply couldn't believe what I was hearing. It seemed to good to be true. After doing my own research, I began to learn exactly what the procedure was, what it was about, how it worked, and much more information. Yet here I am today, still somewhat puzzled about it.

 

I haven't met or talked to anyone who has undergone the procedure or who knows someone who has. I have never undergone it myself and probably never will as it seems far to expensive for my case and I am a little bit concerned about the potential risks that come along with the procedure. If you asked me if I would ever consider getting this procedure, I would answer truthfully with a no. Between the costs, risks, and uncertainty of the procedure, I feel I wouldn't be comfortable enough going through with it.

 

However, I really do believe there is a lot of promise for a procedure such as this and I think it shows how far the addiction community has come in treating those who suffer from this disease.

The Power of AA/NA Meetings

Introduction

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog about opiate addiction. After taking some time off from posting on my blog, I am glad to once again be back at it with posting. Between work, my addiction, and just life in general, I have been quite busy and unable to post as often as I would normally like. I also thought there was enough posts already in such a short period of time that it will give everyone a chance to read through my blog without feeling overwhelmed by so many posts. Today, I would like to dedicate this post to the topic of AA/NA meetings and their role in recovering from an addiction.

Both AA and NA (especially AA) have been around for quite some time and have resulted in numerous other groups/meetings that deal with other addictions to emerge. Today, there groups/meetings that deal specifically with things such as cocaine addiction, overeating, anger management, road rage, and much more in addition to the traditional groups/meetings for dependency on drugs and alcohol. Some people have claimed that these meetings were one of the biggest reasons for them being able to achieve sobriety and that without them, they wouldn't be where they are today. For this post, I would like to go over a brief description/history of both NA/AA meetings, what these meetings are like, how successful and valuable they can be, and my own thoughts on them.

A typical AA meeting

I would like to state early on in this post that despite being almost 6 months clean off of my drug of choice (Oxycodone 30 mg pills), I have never attended an AA or NA meeting in my life. I have been part of an outpatient program which requires me to meet frequently with a drug consular and doctor. This program provides me with both support and the opportunity to get Suboxone. While Opiate Replacement Therapy isn't for everyone, I can honestly say that I would most likely not have been able to get and stay clean without it. My hope is that in a few months from now, I will begin tapering off of the Suboxone and eventually be clean off of all opiates period. I am currently prescribed 4 mg of the Suboxone strips once a day and have found this dose to work well for me. While it certainly hasn't been easy, it is possible.

I also want to state that I have nothing against AA/NA meetings and that the main reason behind me never attending one is due to a combination of fear and lack of interest. I am the type of person who shys away from trying new things and often feel uncomfortable talking about something so personal (my addiction) with strangers especially amongst a group of them. I also feel that as of right now, I do not need the meetings and that getting to them would be a bit of a hassle between work and life. Now, I know I probably sound like someone who is cocky and naive (and maybe I am) but that is how I feel. I hope to one day finally "man up" and attend a meeting but this is something I have been saying for months now.

Despite my experience of not attending meetings and feeling them to not be necessary for my particular case, I want to make clear that I have nothing against them and have nothing but the utter most respect for them. I have talked to numerous people who really enjoy going to the meetings and say how helpful/beneficial they have been in their battle against addiction. These same people talk about the friends they have made, the support networks they have developed, and the knowledge they have gained about addiction as a result of going to these meetings. My drug addiction consular and doctor have told me numerous times how helpful these meetings can be in one's battle with addiction. It may seem somewhat ironic and hypocritically of me to be writing this post as someone with virtually no experience with AA/NA meetings but my motive behind this post is to show others a tool that may help them with addiction and to provide them with as much information about meetings as I can. When I was initially considering attending an AA or NA meeting, there was a world of questions I was asking myself and I was really in need of obtaining some information about these very meetings so hopefully this post can help a few of you guys who are in a similar position. Anyways, lets get started on this topic with a brief overview of AA and NA.

About AA & NA



Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was created in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Arkon, Ohio with the primary purpose of the group being to help its members to get and stay sober from alcohol. The group would hold meetings frequently that would provide members the opportunity to gain support from other recovering alcoholics, learn more about both addiction and the members themselves, find ways to live a sober life, and the stories and struggles of other alcoholics. The basic backbone of AA is the Twelve Step Program, which is a set of steps/guidelines with the purpose of leading alcoholics to the road of recovery. The Twelve Traditions were later created in 1946 and are a set of traditions that the group strongly believes in. These Traditions recommend that "members and groups remain anonymous in public media, altruistically help other alcoholics and include all who wish to stop drinking. The Traditions also recommend that AA members acting on behalf of the fellowship steer clear of dogma, governing hierarchies and involvement in public issues." AA has also developed a book, often referred to as "the Big Book" which further illustrates the basic concepts and beliefs that AA stands for (the actual title of this book is called Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism).

