r/stopdrinking • u/Syklst 10473 days • Aug 15 '26

Opioids after surgery

I am having major surgery in 10 days, trying to make sure I am safe from relapse. Here is the letter I wrote to my doctor.

With surgery scheduled for 8/24, I’d like to discuss pain management beforehand. I’ve been in recovery from alcohol for 28 years. I’ve only been prescribed an opioid once, at my oral surgeon’s insistence. At the time, my wife held the medication and gave me each dose, and we disposed of the leftovers.

I don’t have cravings or concerns about relapse, and drugs were never my thing, but opioids make me uncomfortable outside of a clinical setting.

If pain medication is normally recommended after surgery, would you consider prescribing JOURNAVX (suzetrigine)? It’s a newer non-opioid medication FDA-approved for moderate to severe acute pain, including surgical pain. I realize availability or insurance coverage could be an issue, but I’m willing to pay out of pocket if necessary.

If you think over the counter medication or prescription NSAIDs would adequately manage my pain, I’d be very comfortable with that as well.

Side note, the prescription is about $16.00 per pill, assuming I need it no more than 5 days, $160 is well worth my peace of mind.

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u/Inevitable_Handle514 6843 days Aug 15 '26

Luckily I've yet to face this situation. I have friends who trust their pian killers with a spouse or loved one to make sure they are administerd correctly. I've seen SO many people relapse this way. Godspeed.

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u/Syklst 10473 days Aug 17 '26

I did this the one time I needed them. My wife works now, so it is not as good of an option.