Using drugs as a recovery method.

[Despairing]

Do you think it is appropriate to use drugs such as opiates to help you recover?

 

[Life_and_Death]

unless they are prescribed you probably shouldnt. too much can go wrong.

 

[KiraLittleOwl]

Opiates are working only while you are high and after some time it stop working.

 

[Viro_Major]

If you lack new problems, go for it, it could be amazing

 

[mathieu]

I say no because I don't see how they can help a person recover. I have taken them quite a few times. I'm just really tolerant to them now. I also think once you're a bit used to them you have to inject for it to feel good and doing that is kinda playing with fire.

 

[noaccount]

Maybe, is physical/bodily pain a big part of your suicide-drive? If so then maybe it could help. Could also try kratom which simulates opiate effects less dangerously?

 

[Despairing]

Maybe, is physical/bodily pain a big part of your suicide-drive? If so then maybe it could help. Could also try kratom which simulates opiate effects less dangerously?

Mental pain is the reason. I would swap my depression/anxiety for addiction if it means I can at least be somewhat happy.

 

[Sensei]

I'd say that it depends on how close to suicide you are. If you're really on the brink, you have nothing to lose anymore and can use whatever might work.

 

[Deleted member 17949]

Used carefully they can help you, but I would advise against it if you feel that you'll become too dependent on them.

 

[Cashewmilk]

I did that. One thing I can say is it kept me very busy and gave me purpose in life. But it was hell, no time to just relax and do what I wanted, always slaving for my fix to take away withdrawal, just so I could sleep! Honestly it's not worth it unless you're filthy rich. I envy everyone on this site that isn't addicted to opiates, it's another kind of hell and I'd do anything to just be normally depressed, at least you sober and can get help from mental health, on opiates they won't even touch you.

 

[WhiteDespair]

Mental pain is the reason. I would swap my depression/anxiety for addiction if it means I can at least be somewhat happy.

Addiction only adds problems. It very rarely solves anything.

 

[Intheo]

I cannot see how opiates can help you recover. If anything it'll add just another problem to your preexisting ones.

 

[Despairing]

Some doctors in the US prescribe Tramadol off label for anxiety. When I take it I do notice I feel relaxed and content.

 

[Deleted member 18655]

On any other site this would be an alarming and insane sentiment. But, if drugs keep you alive and relatively happy and functional, who's to say they wouldn't be a bridge to a life free of despair and drugs? I'm sure if you presented the options - death or drugs - people would resent the choice but would have to agree that's the lesser of two evils, so to speak.

 

[Despairing]

On any other site this would be an alarming and insane sentiment. But, if drugs keep you alive and relatively happy and functional, who's to say they wouldn't be a bridge to a life free of despair and drugs? I'm sure if you presented the options - death or drugs - people would resent the choice but would have to agree that's the lesser of two evils, so to speak.

My psychiatrist knows I take Tramadol and doesn't have an issue with it. .
Thanks for your input guys.

 

[so tired or manic]

I drink because I'm less suicidal when there's alcohol in my system. the addiction can suck, but I'd rather deal with that then how I feel without.

 

[ohhgeeitsme]

Kratom has been a life saver. I used it years ago to get off stronger opiates (was shooting up heroin at one point). I easily tapered off with the kratom and was clean for almost four years. I started using it again in March to alleviate akathisia (which is torture) which I developed from SSRIs. It helps tremendously and is allowing me to stay here longer. If I didn't start using it, I have no doubts I would be dead. My first suicide attempts were when I was enduring severe akathisia. I plan on using it for as long as I have the aka and don't plan on stopping until I'm at a point in my life where quitting won't cause me to take my life. I just lost a boyfriend, a good job and my home because of the akathisia and now live with my father hundreds of miles away from anyone I know. I know it won't be safe for me to quit until I get my life back in order, if that's possible. I don't want to kill myself here where my dad will find my body so I'm trying to wait until I can move out. The hope is that something will happen during that time that will change my mind and I'll want to live.
But even still, I don't think drugs are a great recovery tool and often makes problems worse in the long term (depending on the drug). SSRIs destroyed my life and made me a million times more miserable. I know in my situation, taking kratom was the right choice but it won't be the right choice for everyone and if you can survive without them, that would be best. So sometimes, yes they can help, but they should only be used as a last resort. Marijuana used to take away any suicidal feelings I had, but I don't have access to that anymore. I have a feeling if I did, I would be in a much better place. There is strong evidence that some psychedelics are effective at treating depression and anxiety. A single dose of psilocybin can eliminate depression for months in some people. Of course, I have no access to these either.

 

[Myforevercharlie]

If you mean hard drugs.. I don't think you should even consider. A whole world with new problems will be waiting for you...

 

[Glaski]

Spoiler: LSD can help

Psychedelic Drug Use Could Reduce Psychological Distress, Suicidal Thinking - 03/09/2015

A history of psychedelic drug use is associated with less psychological distress and fewer suicidal thoughts, planning and attempts, according to new research from Johns Hopkins and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

www.hopkinsmedicine.org

I've personally credit it with keeping me alive, its about the only time I ever feel genuinely peaceful.

