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.
JJBeans wrote at 2008-10-07 23:45:22
To Jude and whomever else who might find this useful... I believe admiting you have a problem with "Pain management and addiction" is very admirable. It's the first step. Talking to someone else is the second step. It's always best to talk to a medical professional... and not just one... if you can afford to, akways get a second, professional, opinion. Some doctors can indeed have limited knowledge when it comes to addiction and drug treatments for addiction. (As I recently found out while in the emergency room telling the surgeon who was going to perform and emergency cholecystectomy on me all about the medication I was taking for opiate addiction. The surgeon had never heard of the medication, which is called suboxone. I was very fearful. Suboxone contains Buprenorphine and Nalaxone. Nalaxone is an opiate blocker. I was afraid I couldn't have the surgery because of the medicine I was on. Needless to say. They looked it up and did everything so professionally and I didn't have any withdrawels or pain during or immediately after surgery. I just want to tell you how important it is to talk to doctors. It's why I had to get an emergency surgery. I kept putting off seeing a doctor and it cost me my gallbladder in the end. Though I probably couldn't have avoided that. You have only so many options. You have only one liver, one heart, one brain, and you really should keep your attention to getting better. Having to pack your wounds... sounds like you are still healing. Stay strong even when giving up or giving in seems like the more rational choice. Take things day by day. Keep up with you doctor appointments and follow all you after or extended care instructions to a tee. If you're post operative... don't smoke... your wounds will heal faster. Smoking interferes with so many of the body's processes. Also, when it does come time to "start" SLOWLY quiting pain meds, then make sure you always do it under the strict medical supervision of a doctor. While seizures can happen to people withdrawing from anything from opiates to more commonly alcohol, you can never be too safe or too sure. I hope this helps some. Just trust in your ability to heal with the aid of a trained physician on your side. Okay? I hope you feel better soon. -Joe
