Question:
Anyone here been addicted to diet pills?
I'm about 4.5 years post-op and I've been hiding a secret for a long time. I started taking prescription diet pills 7 years ago, and stopped for about 6 months prior to surgery, and at about 9 months post-op started taking the pills again. I am now seriously addicted to the pills and take 6-8 a day (phentermine or others). I want to get help, but I can't even find anything online to help me with this. Every time I type "diet pill addiction", etc., I just get more web sites that sell the medications. I was reading an article about meth addiction, and many of the signs and symptoms are similar to mine - headaches, mood swings, anxiety, paranoia and aggressiveness. I DO want help, and I know this is so bad for me - can someone please help me? I seriously think that I need somewhere to "go away" to & deal with this and would love to find a treatment center. Thank you to anyone who understands and can help. — Jennifer C (posted on September 16, 2006)
September 16, 2006
I'm so sorry. I'm glad you're ready to get help. I'd suggest a
psychiatrist. They can refer you to a treatment center and also put you in
touch with a therapist to discuss the real root of this problem - just why
you're taking these pills to begin with. I've been in a "psych
ward" of a hospital before voluntarily and it's not like you see on tv
or movies. There aren't crazy naked people running around and you aren't
chained to your bed or anything. ;-) If you want to "go away"
that could be a good place. Or a treatment center like for drug addicts or
alcoholics. But finding a doc asap is needed. S/he might also be able to
put you on an anti-depressant since you have mood swings, anxiety, etc. It
will lessen the effects of getting off the pills. You're not the only one
to go through this so don't feel alone. You're not stupid or a failure or
anything negative you're probably thinking. You're reaching out for help
and that is to be commended. I have bipolar so I know it's hard. Please
get some help immediately and take care of yourself. Best wishes.
:::hugs:::
— platypus
September 16, 2006
Hi there,
I don't take diet pills and you just gave me another reason not to(I have
heard a lot of negative things about them and they probably wouldn't work
for me). I hate to give this suggestion and am not trying to offend you in
any way by suggesting these options, But I would seek the help of your PCP
and/or surgeon on this. I would also seek the help of a psychologist or
psychiatrist only because it is a serious addiction and there could be
underlying problems that may be causeing this. I am sorry to have to
suggest this but If it were me, I would think seriously about this. I hope
that this helps and I am only suggesting this as support for you to get rid
of the addiction.
— C. Reed
September 16, 2006
For my 6 month program, my PCP put me on phentermine and I must say it
works. I'm blessed when it comes to drugs, when I take any medication for
about 6 months, my system becomes immune. I hate taking meds for any
reason, therefore I have to be in some serious pain. Phentermine is
addictive, but I guess it depends on ones system.
Have you spoken with your primary care physician about your addiction.
He/She should be able to offer you some suggestions and solutions and
direct you to a treatment center. You probably should also ask your
physician about conducting a physical to make sure that the diet pills have
not caused any damage to any internal organs. Some diet pills can cause
heart and/or kidney failure. I'd have those checked and just have the
doctor do a thorough physical on you.
Good luck and I'm proud that you are ready to seek assistance in alieveing
yourself of the pills. You can't do it alone so don't turn down any help.
You probably want find anything on "diet pill addiction", it's
probably just prescription pills addiction or something like that.
— the7thdean
September 16, 2006
Check out the followimg link, This is one of the best programs in the
nation! My family had to deal with a member with a drug addiction and they
helped that individual clean up as well as the whole family in dealing with
the problems, education, and support. You've reached the 1st major hurdle
by admitting the problem and asking for help. Now take the next step and
call someone to help you and anyone else in your life that has been
affected.
Eric R
http://www.hazelden.org
— erothell
September 16, 2006
You do need to talk to a psychiatrist probably. The thing is, usually
people get addicted to things because of underlying issues that need to be
figured out. Many people try to self-medicate and end up overdoing it.
You could have any number of issues going on and with the right
psychiatrist, you can find out what they are and get the proper medication
to get you on track. The right counselor or psychiatrist can make a world
of difference for you!!!
