Getting Some Sleep During Opiate Withdrawal

Introduction

Hello everyone and welcome to what is now my 11th post on my blog about opiate addiction. I would like to use this post to discuss something we so often take for granted; sleep. For someone who hasn't had a problem with opiate addiction and has no sleeping problems/conditions, sleep is often a natural occurrence that comes with relative ease. Sleep is what allows our mind and body to rest, heal, and rejuvenate itself and is something we all need in order to survive. Well for someone who suffers from opiate addiction, getting and staying asleep can be quite difficult. It is not uncommon for opiate addicts to have restless nights of sleeping, trouble going to sleep, or to have to wake up early as withdrawals begin to creep their way in. It gets even worse for opiate addicts when they decide to quit opiates cold turkey or to discontinue their use of opiates after tapering or treatment (Suboxone or Methadone). I've been there before and can vouch that it is one of the worst parts of opiate withdrawals. Therefore, I would like to dedicate this particular post to talk about sleep when the time comes for us to quit opiates.

If you are interested in reading other posts in my blog about opiate addiction, click on any of the following links (in order from 1st post to most latest post).

Welcome Post (1st Post)
My Experience With Suboxone
The Dreaded 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 Opiate Addiction


When one stops using opiates, a variety of withdrawals will begin to come into play and can leave the person involved feeling like they are in a state of absolute hell. For this post, I will be referring to those who have either quit opiates cold turkey or who have stopped using all opiates after their tapering or treatment is completed. Basically, this post is for people who are no longer taking any forms of opiates (be it Oxycodone, Methadone, Suboxone, Morphine, ect...). When one quits opiates, they often have difficulty in getting and staying asleep due to a variety of factors. Restless legs (the withdrawal I hate the most), a racing mind, the chills, cold sweats, anxiety, and aches/pains are some of the more common withdrawals that affect our sleep patterns the most when going through withdrawals. I can remember a few times in which I attempted to quit opiates cold turkey and couldn't get more than a couple hours (if I was lucky) of sleep in a night. During the day, we are faced with withdrawals such as lack of energy, chills, cold sweats, diarrhea, and aches/pain. One basically feels like they have a really, really bad case of the flu. Come nighttime, our bodies are often tired and hurting after a long day (minutes seem like hours) of experiencing withdrawals, only to face even more agony at night. When the sun finally rises the next day, we have to experience this cycle all over again until withdrawals begin to calm after a period of time.

How many of us feel during Opiate Withdrawal at night.

I want this post to talk about a few things in regards to sleep and opiate withdrawal and I think the best way to do this is to break down this post into a few sections. I would like to touch upon the importance/role of sleep, the process of sleep for an opiate addict, and finally some methods that may help one get a good night's sleep (or at least a few hours) when experiencing opiate withdrawal. On that note, lets begin.

The Role & Importance of Sleep

 

Sleep is defined as a natural periodic state of rest for the mind and body, in which the eyes usually close and consciousness is completely or partially lost, so that there is a decrease in bodily movement and responsiveness to external stimuli (Free Dictionary by Farlex). Sleep is what allows our mind and body to have the opportunity to rest and perform several important tasks. Without sleep, one will not survive for very long and unhealthy sleeping patterns can result in both physical and mental health conditions. Sleep helps restore and strengthen our immune system, which is critical to our bodies as it helps heal or prevent wounds/injuries, infections, diseases, viruses, and much more. Sleep also aids in the brain and development of it. Despite there still being a lack of total understanding of the roles sleep has in living organisms, one thing is clear, sleep is essential for our survival.

 

There is a lot of information out there about sleep and of course not all of it has to do with opiate addiction or withdrawal in regards to sleep. This blog is meant to focus on opiate addiction so I don't want to be throwing a total lecture about sleep at you guys when that's probably not what you're looking for here. I just wanted to provide everyone with a brief understanding about sleep to get things started and to show how important it is to our survival. If you guys are interested in knowing more about sleep, I have included a few links below this paragraph that discuss the topic.

http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/science
http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih3/sleep/guide/info-sleep.htm
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/index.htm
http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleeping.htm

 

The Sleeping Patterns of an Opiate Addict

 

As most of you probably know already, opiate addicts tend to live a life quite different from those who do not suffer from addiction. The old saying "don't judge a person until you walk a mile in their shoes" is perfect for this scenario. As I said before, for someone who doesn't suffer from opiate addiction and has no sleeping problems/conditions, sleep is something that comes natural and takes little challenge to accomplish. However, for someone who does suffer from addiction and is currently going through opiate withdrawal, sleep can seem almost impossible at times. The withdrawals from opiates affect not only our bodies, but our minds as well resulting in our bodies being somewhat different than that of your average Joe who isn't addicted to opiates. Now I'm certainly no doctor (I can't count how many times I've said that before) but I believe the reason an opiate addict's sleep patterns become so disturbed are a near direct result of the effects opiates have the brain. I know it isn't rocket science that the physical withdrawals can keep one awake but I also believe that the mental aspect of opiate withdrawal is far too often overlooked. My guess is that the opiates play some kind of role in messing around with our brain chemistry resulting in some kind of imbalance or in something up there being "off". I mentioned before in my previous posts about the effect opiate addiction can have on not only our bodies but our minds as well, if you wish to check that post out simply click HERE.

 

Having an addiction to opiates can have quite an impact on our brain receptors whose purpose is release endorphins. Endorphins are basically opioid peptides that function as neurotransmitters. In other words, Endorphins are released in the brain as result of doing something we enjoy or find pleasure in such as exercising, having sex, or spending time with someone who we enjoy being with. Unfortunately, these same endorphins can be created and released each time we use opiates which ultimately result in one's mind and body enjoying the presence of opiates in the body. By continuing to use opiates over a period of time, the brain will begin to crave the presence of these endorphins eventually resulting in the person feeling the constant need to please the brain with the use of opiates. This is why it can sometimes be difficult for former opiate addicts to find enjoyment in things they once enjoyed as well as also resulting in depression or anxiety among other things. After reading all that, you can probably imagine the true effect opiates have on the mind and body which are what can ultimately control your sleeping patterns.

 

Once again, there's a lot of information out there about endorphins, the reward system in our brains, and the effects opiate addiction can have on these matters. I'll leave you guys with a few more links that address these topics in more detail below this paragraph.

http://www.allaboutaddiction.com/addiction/addiction-brain-effects-opiate-addiction-heroin-oxycontin
http://neuro.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=103089
http://www.canadianmedicaljournal.ca/content/164/6/817.full
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasure_center
http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/reward-center-in-brain-work
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/reward/

 

Some Methods To Help With Sleep During Opiate Withdrawal

 

Getting some sleep during opiate withdrawal is something that nearly each and every one of us desires and wishes for when we choose to stop using opiates. Some people may be able to get some sleep during opiate withdrawals while others may feel as though they've been wide awake for what seems like a week straight. Like I always say, everyone is different. Some people experience certain withdrawals more or less than others and there is no universal law out there that will tell how good or bad your withdrawals will be. Unfortunately, there is no miracle drug or method out there that will prevent withdrawals but there are some methods that can help ease them. For this section of the post, I am going to talk about a few of these very methods which may help one who is suffering from opiate withdrawals and can't achieve sleep.

 

Over The Counter Medications- There are a few over the counter (OTC) medications out there that might be able to help you find sleep when going through opiate withdrawal. A common one is the drug Diphenhydramine, which is found in the OTC medication Benadryl. For some people this works great for in achieving sleep but for others (myself included) it has little to no effect. It is important to note that Benadryl when taken in high enough doses can result in restless legs and a jittery feeling similar to if one were take some caffeine. In even higher doses, Benadryl can result in hallucinations or even death so be smart when using this medication as a sleep aid. Basically, if you're not feeling much of an effect after taking the recommended dose, quit while you're ahead and don't look to take more in hopes of achieving sleep.

