Can’t tell anyone in real life

[Catchmeifyoucam]

I’m actually shaking a bit writing this because I’m so scared of the comments to come but I need to tell someone because I can’t tell anyone in real life.
for the last 10 years I’ve been addicted to opioids, taking uncountable amounts every day & spending upto £1k a month on tablets from the black market.
im FINALLY clean; did it all by myself by weaning off slowly and im so proud of myself. None of my friends and family know and from the outside looking in I don’t think you would have guessed.
I just feel so amazing, I have so much more energy, I’m not in as much pain anymore and life just feels more colourful as cliche as that sounds. I’m just so proud of myself that I beat this horrible addiction that’s had such a hold on me for a decade. I’m so scared I’ll relapse but I’m determined. Thanks for reading if you got this far!!

Well done op, that is really brilliant.

😭😭 I just want to give you all a very unmumsnetty cuddle right now

Wow well done OP. You should be really proud of yourself.

Well done, OP! You are amazing! You may want to consider getting some long term support for the harder times, but you are doing so well.

Well done! 💐👏

I've worked with a lot of addicts and I'm consistently blown away by the strength of character demonstrated by those who manage to get and stay clean. It's a huge achievement and one you should feel very proud of.

I think it's a shame that you're unable to share this amazing development with your family. Would they really be judgmental? Might they be sad that you went through that struggle without being able to help you and share joy in your success? Sharing your commitment to an opioid-free life is often a big factor in staying clean and provides a support network when you have your (inevitable) temptations. It also shows you've moved past the shame and self-blame phase that can often feed addiction. If your family really aren't able to play that role, consider other groups.

But none of this takes away from what is a wonderful accomplishment. Well done!

That's so wonderful OP. You should be really proud!

Do look for some real life support - maybe NA or some other group? You've done so well to do it all by yourself but it can't hurt to have someone by your side.

In the meantime there is MN!

Congrats to you!

Very very proud of you. I understand how much this is an achievement. Well
Done. Be happy.

OP I have nothing but compassion for people who end up getting hooked on prescribed meds, it is a huge problem and one that i don't think gets nearly enough attention.

This is a huge and incredible achievement but it's also very sad IMO that you didn't feel you could tell anyone or get the help and support you deserved. There was absolutely nothing for you to feel ashamed about (although I understand why you felt that way).

You have done the huge thing and got off them but please be very careful and don't go anywhere near them ever again. You have obviously worked so incredibly hard to get here but make sure you have real life support in place if you can so you're never tempted to go back to them if you are having a difficult time.

But for now treat yourself in anyway you can, be kind to yourself and know what an incredibly strong person you are to do this all by yourself. You are saving yourself a lot of money by coming off them so perhaps make some nice plans with all the money you'll be saving. Congrats OP, you should be extremely proud.

OP I am not a person who is easily impressed but just WOW you are amazing to have done that. I can’t imagine how difficult it has been especially not having any support from family and friends. You are a superstar!!
Please do find a support group to keep this going and please understand you have nothing to be ashamed of. Those drugs are so addictive.
Go you xx

Yes!!! Congratulations!! To do all that alone is such an incredible accomplishment xx welcome to a life of self determination and freedom ❤️❤️❤️

You are amazing! Strong and resilient to have done that alone! Wow!! Opioid medication is the devil, I was tapered off Tramadol by my GP when I switched practices. The previous practice was happy to repeat prescribe with no qualms. I had horrible withdrawals especially at night. You are a warrior to have done this alone and to have taken the decision, enough is enough is testament to your strength.

If I went for surgery now I would decline additional pain meds after discharge. Enjoy your holiday xxx

Firstly and most importantly CONGRATULATIONS on getting clean, and to do it by yourself is a huge achievement 👏🏻
Secondly and just as importantly it has only been a week and whilst I'm in no way minimising or dismissing your huge achievement I'd like to know your plans for when you have an utterly shit day or a painful niggle as it would be so easy to "just take one" I see you're going to use the support here which is great. Can I also suggest given you've mentioned now being able to afford a holiday that you put most of the money you would have spent into an account you need to give 24hrs to access a withdrawal? Seeing it mount up should help and then delay should be enough for you to employ other techniques to get past the initial urge.
I think you should also seek help from other places, NA, your GP, a trusted friend or family member? It's so important to have someone to turn to when you get a craving so they can talk you down until it passes.
Finally once again a huge congratulations please be so proud of yourself, I don't know you and I'm proud of you x

That's an incredibly difficult thing to do with support and you've done it alone.

You're simply amazing! 👏

Adding my congratulations! You have done so, so well. Welcome to the rest of your life. May it be wonderful x

Well done.
Would you talk to your GP to see if they could put you in touch with a support group, at least you could meet up with people in the same situation as you.

Wow, WELL DONE, I hope you feel prouder of yourself with each day that passes.

Well done @Catchmeifyoucam , that's really incredible.

Well done OP - that's amazing!

Well done!! Try to avoid anything that will make you want some!! But that it is really strong and you should be so so proud!

What an amazing achievement.

You have done the hardest part. Whenever the going gets tough remind yourself that you never have to do the hard part again if you don't use today.

Have you thought about something like NA (narcotics anonymous). It won't suit everyone but you may find the peer support useful. You will find you are not alone and you will never be judged for your using history.

Keep going.

Amazing work @Catchmeifyoucam !

I hope you can find someone IRL you can confide it, it could be good to have someone to help keep you accountable. Maybe worth considering therapy (now you're not spending money on the drugs!) to support you through the transition and in to the rest of your life of you really don't think you can tell friends or family.

Brilliant stuff, and good luck for the future

Wahoooooo well done you! Brilliant. Be very proud. Enjoy your holiday everything will feel so HD and super focussed you’ll be a different person xx

Very well done, that's an amazing achievement! A friend who quit drinking has an app that tells her how long she's been sober and how much money she's saved, which is a great motivator to stay off the booze (amongst many other good things about being sober) - is there something like that you could use to remind yourself how well you've done and the impacts, if that's the sort of thing that would help you? The financial one will be huge - I'm so glad you've booked a holiday with the money you're saving.

Wow op, that’s amazing. That must have been so hard. Hats off to you.

You should be proud you've managed to tackle this issue alone!