— Dinka Doo
September 16, 2006
Admitting you have the problem is step 1, step 2 is for sure talking to a
pcp or psch Doc. You will not be able to stop cold
turkey that could be more dangerous than working the problem through. Who
is perscribing them or are they over the counter stuff. Are you afraid of
gaining weight back after
the surgery? You have to treat this as a drug addiction just like
any alcoholic. It sounds like you just exchanged food addiction to drugs
& you have to find away to stop them. You have to have you blood work
checked to make sure all other stuff is still O.K. you could be in serious
danger at this point & not even no it. Good Luck & hope some of
these answers have helped you in your quest. Marilyn, the Bearlady
— Marilyn C.
September 16, 2006
I agree with everyone else on this issue. It is very, very important that
you get help immediately. Call your PCP and ask for help in kicking this
addiction. Hopefully they will act on it right away and get you in to see a
psychiatrist. There are some wonderful inpatient drug rehab facilities
around the U.S. so hopefully you can get into one immediately. I also agree
that it is important you get some blood work done to make sure nothing else
is going on. Good luck and remember there are people that care and are with
you.
— shrkwmn
September 16, 2006
Hi there. I am not addicted to diet pills but I did get addicted to
alcohol and within 3 1/2 years post-op almost drank myself to death. For
me, I needed specialized support which I found in the rooms of AA. It has
saved my life and I've been sober a little over 2 years now.
My suggestions for you finding a psychiatrist who speicalizes in treating
addictions. Also, NA would be good. Finally I would ask you to go to
soberrecovery.com and check it out. I am very, very active on that board
and there are boards for every type of addiction plus links to treatment
facilities. Please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] if you
want to discuss this further. I will help you locate any sources I can and
ask any questions that I can. I've been in your shoes, different
substance, but a drug is a drug is a drug. I no longer have to live that
way today and neither do you. Help is available and hope is there. Hugs,
Kellye
— Kellye C.
September 16, 2006
You have taken the first step in getting help! Congratulations on your
bravery and honesty! I once was addicted to several 'street' drugs and
landed myself in a drug rehab program when I was 15 years old and off and
on until I was 18. It is a HARD battle, don't let anyone tell you
different. You need to contact your primary physician. They know you,
your insurance and what is available in your area. Most likely you will
need referrals and you will most likely need a doc to set-up a bed in an
in-patient program. Like everyone has said here, keep your head up. It
will get better, pray and God will make everything work for you. Good
Luck!
— NickandLandensMama
September 16, 2006
Jennifer try typing in help after the diet pill addiction....
— Stacey T.
September 17, 2006
i too was addicted at one time to diet pills it was ephederine and it took
a detox center and Na. Narcotics annon. to get me off take my advice and
seek medical attention for this you need to stop but under medical care it
is very dangerous trust me i have a bad heart valve from this i know the
risks and you need help now. please keep in touch. theresa G
— [Deactivated Member]
September 17, 2006
I agree with everything said here, one thing i didnt see mentioned was
going to OA, its pretty common and more along the lines of your addiction
than AA or NA, i doubt you would feel "at home" in an AA/NA
meeting... (I attend both AA and OA) also there is a message board for
addiction where I'm sure people there could help. Best of luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
September 17, 2006
http://www.soberforever.net/?gclid=CMLcoqOgtocCFSNcFQodXnyhSg
— Shaniece H.
September 19, 2006
Please go to a psychiatirst who specializes in addiction. The longer you
put it off, the more harm it will do. You are stronger than a little pill!
— Novashannon
September 21, 2006
Just an update, I have seen my PCP who will be helping me through this
addiction, and also have been referred for therapy. I had been ordering
the pills online (several RXs at a time) and my PCP (and people close to
me) didnt know about it. I also appreciate all the suggestions and
support. i need to stay anonymous for privacy reasons & it doesn't
really allow anyone to get to know me, but so many of you have shown me you
care without being able to see my picture or read my bio. Thank you so
much.
— Jennifer C
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