Should I quit?

[EleusisII]

I came clean to a good friend a couple of months ago about my opio-addiction. It felt good to tell somebody IRL besides you guys. One of my concerns was that once he'll hear about it, our relationship will change, and he'll bring up the stuff every time I see him
To his credit it didn't turn out that way. Thank god.

Anyways, his first reaction is: You gotta quit them pills! Get in a rehab program! I told him that the only options are methadone (Which I was abusing back then) and Subs, which is basically trading a fun addiction to a boring addiction (Unless you use it to taper down of course), but that I'd probably quit cold turkey in a couple of months, and take a good long break.

Well, it's been a couple of months now. I'm still thinking about taking a break once I get my latest supplies, and my current run is over, but lately I've been thinking: Why the fuck should I?

My only reason to quit, would be to get my tolerance down a bit (hopefully a three month break should accomplish that), I definetly don't see myself quitting opiates for good. Christ, just the thought depresses me!

So anyways: Why the fuck should I quit? Tolerance hasn't really been a big issue yet (can still get high off codeine if need to be.) and after climbing initially from 10-20mgs OC has stayed about the same (40mg OC) for about a year. I'm a grown man... Financially I have no problems, I don't rape kids or mug old ladies, yes I get WDs from time to time, but I do my job well, and I'm a good father at the same time.
So again: I'm a pretty damn well functioning opiophile, like many others on this board. Why the hell should I quit?

Just a little bit of a rant/rave here about the notion some people have, that you have to live a life of sobriety (besides alcohol of course)... What do you guys think?

[pharmboy]

If I quit besides being in pain every day I would also be a puddle of depression.

Opiates are the ONLY drug that has EVER worked for my depression.

Im in it for the long haul and dont regret a second of it.

[reddragon3668]

Only you can make that decision, EleusisII. I certainly wouldn't even consider it if its some kind of external standard that your trying to live up too. Doesn't sound that way to me. Only you know how you feel when you lie down at night.

Personally, if its not affecting your finances, your family responsibilities, or work, and you don't forsee any inability to maintain your addicition, I don't see any huge need to quit. Your tolerance is pretty low, so, a three month break will probably not help much in that area. Sounds to me like you've got good control.

If I were you, I would watch myself and try to be as brutally honest with myself as possible. Any hint that its getting out of control, try and axe it. Otherwise, I don't see it as any different as people who enjoy a few glasses of wine every night before bed. Your tolerance and addiction isn't that bad. Do you get scripted your medicine?

Take care.

[EleusisII]

No not scripted. I ehm, freelance my meds.

I guess the subjectline was alittle wrong. It was more of a rant about peoples/societys expectation that you HAVE to live as sober as possible.

Quitting opies for good? I really don't see it happening. Taking breaks now and then sure, but I think I'm a lifer.

And as for taking a break right now? I guess I'm undecided right now. I'm starting a new job in february, so it's not the best time, but once I get the weing of it in my new position, and get a hold of some subs to taper, I might give it a go.

But what kind of surprised me in regards to my friends reaction was the: OMG! You need to quit! Fuck that! If my habit isn't causing any problems beside spending money on it, and the occasional bad flu, why?

[pizzaboy]

But what kind of surprised me in regards to my friends reaction was the: OMG! You need to quit! Fuck that! If my habit isn't causing any problems beside spending money on it, and the occasional bad flu, why?

Other than family it's been a loooooong time since I had any significant interaction with anyone that wasn't involved with opies on some level, except for one guy that I've known since early on on college (20+ years.) He's never judged me on the fucked up shit I've done and he didn't start when he learned that...but I understand that most straights are taken aback when they learn their friend is an addict.

I wouldn't be too concerned about it, it seems like a perfectly normal reaction. Only you can decide what is best for you!

[EleusisII]

Well, judging from other people on this site, it looks like I'm in damn good company as an addict. ;)

[pizzaboy]

Well, judging from other people on this site, it looks like I'm in damn good company as an addict. ;)


That's a fact. Why go anywhere else? I love hanging here...I've even caught my cynical wife reading posts over my shoulder!

[aj11]

I like the "freelancing" my own meds good shit man

[pharmboy]

E2, do they drug test in Denmark ? I mean employers.

Also I wouldn't let someone elses reaction control your actions.

[EleusisII]

E2, do they drug test in Denmark ? I mean employers.

Maybe in special circumstances, but I haven't ever heard about it... I guess we're lucky that emplyers stay out of their business!

[Princess]

That's a normal reaction...."you gotta quit". I say FUCK you. Your friend probably had NO clue until you told him, right?? I love the way people react to meds....and usually its my friends that love their booze. Well, I don't drink. At all. No one knows exactly what I take or how much...but I don't hide the fact that I take a lot of meds.

There are plenty of days that I *think* I shouldn't be taking so much, but I'd be a grumpy bitch, in pain and probably bedridden (CP patient) if I didn't take my meds.

As far as taking a "break"...your tolerance will go back to the same very quickly. I've switched off fent, for 5 month periods thinking I could get that old feeling back, but my body recognized the feeling pretty quickly. That's just me.

I see no point in stopping, taking a break or tapering if you don't *want* to or *have* to! Only you know how you want to live. Like you said, you have your shit together and drugs aren't bringing you down, so why quit?

I'm a damn good mom too, my child is happy, healthy and well taken care of. I get him to school on time everyday & I'm waiting outside his class when he gets out. I manage well considering what all I put in my body. If I didn't have my meds, I'd be in pain, would have trouble getting around and would be a GRUMPY bitch. Anytime I've run low, my kid is the first to tell me "mommy you are being mean". I won't stop, can't stop and don't plan to.

With my medical problems, I've been off and on meds (prescribed too) since I was about 16 years old. I can't imagine my life without my meds.

I don't care who says what....I'm not going to stop. My folks gave up the pill/patch lectures. Now every time I cough, I just get the "see, you should quit those cigarettes"....but they know better than commenting on my meds.

[I-Nod]

Don't beat yourself up over this, EII... sounds like you're functioning very well.

I told my girl I should quit once, and she held it over my head for a few months. That was the LAST time I ever "thought out loud" again. After seeing me kick once, she realized it wasn't for the "better" and even started helping me out! (She went to the ER and scored some Perc 5's... and she doesn't take ANY kind of med's. Not even aspirin.)

Hope you don't let it get to you, and that you find the right answer for yourself. Good luck, bro!!

[Raz]

Hola amigo, if i told anyone where i live that im on ze juice and have a chase once twice a week, i might as well tell em i am fuckin farmer josie's goat and we are gettin married.Oh how i love "normal people!

[EleusisII]

She went to the ER and scored some Perc 5's... and she doesn't take ANY kind of med's. Not even aspirin.)

Hot diggity, thats a good girlfriend! Definetly a keeper if you ask me!

[bronyraur]

From what you've said Eleusis, I wouldn't think about quitting/stopping your use at this point.

The only thing I'd caution you about is "freelancing" your meds. That's the only thing you're doing that could really get you in some shit at this point.

Other than that, I'd say keeping going, as your use doesn't seem to be negatively affecting your life at this point in time.