Another OTC medication that can be used to help with sleep is Doxylamine, which is most commonly found in the OTC drug Unisom. I have used Unisom and from my own personal experience feel that it works better than Benadryl. Tylenol PM is also another alternative to help with sleep as well as the aches/pain that often come with opiate withdrawals. Tylenol PM contains both Diphenydramine and Acetaminophen. The Diphenydramine in Tylenol PM is the same ingredient found in Benadryl and is what will help with the sleep. The Acetaminophen helps with aches, pains, and fever. All of these OTC medications should be used with caution as most are meant for short term use only. Ingesting to much of these medications can have severe consequences so be sure to be smart and talk with your doctor before doing anything drastic.

A final OTC medication that I feel is worth mentioning is Melatonin. Melatonin is a natural ingredient and works by replicating what the naturally occurring compound N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine does in our bodies. This compound is basically what aids our brain in determining when to sleep and has been getting more and more attention as of late. It is important to note that this medication takes time to work (usually at least a couple weeks) and that the dose needed to help aid with sleep varies from person to person. The good thing about Melatonin is that it is not addicting which is a huge plus for the addiction community. I gave Melatonin a shot before and didn't find it to help much with getting to sleep but I have seen other people praising how well it works. Like always, everyone is different so be sure to talk with your doctor if you do decide to give Melatonin (or any of these medications) a try.

Prescription Medications - Prescription sleep aids are usually more powerful and effective in helping one achieve sleep but do come with their risks. Many of these medications can be habit forming and addictive so anyone who has suffered from addiction in the past should be cautious with these medications. I have given a few prescription medications a try before and to no surprise would have to agree that they are far more effective than OTC drugs. A common prescription sleep aid is the drug Zolpidem, which is found in the medication Ambien. Ambien is a pretty powerful medication that has a pretty high success rate in terms of achieving sleep. I have tried Ambien before and found that it works great for getting some sleep but eventually canceled my prescription to it as I felt there was to great of a chance I would develop an addiction to it. There are also some side effects with Ambien such as sleepwalking, nightmares, and hallucinations so once again be careful my friends with these medications.

The drug Eszopiclone is another option and can be found in the medication Lunesta. I have no experience with this drug but have been told it is similar to Ambien but slightly stronger. Lorazepam is a option as well that is found in the medication Ativan, which works by slowing activity in the brain to allow for relaxation. Ativan also helps with anxiety which is something that can certainly arise during opiate withdrawal. Clonazepam, found in Klonopin, is yet another option as a sleep remedy. This drug is commonly prescribed for seizures, anxiety, and insomnia and based on what I have heard is quite powerful. I have no experience with Ativan or Klonopin so be sure to do your research and talk with your doctor if you think either of these may be an option.

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that are commonly used to treat sleeping problems and conditions. These are usually the more powerful sleep aid medications but carry the risk of developing an addiction. Withdrawal from Benzodiazepines is said to be quite severe, long, and painful with many saying the withdrawals from Benzodiazepines are far more dangerous and worse than those of opiate withdrawals. Some examples of Benzodiazepines include Klonopin (see above), Estazolam (ProSom), Flurazepam (Dalmane), Quazepam (Doral), Temazepam (Restoril), and Triazolam (Halcion). If you feel these drugs are capable of causing you to develop an addiction to them, your best bet is to stay away from these medications and look elsewhere. Another option is to use these drugs short-term (under 2 weeks) to help with the early stages of opiate withdrawal. These are powerful drugs guys, so be sure to be safe and to use these only under your doctor's supervision.

Another medication that may help with finding sleep is the drug Trazodone. I have used Trazodone before in the past and found it to work pretty well. While the Trazodone did help me, it was no where near as effective or powerful as the Ambien. Trazodone isn't as addictive as Ambien or some of the other drugs mentioned but it can still be considered somewhat habit forming. One will most likely not get too many physical withdrawals when stopping Trazodone, there is the chance of having trouble getting to sleep, having nightmares, and a sense of restlessness if suddenly stopped. The dosages prescribed for Trazodone vary greatly (any where from 25 mg to as high as 600 mg) so you and your doctor may have to slowly work your way up to a dose that works well for you.

Natural Remedy's - There are also other alternatives to sleep aid medications that can help during opiate withdrawal. One thing that works well for a lot of people is the use of hot baths, hot tubs, and trips to the sauna. These methods help relax the body and can be great for dealing with the chills and aches/pains. Exercising is another option but is something that can be quite difficult to do when going through withdrawals. When one exercises, their body releases endorphins just like how our bodies do when we use our drug of choice. Not only is exercise healthy for you, it will also often leave you feeling tired at the end of the day. Some decaffeinated tea, warm milk, or hot coco before bed can be soothing for some as well and is great for helping with the chills. Coffee isn't a bad idea during the day to get you up and going while withdrawing but should be avoided close to bedtime. The great thing about these methods are that they are not addicting or habit forming.

There are also several relaxation techniques that can be beneficial as well. When I first heard of these, I thought they were just a bunch of B.S. but must admit they did actually help a little after finally giving them a chance. Relaxation techniques include breathing exercises, mediating, and listening to those audio tapes that play peaceful sounds or music. Lets face it, when you're withdrawing you're basically willing to try anything to help yourself get through those rough times. I also find creating and sticking to a going to sleep and waking up schedule helps a lot to with sleep. What I mean by this is to not have nights were you're up until 3 A.M. and wake up the next day at 11 A.M. then following the previous day by going to bed early and waking up early. Make a schedule and stick to it.

 

A breathing exercise that I have found to help with not only getting to sleep but relaxing works by lowering your pulse and clearing your mind. For some people, this works well while others may not notice much of a difference. It takes a little practice to get used to as well. It can also help when you have a panic attack or are frustrated. This breathing exercise is called the 4-7-4 technique and works as follows:

 

1. Sit down in a chair with your back straight and hands together meeting at your stomach.
2. Your fingers should interlock at your stomach with the backside (opposite of your palm side) of your hands facing out.
3. Inhale and take a 4 second continuous breath of fresh air and hold it in for 7 seconds.
4. After holding your breath for 7 seconds, release your breath for 4 seconds continuously
5. Continue this 3-5 times

Another thing that may help is simply reading a book, surfing the web, or watching a little television before bed. It will help keep your mind busy while giving you some entertainment to pass the time and relax. However, don't just sit there for a few hours watching television, surfing the web, or playing video games as this can have the opposite effect. Try doing something that you really enjoy that doesn't take up a lot of your energy. Having a good environment around you before you go to sleep can make quite the difference so make sure you're in a relaxed, quiet, and comfortable environment each night.

Herbal Methods - There are also some natural herbs out there that are said to help with sleep. While I have never tried any of these herbs, the ones I most commonly hear about are Valerian Root and St. John’s Wort, which can usually be found at stores like GNC or Vitamin World. There are other herbal remedy's out there as well. I have also heard Lavender can help. Don't look at these herbs as something you shouldn't talk to your doctor about as some of them carry side effects or can have adverse effects with other medications. As always, be smart and talk with your doctor!

Other - A final thing that may help some of you guys may come across as somewhat controversial so please note that it is not my purpose or intent to offend anyone or to seem contradicting. When some people look to quit their addiction to opiates, they also look to end their use of all drugs and alcohol, which I think is probably the best route to go. This includes drugs such as tobacco and marijuana. In my opinion, I believe that marijuana is without a doubt a drug and can also serve as a gateway drug meaning that it's use can eventually lead to the user moving on to other harder drugs. However, I think for the most part, marijuana is quite harmless and agree that it is not addicting. It might become a habit but you won't see anyone having chills, cold sweats, extreme anxiety, diarrhea, and the other classic symptoms of opiate withdrawal when they stop using marijuana. As someone who enjoyed smoking marijuana and did so often in the past, I would often use the drug as a way to help control the anxiety that would so often accompany opiate withdrawal. It would sometimes also help me get to sleep which can seem close to impossible during opiate withdrawal. I no longer smoke marijuana due to the rules of the Suboxone program I am now in as well as just trying to make drugs a past part of my life but I still personally have no ill feelings towards the drug. I'll leave this one up to you guys. If you think it may help, give it a shot. However, if you think it might do more harm than good, then by all means stay away from it (and other drugs).

