San Luis Obispo
Addiction Recovery
Center
Compassionate Treatment of Substance Abuse
Treat Addiction -- Save Lives
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Compassionate Treatment of Substance Abuse
Treat Addiction -- Save Lives |
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Patient F
I'm in my early 50's, a wife, mom and nana. I've been using prescribed pain medications since severe migraines started after the birth of my son. I remember the day as if it was yesterday, when I started to self-medicate myself with Darvocet. It helped me relax and feel at ease around other people. I was happier and funnier! Like all good addicts I believed "If one is good, two are better!" (and if two were good, let's try three.) It wasn't long before my addict kicked me aside and took over. I lived from refill to refill, always anxious that something would go wrong. I'd pray to God that I'd get my refill. Can you imagine such a selfish act, to pray for drugs? Finally my doctor did catch on, and in embarrassment, I refused his help and found myself another doctor. This new doctor liked to write prescriptions, and the addict inside me was happy. Unfortunately for the "addict", I found a non-narcotic migraine medication (Amerge) that blessedly took care of my headaches, but soon I slipped disc's in my back and was introduced to Norco. It helped my pain, and I felt good. But soon enough, I was taking more, and more, and even more yet. I'd worry about running out. My husband would plan a weekend away, and I'd panic, counting my pills to make sure I had enough to go, because if not, I knew I'd be in withdrawals, and the trip would be ruined. Some days, if I didn't have enough pills, I'd have to make up excuses to not baby-sit my grandchildren. I'd find myself sitting in my chair, ill, shaking and sweating, waiting until my next refill. I wanted out. I prayed to be out. And God did answer my prayers, it just wasn't years ago as I had wished. A dear friend who was an addict told me about this drug Suboxone and how wonderful it worked. One night on the Internet, I looked up Suboxone and found Dr. Howalt and the San Luis Obispo Addiction Recovery Center. I made an appointment, took a Norco for the 3 hour drive to San Luis Obispo to see Dr. Howalt the next day. (I'm an "out of towner" patient, and Dr. Howalt recently asked me, "Why did you come to SLO when there are places closer to where you live." My answer was, "I called, and you answered!") What a blessing that turned out to be. He talked to me for as long as I needed. He didn't rush me out. He and his staff showed compassion, and I didn't feel 'dirty' like I had for such a long time. Because of the way the it works you have to wait until the early start of physical withdrawal before you can take Suboxone. We didn't think I was in withdrawal at the time and he asked if I could come in the following morning which was Friday. I could, and did. He gave me my Suboxone to take there in the office and told me to sit: he'd be back in 20 minutes. What a different person I was when he came back in! I was reading a magazine and felt "normal" again, something I thought I'd never ever feel again in my lifetime. I was blown away over that weekend! Whenever I called the office because my meds needed to be tweaked, someone always would answer my call. The dedication of Dr. Howalt and his staff is unbelievable! I was doing well and going to 12-Step meetings (this was awkward at first but now I find it comforting). I was happy to become myself once again. Then a tragedy happened in
our family. I lost my son. I slipped and started taking Norco again. I
don't know why I slipped. It didn't happen right away. I knew I needed to see
Dr. Howalt again but to tell the truth, I was ashamed. Dr. and his staff took
so much time to help me, and I had failed. Because I had missed some
appointments Dr. Howalt called and asked how I was doing, and if I had started
using again. I couldn't lie so I told him. He explained to me that
addict's relapse and there is no shame to it. We talked about how it was
the addict inside me who was happy there was a tragedy about my son, because
then, with such a great reason behind it,
the addict could justify me starting to use again. Doctor Howalt and his
staff have been wonderful during this time. They are
wonderful
caring people, and they will work with you. Give Dr. Howalt and his wonderful staff a chance. THIS MEDICATION WORKS! BE HONEST! TALK TO HIM!! YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN ADDICT ANYMORE! THERE IS FINALLY A SOLUTION THAT HELPS! Really, if I can do this while dealing with the loss of my son, I KNOW YOU CAN ALSO! With the help of the San Luis Obispo Addiction Recovery Center lets shut these "addicts inside us" down and throw them on their asses! With encouragement from Dr Howalt I'm now attending 12-Step meetings and starting to work toward my recovery. I feel the support and companionship found in 12-Step meetings is essential to help me "not start again" which is the secret to long term sobriety. The fellow addicts and alcoholics in these meeting understand me like nobody else, because they have all been where I am now, and they will share with me what I need to know to stay off drugs.
P.S. Dr. Howalt and his staff work around "out of towners" schedules, so there is no excuse not to make an appointment!
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