Today, AA is found all over the world, in various languages and cultures, with over 2 million members. The organization has seen its fair share of both praise and criticism, managing to be as relevant as ever today even over 75 years later. AA groups are self supported, meaning they tend to not accept outside help or money and rely on its members for its existence. Despite common misconceptions, the group does not associate itself with any particular religion or political party and everyone is allowed to join with the only requirement being "the desire to stop drinking". Those wishing to join AA simply attend any meeting of their choice without having to do sign up for anything, do any paperwork, or pay any fees. Donation baskets are often passed around during meetings similar to how they are passed around in church allowing members to make any contributions if they wish. The funds from these donation baskets are what ultimately supports the organization.

The growth of AA over the years

With the growth and success of AA, another group would later emerge that would go on to be known as Narcotics Anonymous (NA). This organization holds many of the same concepts and principles of AA but focuses more addictions to Narcotics such as cocaine, meth, opiates, and the like. While alcohol is technically a drug, there is somewhat of a difference of views between alcohol and other drugs such as the ones previously mentioned. NA itself has been quite successful over the years and is continuing to grow currently holding over 58,000 meetings in 131 different countries. Like AA, the backbone of NA is also the Twelve Steps and Traditions and NA meetings are considered to be quite similar to AA meetings. Along with the "Big Book", members of NA also use the text Narcotics Anonymous which is divided into 2 parts. The first part of this text discusses the basic concepts of NA emphasizing the Twelve Steps and Traditions. The second part of this part deals mostly with stories of recovering addicts.

There is a lot more information out there about both AA and NA that I simply can't touch upon all of it. However, I will list below this paragraph the websites of Both AA and NA for you guys if you wish to know more about these organizations. I have visited both websites and there is a lot of good stuff on them for those interested and feel AA or NA may be helpful in their road to recovery.

AA Website
NA Website

The Format of AA & NA Meetings

Now that you guys have a brief understanding and history of AA and NA, I would like to take a look at the meetings themselves. Under this section, I will provide you guys with information about how to find meetings, what they are like, the topics discussed, and much more.

Finding a meeting is basically the same for both AA and NA. There are numerous pamphlets that one can find online, in churches, shelters, community centers, doctors offices, rehabilitation centers, and at meetings themselves. These pamphlets usually list the date, time, location, type, and topic of each meeting and are pretty easy to read and grasp. One can also find this information on the AA and NA websites as well as calling the AA and NA hot line. Most rehabilitation centers are up to date with meetings and can also provide information about them as well. Both AA and NA meetings are held frequently and can be found nearly everywhere (you most likely won't have to drive more than 30 minutes to find one). There are meetings held every day of the week with some meetings meeting more than once a week. Meetings take place at all hours of the day, some as early as 8 a.m. and others as late as 10 p.m.

A typical list of AA/NA Meetings

Most meetings typically last anywhere from 1-2 hours and usually have at least one break during the meeting. One can come late or leave early for meetings without having to worry about being penalized. However, if arriving late or leaving early, please be sure to do so politely and quietly. Many members arrive 15-30 minutes before a meeting begins to engage in small talk with other members, ask questions to members or meeting facilitators, and to help set up the meetings. Meetings will often have food and beverages such as coffees, doughnuts, candies, or other small snacks. During breaks, members can use the bathrooms, smoke a cigarette, talk with others, ask questions, make phones calls, or do whatever else they may need to do.

Meetings usually start off with a welcoming statement that is often followed with a facilitator (sometimes referred to as "trusted servants") who reads passages from the Big Book. Sometimes members are allowed to volunteer to read these passages. After that, meetings can involve a speaker(s) who shares their stories or knowledge of addiction with other members. Members who have been involved with a particular meeting for an extended period of time can volunteer to become a speaker, who are assigned with going to meetings to talk about their experiences and knowledge of addiction with others. These speakers usually rotate and attend different meetings to help keep things "fresh" and to provide them the opportunity to have their stories heard by different meetings and members. After a speaker is finished speaking or if there is no speaker for the particular meeting, the facilitator will often allow members the opportunity to volunteer to speak about their experiences, knowledge, thoughts, or questions with others in the meeting. There is no minimum or maximum time limit for those speaking as one can simply say a few words or say as much as they want. However, members are usually urged to not speak for no more than 15 minutes at once (unless otherwise directed) to allow others the opportunity to speak.

