About Crystal Expertise I can answer questions on substance abuse and addiction as well as possible ideas for abstinence and groups. I have been a substance abuse counseling specialist for 5 years. I cannot give medically diagnose but can give accurate advice and helpful ideas.
Experience I have been a substance abuse counselor for five years and have detoxed clients off of all drugs and alcohol.
Education/Credentials I have a minor in addiction,an A.A. in Juvenile Justice and am working on my B.A in Criminal Justice with addiction. I have worked with doctors who specialize in medical detox and have 10 years nursing field experience.
Question I have been taking Lortabs for more that 2 years for cronic back pain. I have noticed they don't even help the pain anymore. My last visit to the Dr they checked my Billirubens and they indicate something wrong with my liver. I take over 100 lotabs a month and have been for a year straight. I know I am addicted because when I try not to take them I feel terrible. Could there possibly be severe liver damage from this?
Answer Bobbie,
I have a couple of questions; first, is this doctor the one who is giving you the lortabs and are they prescribed? Second, what does your prescription say? The thing is, if you are taking these as prescribed and they are causing liver problems it is due to the acetaminaphen in them. Various things can cause elevated bilirubin levels. Do you exercise alot? Are you flushing your system regularly and thoroughly, by like drinking water and making sure you are staying hydrated? Do you consume alcohol at all and if so how much?
Also, it is common for so many to feel addicted to narcotics after a long period of taking them but if you are taking them as directed by a doctor and you are having side effects when you attempt to stop taking them, that is called dependence which is different and it doesn't make you an addict. Now if you are buying them off the street or something like that and you are taking them then yes that is addiction. Either way there is a way to titrate off of them but it has to be done slowly and over a period of time so that the body can ajust. But I cannot stress enough, make sure you are under the supervision of a physician and he knows what you are doing so that he can help you where help is needed. Make sense?
