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.
I have been using Tramadol for six years due to cronic back pain. My Doctor informed me when he first put me on this medicine, that it was non-addictive and had no adverse affects on the liver. I have to say now, after six years, that the non-addictive part is not true. It is very addictive and the symptoms that you experience when you miss your dose are symptoms of withdrawl. I have decided to stop taking this medicine and slowly cut my dosage down. It was very hard at first because I had this very strong feeling of oppression and sadness. I had a very, very hard time sleeping at night for the first four or five days. I also experienced an unusual amount of "Restless Leg Symdrome". My legs and arms just would not stop moving when I when to lay down at night to sleep. During the day I just kind of dragged along in a sort of limbo. It was all I could do to make it through the day only to have another sleepless night. But I will tell you this Crystal, after the fifth day I slept and it was the most wonderful thing! I woke up the next morning and I just knew my life had just changed! I was drug free and I have felt great since. Now, there were a couple of days here and there that I still had a restless nights sleep, but to know that I am no longer under the power of this drug makes it all worth it! My advice to you is that if you can deal with the back pain by taking some asprin or some Ibuprophen then by all means do it. Get off of the Tramadol while you can! Trust me, after taking it for six years it was not an easy thing to "kick" but it is worth it!
