I had a series of fairly severe injuries that wound up with me prescribed percocet and then norco. I was on the two for about six months. When I’d healed and tried to stop taking them, I suffered terrible withdrawal symptoms, and, as a result, wound up buying more black market. That was a year ago.
Now, I know the smart thing would have been to tell my doctor that this was happening when I’d first been slated to stop taking them, but, in truth, I’d liked the effects and they were available. Now, in retrospect, I see how incredibly stupid I was.
So, my question is this: I know there are treatments and “weaning” drugs that a physician can prescribe, but I’m sketchy about going in and admitting to my family doctor (which my whole family, most of whom I have a tenuous relationship at best with, attends) that I’ve allowed myself to get stuck in this position. If I DO seek his help, is my name entered into some sort of master list? I know doctor-patient confidentiality prevents him from talking about it, but is there a government-maintained record? Further, is this entered into my medical history so it is available to all of my future physicians?
I do want to quit, and I have no doubt it would be easier with medical assistance, but I’m unwilling to seek it out at the expense of a lifelong legacy hanging over my head. I can wean myself off in theory without anyone’s help, it’s just hard.
I DON’T need advice telling me to go to rehab (I’m a functioning addict; I have a great job with great pay. I can’t afford to take weeks off to deal with that, nor do I want to spend thousands of dollars on it). Neither do I need advice saying, “Just quit” (try going through just one day of opiate withdrawal and tell me how easy cold turkey is). I JUST want to know what kind of stigma I can expect if I seek medical help.
@westminstershakedown: See, that’s partially what I’m worried about. Not that I’d only be able to get Advil, but that a permanent record is following you around (how else would they know to restrict you to Advil?).
@feelin witchy: If this was an excuse, I wouldn’t be looking for information to assist in quitting, now would I? You have to WANT to quit. I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s difficulties; I obviously empathize, but the reason I’m trying to gather as much info as possible is so I can make an informed decision on the best course of action here.
@BravoBear: If possible, I’d just as soon as have no record whatsoever about this, but I could tolerate a susceptibility notation I suppose.
@TweetyBird: Thank you for your candor. I have every intention of switching to a new PC for the duration of this, should this be the course I take; I’m ensuring my family doctor (who I’ve known for 20 years) won’t find OUT about it.
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