If One Goes to a Doctor for Assistance in Kicking Painkiller Addiction, Do They Get Put on a “list”?
Question by Devoidance: If one goes to a doctor for assistance in kicking painkiller addiction, do they get put on a “list”?
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.
Best answer:
Answer by westminstershakedown
Within your health care system, probably. I know I confessed the same to my primary care doctor and now I can’t get anything stronger than Advil no matter what the case. Good luck!
Answer by feelin Witchy
I was married to that for 20 yrs, he too thought he could do it on his own. You need to go to your Dr. there is no list and if this is the only excuse you can come up with,,,,,well I am now divorced. he lost all of it, he too was a functioning addict with his own business, He also spent a yr of his life in prison and now is on probation for 10 yrs, and guess what? he still does the drugs, he just knows how to get around the testing. So yeah sure you can do it all on your own. Which stigma do you consider to be worse?
Heroin in Flagstaff a new challenge to drug treatment
But in Flagstaff, it might have seemed like a story that at least couldn't happen here. Small cities on the remote Colorado Plateau don't have heroin addicts — or do they? As it turned out, the Daily Sun … National statistics show 16,000 overdose …
Read more on Arizona Daily Sun
Legal medical marijuana in Kansas? Unlikely for now
Four of the seven containers he plops down on his table are legal, prescribed painkillers, including Percocet, derived from the same opium that produces heroin. Another bottle contains 57 dark blue pills of morphine so potent, Pentz … One absurdity …
Read more on Kansas.com
Inmates make best of Boyd County Detention Center program Route 1-80
"I took ahold of addiction and ran with it," he said, shaking his head slightly as he tells of his dependence on opiates such as prescription painkillers. "I just let … "It's just the addiction. It takes everybody down the wrong path," he added. Ward …
Read more on The Republic
New Rx Drug Sweeping Miami Valley — WAYNESVILLE — First it was OxyContin. Now, a new, powerful painkiller is sweeping across the Miami Valley.For years people have been shooting, snorting and…
Find More How Painkiller Addiction Happens Information…