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

All I know Gman, is my pain was GONE. But when it started to wear off, you have to use the oil again. I slept very well in Oregon and drove with no incident. I had a clinic on every corner.

Every State might be different. Doctor from clinic states in writing why you need it. Thats it. Then for the strain you work that out. Maybe different in other states. Oregon was charging 400 or so for license to use and 250 for doctor. Each year the cost of license is due. Taxes are collected on the Marijuana sales. OREGON IS GETTING RICH by the minute. They have NO sales tax so they passed a special law for tax on Marijuana. We did not care My friend had MS and she is only alive because of the use of Marijuana. She was going nuts with the pain. Much like many of us I really mean it when I say this stubborn attitude about offering us pain killers will come back to bite the lawmakers.

I take TWO POISON drugs for my RA. My kids hate that I am doing it. My Grand Daughter works at Scripps and she is the one who called it poison. They will give me poison but no pain meds. Anything would be better than the reaction I am getting from the RA drugs

STRESS. Well the reason I used oil was I cannot smoke without coughing. The oil is in a small vial and you screw that Vial into what looks like a cigarette.

@oregongirl

I live in Oregon, and I can't possibly afford the annual doctor approval, the annual fee for the state, and then the exorbitant cost of the marijuana. It's a lot cheaper to buy it on the street, which is where we're being driven, in spite of the risks. The way I see it, people who have chronic pain, who can't get the meds they need and that are proven effective, are going to have to find alternative sources, legal or not, wise or not.

Jim

Sadly, that is indeed so.

Jim. You are so right. We are all willing to do it legally. But buy alternative ways if we can't, other sources will be necessary. Did the govt actually think crimminals would stop the drugs? This world is so upside down.

@stressedmesseddepressed I made this suggestion as I just recently made the mistake of trying to lower my opiates as I was tapering off klonopin; BIG mistake. When I need to do something like this, I would rather feel horrible for a couple of weeks than just "not too good" over and over with every step down, but that is my foolish impatience and is not the healthy way to go because the w/d symptoms for benzos and opiates can be very dangerous to the point of death. My prayer is that you will succeed with as little pain as possible. Gary

A heartfelt thank you, Gary. I have several addictions to go off and I'm doing it the best way I know how -- a 4 month taper off 4mg clonazepam, a 1 week weed taper (I'm expecting that's gonna be a tough one for a little while! and getting off sugar (super duper addictive!) and caffeine) but I want to be free of dependence and addiction. I'm declaring March 2018 the start of "My Personal Freedom" month. I start with a new Psychiatrist in April, and I will discuss with her all this. To all of our good health and peace! : ) Taper slowly!!! Please!!! Under a Doctor's care!!!

Hi, @stressedmesseddepressed -- Since you were talking about tapering off multiple drugs, we sought the input of a Mayo Clinic pharmacist. Thought you might be interested in what she had to say:

The goal to be “addiction-free” is admirable! I commend your motivation to improve.

Taking antidepressants for MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) and GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) shouldn’t be considered “addictions.” Antidepressants aren’t addictive, but missing doses or stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal-like symptoms including sudden worsening of depression. MDD and GAD are often chronic diseases that can require lifelong treatment. Sometimes people feel so much better with treatment they think they don’t need treatment any more. Your clinician can help you try to taper off safely. Communication with your healthcare provider is important in providing a personalized taper and options for resuming therapy, if needed.

Extra care should be taken regarding tapering from clonazepam. It will be important for you to get tapering instructions from your psychiatrist. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines like clonazepam can be serious and may include tremors, anxiety, sweating, psychosis and seizures. The onset and severity of withdrawal depends on the which drug was used, for how long and other patient specific factors. If needed, you could ask about less addictive anti-anxiety medications.

Your psychiatrist can help you through discontinuing marijuana. Drug-free social support may help.

I wish you the best of luck in battling the true addictions you mentioned. Physical activity, sunshine and adequate rest will help to boost mood and endorphin levels. You are taking on a lot at one time. Don’t throw it all away because of 1 missed step. Celebrate every day of progress.