First off it feels great to be back in the community getting back into it .I have been fighting with this one question I’ve struggled with for my own answer but I would love the advice! I’m Soon to have after Christmas a major surgery done and I keep asking myself should I take the pain medications for the right reason and I’ve never been into that side of fire of having a issue with pain medications I’ve probably abused the shit out of them alil just because I was board and alcohol is more my problem in life but what didn’t kill me has made me stronger . I’m going on 3 years of sobriety from alcohol but pills really never been really like my cup of tea if I wanted to my pleasure.i feel like it would be considered losing my time but also i dont ?so what’s your all thoughts for if I should get them filled when I have surgery . It’s open opinion could consider
I would encourage you to ask for experience, not advice. Opinions are ubiquitous, real experience is harder to come by.
I’ve heard in AA meetings that people give the drugs to their sponsor or spouse with the understanding that they will be dosed strictly to the schedule. I’ve heard people say they would accept only 3 days of pain meds post surgery, and would have to go back to the doctor and justify more.
After minor procedures, I was offered opiates, even had a script pressed into my hand by a nurse after I had adamantly refused. It’s up to you whether you fill the prescription or not. I found that things like ice, rest, aggressive use of acetaminophen, meditation and contemplation on how the steps of AA applied to my condition were effective in relieving my discomfort.
Whatever you decide to do, please do tell your medical team you are a recovering alcoholic and you want non-opiate pain relief methods whenever possible. One thing I have heard in more than one case is that abuse of pain meds following a procedure was the slippery slope that wound up with drinking against one’s will, again and again.
i would be more concerned with the withdrawal off of the pain medicines, that’s probably worth considering.
It’s I’ve told the doctor and he was like well good job with you taking care of your shit for so long and he said the pain pills will be controlled as to many how he will write the rx for and also maximum strength pain relieving all the that Jaz. He said it’s a 2 week recovery time and he could do week by week scripts to help with the controlling part as needed and my wife we talk about it some I think she was worried about the abuse part but it’s on going like once a week were talking about it and she trust me but feels like wants control but also it’s I know she cares and I get in my feelings like I’ve been doing well and it’s I’m not a child .it will be ongoing open conversation will have till day of the surgery and how I feel after
Your open communication with your wife is very important. We addicts can get pretty sly once the first hint of a high hits us, so if she knows that and you guys have a plan you agree on in advance, you will be quite safe!
I have gone thru a similar experience as urself. I actually have had a couple surgeries in the past while in recovery, 1 minor (wisdom tooth removal) and 1 one major surgery (surgery on my eye for a detached retina), and what it came down to for me, was having brute honesty with myself. I noticed for myself that when I was told I could get painkillers, a little switch went off in my head and I already started getting “thoughts”. That in itself is a red flag for me. Knowing my tendency to have an addictive personality, I decided to be honest with my Dr and asked for other types of meds (other than opiodes) to help manage pain for the minor surgery. But for my major surgery, I did use painkillers bcuz the pain was unbearable. In this incident, I followed the directions of my Dr on the prescription. But I will be honest tho, it wasnt easy. As soon as my addict thinking started suggesting that I take more than what was prescribed, I threw them out. I didnt want to risk my recovery.
I guess what Im trying to say, is that its not worth the risk. If u can manage the pain without painkillers, I would definitly go that route. I think it comes down to being honest with urself and also self aware of what ur addict mind is trying to tell u.
My biggest worry for me, is that even tho the script for painkillers is set for a short duration of time, the fact that i put a substance into my body can trigger my addiction. I may not return to those painkillers, but it may cause cravings for my DOC. If that makes sense. Im always worried about that.
I’ve had some well meaning fellow recoverers advise me not to use prescription pain pills for surgeries like serious dental work, knee or hip replacements and spinal fusions.- I thanked them for input and proceeded fill the prescriptions as needed. I was transparent with sponsor, fellow recoverers in my home group, and immediate family. On a few occasions, I gave the meds to my spouse to issue to me on schedule and in the right amount/quantity.
It could have been more of a trigger to take such advice, and then when the pain during recovery got too great, to go back to my illicit suppliers to mitigate those feelings.