The "Big Book"

Sometimes in meetings, members will take part in a prayer. These prayers are not religious prayers like "Our Father" or "Hail Mary" but rather prayers that focus more on addiction than religious matters. Perhaps the most well known and used prayer is the Prayer of Serenity. Another topic often touched upon at meetings are the Twelve Steps and Traditions. These Steps and Traditions require time to truly understand and grasp, thus resulting in a single Step or Tradition being discussed for an entire meeting or even multiple meetings. Another part of meetings that can occur is when a facilitator asks the audience if there are any new members to the particular meeting or if there is anyone in the crowd who is attending their very first meeting. If you are one of these people and don't wish to draw attention upon yourself, you can simply keep quiet and members will not say or push anything on you. If you do decide to announce you are a newcomer or that this is your first meeting, members will usually allow you introduce yourself while also taking the time to introduce themselves to you. Sometimes, when a new member or someone attending their first meeting is there, the members will switch the topic of day to focus on introducing the newcomer to the meeting and what the group stands for. I have been told more times than I count by others that AA/NA members are very welcoming and kind to newcomers in hopes of making them feel comfortable and accepted.

Meetings for AA and NA tend to be on the more informal side and usually like to emphasize group discussion. Members are encouraged to participate in discussion by sharing their own stories, providing what works for them, and asking any questions they may have. If your someone like me who is on the shyer side and likes to just listen, you're free to just sit back and listen. Members of AA and NA will not push you to speak up and should have no problem with you just being there and listening. Sometimes a group will go around and allow members to introduce themselves and speak of anything that is on their mind. This is what you usually see in movies and on television when everyone sits in a circle and each member goes "Hi my name is...I am alcoholic (or addict)." If this does happen and it is your turn to speak, you can simply say "pass" or "I think I'll just listen today." You can also say something along the lines of "Hi my name is...I am an addict and I'll like to just listen today." Again, you should feel no pressure to have to talk a lot and very rarely do they have it so you have to get up on stage or in front of a lot of people. AA and NA groups try their best to make the atmosphere as laid back and easy going as possible. However if you do feel like opening up about yourselves and talking, then by all means go for it. Some of the better AA and NA meetings consist of active group discussion but again, NO PRESSURE!

I want to stress the no pressure part and not having to get up and give a lecture because this is one of the things that I feared most. My original idea of a AA/NA meeting was that it took place in a church with each member having to get up behind a podium and talk. This is totally not true. Despite me never actually attending a meeting, I have been told this more times than I can count as well as reading this on various websites including the AA and NA websites. Some people love to talk and are great at public speaking. Others (like myself) absolutely hate speaking in front of people and prefer to just sit back and enjoy the show.

 

Types of AA & NA Meetings

I would also like to talk about how certain meetings are labeled under different categories. Some meetings are for men only or women only while others are aimed at other demographics such as the gay community, African Americans, young people, veterans ,single parents, newcomers, among others. Meetings are also labeled based on the format of meeting itself. There are meetings labeled as open discussion meetings where the meeting focuses mainly on, you guessed it, group discussion. There are also meetings labeled as speaker meetings where most of the meeting will revolve around a speaker or group of speakers visiting the meeting. These people who speak at meetings such as these are often members of another group looking to share their stories. Another kind of format are 12 step meetings which emphasize the 12 steps and will often dedicate the particular meeting to one of the twelve steps. There are also handicap and nonsmoking meetings as well along with a variety of others. The most common labeled meetings are probably open and closed meetings. Open meetings are open to everyone, meaning alcoholic/addicts and those who do not suffer from addiction while closed meetings are usually meant for just alcoholic/addicts. However, based on what I have heard, most meetings will not discriminate between the two and will usually welcome all.

A final kind of meeting I would like to talk about are Al-Anon meetings which are meetings that welcome alcoholics/addicts and their families/friends. I have heard these meetings are becoming more and more popular and are great for not only the person suffering from addiction themselves, but also for their families and friends. These meetings allow the friends and family members of alcoholics/addicts the opportunity to learn more about addiction and how to aid their friend or family member in battling addiction.

