I'm Cattitude and am an addict

Nurses Recovery

Published

Specializes in Lie detection.

I am addicted to several things: Drugs, food, nicotine. However, food and nicotine didn't cause me to be arrested or lose my job, drugs did.

With food, I'm on track after losing a LOT of weight. I also quit smoking over a year ago.

As far as drugs, I'll make it short. I did occasionally use as a teen/twenty something but was not addicted. I stopped doing anything at about age 22 or so. I did not get "high" again until the age of 34 when I stupidly decided to use some wasted MsO4 to get to sleep. I worked nights and had just herniated discs in my L spine. I was prescribed Vicodin by the Dr. but it didn't work that morning. After using the MSo4 , it was several weeks and then I did it again. Eventually it escalated until I got myself into BIG trouble.

I left that job and proceeded to "keep myself Clean". Ha! That only lasts so long. I was prescribed Percs and my addiction picked up where it left off. Thankfully, I have a wonderful man in my life who pushed me to getting help. I needed that push and entered an outpt. program specifically for nurses. I now have 12 step in my life, as well as two other nurse recovery support groups.

Recovery is a blessed thing and I am finally living each day the way I need to, without illicit drugs.

Kudos to all my fellow recovering nurses!:redpinkhe:w00t::balloons:

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Thank you for sharing your story. ;)

I'm pleased to know that you're successfully recovering.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Thank you for sharing and really pleased things are working out for you.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Thanks Catt, you've always been so forthcoming with your story and I was hoping you would make a post here.

I think it's important to know that recovery is possible and not all of us are "struggling".

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Specializes in Cardiac, NICU, ED.

Thank you for sharing your story. Congrats on the not-smoking too.

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Thanks Catt, you've always been so forthcoming with your story and I was hoping you would make a post here.

I think it's important to know that recovery is possible and not all of us are "struggling".

Someone once told me that because it seemed so "easy" for me, that I must not really be an addict.

Thank God I didn't listen.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Hey Cat - One of my heroes - so glad to see your post. I was thrilled when I found the thread when it started! I posted with my story, but yours struck a nerve with me because I am eating everything in the house and starting to resemble one from behind!

I had to quit working as a nurse about 2 years ago r/t unstable bigeminy, runs of Vtach, and BP up to 250/140 (at the worst). When I worked in the ER on a busy 12 hour shift, I just picked at my meal because we stayed so busy. I was active after work and my days off. I got regular exercise walking in the neighborhood and with my hubbie and boys.

When I stopped working and was ordered home full time, I wasn't able to perform much activity. I can do more thank God, but I am having very little luck getting rid of the weight I have put on.

I thought it was hard giving up narcotics, but dieting is harder for me than that ever was!!! Any suggestions?? Weight watchers maybe?!:sasq:

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.

Wishing you every success.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
Someone once told me that because it seemed so "easy" for me, that I must not really be an addict.

Thank God I didn't listen.

I know what you mean, as if going to hell and back and back again is easy. :bugeyes:

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Cattitude,

Thank you for sharing your story. I am glad to read that things are getting better for you.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Thanks so much for being so candid about your struggles.

It helps me with my own addiction(s).

Much appreciated.

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