 

[Despairing]

Spoiler: LSD can help

Psychedelic Drug Use Could Reduce Psychological Distress, Suicidal Thinking - 03/09/2015

A history of psychedelic drug use is associated with less psychological distress and fewer suicidal thoughts, planning and attempts, according to new research from Johns Hopkins and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

www.hopkinsmedicine.org

I've personally credit it with keeping me alive, its about the only time I ever feel genuinely peaceful.

What is LSD like?

 

[alexit]

Do you think it is appropriate to use drugs such as opiates to help you recover?

Yes, I had a therapist who said use whatever you need if it's better than what you're doing now.

 

[airboy_a380]

Some doctors in the US prescribe Tramadol off label for anxiety. When I take it I do notice I feel relaxed and content.

I was extremely hooked on Tramadol. Still taking a substitute to wean me off. On a bad day I could take like 20 Tramadol a day 50mg.

 

[Despairing]

I was extremely hooked on Tramadol. Still taking a substitute to wean me off. On a bad day I could take like 20 Tramadol a day 50mg.

I take 400/600mg.

I was extremely hooked on Tramadol. Still taking a substitute to wean me off. On a bad day I could take like 20 Tramadol a day 50mg.

What substitute are you on?

 

[airboy_a380]

I take 400/600mg.

What substitute are you on?

Suboxone

 

[So-lowgid]

Suboxone

I'm on Espranor which is very similar. It's buprenorphine in a freeze dried wafer which makes administration really quick as opposed to waiting for the sublingual subutex/suboxone. It's much better for me - think most docs/prescribers in the uk are moving to it

 

[Morphosis]

I did that. One thing I can say is it kept me very busy and gave me purpose in life. But it was hell, no time to just relax and do what I wanted, always slaving for my fix to take away withdrawal, just so I could sleep! Honestly it's not worth it unless you're filthy rich. I envy everyone on this site that isn't addicted to opiates, it's another kind of hell and I'd do anything to just be normally depressed, at least you sober and can get help from mental health, on opiates they won't even touch you.

I can totally relate to this. Opiate addiction and withdrawal is indeed its own special kind of hell. And since asking for help, I've discovered that the word "addiction" on your notes moves you right to the bottom of most lists and you get treated like a scum of the earth leper by judgemental assholes in the medical profession. I've truly been shocked, had doctors in A&E and Out of Hours GPs deny me treatment purely because of my history, had pharmacists serve everyone else in the shop and leave me standing for an hour on a regular basis, as in every day when I'm there collecting my restricted script, it is mind-blowing how judgemental people can be.... and they're meant to be professionals?!
A temporary high from opiates is lovely but it comes at a very high price and I wouldn't advise anyone to go there who isn't already stuck in that cycle. I was first prescribed strong opiates at 12 years old and addiction has ruined my life. It has also increased my tolerance to a level which meant that when I took enough fentanyl to kill 6 elephants, it just got me high as a kite instead of CTB. So honestly, it's not worth it. Don't go there @Despairing

 

[Despairing]

I can totally relate to this. Opiate addiction and withdrawal is indeed its own special kind of hell. And since asking for help, I've discovered that the word "addiction" on your notes moves you right to the bottom of most lists and you get treated like a scum of the earth leper by judgemental assholes in the medical profession. I've truly been shocked, had doctors in A&E and Out of Hours GPs deny me treatment purely because of my history, had pharmacists serve everyone else in the shop and leave me standing for an hour on a regular basis, as in every day when I'm there collecting my restricted script, it is mind-blowing how judgemental people can be.... and they're meant to be professionals?!
A temporary high from opiates is lovely but it comes at a very high price and I wouldn't advise anyone to go there who isn't already stuck in that cycle. I was first prescribed strong opiates at 12 years old and addiction has ruined my life. It has also increased my tolerance to a level which meant that when I took enough fentanyl to kill 6 elephants, it just got me high as a kite instead of CTB. So honestly, it's not worth it. Don't go there @Despairing

Thanks for your concern. Tramadol seems to calm me down. I think I am going to get a substitute.

 

[Susannah]

If by opiates, you mean heroine, I wouldn't know, cause I've never tried. I've used other drugs with Morphine (Ocynorm, Ocycontine, Tramadol) to cope with severe physical pain. I get very dizzy and unfocused on meds with Morphine/ Codeine, so if you're overthinking/ head- spinning, it might help, but then again, you don't want addiction problem, especially not with opiates. I'd rather go for weed.

 

[foreverlikethestars]

unless it's a psychedelic (LSD, Mushrooms, ect), no. they'll only do harm from my experience.

 

[Despairing]

unless it's a psychedelic (LSD, Mushrooms, ect), no. they'll only do harm from my experience.

I have heard of people tripping out on mushrooms.