Yearning to be addiction-free ASAP but asking for helpful ideas

I admire your desire to be free. Let me suggest that you find at least one accountability partner and preferably several. One thing I learned as soon as I stopped drinking 12 years ago was that all of my friends were people who had entered or stayed in my life because we were drinking buddies. You need someone who is as excited about you being clean and sober as you are. I am not saying you can not do it w/out one, but it will be much easier with an advocate(s).

Terrific idea - I will do that, find accountability partners. Thanks very very much!

@stressedmesseddepressed

Please remember that when you try to go off the meds that you have mentioned, that you need a doctor's help to taper off in a safe way. Please don't try to do this as a solo activity.

Here is a link to a discussion about addiction, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/recognize-plan-prevent-addiction-lapses/. This is about how to prevent relapses. I would encourage you to subscribe to the emails from https://www.smartrecovery.org/. This organization also offers online support.

Here is another link to a discussion on recovering from alcoholism. While you don't mention being an alcoholic, some of the same principles are important for recovery from any addiction https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hi-brit-i-see-that-you-define-yourself-as-an-alcoholic-i/

Please remember, @stressedmesseddepressed, that whenever you "give-up" an unhealthy activity, you must replace it with a healthy activity - it keeps your life balanced and will help you not to fall back into the hole of addiction.

I wish you well. Will you post again and let me know how you are doing? I look forward to hearing from you.

Teresa

@stressedmesseddepressed It would obviously be best that it be real people as opposed to virtual, but you will find that kind of support here if you can not find any in your circle of friends and family. You mentioned that you have a law degree; are you still eligible to practice with your state's BAR? There are a tremendous number of people who could use some reasonably priced representation before the disability court, misdemeanors with marijuana possession, separations, etc... that may allow you to work and earn a bit of money in addition to your disability.

Thank you, Teresa, very much!!!

I have major depressive disorder and an anxiety disorder, never hospitalized or anything, just loss and trauma and I feel awful and I'm addicted psychologically / physically to 4 mg clonazepam and 60 mg duloxetine and weed (it's the only thing that relaxes me as I'm habituated to the clonazepam. Life feels so hard, addicted, and struggling financially, on Disability. Any suggestions for getting free of weed, how to taper off? Any ideas welcome. TY

Hi @stressedmesseddepressed, I merged the 2 discussions you started about tapering off duloxetine, clonazepam and marijuana into one discussion, bringing everyone together around the topic instead of separated in 2 different places. Thank you for starting this discussion. It is important and I appreciate the support and tips you've been getting from other members. In my opinion ASAP (as soon as possible) and tapering may be in conflict with one another. Tapering is important and requires patience. I like Gary's suggestion of tapering one drug at a time, and most definitely with the guidance of your health care provider.

Thanks very much for your tips and merging posts, etc. Here's the latest for me (today) re the tapering - I know that to do it the proper way, getting off 4 mg clonazepam (benzos (klonopin, valium, ativan, etc.) are a hell if you taper too quickly or miss doses!!!) Speaking solely for myself, I enjoy weed and the relaxation very much! but I'm - I feel - psychologically addicted to it, it's not in my budget really now, so I plan to get off it way before the clonazepam full taper, like this month. I feel like a slave to weed and clonazepam (and sugar!!). I want anything needed I put in my body - medication, healthy food, supplements, etc. to be my choice and not addicted even though I understand some medications are needed and save lives.

But today, I bought 1 ML of CBD oil and I think it seems to help with mood and anxiety! $7 for 1 ML, about one day's dosage so I plan to buy economical sizes. Tons on the web about CBD oil. I am hopeful that the CBD oil will ease getting off all the other stuff. Anyone with comments about CBD oil (hemp extract) and dosing with the oil, are welcome and appreciated! TY To all of our good health!

gman..Yes, Psychological is probably high on the list. I just never depended on it. But with the pain I have now, I am almost ready to move back to Oregon to get some. I know I can get it in Arizona, but I am afraid I would be arrested on the border of Texas. What a world. Something that can help us is illegal Remember God planted all herbs for our ingestion. Read about it. Marijuana make wonderful tea and everything. I am jealous of all of you who can get it

Well with the help I have gotten with Pain, I am almost ready to tell my doctor to stop everything, including the infusions and shots of Methotrexate. All that does is make me sick There is no cure, so what the heck are they doing this to me for. I feel like letter the drugs go for two weeks and see if I clear up. But, I would have to take Ibprophen for pain. Can't do that now with the other drugs I take. I am beginning to hate the doctors for making us feel so guilty when we ask for help for pain.