Hi
after a battle of months and months to get myself off Valium, I am still taking one every other day or so. At least I am no longer physically addicted. But I am very much still psychologically addicted to Valium and other meds as well, such as painkillers.
I am a single mum. My drug use does not, I beleive, interfere with my ability to look after my child, as I am never off my face or out of it - merely somewhat more relaxed than I seem to be when I'm not on something.
I know it sounds awful, but I do feel like I am more functional on drugs. When unsedated, I am anxious, tired and pissed off (not with dd, but mainly with my ex, who is causing incredible levels of stress....but that's another story). But I have always been substance dependent, since I was about 19. I was a heavy drinker before I was pregnant. it has really only been my dd who has enabled me to live in a dignified way.
I feel like I'm faking my way through life. I am superficially 'successful': have just finished my PhD and it looks like I will get a good teaching job at a university next year. But there's this guilt about living in an inauthentic fashion....always having to go to doctors, being dependent on tablets...feeling like I have to have pills on me at all times in case there's some sort of 'crisis' or I feel like I'm not coping....
I have considered going to Narcotics Anonymous. I was wondering if anyone has experience with addiction, especially this sort of addiction.
Advice would be appreciated.