Anxiety Disorders Support Group

because i am a recovering addict i cannot take benzos for anxiety. i am prescribed neurontin 400 mgs 3x a day. i got it filled a day or two ago. i don't take them as prescribed though. i take like 7 or 8 at a time. it doesn't exatly make me high, but i feel much relieved and loose. it's a relief from the anxiety. however, i am not supposed to take so much of course and i will run out in a week and then have none for the next 3 weeks. i need to just take as precribed and maybe it will take the edge off my anxiety. i just needed to admit this and would appreciate feedback. i will always be an addict, and look to pills and substances to make me feel better. taking so much at a time is definately addict behavior. i think i need help with this. i have been clean from drugs since feb of this year though

Congrats on being clean Arual001. Are you taking the neurontin to try to get some kind of an altered, high feeling or just to relieve anxiety now? Have you ever seen this flash video? Nora D. Volkow, M.D. explains in layman's language how addiction occurs and why it is so difficult to treat. Watch this video when you have the time. Dr. Volkow starts to explain addiction at minute 24 of this 60 minute video.

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/11978

well, it's both. taking it as prescribed might help the anxiety, but i like the feeling of being really loose from taking so much. if it made me feel actually high, i would be taking it to get high i'm sure. i could walk half a block away and get coke (my drug of choice) and i think about doing that every day, but i don't. since i am allowed to be taking the neurontin it doesn't seem so bad to be misusing it. fucked up thinking though. thanks for the link to video, will watch it

Taking neurontin in that manner is very dangerous. It can kill you. Neurontin needs to be titrated up to a level. And it needs to be titrated down to new levels. Starting it and stoppin git is going to kill you. Don't do it.

I do not understand why you were given neurontin for anxiety - so you need to talk to your doctor about that. I have never heard of using neurontin for anxiety.

hugs, raoul

@Arual001, you seem like there is something really missing in your life, like some void you are trying to fill with drugs? Wouldn't you like to just be free of drugs if you could and be happy without them?

Hi aural101

You described yourself as a " recovering addict" . I think you already know the answers to your questions. I see LostInCybeSpaces post talks of the difference of 'getting high" on a med and " taking as perscribed".Raoul talks of the danger

Having an addictive personality myself, I understand all about getting high.

We can only encourage you to take medications as perscribed.

Have you been in a treatment program? They usually have a preventative plan.

Post edited by: Ginag, at: 06/22/2012 06:57 AM

thank you for the replies and concern. i did not know that neurontin like this could be dangerous. i don't even know why i do this, it does not make me high. i went to my 4th inpatient rehab in april of this year and have been clean since feb. i have not smoked crack, done coke or pills or benzos or drank since then. this is the longest clean time i've ever had in my life. yes there is definately a void. not sure what to do... days are long and hard and the only joy i have is my 5 year old, i also have a 12 year old with odd who makes things very difficult, though of course i love her very much. i may go to jail in beginning of july and have other criminal charges in another county that i don't even know when court will be for that. i've always been unlucky in love and had abusive relationships. am alone now and that's okay, it's better than being abused or controlled. i have had successes in life as well, some good friends in the past and i did earn a masters degree and am looking very hard for a social work job though the area is very depressed and not many jobs. i have struggled with mental illness always, though doing pretty good now except for anxiety. definately a void though i'm not sure what it is...