Do I have a problem?

Nurses Recovery

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I do not have any history of addiction, do not drink, no illegal drugs, no criminal record whatsoever...however I am worried. My medical history has been complicated with multiple near fatal illnesses and the accompanying long stays in ICU on major medications for pain control...often without ever asking for them.

My concern is...I really like the feeling of those medications. I recently had surgery and was prescribed lortab, I am legitimately in pain post-op and taking the meds as prescribed, but I feel guilty. I have never diverted meds from a patient (I'm an RN), never taken meds that weren't prescribed, and have never taken any illegal drugs. I cannot honestly say though that I only take meds when in severe pain. Sometimes ill take prescribed meds (like lortab) to sleep/feel relaxed. I don't feel a need for them and can easily go without, but sometimes just choose to take it. Does this make me an addict?

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We cannot give medical advice. However, you have to remember there is drug abuse, which means a person is not addicted, but uses them even though there is no real need.

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My question to you would be, do you have an obsession about something else? It could be food, sex, drugs, alcohol, shopping, gambling, to name just a few. If the answer is answer my rehab center would say that is your addiction, and you can trans addict. In other words a person drug of choice is food they eat when they are happy sad or any other time, one day they say hmmm im going to stop this cycle and that addiction to food will rise up in another substance. So if you was addicted to something and I'm not saying you are by suppressing it that could cross over to another addiction. The only thing I know for sure is the world as big as it is does not have 1 normal person in it, so do not try to be normal try and find a life full of happiness and being able to be happy with yourself. If you find yourself having to consistently have one more of anything take a long look at that and decide if you do indeed need help. Good luck in life.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

Do yourself a really huge favor and stop. In fact you could get away with just taking OTC meds for your pain. There's also music, meditation, relaxation techniques, pt, etc...

Now, if you want to play with fire go ahead and keep taking narcs for anything that ails you but you will regret it. Pretty soon one won't be enough to get "the feeling" and you will find yourself taking two and telling yourself only this once. I think you posted on here because you know what you're doing is terribly wrong for you and need some kind of validation. Time to put the big people pants on and grow up.

Throw the narcs out and enjoy your life naturally. If you find you can't throw them away then you need to seek help. I've worked in psych with many patients going through withdrawal after years of addition. Almost all started the same way; got a prescription for meds post surgery....

That feeling is not worth your life.

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Do yourself a really huge favor and stop. In fact you could get away with just taking OTC meds for your pain. There's also music, meditation, relaxation techniques, pt, etc...

Now, if you want to play with fire go ahead and keep taking narcs for anything that ails you but you will regret it. Pretty soon one won't be enough to get "the feeling" and you will find yourself taking two and telling yourself only this once. I think you posted on here because you know what you're doing is terribly wrong for you and need some kind of validation. Time to put the big people pants on and grow up.

Throw the narcs out and enjoy your life naturally. If you find you can't throw them away then you need to seek help. I've worked in psych with many patients going through withdrawal after years of addition. Almost all started the same way; got a prescription for meds post surgery....

That feeling is not worth your life.

I agree. I would go home, throw them away and see how it goes.

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This is always a scary issue. Everyone walks a fine line between taking meds when they actually need them, and taking them when they just make them feel relaxed, etc. Sometimes its just psychological.

If I were you I would get rid of them... its always better to be overcautious.

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Taking a pain med to "feel relaxed" is nothing more than getting stoned. If you don't need it for pain, don't take it. It will bite you in the butt sooner or later.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

As per the terms of Service we cannot give medical advice......please contact your primary care provider with your concerns.

Thread closed.

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