A popular question asked by those who are unfamiliar with AA and NA is what exactly is the difference between the two and is someone who is addicted to drugs allowed to attend AA or vice versa. Based on what I have read and been told, there isn't really that much of a difference between the two and that most groups do not discriminate between addicts and alcoholics. After all, it is addiction we are all looking to beat, meaning we're all basically in the same, shitty boat. If for whatever reason a group shows some discrimination or resistance to accepting someone based on their type of addiction, you can do a couple of things. The first thing you can do is to simply stop going to that particular meeting and find another one. Like I said before, there are literally thousands of meetings worldwide that meet throughout the week. Another option is for you to simply say I am an alcoholic at AA even if you suffer from an addiction to drugs or vice versa. From what I am told, there is little difference between the groups and that attending an AA meeting if you're an addict or attending an NA meeting if your an alcoholic is better than not attending a meeting at all. If you do feel you are really being discriminated against or treated poorly, don't hesitate to speak to the group leader or to call AA/NA to report any problems. Like I said before, AA/NA usually try their best to be laid back and welcoming so hopefully you shouldn't have any problems.

One final thing I would like to touch upon about AA/NA meetings is the common misconception that these groups focus heavily on religion. I believed in this at first and can see how many others would too. After all, most of these meetings take place in churches, involve prayers, and talk of a higher power. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. The higher power these groups talk about can be anything you wish it to be. It can be god, the group itself, your mother, your dog, or hell even a doorknob. The purpose of the higher power is for the alcoholic/addict to admit that there is something more powerful than themselves. It took me awhile to really understand this until my drug addiction consular explained it to me. He said that I was overpowered by my drug of choice (the Oxycodone 30 mg pills) and that I was unable to quit on my own without seeking help. He said if this wasn't true, I wouldn't be where I was in the first place and wouldn't even be having this conversation with him. For me anyways, that really hit home and gave me a better understanding of what the group meant by a "higher power" so once again, please don't think these groups are just a bunch of religious fanatics because they certainly aren't. AA/NA groups have a wide variety of members who come from different cultures, races, religions, and backgrounds so you'll most likely meet and see a lot of different people. I have even heard of atheists attending AA/NA meetings so if that doesn't prove my point, I don't know what will.

I really hope to attend a meeting soon (unfortunately I have been saying that for awhile now) as I would like to really give the experience a chance. At meetings you'll hear a lot of stories and tips from people of all backgrounds. Like I always say, addiction doesn't discriminate. You'll hear the good, the bad, and the ugly meaning you'll hear stories of someone who has been clean for decades and is living a wonderful, enjoyable life. You'll also hear stories of people who have lost everything (sometimes their homes, money, and even family) to their addiction. Most people tell me the experience can be both quite inspiring and humbling but most importantly, helpful. I know I had a lot of questions about meetings (I still do) so I'm going provide a couple links below this paragraph that might be able to answer some of your questions. They talk about a variety of things and can probably answer a lot of the questions you may currently have. Here they are:

http://www.bma-wellness.com/papers/First_AA_Meeting.html
http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/meetings/a/blclosed.htm
http://www.na.org/?ID=bulletins-bull15-r
http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/meetings/a/aa040208a.htm
http://video.about.com/alcoholism/What-to-Expect-at-AA-Meetings.htm
http://www.new-life-in-recovery.com/aameeting.html
http://www.thefix.com/content/meeting-minds
http://www.azcentral.com/health/news/articles/0131dayofAA0131.html?&wired
http://www.na.org/?ID=NAMeetings-WhatHappensAtAnNAMeeting
http://www.nzna.org/drugproblem/firstmeeting.shtml
http://www.peninsulana.org/02%20New%20To%20NA/New_To_NA.html
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/addiction-recovery/9667-what-na-meetings-really-like.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/85520-questions-about-na-aa-meetings.html
http://www.aa.org/lang/en/subpage.cfm?page=287

The Effectiveness of AA & NA Meetings

This next section I would like to talk about exactly how effective AA and NA meetings are for those who attend them. Based on what I have heard from other addicts, my drug addiction doctor, and my drug addiction consular, they are supposed to be really helpful. In fact, to this day I haven't heard of anyone who said they walked away from a meeting not learning something or having a bad experience. The one thing I have been told is that you may have to check out a few different meetings before you find one that you really like or feel comfortable in so if your first meeting doesn't go as you had planned, don't give up and give another one a shot. Just like everything else in life, there are great meetings, average meetings, and crappy meetings but my gut feeling is that most tend to fall on the good side. These people don't judge, know what it is like to be addicted to something, and share a goal with you (getting and staying clean). This is quite different than when all you have to talk to is a friend, family member, doctor, or consular who has never suffered from addiction themselves. I think I can speak for most of us when I say it takes another addict to know what an addict is going through and feeling.