After debating with myself whether or not I should have included the use of marijuana to help with sleep during opiate withdrawal, I came to the conclusion that I want to be able to provide you guys with whatever I think can help you guys without causing any harm or bad consequences. That's why I often write about medications but never recommend dosages or regimes besides telling you guys to talk with your doctor and to never take more than told/recommended. The biggest reason I had debated on whether or not to include marijuana as an option in this post is that for some people, when they use marijuana, the high they get from it brings on too much of a temptation to get back to using the opiates again. Sometimes the high from marijuana is just to much for a person and it can begin to bring out our inner demons with addiction. While I personally believe marijuana can have its benefits, I would have to say that the best route to take is to probably just avoid it along with any other drugs or alcohol.

I also want to state that I defiantly wouldn't advise anyone to use alcohol as a means of getting to sleep. Not only is that an unhealthy and potentially dangerous thing to do, but that alcohol itself can become an addiction. This is especially true for any addict as we tend to develop addictions quicker and easier than most people. In addition, while the use of alcohol may make one feel good and able to get to sleep, it will most likely leave the person feeling even worse the next day. It is already shitty enough having to deal with opiate withdrawals so why add a nasty hangover to the mix. Both alcohol and marijuana can impair the way we think and act, which could result in one making some poor decisions such as deciding to use opiates adding yet another reason to avoid any drugs or alcohol during opiate withdrawal.

I know I might sound somewhat contradicting to some about what I have just said but I just want to add what I found has worked for me in the past. If you asked me what to do in regards to the marijuana, I would say to defiantly stay away from any drugs/alcohol and to only use the marijuana if you feel confident enough it won't have any negative impacts and as a last resort if possible. Remember, the whole point of getting off the opiates is to live a sober life. Like I've said more times than I can count, everyone is different with some people being able to handle things differently or better than others. You shouldn't even consider looking to drugs such as cocaine, heroin, meth, hallucinates, and the like to help ease withdrawals. Believe me, drugs like those will do much more harm than good and can lead you into a whole another world of problems.

Some Other Quick Tips For Finding Sleep

 

• If you can't get to sleep within a half hour or so, don't just stay in bed tossing and turning! Get up and go to a lightly lit room and do something that requires little energy and is relatively boring/dull. Some examples include reading the newspaper or a book, writing in a journal, going for a short walk, ect. You must train your body and mind that your bed is a place for sleep so that when you enter your bed in the future, your mind and body will know it's time for sleep. Or the other thing...

 

• Try to limit television, video games, or exercise right before bed as both can tend to get your mind and body up, focused, and ready to go.

 

• Limit any caffeine, high Carb, or sugary foods at night. Eat right during the day and limit (or even quit if you can) any tobacco products. Too much of these things can keep you up at night.

 

• If you're religious, calm yourself by spending a few minutes saying your prays before bed. If religion isn't your cup of tea, give mediation a shot and try relaxing and meditating for about 15 minutes before bed.

 

• Try to keep your mind occupied on something calming and something you enjoy. Don't worry about your addiction, bills you have to pay, work, or any other things that can get you worked up and worrying while you are in bed at night.

 

• As I mentioned before, make sure to set up a sleep schedule where you wake up and go to bed around the same time each day. Try to limit long naps during the day by either not napping at all or limiting your naps to less than 45 minutes (cat naps). It can be tough for some people (myself included) but try not to sleep in late on weekends or days off from work/school as this can further disrupt your sleeping patterns.

 

• Make your sleeping environment comfortable by having a nice, comfortable bed, a room temperature that's comfortable for you, and keeping noise to a minimal.

 

• If you continue having trouble in getting and staying asleep, don't continue to just put it off! Make a visit to your doctor and discuss with him or her what the two of you think is the best route of action to take in getting some sleep.  

Conclusion

 

Well guys, that's all I got for you and I really hope this post was helpful for you. In my opinion, the lack of sleep that comes with opiate withdrawals is one of the worst symptoms. You end up feeling so tired after not getting any sleep from the night before but still cannot fall asleep the next night, it really sucks. For some people, these methods may work great for while others may have mixed results. I'm sure there's a lot more information out there and I would love to hear some feedback from you guys about this matter. Comment below in the comment section if you have any thoughts, experiences, or recommendations that can help with achieving sleep during opiate withdrawals. I have also put up a new poll which can be found at the bottom of this page and would love to hear what you guys think. I'll end this post by wishing everyone nothing but the best and ask that each and every one of you guys to continue seeing that light! I have also included yet another a link for you guys below this paragraph that has some good information about some of the methods to achieve sleep. Some of the stuff on this website we have talked about already in this post but there is also much more. Here is the link below.

 

http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_aids_medication_insomnia_treatment.htm#otc

 

Until next time, take care guys.

 

-Seeingthelight





Some Good Quotes About Addiction

Hello and welcome back my friends! Hope all is going well for everyone on the other side of the computer. This is now my tenth post and I am so happy to have made it to the double digit mark. I've noticed the views for this blog continue to grow and even got a comment the other day which basically made my day (man, my life is boring). In all seriousness, thank you guys as each and every one of you guys are important to this blog. After all, I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for you. Just too bad we all know one another as a result of a rather gloomy topic but oh well...

I wanted to make this post different from my previous posts so I decided to dedicate this post to quotes and motivational material in regards to addiction. There really isn't a hell of a lot of stuff for me to say on this post so I'm going to leave this one for guys. I'll toss in some quotes that I know of or have seen/heard over time to get things started. I think quotes can sometimes be a bit overused or dramatic in the addiction community (how many times have you seen or heard someone throwing quotes about addiction out of their ass? If you're like me, too many.) but I do think they can defiantly serve a purpose. I think because addiction is often such a gloomy, shitty experience to be involved in in the first place, that a nice, little motivational speech or quote can help lift one's spirits every once in a while.

Inspiration

Basically, the way I'm going to go about this post is to just provide you guys with a bunch of quotes that I know of and feel are worth sharing. I also included a few quotes about addiction that have a rather humorous tone to them. I'll leave the rest to you guys. Feel free to provide your quotes, motivational speeches, or inspirational stories. Or, feel welcome to talk about your own quote or one of the quotes mentioned on here that you perhaps liked or found "hit home". Lets get a good conversation here guys, I'm counting on you!

Alright, here's what I got for you guys. I'll put the quotes in blue front below this paragraph.

This group of quotes I got online from the website Quotes Motivational. The website has a ton of quotes about almost anything in life and there is section dedicated to quotes about overcoming addiction. There's a lot of quotes on the website so I just put down the ones I really liked and thought might be useful for readers of my blog. Like I said, there's a lot more and I think you guys would enjoy reading some of them. if you're interested click here .

"Life is meant to be a celebration! It shouldn't be necessary to set aside special times to remind us of this fact. Wise is the person who finds a reason to make every day a special one."Overcoming Addiction Quote by Leo F. Buscaglia (March 1924 - June 1998)

"Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours."Ayn Rand Quote for Overcoming Addiction

Life is very interesting... in the end, some of your greatest pains, become your greatest strengths.Drew Barrymore Quote for Overcoming Addiction

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing."
Abraham Lincoln Quote for Overcoming Addiction
 
"One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time."
Andre Gide (November 22, 1869 - February 19, 1951) quote
 
"You must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessings."
Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 - June 8, 1845) quote

"When everything seems like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top"Overcoming Addiction Quote by Unknown

"No one's happiness but my own is in my power to achieve or to destroy."Motivational Quote by Ayn Rand

"A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life."Motivational quote by Charles Darwin (February 1809 - April 1882)

"Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better."Emile Coue (1857-1926) Overcoming Addiction Quote

"Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the face."Overcoming Addiction Quote by Helen Keller

"Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."Helen Keller Overcoming Addiction Quote
 
Some pretty funny quotes about addiction for you guys...

