A Vision For You

”Now and then a serious drinker, being dry at the moment says, “I don’t miss it at all. Feel better. Work better. Having a better time.” As ex-problem drinkers, we smile at such a sally. We know our friend is like a boy whistling in the dark to keep up his spirits. He fools himself. Inwardly he would give anything to take half a dozen drinks and get away with them. He will presently try the old game again, for he isn’t happy about his sobriety. He cannot picture life without alcohol. Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it.Then he will know loneliness such as few do. He will be at the jumping –off place. He will wish for the end.”-pg. 152 from the chapter “a Vision For You” from the Big Book of Alcohol Anonymous

 

Most of us can relate to the idea of white knuckling it when it comes to our sobriety and receiving detox. Some of us need to “act as if” or “fake it until we make it” in order to stay sober in the beginning or even at times when we are dry. Through the help of AboveItAll, AA, or other forms addiction recovery we acquire the tools we need to stay sober long term. It’s okay that we are like the boy whistling in the dark as long as we stay sober through it and are able to turn things over and do the work. After all it is the hard times that show us we can stay sober through anything as long as we remain willing and dedicated to this way of living.

Self-Reliance

“Wasn't it because self-reliance failed us? Self-reliance was good as far as it went, but it didn't go far enough. Some of us once had great self-confidence, but it didn't fully solve the fear problem, or any other. When it made us cocky, it was worse. Perhaps there is a better way - we think so. For we are now on a different basis; the basis of trusting and relying upon God. We trust infinite God rather than our finite selves. We are in the world to play the role He assigns. Just to the extent that we do as we think He would have us, and humbly rely on Him, does He enable us to match calamity with serenity. We never apologize to anyone for depending upon our Creator. We can laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness. Paradoxically, it is the way of strength. The verdict of the ages is that faith means courage. All men of faith have courage. They trust their God. We never apologize for God. Instead we let Him demonstrate, through us, what He can do. We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be. At once, we commence to outgrow fear.” - pg. 68 from The Big Book Of Alcoholics Anonymous

Most of us were used to living a life based on self-reliance prior to receiving alcohol and drug rehab. For us it was a means of survival and self-preservation. Many of us had lost our faith in a higher power and therefor were left to fend for ourselves in every area of our lives even emotionally. Self-reliance was all that most of us knew until we went to places such as a drug addiction detox, AA, or Above It All. Once we got help most of us were able to start building relationships with people and began learning how to rely on and trust others again. Through doing this work many of us were able to form a similar relationship over time with a higher power. When this happened we were able to see what Gods will was versus our will as well as the benefits, and freedom that come from having conscious contact with a power greater than ourselves that we can turn things over to.

Step Twelve from the AA Twelve and Twelve

“Of course all A.A.'s, even the best, fall far short of such achievements as a consistent thing. Without necessarily taking that first drink, we often get quite far off the beam. Our troubles sometimes begin with indifference. We are sober and happy in our A.A. work. Things go well at home and office. We naturally congratulate ourselves on what later proves to be a far too easy and superficial point of view. We temporarily cease to grow because we feel satisfied that there is no need for all of A.A.'s Twelve Steps for us. We are doing fine on a few of them. Maybe we are doing fine on only two of them, the First Step and that part of the Twelfth where we "carry the message." In A.A. slang, that blissful state is known as "two-stepping." And it can go on for years. The best-intention-ed of us can fall for the "two-step" illusion. Sooner or later the pink cloud stage wears off and things go disappointingly dull. We begin to think that A.A. doesn't pay off after all. We become puzzled and discouraged.  Then perhaps life, as it has a way of doing, suddenly hands us a great big lump that we can't begin to swallow, let alone digest. We fail to get a worked-for promotion. We lose that good job. Maybe there are serious domestic or romantic difficulties, or perhaps that boy we thought God was looking after becomes a military casualty.”- From the chapter on Step Twelve from the AA Twelve and Twelve

When we first receive drug rehab through going to Above It All Treatment , AA, or other 12 step programs many of us have the desperation needed to do the work in order to stay sober. As time goes by many of us begin to feel better and get lives. We start to rest on our laurels sometimes without even being aware of it. While many of us can skate by for a little bit on service work the fact is that it usually catches up to us and at some point we end up feeling like our world is crashing down around us, and we end up robbing ourselves of the gifts that come from having emotional sobriety. It is up to us to realize we get out what we put in and to remain diligent in our recovery process.

