Question:
Has anyone else become addicted to pain medication after surgeries,

What did you do to get rid of this.... I have never been addicted to anything (other than food) in my life, and I don't know where to turn... I don't need to be bashed about it, I have been hiding it for a long time.. I don't have any insurance, and very afraid of what is happening to me. I think about it all the time.    — sheri H. (posted on October 13, 2004)

October 13, 2004
Hi Tammy, Please find a Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting in your area. The meetings will help you help yourself. Take care - Judy
   — j A.

October 13, 2004
You can look in your phone books yellow pages for Narcotics Anonymous, they can help. Addictions are tough, I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
   — Shayna T.

October 13, 2004
I think as people who used to be addicted to food, to have that suddenly taken away, it is very easy to switch one addiction for another. I hate that in your case it was pain meds, but I really can see how it could happen. Don't beat yourself up about it. Like the other posters, I think you should try NA or look for church's in your area that have recovery programs. I wish you the very best, just remember all is not lost. You can overcome this. Take care.
   — issymudd

October 14, 2004
You are definitely not alone in this. If you look in the QA library, there are lots of questions from people who became alcoholics after surgery and I know of 2 people in my support group who have gotten into serious debt with shopping addictions. The biggest steps are admitting your problem to yourself (you've done) and seeking help (in the works). You've already made progress! I wish you the best in your recovery.
   — Yolanda J.

October 14, 2004

   — sarah C.

October 14, 2004
Hi Tammy If you have pain see your Dr.If you are taking pain meds to get high go to a NA group tonight.Please avoid all the people and places that you are getting your drugs from.I read your history.You have been through so much.But that does not give you an excuse to distroy yourself.If you don't have any cash go to a free clinic.Get the phone book out and start making calls.You will be surprised how fast one call will get you on the track.You have a lot invested in your life and its time to get clean and healthy.You can do it.Good Luck..
   — kit K.

October 14, 2004
Hi i knowwhat you mean, but i am not addicted to severe pain meds, but i am now addicted to nyquil, i cant sleep without it or something else that makes you drowsey. And i know it all started in the hospital after surgery, i used to pain meds to fall back asleep. It seems you lose one addiction to get another. Hope you can get it undercontrol.
   — brandy H.

October 14, 2004
Original poster here.... I think that some of the contents of my post were deleted.... I do have pain that I do need some medication for, however, I am taking too much too often, and like the way that it feels taking it... I didn't just decide to abuse the pain medication, it sort of crept up gradually... and when nothing except for strong pain medicine helps, it makes it impossible to stop! I am so confused!!!
   — sheri H.

October 15, 2004
Hi Tammy, excellent question. I wouldn't say I was addicted to the pain killers, but I sure as hell wanted more. I did get more than was prescribed, but I haven't had any for about 5 months. Your's is not an uncommon situation. I also know someone who was addicted to pain killers. It was hard, but basically the doctor weaned him off to be pain-killer free. He thought he had pain that still required pain killers, but after getting off them, he realized it wasn't. Not saying that is your situation, but there are definately people who can help. God bless and good luck!
   — emilyfink

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