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 Hi Crystal,
I picked you to answer my question because I to am almost ready for my Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and you seem like you care about us. I have been taking loratabs for 3 years because of leg pain to start and now I cannot sit without lower back pain ( I am going to a neurosurgon Tuesday). I knew I had an addiction when I realized that in 3 weeks I have taken 100 10's. I thought one night I was going to die and prayed to God that I would wake up. I am going at it alone ( only my husband knows). I have quit before and then the doctor put me back on them but she had no idea what I was doing. I thought I could handle it. Before that I was getting them from a friend. I know what the next few days are going to be like, but is there anything I can do to help relieve the "pain" of the pain? I also would like to know what has happended to my body so far because of my actions? I don't want to take them ever again and I have the strength to say no. I have only been married for a short time and just recently told my man about the addiction. He has been so supportive! I just want to say to people out there taking them because of and injury or other pain, literally "just so no." I can promise that if you keep taking them you will become addicted and soon you will be paying $100.00 a time. You will worry about running low, and the peace of mind you think you have will be killing your insides. Thank you for your help. I hope you answer soon , because this is just day 1, but it is one day that I did not take loratabs.
Answer Lisa,
When you say that you have an addiction what does that mean to you? When you were taking the loratab what was your thought process, where were you at in your head? Did you take it with the intention that you wanted to get rid of the pain or did you take them because you wanted to feel the high that you were feeling after taking them? I ask this question because there is a difference.
As far as your body goes, when you take narcotics they filter thru the liver just like everything else does, then the gallbladder, the kidneys, the blood stream to an extent, the heart and it suppresses the central nervous system. When the body slows down like that it causes the flushing of the system to slow and therefore keeps the narcotic substances and the acetaminophen from the pill in the system longer which is very hard on the bodies organs. Does this sound right? What symptoms are you having with your body as a whole? Have you gained weight across your stomach, constipation, etc.? stuff like this is part of the suppression of the system as well.
I am glad you have a husband that is supportive because that is so important to have someone who will not walk out on you.
