Montgomery BOO...URNS wrote:
> I attended my first meeting in two months today and it was such a weight
> off my shoulder. I even got a chance to speak a little on what stresses
> I have been dealing with over the last two months.
>
> I guess one of the things that caught me for a loop not too long ago was
> being in the hospital and receiving pain medication. I had suffered from
> a slice wound on my thumb and had to get hand surgery and in turn I was
> prescribed percocet for the pain.
>
> Several things happened to me during which time I was taking this
> medication. First of all, I relapsed into an euphoric state of mind
> which is the same state of mind you get from drinking alcohol. I felt
> everything would be alright after I take what was prescribed to me. Yet,
> I wasn't taking what was prescribed to me. I was doubling up my dosage
> because I was feeling good and I wanted to keep the buzz going.
>
> This caused me to have mood swings and my stresses that I had dealt with
> for the last year of sobriety seemed to come back to me all at once and
> it freaked me out. I had emotional turmoil as well as thoughts of
> suicide. But I don't want to die, my thoughts were more along the line
> of such freaky thinking as what it would be like to be dead. I know damn
> well that this is not a good way to think and there should be someone to
> talk to about such a thing.
>
> I still believe I'm feeling after effects of this medicine. I shouldn't
> take it anymore and if I do have to go to see a doctor and he wants to
> prescribe pain medicine, I will tell him that I have bad reactions to
> percocet. Mentally and physically! I'm also not only making a vow to
> keep away from alcohol but to also keep any chemical from entering my
> body! Except for the occasional cup of joe that they serve at these
> meetings.
>
> Anyway, I'm looking forward to another year of sobriety and I want to
> wish happy health and well being to all. Happy Holidays as well.
>
> Regards,
> Monty

Congrats on seeing how cunning, baffling, and powerful our disease can be!

As far as pain medication goes, no one should have to suffer. This is
where self-honesty comes into play. You have to ask yourself two questions:

1) Do I really need it?
2) Am I taking only the bare minimum necessary to keep the pain at a
tolerable level?

As long as you can answer "yes" to both of these, pain meds are okay.
It' still best, however, if you can leave them in someone else's
possession (spouse, roommate, etc.) so that you have to ask for them and
will be less likely to overmedicate.