“I admire addicts. In a world where everybody is waiting for some blind, random disaster or some sudden disease, the addict has the comfort of knowing what will most likely wait for him down the road. He's taken some control over his ultimate fate, and his addiction keeps the cause of his death from being a total surprise" - Chuck Palahniuk

“Even as a junkie I stayed true [to vegetarianism] - 'I shall have heroin, but I shan't have a hamburger.' What a sexy little paradox." - Russell Brand

“Whether you sniff it smoke it eat it or shove it up your ass the result is the same: addiction.”- William S. Burroughs

“Even when I took the drugs I realized that this just wasn't fun anymore. The drugs had become a part of my routine. Something to wake me up. Something to help me sleep. Something to calm my nerves. There was a time when I was able to wake up, go to sleep, and have fun without a pill or a line to help me function. These days it felt like I might have a nervous breakdown if I didn't have them.”      - Cherrie Currie

“Drugs suck more than anything else I have ever liked so much.” - Ashley Lorenzana

And finally, some good, old fashioned inspirational quotes for you guys...

"Why give up everything for one thing when you can give up one thing for everything"
 
“Things do not change; we change.” - Henry David Thoreau
 
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.” - Mark Twain

“More people would learn from their mistakes if they weren't so busy denying them.” - Harold J. Smith
 
"You know you're an alcoholic when you misplace things--like a decade." - Paul Williams
 
"People who have never had an addiction don't understand how hard it can be." - Payne Stewart

"No man can sincerely try to help another without first helping himself" Ralph W. Emerson

"When you are going through hell, keep going" - Winston Churchill

"Sometimes right back where you started is right back where you belong"

Alright guys, I hope you found these quotes helpful or motivational. Or maybe they even brought a smile or a laugh to your face. Addiction is something that can really suck and can make things in life quite difficult. I wish I had all the answers not just for you guys, but myself. One thing I do know is that it's always better being clean or trying to get clean then living a life addicted to something. Believe me, I've been there. I would wake up every day thinking about how and when I could get high and would go to bed each night thinking the same exact thing. Addiction is one hell of an ugly cycle. In my opinion, it's not really living when you become so dependent upon something. Quite frankly, it can be hell. However, if we put in an honest effort and really look deep within ourselves, there is light. It's not easy, I found that out the hard way, but it is possible.

Once we weather the storm and find a way out of it, there's a whole new world waiting for us. I think there's a saying about a rainbow always coming after a storm. Whether you're currently using, are in the process of getting clean, or have been clean for quite some time, there's always that monkey on our backs. To be honest with you, I don't think it ever truly goes away. But, we can contain it. It's not easy and can be scary but once again, it is possible. Just like how anyone can get high or become addicted to something, anyone can get sober. It might take you one try or it might you take you a thousand attempts, but in the end, if you can achieve sobriety, it's well worth it.

I really hope to have the chance to hear from you guys in the comment section about your thoughts on the matter but even if you just read this post and get a little something out of it, I'm happy. Please don't be shy to leave any comments or thoughts you may have, it can help a lot of people (myself included). The more comments, the merrier. Take care everyone and keep seeing the light, you might have to search a little but it's there, somewhere.

Best wishes,

Seeingthelight

Cold Turkey or Opiate Replacement Therapy?

Introduction

Welcome back everyone and thanks again for checking out my blog about opiate addiction. I want to once again thank everyone who has taken a moment to check out my blog and note that I am quite pleased at the direction in which this blog is going (could still use some comments!). I'm going to make this post here about two common routes opiate addicts can on when deciding to quit opiates. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but at the end of the day, they are here to help us in battling our addiction to opiates. The two routes are Cold Turkey and Opiate Replacement Therapy. I have used each method in the past and am currently going the Opiate Replacement Therapy route as I have been on Subxone (and clean off Oxycodone) for almost 5 months now. It certainly isn't easy but I can honestly say I'm happy with the choice I have made. Quite honestly, I don't think I would be where I'm at right now if I went the cold turkey route but as I always say, everyone is different.

I've touched upon both methods before in previous posts so I won't bore you guys with repeating myself about either. The cold turkey route is basically stopping all use of opiates without the aid of any opiate medications such as Suboxone or Methadone. In my opinion, I believe one can still go cold turkey with the help of comfort medications such as Clonidine, Imodium, and some  benzodiazepines (be aware that these can be addicting and deadly if abused/mixed with other drugs so please be careful my friends). When one goes cold turkey, they will most likely experience the dreaded withdrawals that occur when we abruptly stop using opiates. One can also slowly taper themselves down to a lower dose and than go cold turkey in hope of lessening the withdrawals.

 

Meanwhile, Opiate Replacement Therapy is a route one can chose to go on by using drugs such as Suboxone or Methadone. I'm not including the Vivitrol shot in this post as it's almost like a combination of both due to the fact that one must first detox themselves of any opiates (any where from 7-28 days depending upon the drug) before they can get the Vivitrol shot which will help with cravings and by not letting the person get high. I did write a post about the Vivitrol shot if you guys are interested. Drugs like Methadone and Suboxone must be obtained by meeting with an addiction specialist/doctor. These drugs will help greatly with the withdrawals/cravings you would normally experience if you were to go the cold turkey route. Like I've said numerous times, it isn't a miracle drug and you may still experience some withdrawals/cravings. The problem with Opiate Replacement Therapy is that one day you will eventually have to come off these drugs and will probably feel some withdrawals and cravings. I disagree that these medications are just switching one drug for another as there not really there for getting high off and can help patients get their lives back together before making the jump off opiates altogether. Lets take a further look with a comparison of these two routes.

Time

 

When one stops opiates cold turkey, they will experience withdrawals for period of time. Depending upon the drug, amount used, length of time used, and other factors, withdrawals can last any where from a few days to weeks. I only have experience with Oxycodone and the basic rule of thumb is that you feel like absolute shit for about 3-5 days, then feel "crappy" for about 2 more weeks before things start to feel "normal." However, while the physical withdrawals will eventually leave, the mental cravings and mind games last quite longer. Another rule of thumb is that it takes about a year before your mind starts to feel "normal" again but that we will all most likely have an addicts train of thought for quite some time, perhaps the rest of our lives. The one thing I'm always told is that "with time, it does get better." Based on my 5 months of being on the Suboxone, I would have to agree with that statement.

 

The withdrawals from opiates can be quite painful, annoying, and uncomfortable so one may have to do a few things before they decide to go cold turkey. If possible, it is advised that you take some time off from school or work to really focus on yourself as going on with your every day life can be an absolute nightmare while going through withdrawals. Imagine trying to work or go to school while having the chills, restless legs, body aches, runny nose, diarrhea, and the sweats. Not to mention the anxiety and depression many of us get when going through opiate withdrawals. It's a tough thing to do so if you're lucky enough to get some time off and to yourselves, I highly suggest you do so if you do decide to go cold turkey. The good thing about going cold turkey is that once you get a year of sobriety under your belt, things do start to get better and if you don't mess up, you'll never have to face these awful withdrawals again.

 

 

The most common way with going about Opiate Replacement Therapy is that the patient will be put on a medication like Suboxone or Methadone for a certain period of time (months, or in some cases, years) before they eventually begin to taper off the drug. Patience is key for this route of getting clean off of opiates. Because the user is still getting an opiate with Suboxone or Methadone, they will experience little to no withdrawal. The day will eventually come when the patient, after tapering, must come off of all opiates. Unfortunately, this will usually result in withdrawals. There is really no easy way of getting off opiates and avoiding withdrawals. However, you can to a certain extent control how good or bad your withdrawals will be. If you taper slowly and patiently, eventually getting down to a small enough dose, you might be able to lessen the withdrawals. For some people this works great while for others, they feel like tapering had little to no effect in lessening withdrawals. Once again, everyone is different.

