One method, less expensive than in-patient, is obviously out-patient rehab with a pain doctor using suboxene. If you find one connected to a university health dept or whatever,  they would be much better than the ones talkingn10-12,000 for rapid detox, 5-6,000 for accellarated detox or about 100-140 a month for a rehab doctor. But the suboxene is quite expensive. They are about 6. a pill, but you can start with no more than three and maybe two. IMy friend started with two and was up to 30 vicodin 10mg a day. The thing to do is to establish after a month or so, aplan to get off the suboxene. This doctor used a combo of phetermine, alight stimulant to get your mood elevated and your depression decreased and some valium for the withdrawals and to help you sleep better. You can decrease the suboxene and increase the other two to replace til  you gradually go from 3-2-1-1 1/2 to nothing. It all depends on your severity of addiction..The key is to find a doctor you can trust and like. try them on as if your life depends on it-cause it does. Some are no better than pain-pill clinics but the opposite-just there to take your money. I realize it is getting late and I have beenchecking out articles for too long today to give youa clear picture,but remember this. You need to pick the right doctor,be around understanding friends or family and not be pushed by either as to your timetable for quitting. It probably tooka long time to get where you are and it will take a while to get back. I will follow your posts and talk to you tomorrow with a better, or should I say-clearer picture of a lot of info for you. I spent many hours and weeks and months studying this and there are ways that are much better than others, depending on how you got there and your support system, and of course,like anything today-money plays a big role. I would be glad to help you in getting you off those pills ine best possible wy. Also, talk to a few people like myself and take the best of everybody's ideas and do what will work for you. Many thousands and thousands of people have been down your road-remember that and we are here to help you.

MAW - I have to apologize, but at least for me  - I am in recovery from pain medicine.  I had multiple medical issues and legitmate cronic pain; however, I believe the goal in this post is to support those who are trying to move away from the medicine not towards it.

I must admit as I read your post I started getting those fellings of needing it again.  I would go to the ER and doctor after doctor trying to get the pain medicine.  It took me a very long time for me to realize I couldn't do anything about the pain, only the way I handled it.   In fact, if you read all my posts - my first post only days ago I was asking for help with addiction to pain medicine.  The realization that I had control over the pain hit me like a ton of bricks (the same emotion as when I put my last drink down and said I was done).  It was like stepping out of the shadows and into the sunlight.

Have you and your husband tried alternative ways to eliminate the pain instead of medicine?  For my daily migraines I found acupuncture to be benefial and physical therapy for nesk and back discs.  But most importantly I let go of the pain and realized I could actually control the pain through my thoughts and prayers.  It is amazing what the body can do once you believe and understand you have complete control over your own body.

For me, I was able to find a good shrink who help me understand the basic human needs and understand the power of the minds.  At the top of maslow's hierarchy of needs is self actualization  --- Working toward fulfilling our potential, toward becoming all that we are capable of becoming.   In my case pain was action working against me in being everything I could be.  It was what drove and justified my need for medicine.  I would tell myself 'I can't be normal and do the things I need to without the medicine'.   

It was always a need not a want - heck I had xrays, scans, and everything else to support why I was in pain so it couldn't be a want rather a need.  A gifted therapist taught me how the brain processes information, and how I could use learning strategies to overcome my symptoms. I felt so stupid, but, it worked!  But pain is subjective - different for everyone.   Please understand that I am not trying to minimize what you and your husand are going through.  I know the pain.  I know the need.

If anything like myself, the pain pulls you down into depression.  It just snow balls into more and more 'pains'. 

I will pray for you and  your husband.  I pray that each of you will find a way to over come the pain.  I pray the you will be blessed with enlightenmight and understanding.  You don't have to live in pain - it is up to you.

Be strong.  Be motivated.  And most of all believe.  You have control over it.

Sorry for the post you didn't want hear; however, for some reason I felt obligated to share my experience and concerns with you.  Perhaps I have reaffirming these truths to myself and coming to even a greater understanding it all by simple expressing the thoughts and emotions in some manner.   

May God bless you and your husband MAW.

Charles

[QUOTE=BlondzRBest;260573]I have lived that hell for over 20 years, please get help, if you don't have insurance it will be a little harder but you have to try.  Many cities have pain management clinics and addiction doctors these days, something unheard of 20 years ago and now that they are everywhere I can't afford them.[/QUOTE]

I understand how you feel well. I fought for a few years to get medical & medicare so my pain med would be covered.But now I need to go to a pain management dr. to be put on morphine or another med that I can feel well enough to walk. I had 22 years in NA & went back out because of pain & now I went out again  with 10 months because I every other day smoke weed for my pain. I don't get high for pleasure & you will probally have to go to the county hospital like I did & not work so you quailify for help. Good luck.

I am new and in chronic pain and trying to detox. major trouble with my stomach that started before the detox. I just couldn't poop. I went for tests and did four or five of those bowel cleanse drinks upped my lactulose my senokot my H20 everything. Now I think on top of the pain I have a spastic colon. I just don't know what to believe. I am also in between homes dealing with an abusive relationship and more pain than ever. I just try to keep focused on good but it  can be hard. I am grateful for any prayers. Currently down to six 40 mg of the oxy and I know I can go lower for my pain but it spiked after an emg. The doctor hit a nerve in my neck that sent a scream that the people in the halls could hear. I went for months with pins and needles down both arms and night sweats like crazy.It felt like no blood could reach my limbs. Swelling in my feet. A rash that looks like blood spots on my legs...... one doctor thought maybe leukemia. Thank God it wasn't. I have been through more than I can tell you but the only good is that it has brought me closer to God and for that I am eternally grateful. They also missed a Gaulstone. I pushed a marble through a one mm duct!. Doctors??????????????  Only love is real and Only God can heal.   With love and hope Migraines tmj neck, back and right arm now the bowel trouble and lower back too Makes one wonder  ???