Developing Pain Pill Addiction
As a National Honor Society student, Lauren never suspected that she would end up with an Opioid pain pill addiction. However, a diagnosis of endometriosis resulted in her doctor prescribing her medications to help deal with the pain.
Endometriosis is a condition where painful growths occur on the outside of the uterus. Lauren endured a total of 16 abdominal surgeries as doctors attempted to treat the chronic pain that she experienced.
At the end of every surgery, and as a way to maintain the pain, she was prescribed narcotic drugs. These narcotic drugs affected Lauren’s studies and made it extremely difficult to concentrate and get through the day.
Lauren quickly became enslaved to the prescription pain pills. Each day, she’d try to wake up and go as long as she could without taking any medication. But eventually, she’d break down and swallow a handful of pills.
Lauren got to the point where she didn’t even care about the pain anymore—she just wanted to numb herself with her prescription.
Managing Pain and Opioid Use
As time went on, her doctors wanted to try new procedures to combat her pain. One of the procedures that she underwent was one where they gave her injections in her spine. Unfortunately, this procedure went wrong and one of the doctors nicked her spine.
The doctor’s goal to curb Laurens pain in ways other than prescription Opioid use was not successful. Shortly after this surgery, Lauren contracted osteomyelitis, a bone-eating infection – yet another complication as a result of the spinal surgery.
On a trip to San Diego to see a doctor, Lauren began to experience intense pain in her spine. Her parents assumed that it was from the plane ride and would soon subside, but they were very wrong.
Lauren’s spine was collapsing in on itself and she was unable to stand on her own or walk. Lauren had to undergo more surgeries, and as a result, sustained more damage which left her in a wheelchair for a year.
After the year, Lauren had to use a walker and then a cane as she progressively got better—she felt trapped during this time as she was unable to fully control her legs.
Feelings of being trapped and in pain are some of the most powerful causes of prescription drug abuse. In Lauren’s case, her prescription drug abuse was encouraged by her feelings of isolation and pain.
Physical Disability and Addiction
Lauren’s complications during surgeries resulted in her addiction to pain medication progressively getting worse as the months went by. Her drug addiction wasn’t the only thing that kept her isolated from others.
Being physically disabled, Lauren had trouble with mobility and couldn’t move around without the help of a wheelchair, walker or cane.
Lauren who otherwise looked healthy felt that all eyes were on her as she got around her college campus—curious eyes wondering what could possibly be wrong with her.
Lauren’s addiction grew worse and the prescription medication that she was taking on a daily basis was a chance to desensitize herself from the pain and difficulties that she was experiencing.
She felt as if complications were just happening to her, one after another—she didn’t know if she was ever going to be better. Lauren reasoned to herself that she would just numb out; it was her goal to become almost catatonic. She didn’t want to deal with life but she also didn’t want to kill herself.
Family Intervention for Substance Abuse
Lauren’s help for her substance abuse and addiction came in the form of family intervention services. Throughout the years that she spent abusing prescription drugs, she didn’t realize the heart-break that she was causing those closest to her.
Lauren’s family confronted her with love and asked her to get the help that she needed. When Lauren saw the looks on her families faces and the concern in their voice, the only answer that she could think of was “yes.”
Lauren agreed to accept the gift of substance abuse treatment. Moreover, she credits her interventionist with helping her stay strong on the way to treatment. She explains how her interventionist played a crucial role in giving her hope that there is a better way to live life.
Bravely entering an addiction treatment center, Lauren began working a solid and honest 12-step program. She realized that for all of the time that she felt isolated in her addiction and that she was the only one who felt this way, she was wrong.
During this time, she met people from all walks of life that embraced her and loved her in a way that she will be forever grateful for.
Lauren recounts that during her addiction and during the beginning of recovery, she had such a hard time loving herself. These people who came alongside her made all the difference in the world.
How Sobriety Changed My Life
Today, Lauren’s life is very different and she stays in contact with her interventionist. Every year on her sober anniversary, she calls her interventionist, which is highly emotional for both of them.
Lauren is happy that she found the light at the end of the tunnel. She is a strong woman who has come out on the other side of her addiction to pain pills. As she shares with us, she exudes gratitude to be alive and a warmth that is hard to describe.
Her experience with addiction almost broke her, but through bravery and courage, she accepted the help that she needed and came out on the other side a woman full of wisdom and love.
Lauren’s life in recovery today is very different, and she could never imagine going back to the prison of addiction. Lauren is inspired by the enthusiasm and love that she finds in the rooms of 12-step programs.
For this reason, she shares her experience, strength, and hope with others who need to hear it. In the end, Lauren’s family saved her from pain pill addiction through an effective tool of intervention.
At the intervention, her family conveyed their message of love and offered the gift of treatment. She counts treatment as the best decision that she’s ever made and encourages others to accept the help they need and deserve for their addiction.
If your loved one is suffering from drug addiction, please seek help before it is too late. To talk with someone in recovery who has walked through the darkness of addiction, call (866)578-7471. Living free from substance abuse is possible and we can help.
43 comments
How did u do it !! I’m so proud of u?? What did u do 4 detox. I need help pleassseee. I’m addicted 2 pain pills as well. I’m scared and don’t know which way 2 go so I can succeed. Ty so much.