 

Basically, the cold turkey route is a quicker way (through often quite difficult) than going the route of Opiate Replacement Therapy. I won't sugar coat it for you guys, you'll most likely face some form of withdrawals either way. It sucks, I know but I guess this is the price we pay for getting into this situation in the first place. If you ask me which route I think is better, I don't really have a clear-cut answer for you guys. I think most people (myself included) lack the willpower to go cold turkey and remain clean. Some people can do it, while others fail. I think Opiate Replacement Therapy is great for someone who is really struggling to get clean and needs to get their lives in order. It allows you to get a job, go to school, take care of your kids/family, or to continue doing these things whereas doing these kinds of things while going cold turkey can be an absolute nightmare. On the other hand, if you go cold turkey you're basically stuck with about 1-2 weeks of hell and than another few weeks of feeling pretty crappy and kind of "off". Either route you choose to go, getting and staying clean is a lifelong job. Believe me, this stuff can really screw around with your head if you have been abusing opiates long enough. I want to stress this as it isn't as easy as just stopping, feeling out of it for a month, then going to back normal. You'll most likely feel "off" for quite some time after the initial physical withdrawals. This is where forming a good, solid support network, doing the right things, hanging with the right people, going to AA/NA meetings, seeing addiction specialists, and really focusing on taking care of yourselves is critical. Despite all the shitty stuff that comes with getting clean, there is a whole another life you can live, one that once you weather the storm is certainly worth living, and most importantly, enjoying.

 

Costs

 

I'm going to be brief here on this section as you can probably get what I'm saying after a few words. When you attempt to get clean by going the cold turkey route, the only money you're probably going to spend is on comfort medications (see above) and the money you may lose if you take time off from work to detox yourselves. Meanwhile, going on Suboxone or Methadone can be quite costly for some. It really all depends on your insurance and the treatment center you are going through. It is not uncommon for people to have to pay hundreds to even thousands of dollars for Suboxone or Methadone treatment. However, some insurances are pretty good at covering these costs and some treatment centers are cheaper than others. It really all depends on your situation.

 

Risks

 

Like anything in life, both these routes come with their own risks. Going cold turkey can sometimes be dangerous, even deadly for some. Once again, it all depends upon the person and their situation so this is why it is important that before you do anything drastic to talk with your support network, family, close friends, and your doctors about your decision to go cold turkey. Some people can have seizures from going cold turkey, and there have been a few cases of people actually dieing. I don't want to scare you guys, I just want to warn everyone of the risks of going cold turkey and also want to note that cases such as these are usually very rare. However, please, please, please be safe and don't do anything drastic on your own.

 

 

The risks that come with the Opiate Replacement Therapy route is that some people may have bad reactions to drugs such as Suboxone and Methadone, so once again, it is important that you are honest and talk frequently with your doctor and support network. These medications can also be addicting, habit forming, and abused so be cautious. I have been using Suboxone for almost 5 months now and I haven't had any negative experiences with the drug but everyone is different. It is also important that you have given yourself enough time from your last dose of any opiates before you start Suboxone or Methadone. If you don't, you risk the possibility of going into precipitated withdrawals which can be pretty ugly. Be smart my friends.

 

 

Concluesion

 

Unfortunately there is no easy way out there currently to get off of opiates. It can often be a lifelong task of getting and staying clean and is not by any means something easy to do. Like I said before though, it is possible. It takes a lot of work, willpower, and self determination to get and stay clean but anyone can do it if they set their mind straight and give an honest effort. You might be able to achieve sobriety your first time. Or, like many others, you may relapse. However, if you do relapse, remember that you always have the option to get clean. That is something nobody can take from you. Please remember that. Some people get it their first time, others their 100th time. It is often said relapse is part of recovery. It is important to understand that this is not an excuse to relapse and use through. Rather it means that if you do mess up and relapse, learn from your mistakes and get back on the wagon. There is a great quote out there that I really love that concerns addiction. I do not know who came up with this quote but would like to share it with you guys as I think it sums up opiate addiction perfectly. It's "Why give up everything for one thing when you can give up one thing for everything".

I have no experience with either of these organizations but know that they are pretty well praised and known. They are drug addiction organizations who provide information online and also offer a 24 hour hot line to help anyone who is suffering from drug addiction or problems related to drug addiction. I put the following links below this paragraph if anyone needs any help, has questions, or just wants someone to talk about their problem with. Here they are:

http://drugabusehelpline.net/

http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
 

I would really like to get every one's input on this topic so please don't be shy and feel free to comment anything you may wish to add in the comment section below. Also, anyone is welcomed to ask any questions they have in the comment section and I (maybe even some other readers) will try to the best of my ability to give you an answer. I'm also open to any feedback or criticism regarding this post or my blog, so feel free to shoot. Don't forget to vote in my poll below as there are only a few days left to vote before it closes. I'll end this post like all my other previous ones by wishing everyone nothing but good fortune, luck, and happiness (I'm starting to sound more and more like a fortune cookie!). Take care my friends and keep seeing the light!

 

-Seeingthelight

 

 

*The two charts in this post were obtained online through the website U.S. Pharmacist. This website has some great information, check it out. The link to the website is below: 

http://www.uspharmacist.com/content/d/feature/i/874/c/16525/

 

A Soldier's Addiction

Hello everyone, it is my pleasure to bring you guys with what is now my 8th post on my blog about opiate addiction. I have been trying very hard to get the word out on my blog and it seems to be working. I've noticed that over the past few days, my page views has continued rising. I am so happy to see this and thank everyone who has taken some of their time to read my blog and for those who continue to come back to read my blog. I really hope this blog is helpful for some of you guys out there who are reading. The only thing I could ask of you guys is if you could comment on any of my posts, both new and old, so we can get some discussion going and to get readers of the blog more involved so please don't be shy! For anyone who is interested in reading any of my previous posts for this blog, just click any of the links below that may interest you.

Welcome Post
My Experience with Suboxone
The Dreaded Withdrawals
Why We Got Addicted to Opiates
Suboxone vs Methadone
The Vivitrol Shot
Addiction and Our Bodies

I would like to use this particular post to discuss drug addiction (most notably opiates) within our armed forces and with the brave men and women who have served our country. Based on some research I did, I found this topic to be quite interesting but also alarming and disheartening. Based on what I have read, there appears to be the presence of drug addiction within the armed forces in both soldiers currently serving as well as those who once served our great nation. I thought this topic would be something fresh as I have mostly talked about the basics of opiate addiction, treatments, and it's effects on the mind and body. I would also like each and every one of us to take a brief moment to honor and thank those who have served our country, both in the present and past. I am (and I'm sure many others) are truly grateful and honored to have such brave and noble men and women serving and protecting our country.

A big thank you for all who have served our country.

An addiction to opiates can reach anyone and like I said in my previous post, addiction rarely discriminates. Anyone from any where can become addicted to anything. This blog deals mostly with opiate addiction but also touches upon numerous other addictions as well. After all, at the end of the day, all addicts are addicted to something. I have no experience in the armed forces and have gotten most of knowledge of the topic through family and friends who served or from reading and school. One thing I do know is that these men and women are put under much stress during their time of duty. Many witness lives lost, devastating destruction, gruesome injuries, and so much more. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is not uncommon for those who serve and is often a serious condition to have to endure. We recently discussed how mental illness, disorders, and disabilities can all play a role in leading to addiction and these illnesses, disorders, and disabilities are not uncommon in the military.

According to an Army inspector general's report made public in 2011, "medical officials estimate that 25% to 35% of about 10,000 ailing soldiers assigned to special wounded-care companies or battalions are addicted or dependent on drugs — particularly prescription narcotic pain relievers." This report also stated that "injured or wounded soldiers can wait more than a year for a medical discharge. They said most soldiers arrive in the units with narcotics provided by battlefield doctors or military hospitals. They also said a few soldiers under their care are buying narcotics out of pocket and may be mixing legal and illegal drugs." Most of the soldiers in this report were involved in the Warrior Transition Units, which are used to help soldiers who are wounded or experience any health issues to be seen by doctors to be evaluated and possibly medically discharge. The problem with these units is that it is apparently a long and painstaking process for these soldiers to be seen by the doctors resulting in many attempting to "self medicate" themselves.

