Advice re addiction.
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi everyone
I'm new here and looking for some advice
I have a history of opiate addiction, mainly tramadol and dihydrocodine. I have been in (and I'm currently in the process of getting back into) the nhs prescribing service but have never really been free of addiction. I suffer from severe depression and use drugs as a way of coping.
I am now hugely addicted to gabapentin and over the counter dihydrocodiene and co codamol.
The drug service have told me that the best thing to do is reduce the gabapentin slowly myself and come off it as there is no substitute. But I am not sure how to do this? Has anyone else had to come of gabapentin. I am terrified of wd as I take very high doses.
They want to put me on subutex or suboxone for opiates.
I am so depressed with everything. I am off work sick as had a suicide attempt recently. I'm struggling to cope and the addiction is ruining my life
Any advice greatly appreciated.
0 likes, 20 replies
Aspinan lisa95164
Posted
Hi Lisa, I've no experience with what your going through but all I can do is send you my love and sincere hope that you get the best treatment possible. You deserve an addiction free life and I wish you all the best with your journey.
Neil xx
johnkov lisa95164
Posted
Lisa,
?You need specialist help. Withdrawal from gabapentin is certainly possible. However, it would require a complex approach. Firstly, you would need to be put on benzodiazepines, possibly diazepam, as they have a longer half-life time in the body. Then you would need to taper off gabapentin. At the same time, you would also need to be put on antidepressants - probably tricyclic antidepressants in this case - in order to manage the depression. Finally, you would need a strong non-opioid pain killer - e.g. diclofenac.
?At some point, when you wouldn't need gabapentin anymore, diazepam could be slowly tapered off.
?As you can see, this sounds complex. You need a withdrawal plan and this has to be prepared by a psychiatrist and/or a neurologist who has experience in substance misuse. It is also possible that you would be asked to spend some time in a hospital during this process (as a voluntary patient). Anyway, stay strong, do not give up, don't lose faith - your situation is bad, but certainly not beyond hope.