Lauren you know full of wisdom love, happy and inspire me and other,no matter how bad our lives are if we want to change and dare a miracle will happen
The dangers of prescription drug abuse can be made even worse if people take drugs in a way they weren’t intended to be used. Ritalin may seem harmless because it’s prescribed even for little kids with ADHD.I am addecated 2 pain pills as well. Thanks so much
Wow, this is in deed incredible. I am so happy for Lauren for the intervention of her family. Addicted people can actually come out of drugs when they have close associate that showed love to them. Nice one.
Intervention really does improve lives. Like when a close friend or family is under pressure, the person becomes compelled to quit the drug.
Addiction affects people negatively. Lauren’s story is very pathetic but am happy for her for finding her path to recovery through the help of her family.
Intervention is the only way to bring out a person suffering from addiction. Many thanks to Lauren’s friends and family for intervening.
This was so emotional as I read through addiction almost crook her life but I’m so glad that she found help and she is doing well now.
This is a very touching story about Lauren. Addiction to pill is not easy thing to live with but am happy for her family’s intervention and for her taking step through sobriety to recover.
This is why it is advisable not to take drugs no matter what it’s meant for for a long time to avoid addictions. It can be devastating after a while.
you are a fighter as you have got up from so many surgery and once you get addicted you have also thought of recovery and gone through it.
Pain killer are one of the most easily misused drugs out there. Really happy her family never neglected Lauren else it would have been a very bad ending for her.
Lauren is very lucky for the recovery, not every one get completely recovered from such of his addiction. Thanks to detox, you are doing well.
I will congratulate Lauren for been able to overcome this. When being addicted, it takes the grace of God to be free.
Pain killers misuse has really grown on the high side in our community today, so many didn’t know how this affects people around them. Really disheartening seeing how innocent people can be
Lauren could be best described as a victim of circumstances. But I’m happy she was able to find her feet at last. Well-done detox
I really feel sorry for Lauren especially for all the surgeries she had to go through, because if not for all these surgeries probably she wouldn’t have had anything to do with substance addiction. Glad she went through the 12 step program and is now better and confident woman.
Good to know about Lauren’s recovery. It shows that she actually had a rough life with her ailment. Am very proud of her to getting help and recovered from pills.
Taking pain killers can get one addicted. This was the case for Lauren, but thank God for the intervention of her family and her fight to recovery. Glad that she is happy now and finding her way to get back her life.
Really disheartening, a prescribed drug also can be misused making the patient addicted. Happy her family never abandoned her, their presence helped alit in the recovery process.
Lauren’s story is incredible. It is an eye-opener to those people who also are experiencing the same. Let detox help and change more lives!
Good ending for the lady. Although Lauren had physical disabilities, she struggled and fought to win addiction. It is a good show that no matter how we are, we are going to win against any form of addiction.
This is just an incredible thing. A very nice step by detox to rehab to bring the people out of the web of addiction by showing love and care to them.
This is very informative and am very happy for Lauren for the comeback… It’s important we watch our quick take of pills at any slight issues.
Lauren’s story is amazing.
Thank you Detox
Excessive usage of drug is an abuse. Thank God for your recovery.
Thank God for not allowing death to overcome her. She should also take to all the precautions.
The dangers of prescription drug abuse can be made even worse if people take drugs in a way they weren’t intended to be used. Ritalin may seem harmless because it’s prescribed even for little kids with ADHD.thanks.
I am happy Lauren was able to overcome her addiction with the help of her family. It shows how lovely she is
Kindly share this story with someone out there. It will encourage them.
These are one of many examples why drugs are dangerous more so if it is unrestricted. I get what this pain pills are for but once your body tolerates it and you take it a notch it can result in addiction. Be careful people.
Pains can really make one go through a lot. So I understand why Lauren had to go this route. it was bad though that it ended in being addicted to the pills
I salute the courage of Lauren to bear the pain pill to that extent. Thank God for recovery and the drug that worked for her. Congratulations to you.
Lauren is more o a fighter. Endometriosis isn’t an easy ailment to tackle and getting addicted to pain relievers wasn’t ever a willing choice. I’m glad she’s doing well enough now.
I can only imagine how hard it was for Lauren to have a pill dependency and a physical ailment. She is beyond courageous fighting to get better and serving as a super role model for others with heartbreaking challenges. Thank you so much for sharing this story. It really inspired me.
It is a very encouraging life story that gives other people the opportunity to meet her. Lauren is an example of life in the face of adversity and painful illnesses, thank you for sharing your experience.
Lauren’s story is very heart touching. Many people abuse those drugs that are meant to be taken in small quantity
Lauren’s story is so pathetic, thank God she doesn’t waste her life all in the name of pain pill.
Many people are now abusing pain relief drugs. They see it as a way out of depression but it’s wrong.. May they find help
Sorry for your. This article is very informative, well detailed and you
Glory be to God for sparing your life. It is the grace of God that singled you out for safety.
I’m really happy for Lauren that the pain pill addiction didn’t take her life. At the same time, thank God she was able to overcome the addiction.
Thank God Lauren was able to overcome the addiction and she’s still alive hail and hearty. Thank you for sharing this