This morning I had an appointment with the drugs nurse at regen.
We talked about distraction and deferral of taking codeine. Also a bit of a cut down plan.
She gave me a lot of papers to read over which I am yet to do.
Then this afternoon I had my appointment with my psychiatrist. I think it was more in line with what I need for giving up codeine than the drugs nurse.
My psychiatrist, Dr Mo, wants me to cut down to seven pills a day this week. Four in the morning then the other three in the afternoon if I really need it. The drugs nurse just wants me to cut down to 9 a day and take them all at the same time if I wish.
Since I am doing this with the needed help of my partner, I need to be on a plan that he is agreeable to. The plan from Dr Mo is something he will go for, so it’s what I’m going to go for.
I also talked to Dr Mo about naltrexone (@turningthepage) and he is happy for me to try it once I am off the codeine entirely. Apparently according to him and this site: http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/naltrexone you must be entirely off the opioid before starting naltrexone.
Plus I have to have another liver function test after stopping codeine and before starting naltrexone. So it might be a few weeks before I start on naltrexone, if I go down that path.
I bought more codeine this morning and took ten to get high. I handed over the remainder in the packet to Mr Turtle when he got home from work.
8 Likes
Is naltrexone naloxone generically?
Cos I think this drug works by blocking all activity of opioids. So if you took it now you would go into immediate withdrawal - which could be very hard. I think this is why the health workers don’t won’t to give it until you are clean.
2 Likes
Yes that’s what Dr Mo said, it would put me into immediate withdrawals which would be awful.
1 Like
I think the naltrexone/naloxone might be a good idea once you get completely clean. It will help when you get cravings, because you will know not to do anything because you wouldn’t be able to feel it anyway. I hope you continue down this road, and hopefully you won’t find yourself buying extra to get high again any time soon.
2 Likes
No they’re different. But that is true. I take naltrexone for alcoholism and heard about it for opioids and suggested it to turtle.
Glad you’re making these steps toward recovery!
2 Likes
I have found on my two visits to regen that I haven’t really connected with the people there. The intake assessor and the nurse.
The nurse said I can call her mobile anytime between 9-5 mon-fri, but I don’t see myself doing that.
All the handouts are to do with triggers and mindfulness and keeping a diary.
I don’t know what I was expecting but I don’t really think I am connecting with the service.
I will go to my appointment next friday with the nurse and see how it goes.
Maybe I’m holding back?
Turtle, Make use of the ‘nurse on call’ thing. Fill in the diary. Are you absolutely sure there’s no NA meetings nearby? Maybe ask the nurse to double check. Or give them an actual call on 1300 652 820.
1 Like
The nurse said I have the option of going to a group therapy program once I’m off the stuff.
I would be very nervous to go to a group program.
I will try to call her in tough moments.
I think I will just use my own diary, not the print out she gave me.
Thanks for the number @everhopeful. You could be a social worker for Australians from afar! Thank you for your support and kindness.
1 Like
Well once you’re off the stuff, you’ll have plenty of options. It’s getting off the stuff …
But yes, definitely use your own diary if you think it would be easier.
I’ve got my fingers crossed for you turtle! You can do it!
1 Like
Thanks @everhopeful what you have said means a lot to me.
1 Like
I bought more codeine this morning
Can you get the doctor to prescribe just the codeine? You said he did this before.
He won’t do it for me anymore. I ruined the last plan he put in place with codeine phosphate so he won’t repeat the experiment. My fault.
1 Like
OK, sorry to hear that. But addictions are quite smart at keeping you on them, so it’s not your fault.
1 Like
Thank you for your understanding @everhopeful. You are very good to me.
I’d go 2 in the morning, 2 in the aft, and 2 at night. Could you handle that?
Then after a couple of weeks, 1 in the morning/aft/night…then you’re done after a month.
I’m not a professional, but does this regime sound doable to you?
I’m going to start with four in the morning.
I like your cut down plan a lot @Patrick.
My typical usage is mostly in the morning. I only slip in the afternoon rarely. See once I’ve eaten, I can’t get high from it. I need an empty stomach to start off with.
And because it makes food that much more appealing and taste so much better, I eat during the day so no matter how much I take in the afternoon, I don’t get the same high, just light calmness and sedation.
I’m only on 7 for a week, then I drop to 3 the following week, then that’s that. No more.
I need to summon a lot of strength to get through this.
1 Like
I’m a recovering alcoholic, so I’ve gone through my own bit of addiction. Also, I came within an inch of getting addicted to codeine myself. One day I just bought it for the codeine and then I got sense and threw it in the bin. If I hadn’t gone through AA, then I would probably have continued buying it.
1 Like
Well done on beating alcoholism @everhopeful. You are a very strong person indeed.
2 Likes