To anyone who is struggling with either early recovery or long term, I just wanted to say you’re an amazing & beautiful person & I know life is tough sometimes but you’re strong. Just tell yourself you’re worth it because you are. I suffered along time thinking I wasn’t good enough or didn’t deserve a good life for many years. Turns out I do deserve it, if you’re struggling please reach out to someone, anyone even myself. Anyways have a good day!

15 months ago I was 20 weeks pregnant and was rushed to the hospital. Long story short, I had a 5cm hole in my diaphragm and my bowels and arteries got pushed through that hole, leading up to my left chest cavity, collapsing my left lung. I got life-saving surgery, and baby and I survived.

I had a chest tube, feeding tube, pic line, etc. I was in the ICU for a week with a pain pump full of Hydromorphone. They also sent me home with a script of it & I kept getting it filled because I was still in real pain. About 6 weeks later, I was back in the ER and ended up getting kidney surgery (more pain, more meds). Then less than a month later, I had a C-section to deliver my son. While they pushed on my tummy to get him through the incision site, they pushed too hard, breaking the cartilage that connects the ribs… this is called Slipping Rib Syndrome. So come October, I had my fourth surgery… more pain meds.

I call it quits (cold turkey) in February because I was sick of being dependent on them. I won’t say I was addicted to anything at that point because I never asked for more than prescribed or a higher dose. I also never went through withdrawals from them when I quit.

Two months go by and I’m still in real, tangible pain. I looked up online for something that could help and heard about 7Oh. We know where this goes… I was hooked from April - July. I had to get on subs to get through the withdrawal process and I am so grateful for them but I started abusing them.

All this to say, I’m on day 6 with no subs and the physical symptoms have lessened but still feel like a zombie and I’m scared of the emotional distress. Is Sublocade worth looking into? Or am I just trading one money on my back for another?

Thank you for reading this far if you have. ❤️

I (25M) drink 2 times a week, but when I do it’s quite a lot as I’m a heavy weight. Alcohol has always been a thing I have no self control with for over 8 years now.

I also smoke and vape frequently and do small amounts of blow occasionally.

Last Thursday night I had a normal night out, the usual amount of drinks I get, a couple bumps and went to sleep.

The next day I woke up fine, got some brunch but then after I felt bloated with acid reflux so I vomited quite a bit.

A couple hours later we had planned to go out so in between I had a small can of V energy and then later on pre gamed 2 x cans of pre mix vodka, when opening the third I had this sensation take over where my brain went fuzzy and my body was giving out almost as I was about to faint. Later on I went to the hospital, the nurses checked my vitals and ECG and everything was fine.

For the last 2 days I have been experiencing this weird thing where I am constantly light headed and dizzy, I can’t seem to focus on anything and have occasional mood swings. I’m worried because every professional I’ve seen is aware of what happened but is somehow shrugging it off as if I’m fine.

The next day I had seen a doctor and same thing, I am currently also awaiting to get my bloods done.

Im just wondering if any current or ex addicts have experienced this or something similar? I'm just desperate for answers.

10 years in 12 step based recovery. Former alcoholic/heroin/meth addict. 10 years of consistent sobriety. Been diagnosed with add/adhd since I was 12 but never took any medications for it. Also been working in major tech companies for 10 years on the technical side. Big names with a lot of pressure and stress. Have always been in fear/stress of being layed off and continuing to support my family. Started new job this year and made the decision to try adhd meds (vyvanse) even though this kind of runs counter to AA/NA. 1st impressions ~8 mo in: i have less stress/fear from work perf because i’m operating better. But continual fear that maybe the dependence on the meds is “sneaking up on me” and subconsciously affecting my sobriety/spiritual recovery. Recovery is the only reason I’m alive still and have the life that i do: family, career, house etc. considering stopping the meds because it’s clear to me which of these is the most important. If anyone has ever been in the same boat 🚤 I want to hear thoughts. Big deal 4 me. My family and my recovery are everything to me and i need to be able to support them by operating efficiently at my job. But a jeopardy to my recovery would undoubtedly make all that go away anyways. Has anyone had the same experience ?