08/02/2023
I totally forgot !!!! Yesterday August 1st made my one year sober date from oxycodone !!! This past year has been absolute Hell at times but it has all been worth it 💯!! After 4-5 years of hydrocodone use ( it started with a prescription for them after some dental work I had done - and I like them - I liked them too much !! ) and then it progressed into oxycodone use after a major back operation I was completely dependent/addicted to what I call the devil in pill form ! It robbed me of so many years of joy and happiness and left me feeling dead inside like nothing was left but a shell of the person I used to be ! I decided one day … 8/1/2022 that I was done I had taken my last pill ! **** I DO NOT RECOMMEND STOPPING OPIOID USE OF ANY KIND WITHOUT A DOCTORS SUPERVISION AND BEING TAPERED OFF THE MEDDICATION !!!! You CAN DIE FROM IT ! *****I did not know how dangerous it was until it was too late and when my doctors found out they were NOt happy with me. I detoxed alone, no one knew I had quit taking the drug until over a week into it and I was so sick ! I even went through a 28 day inpatient treatment program at about 7 months after I stopped taking the drug …. I was a mental and physical wreck to say the least !!!! But totally worth it!!!! …. Over the past year I have had so many problems and side affects from what this drug had done to my brain and body ! My mental health declined into horrible depression and panic attacks along with agoraphobia- I didn’t leave my house - My physical health deteriorated so bad and I developed hypertension and other symptoms as well … the acute withdrawal symptoms were horrible and my doctors have told me it would take years for my body to reset itself and be as normal as it possibly could ! But I am on the road to recovery both mentally and physically and I am doing better everyday and reclaiming my life ! I have found laughter again and enjoyment in things that I had lost for years ! I am even looking into becoming a Peer Support Specialist for addicts and mental health patients so I can share my journey to help others find their way back to a sober and healthier life ! I advocate for mental health patients and addicts daily in any way I can, it helps me deal with my own issues and so I can give back in
any way possible! I still live with chronic pain daily, but I now manage it with Tylenol and ibuprofen and my mental health medications ( I now take 11 different medications daily -some 3 x a day ) help me with the mental health side of it all ! My advice to anyone who is offered pain medications like hydrocodone and oxycodone is BEWARE !!! Anyone can become addicted at any point - no matter your age ! It does NOT DISCRIMINATE! I am thankful for my journey and I will tell my story anytime and anywhere because I hope it helps someone out there realize they are stronger than they think and recovery is possible! If anyone wants to talk to me or know more about my journey I am happy to talk anytime ! A special thank you to my family for their love and support unconditionally and unwavering over the past year I love you all ♥️