A report issued by the Pentagon in 2008 also showed that "about one in four soldiers admit abusing prescription drugs, most of them pain relievers, in a one-year period." The report involved and surveyed more than 28,500 U.S. troops and showed that roughly 20% of marines had abused prescription drugs, mostly painkillers, during that same period of time. This really opened my eyes to this situation as I was totally unaware how prevalent the abuse of these drugs was in the military. It made me sad that these men and women who gave their lives for our freedom are suffering through such an awful thing. For those of us who have experienced addiction to opiates, we know how devastating these drugs can be on our lives. I wouldn't wish an addiction like this on my own worst enemy. I got the information from these reports after reading two articles from U.S. Today and wanted to include a few quotes from the article. The quotes are below this paragraph in blue front.

Painkiller abuse among troops has soared since 2005, the last time a similar study was conducted. The 2005 survey showed that 4% of soldiers had abused painkillers in the previous 30 days, compared with 13% in 2008. Abuse within the previous year was 10% in 2005 compared with 22% in 2008.

The 2008 survey asked more specific questions, such as whether troops were engaged in any non-medical use of the drugs they were prescribed.

Prescription drug abuse among the civilian population dropped in 2008 compared with 2007, a federal report released in September shows.

USA TODAY reported last year that narcotic pain-relief prescriptions for injured or wounded U.S. troops jumped from 30,000 a month to 50,000 since the Iraq War began.

Other survey findings include:

•The percentage of troops showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder increased during the war years. In a 2005 survey, 7% of the servicemembers described symptoms suggesting PTSD. That increased to 11% in the 2008 study.

The largest increases were within the Army and Marine Corps, the two service branches doing most of the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The rate of soldiers who described problems suggestive of PTSD increased from 9% in 2005 to 13% in 2008, and from 8% to 15% among Marines, the survey results show.

•Nearly 60% of Marines admit engaging in binge drinking. The rate of heavy alcohol use — defined as five or more drinks per occasion once a week — among all servicemembers ages 18 to 35 remained higher than in the civilian population.

•Servicemembers admitting that they had thoughts of suicide during the year prior to being surveyed doubled from 1% in 2005 to 2% in 2008.

Wow. That's basically how I felt after reading this article as it really struck me to how much of a problem this has become. I was well aware that prescription drug abuse was on the rise and becoming a real problem in cities across the country, but I honestly didn't know how it had reached the military. I feel nothing but sympathy for anyone who suffers from addiction, especially these men and women serving our nation. My guess and opinion is that most of these men and women suffer from some form of mental illness, disorders, disabilities, and stress as a result of their time in the military. I have a friend who is currently serving in the army and while he has not had any trouble with drug addiction, he has mentioned to me how stressful the job can be. He also told me how he now has trouble sleeping and that he sometimes feels "out of place" among his peers. He told me that it would be hard to understand if you had never served in the military, but I somehow felt like I at least understood where he was coming from.

After reading an article from the website AlterNet, I learned even more. The article presented an interview of a former marine who was now an alcoholic. This man stated that he drank so "I don't go to shit,” and that he "drink(s) because I have to." I found this quote really sad and it really hit me how much our soldiers go through. The same article also revealed that "between 24% and 38% of service-members between the ages of 18 and 25 (depending on their branch) qualified as “heavy drinkers” in a 2006 study, compared to 15% of the civilian population." Some other information I got from this article showed the following, once again in blue front.

 
"A total of 11,200 active-duty soldiers were busted for using illicit drugs in 2011, up from 9,400 in 2010. And 17% of active-duty personnel admitted to “misusing” prescription drugs—primarily opiate painkillers—in a 2008 survey by the Department of Defense. By comparison, a 2010 survey of civilians found that 6% reported “nonmedical use” of prescription meds.

Among veterans who’ve sought treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the years following their military service, between 50% and 80% also suffer from addiction.

This link between addiction and mental health is precisely what makes the situation of today’s soldiers so dire. More men and women who have seen combat in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are suffering from brain-based damage—primarily, PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI)—that frequently precipitates addiction. And, crucially, these soldiers have received grossly inadequate care from the military’s medical system.

They’re also suffering from devastating rates of PTSD, often described as “the invisible wound” of this generation’s wars. The condition, estimated to afflict at least 25% of returning service-members who saw combat, is characterized by a bevy of symptoms, including rage, insomnia and anxiety—that can often be soothed with alcohol or drugs.

Myriad studies have long found a distinct connection between PTSD and substance abuse. A comprehensive 2006 analysis by Veterans Affairs sums them up: An estimated 52% of those afflicted with PTSD will be diagnosed with alcohol abuse or dependence, and 34.5% with dependence on drugs. According to the report, PTSD doubles one's odds of an alcohol-use disorder, and a drug-use disorder triples the risk.

Thanks to technological breakthroughs in better body armor and battlefield medicine, more soldiers are also coming home alive: With injury survival rates that exceed 90%, more members of our military than ever before are living with brain damage, physical disability or chronic discomfort caused by injuries that, in previous wars, would have killed them

Since 2001, the military has confirmed traumatic brain injury—the precursor to CTE—in more than 220,000 of the 2.3 million troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, although many experts say that the actual number is much higher.

With adequate preventative measures, those factors—repeat deployments, grueling physical and mental health problems—might never have resulted in what is looking more and more like an epidemic of PTSD and TBI, as well as a substance abuse crisis, among veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

But the military and Veterans Affairs are both overwhelmed, short-staffed and cash-strapped, after so many years combat. As a result, soldiers are falling through the cracks of a healthcare system stretched far too thin."

I know that I'm giving you guys a lot to read and digest, but I think these two articles really get my point across. These brave men and women need us more than ever and are deserving of much more. Like many other areas of addiction, there is a lot of gray and the issue is quite complicated. One thing is certain through, and that is these soldiers are in need of better attention, aid, and concentration. Think about how often we hear of a soldier having a total mental breakdown and causing harm to themselves or others. Could this be because of the lack of aid available to them and the conditions they are forced to endure? In my opinion, I think absolutely. I'm not a doctor and unfortunately I'm not in a position where I can do a hell of a lot. One thing I can do (and many others as well) is to raise awareness and provide whatever sort of help I can to these people. Just like how someone brought up in a poor, abusive home with drug use or drinking around them is vulnerable to become addicts themselves, these men and women are put in an eerily similar position.

I want to make clear that I am in no way, shape, or form trying to knock or criticize our soldiers. I simply want to raise awareness for what they are going through and how serious this matter is. These people did so much for us, it's the least I can do. I also want to make clear that not all soldiers suffer from illness, disorders, disabilities, and addiction. Some get it worse than others while others experience none of these scenarios. But in my opinion, too many do.

I want to leave the rest of this post for you guys to comment and discuss how you feel about this matter. Feel free to comment your opinions or any experiences/stories you have of the matter. I think this is one of the more depressing yet interesting posts we've had thus far. I have also listed below some links that will provide you guys with more information about this matter. The first two links below are the two articles I have mentioned in this post. The rest are just as interesting and are deserving of attention.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2011-01-26-soldieraddicts26_ST_N.htm
http://www.alternet.org/story/155635/soldiers_are_coming_home_injured_and_addicted_--_will_we_pay_our_debt_to_our_vets?page=0%2C0
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/topics-in-brief/substance-abuse-among-military-veterans-their-families
http://technorati.com/lifestyle/article/addiction-in-the-ranks-soldiers-and/

I want to end this post by once again thanking all those, past, present, and future, who serve and protect this great country of ours. Despite this article being somewhat depressing, I am still extremely proud and grateful to be part of the same nation as these courageous men and women. We are truly blessed to have you guys. Once again, thank you for your service, it will not go unforgotten or overlooked. Please feel free to comment on this post or any others of this blog, your comments are very valuable to me and I will always answer you guys back. Take care my friends and see the light, it's there for everyone.

Sincerely,

Seeingthelight

Addiction and Our Bodies

Introduction

Hello, bonjour, hallo, buon giorno, hola, tja! Well if you're not someone who can speak five or more languages, I'll tell you what I just said was hello (you probably could have figured that one out just by the first word of this post but I like to keep things fresh.) I started this post like that because it has something to do with our discussion today. Similar to how in every part of the world, there is a way to greet someone and say hello, there are people throughout the world of different nationalities who experience addiction in different ways. However, no matter the drug, the person, the place, or the situation, at the end of the day we are all fighting one thing; addiction. Addiction doesn't discriminate nor does it has its favorites. Anyone can become addicted to something at some point or another. Some of us might be addicted to something for a short period of time before being able to straighten out while others are stuck addicted to something till the day they leave this earth. It sucks, is sad, and unfortunate but it's the way things are. Man, did this post turn gloomy quick.