How Does The Body Respond To Oxy?

A semi-synthetic opioid analgesic, Oxycodone is prescribed by physicians to alleviate short- or long-term pain. The drug is available in immediate-release (OxyIR) and controlled-release (OxyContin) forms, or in pills that contain acetaminophen (Percocet) or aspirin (Perodan).

Neurological

Common side effects of Oxycodone on the neurological system include drowsiness, cognitive impairments, moodiness, altered sleep cycles, and in some cases, psychosis.

Gastrointestinal

Oxycodone use may result in a variety of gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting, upset stomach and constipation.

Respiratory

Oxycodone also offers the potential for respiratory issues, including hypoventilation and even respiratory arrest in rare cases. Users should contact a physician immediately if they experience breathing difficulties or lightheadedness following Oxycodone use.

Cardiovascular

Decreased blood pressure and heart rate, heart palpitations, and migraines may result from Oxycodone use. Make certain to discuss any cardiovascular disease issues you may have with a physician before use.

Additional Side Effects

Additional side effects stemming from Oxycodone use include urination difficulties, suppression of immune system, rashes, dry mouth, and sweating.

Abuse and Addiction

Oxycodone and its various derivatives each hold a high potential for abuse and dependency. The withdrawal symptoms associated with an addiction include gastrointestinal disturbances, sleeplessness, anxiety, sweating, agitation, and an irregular heart beat. Seizures have also been known to occur in some patients.

Need Help?

If you or a loved one is struggling with an Oxycodone addiction, our Above It All rehabilitation center is the place to call! Pick up the phone today, and let our team of addiction specialists help you back on track towards the healthy, happy, sober lifestyle you deserve!

Opiate Withdrawal Basics

Treatment for opiate withdrawal comes in several forms. The opiate family includes both legally prescribed substances in addition to illegal drugs and narcotics. Some of the more common opiates include: OxyContin, Oxycodone, Percocet, Demeral, Lortab, Codeine, Fentanyl, Dilaudud, Tylenol 3, Morphine, Heroin and Methadone; each of which are both psychologically and physically addictive. Once an addict has made the decision to quit using opiates, they will began working their way through the withdrawal process. In this entry, we will discuss some tips and techniques to help alleviate the symptoms.

How Long To They Remain In Our System?

Opiates metabolize by way of the liver before being excreted from the body via the kidneys. The excretion rate of opiates from the body is 95% 24 hours following use. Morphine users may find traces up to 3 days after use.

Who Uses?

Opiates have historically been prescribed to alleviate extreme pain. Those who use these substances illegally typically do so for recreational purposes. Physical dependence and tolerance can develop in individuals taking them in higher doses than necessary – leading many to addiction.

Withdrawal

Opiate withdrawal is typically not life-threatening. Onset and severity of the symptoms will ultimately depend on the type of drug, the frequency of use and use history. Withdrawal symptoms typically set in within 24 hours of the last dose… though, time-released preparations including OxyContin will generally result in a longer withdrawal period. The peak phase typically hits around 72 hours, gradually subsiding after a 7 – 10 day period.

Symptoms

Common symptoms associates with opiate withdrawal include: high blood pressure, dilated pupils, diarrhea, fever, irritability, muscle spasms and bouts of insomnia.

Treatment

If you or a loved one is struggling with an opiate addiction, Above It All treatment center is the place to call. Pick up the phone today, and let our team of addiction specialists help you back on track towards the healthy, happy lifestyle you deserve!