Another important piece of advice I have been given is that after attending a particular meeting that you enjoy for awhile, try to look and find a sponsor. A sponsor is someone who is also battling an addiction and is willing to help you in your road to recovery. Your sponsor is someone you can ask questions to, obtain advice/tips from, and call or talk to if you feel the urge to use again. The one thing I was told about getting a sponsor is to make sure it is someone you feel comfortable around and to try to pick someone who at least a year of sobriety under their belt. Again, I have no experience myself with these meetings, let alone asking someone to be my sponsor, but I am told it is quite simple. After introducing yourself to someone at a meeting and once you feel comfortable enough around them, simply ask them if they would mind being your sponsor and if you could exchange numbers and/or e-mails. Most people will have no problem doing this and many will even feel flattered that you asked them. It takes a little courage but is something that I feel can go a long way. I just want to state again, make sure it is someone you feel comfortable around, has been sober for quite some time, and is someone who won't lead you down the wrong path in the future. I say this because, remember, at some point this person was an alcoholic or addict themself so be careful. You want to end up with someone who can help you, not someone that you can get drunk or high with.

There is a lot of information out there about how effective AA and NA meetings truly are yet there really isn't a final answer. In fact, the topic is very debatable. I wish I could tell you guys that going to AA and NA will solve all your problems, but like I have said before about there being no miracle drug to accomplish this, AA/NA meetings aren't the perfect solution. Some studies and programs have claimed these meetings to be extremely beneficial while others have shown little to no improvement for those suffering from addiction. I can throw a bunch of studies and figures at you guys but in the end, it's just a bunch of numbers to look at. In my opinion, I think AA/NA meetings can really help someone suffering from addiction but just like Suboxone or Methadone, they are simply a tool in helping one achieve sobriety. At the end of day, it is the person who must chose between a life of addiction or a life of sobriety. It is defiantly not an easy choice despite the fact that we all know which path is the better way to go. If you asked me my thoughts on the topic, I'd tell you to give a meeting a shot as I think it will certainly do more good than harm and probably won't hurt.

I'm not going to lie to guys, I have never been to a meeting and don't want to sugarcoat things so take this post in whatever fashion as you wish. I hope to provide you guys with the best information that I can provide and answer some of the questions you may have about AA and NA meetings. I know I had a lot of questions myself when I first begun my road to recovery. Anyhow, I will provide you guys with some links below that talk about how effective AA/NA meetings can be. These links provide studies, charts, graphs, and other numbers that might paint a better picture of the effectiveness of AA/NA than I can over a computer screen. Here are these links below:

http://hamsnetwork.org/effective.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3140338/
http://www.addictioninfo.org/articles/1587/1/Estimates-of-AAs-Effectiveness/Page1.html
http://www.thefix.com/content/the-real-statistics-of-aa7301

 Conclusion

 

 

Well guys, I hope you found this post helpful and that I was maybe even able to make you think about attending an AA/NA meeting in the near future. Despite never being to one before, I get a sense of how helpful and even enjoyable these meetings can really be. Being on the Suboxone (4mg once a day) and remaining clean for almost 6 months has really helped me in being able to get my life back together. I feel great and most importantly, am happy. I know one day I will have to come off of the Suboxone and face the withdrawals, mental agony, and life without opiates sooner or later. I think this where AA/NA may come in handy for me (although I must say, attending a meeting now while on the Suboxone would probably do me world of good as well) as I will no longer have a drug (an opiate itself) in Suboxone to turn to instead of my drug of choice. I will be forced to travel this road to recovery naturally and will have to find other tools to help me remain clean. Maybe a meeting is one of these tools. Scratch that, it will probably have to be...I'll end this post like my others by wishing you all nothing but good fortune, luck, and happiness in your battle against addiction and your road to sobriety. It's been awhile since I've gotten to say this so hear it goes....Keep seeing the light my friends, it's out there.

 

Best wishes,

 

Seeingthelight

P.S.

If this is your first time reading my blog and you would like to read some of my other posts about opiate addiction, feel free to click on any of the below links. Each post has its own topic that I focus on with topics such as Suboxone, Methadone, Opiate Withdrawals, Sleep During Opiate Withdrawal, Quotes About Addiction, and much more.

Welcome Post (1st Post)
My Experience With Suboxone
The Dreaded Opiate Withdrawals
Why We Got Addicted To Opiates
Suboxone Vs Methadone
The Vivitrol Shot
Addiction And Our Bodies
A Soldier's Addiction
Cold Turkey Or Opiate Replacement Therapy
Some Good Quotes About Addiction
Getting Some Sleep During Opiate Withdrawal