The topic of this post is how addiction effects us and how certain factors can also play an impact towards one developing an addiction to something. Wait a minute, didn't I just say that addiction doesn't discriminate? Well, I did and I wasn't lying when I said that either. Anyone can develop an addiction to something from the richest to the poorest, the most mentally stable to the least, the nicest to the meanest, the smartest to the dumbest, and..., well you get my point. Addiction doesn't discriminate. However, there are other factors that DO come into play in whether someone does or does not develop an addiction. Think of it like the lottery. Anyone can win the lottery as long as they purchase at least one ticket. But someone who purchases more tickets than someone else has a greater chance of winning the lottery (although still an extremely slim chance). Well, anyone can develop an addiction but some appear to be at greater risk (higher chance) of developing one than others. Some people can be try a drug once and never even think of using it again. Others can be what many call weekend warriors, people who get high only on weekends. Others try something once and soon begin to develop an addiction rather quickly. Like I always stress to you guys, everyone is different.

There are numerous reasons that scientists, doctors, consulars, and the like have created and thought of in trying to think of why people become addicted to something and why others don't. I have neither the time nor the knowledge to get into all of them so I'm only going to get into a few of them for this post. The ones I'm going to get into are some of the more popular theories and ones that I think seem most realistic. They are genetics, our personal history, our upbringings and the environment(s) we grew up and live in, and our health. So on that note, lets begin guys.

 Genetics

The theory that people can become addicted to something with the influence of genetics has been around for quite some time now and is one that is really debated among those in the addiction community. I don't want to get into arguments or major debates here so I won't really go deep into my beliefs behind the topic other than I am one of the people who believes that genetics can play a role but that there are certainly a lot of other things that do as well, some more than others. Basically the theory behind this is that if you have family or ancestors who were addicted to something, you are more likely to develop an addiction to something at some point of your life. Now this isn't saying that anyone with a family history of addiction will become addicted to something, as many don't, but that there is a chance that one most certainly could become addicted. Then again, there are people, like myself, who have little to no addiction in their family and who grew up with a very good upbringing that become addicted to something. I had a great childhood, came from a relatively wealthy family, finished high school and college, got a job, had good friends, never got in trouble yet still messed up and became addicted (in my case, to Oxycodone).

There has been studies on identical twins from the day in which they were born till the day they die in which doctors studied the effects of addiction on them. The twins were given no special treatment or anything as they lived their lives just like everyone else. The sets of twins were divided into two groups with one group consisting of twins who have a history of addiction in their family while the other group consisted of sets of twins who had no history of addiction in their families. The results found that twins whose families had a history of addiction were more likely to become addicted to something. These studies also showed that if one of the twins became addicted to something in their lifetime, the other twin was also more likely to develop an addiction at some point in their life. There has been numerous other studies involving parents and their children, families as a whole, only-child, children with many siblings, single parent homes, and much more. Some studies come back inconclusive while others appear to tell a lot. In my opinion, I think the topic of genetics playing a role in addiction has a lot of promise but definitely needs more research, time, and effort put into it. I think it is important to note that no one is really born an addict but that they become an addict due to a variety of circumstances. And yes, I realize that there have been cases of babies being born addicted to a drug or withdrawing because their mother used a certain drug while pregnant. I don't know enough about cases such as these other then that they are under much debate as well. I also have a story for you guys about this that I will share later in the post.

It is important to note that there is no gene (at least that scientists know of yet) that makes one become addicted. Rather, when these studies are conducted scientists look to see if those involved in the case study or experiment exhibit common characteristics among one another. For example, if a group of individuals tend to experience a harder time quitting smoking all share a common gene, scientists may speculate that this gene has something to do with it. Another example would be if a group of individuals sharing a common gene had a bad reaction to a certain medication or drug while another group of individuals lacking this gene experienced benefits when taking the same drug or medication. So while having or lacking certain genes won't turn you into a addict, it can determine how vulnerable or invulnerable you are to potentially becoming an addict of something. This is what I want you guys to get out of this post most, that addicts are not created but rather are made over time and experience.

The story I wanted to share with you guys was about a buddy of mine. We are no longer that good of friends anymore as we simply faded away from one another. Our friendship did not end on a bad note and I simply wish the best for him. My buddy was born from a man and a woman who suffered from an addiction to crack cocaine. When the mother gave birth to my friend, the State did not see her fit enough to care for the baby due to her addiction to the crack cocaine. As a little baby, my friend was adopted by a couple who were unable to have children at the time. He would never see his parents again and still hasn't to this day. I don't think he even truly knows where his parents are or if they are even still alive. My friend never drank, smoke, or did any drugs up until his senior year of high school. He used to always joke with us that he was afraid to try drinking or drugs because of his former parent's addiction to the crack cocaine. Well, come senior year of high school, my friend begun drinking on weekends before eventually smoking pot for the first time. Within a few weeks of his first sip of alcohol and first toke of weed, he was smoking pot on a near everyday basis. Next thing I knew, my friend was messing around with the Oxycodone 30 mg pills often and had tried cocaine, mushrooms, LSD, crack, and tobacco. I had never seen someone in my life go from someone who wouldn't even have a sip of booze to someone who was willing to try any drug you put in front of them. All this in a matter of just a few months.

By the Spring of his senior year, he was using the Oxycodone 30 mg pills on a daily basis and had developed quite a habit. He was skipping class, getting arrested, and getting kicked out of his own home. He would throw away all he had accomplished over the years and not graduate high school. In a matter of less than 6 months, he had morphed into what we all feared, a heroin addict. After about a year of his first time getting drunk and high, he was in prison for home invasion and theft. Like I said, I have never seen a drug change someone so much and so quickly. It was really sad and disheartening to see a good friend go down this path. I look back at this and struggle to understand why it didn't stop me from continuing to use the Oxycodone 30 mg pills. I'm just grateful I didn't end up going down the same path as him, but who knows what would have happened to me if I were to not quit and seek help. I tell this story because it really opened my eyes to the possibility that addiction could really be in our blood or in our genes. It also showed me how addiction can get to anyone and how a drug can take such control over a person's life and change them dramatically. Maybe this was an example of that, or maybe it was just a unique situation, I'll probably never know.

There is so much information out there and some of this stuff can be really hard to explain, especially over the computer without writing a 1000 pages of material for you guys to read. Therefore, I am going to post below a few links that I read which seemed real interesting and helpful in talking about the role genetics can play in addiction. I try my best to provide you guys with as much information as I can but I have my limits so please don't shy away from reading these posts or the provided links below. I think it is extremely beneficial for addicts to know as much as they can about both themselves and addiction. The old saying that "knowledge is power" is really great for this situation. Anyways, here are the links to those articles below. The 2nd link (University of Utah) is really good. Check them out, you won't be disappointed.

http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/is-addiction-a-disease.htm

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/genetics/

http://www.gatehouseacademy.com/blog/2008/12/16/why-do-people-become-addicted-to-drugs/

The Environment Around You

The environment around us also plays a major role in how some people become addicted. When I say environment around us, I am talking about the area we grew up in, the people we grew up around and associate ourselves with, the kind of upbringing we had, the careers we have, and much more. For example, someone who grew up in say a poor, abusive home whose parents used drugs or drank carry a higher risk of developing an addiction. Now, I'm not saying this is the case for everyone as I know people who have had tough upbringings who went on to become very successful and happy people while other people I grew up with who had a great upbringing that turned out addicted to drugs or alcohol living an often unsatisfying life. It's not always the way the you grew up but rather the type of person you are on the inside. But in many cases, the people who grew up without good role models or in a "rough" childhood often do not learn the things they need due to their parents nature or environment they grew up in. There is a book that's been out for quite some time now that is called The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck, which talks a lot about this among many other things. The book is highly recommended for people who suffer from addiction and is something I'm currently reading. The book isn't the most interesting thing to read but it does have some good stuff in it.

The environment around us also includes the place in which we grew up as well as the area we now spend most our lives in. For example, someone may be more likely to become addicted to cocaine in an area that is notorious for cocaine addiction and dealing. In areas that are more isolated and with not much to do, there has been some evidence that drug use and drinking can be higher in these areas. An example would be a place like Alaska. Once again, not everyone from these places grows up to become an addict as many go on to live nice, successful, and enjoyable lives. Having family, teachers, and those around us to educate us about drugs and drinking at a young age can be very beneficial and this is why programs like D.A.R.E. are viewed as important aspects of a community. Sometimes they work great, other times not so great. Just like people, not every place is the same.

In my opinion, I think the social environment, our upbringings, the people we surround ourselves around (sometimes, not by choice), and the places we spend a majority of our time in all effect the type of person we grow up to be. These aspects can have both positive and negative effects on us and can effect each and every one of us with not just drug addiction, but in many other parts of life as well. Once again, there is a lot of information out there about this kind of stuff, some of it better explained to you by experts than by myself. Here are some links to sites I think can provide you guys with some solid information. The first link is to that book by Scott Peck (The Road Less Traveled) that I mentioned earlier in case anyone is interested in it.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/347852.The_Road_Less_Traveled
http://www.thefix.com/content/trauma-and-addiction9180
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/163/7/654.full
http://www.drugrehabtreatmenthelp.com/blog/Reason+for+Addiction+1%3A+Social+Context/

Health

Both our physical and mental health can also play a role in our addictions. Numerous studies have found a link between drug or alcohol addiction with mental illnesses, diseases, or disabilities. I think this is an area that is very deserving of further research and concentration as I believe there are some people out there who are wrongfully imprisoned or looked down upon due to being what many perceive as a good for nothing drug addict. What many do not understand is that there are thousands of people who have mental illnesses that can effect the way they think and act. Many of these people "self medicate" themselves as they find certain drugs or drinking as a way out and something to help them. Now don't get me wrong, there are a lot of criminals and bad people out there who just like to get high or do other things, but I believe some people with an illness or a disability who are wrongfully put under the same category as these people. It's an issue that has a lot of gray area and is something that I think we as human beings will eventually learn to better cope and deal with. Not even a 100 years ago were people with diseases or mental illnesses imprisoned due to a lack of knowledge and sense of prejudice at the time. Now many of these people (but still not enough) are treated with better care and a better sense of understanding.

Members of the addiction community are now really beginning to learn how many social disorders also can play a role in drug addiction. These disorders can be very apparent like someone with OCD or they might not seem to stand out much such as those with a anxiety disorder or extreme shyness. There's so many disorders out there its nearly impossible to discuss them all. In fact, research has recently shown us that as many as 1 out of every 5 people has some form of mental illness or social disorder. That's a lot of people and it's disheartening to see and hear about those who can't get the help they need and then turn to drugs. Now, I also want to point out that not every addict has a mental illness or social disorder. Some of us are addicts for an entirely different set of reasons and mental health is just one of many factors that can effect whether one develops an addiction. Also, not all people with mental illness or social disorders become addicts. Once again, everyone and their story is different, and this is something we should all respect and really learn to understand.

A high percentage of people with mental disorders are also addicted to drugs of abuse.

A final aspect of our health concerns those who are disabled. Those who are disabled can sometimes be put into very difficult situations. Sometimes, they cannot do certain things, run as fast, jump as high, or lift as much as others among other things. Having a disability can make many feel uncomfortable and subconscious which can lead to these people isolating themselves and/or becoming depressed. These factors, among other things as well, can lead to drug or alcohol addiction. Once again, not everyone who is disabled becomes an addict and there are thousands of disabled individuals who live life to the fullest. Sometimes I see disabled people and am truly amazed at how they have the courage and willpower to do the things they do when I struggle doing things that I often do not realize I am fortunate enough to be doing in the first place. To help you guys get a better picture of what I'm talking about with drug addiction and  it's relation to health, here are a few more links below.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203090143.htm

http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Dual_Diagnosis_-_Substance_Abuse_and_Mental_Illness.htm

http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=174934

http://thecyn.com/drug-addiction/how-is-drug-addiction-and-depression-related/

http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/depression-and-substance-abuse.aspx

http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder/social-anxiety-and-alcohol-abuse

Our Personal History

This section of my post is pretty broad and even covers some of things we just talked about so bear with me. When I say our personal history, I mean everything about us and our past. Our personal history can have a lot to do with not only drug addiction, but the outcome of our lives. For example, research has shown that people who start to use drugs and who use them more often at a younger age than most of their peers, are more likely to develop an addiction. Think about it like this. Think back to when you were a little kid in middle school or high school and think of that kid in your grade who was the wild kid. The kid who was always getting into trouble and who was already drinking and smoking pot by the time they were in the 6th or 7th grade. Every grade has this kid(s). Some of us here may have even been that kid. OK, now try to think where that kid is now and how his life shaped out to be? If you're like me, that kid you went to school with is probably living a pretty shitty life, is homeless, in jail, or even worse, dead. I don't mean to sound like a jerk by saying that, I just want you guys to get the point about what usually (not always) happens to kids like that. Now, sometimes these kids turn their lives around and grow on to be successful, happy people. But many other times, they don't.

The people we grew up around, the things we grew up doing, our likes, our dislikes, our experiences, and virtually every other frigging thing we've done since our first day on this planet has in some way, shape, or form an effect on our lives. I look back at my life and can think of a few things that probably had something to do with me developing an addiction to Oxycodone. I had a lot of friends, some were good kids who never got into trouble and others were, well, the naughty ones. I was always a quiet kid growing up as well so I think that may have had something to do with me liking the Oxycodone. I really liked to just relax and chill by myself. Don't get me wrong, I loved seeing my friends and family, but my ideal Friday night was just hanging out, watching a movie or playing a video high as a kite off of Oxyocodne and weed. But that's just me and my story. I also have a disease that I've had nearly my whole life which causes me some pain, discomfort, and which makes me subconscious sometimes as well. I believe this may have made me look to the Oxycodone high as a quick and easy way out of reality. I'm sure you guys have your own thoughts on what you think may have had some impact on you developing your addiction to opiates.

Conclusion 

Talking with a consular and doctor can really help a lot in you getting to know yourself and more about your addiction. Believe me, I thought the whole talking to a consular thing was a bunch of B.S. and a waste of time. I absolutely hated every minute of it at first. But over time, I really did learn some stuff and it actually started to feel good being able to vent my emotions and problems to someone. I was also never really big into learning about addiction and the way it affects the body and mind until, well, I was someone experiencing it. There's so much information out there on this stuff and still so much more to have yet to be fully understood. I can only recommend to you guys that you really take a step back and look deep inside yourselves to learn who you truly are. I know I probably sound like a whack job talking like that but I'm dead serious. I'm still early into recovery but now have over 4 months under my belt with the help of Suboxone and my support network. I'm not going to lie, some days I feel great and really confident in the direction I'm going in. Other days, I feel like shit and want to get high really, really, really, really bad. I haven't cracked yet though and that's something I can say I'm proud of.

I hope this post was really helpful and interesting for you guys. I know it's a lot of information to read and digest. I also know that the links I added result in even more information to read. I'm not a teacher and I'm not someone who expects you to do all this reading in one night, or even ever. Take whatever you want from it. I'd like to dedicate the comment section of this post for you guys to post or talk about any information you have in regards to the topic of this post. Also, feel free to ask any questions or make any suggestions in regards to this post or the blog as a whole if you wish. I will always answer back to you guys ASAP. Also check out the applications I have at the bottom of the page and vote on the new poll I just installed. I think the poll can be pretty fun for all of us to hear what everyone thinks. Until next post my friends, take care and be well. Keep seeing the light, you won't regret it.

Take Care,

Seeingthelight