Pain Killers—Beware!

I know I keep bringing this up, but I just keep hearing more and more about it….including people close to our inner circle who are getting addicted to such things as Vicodin and Oxycontin.  Some facts on the Oxy’s reveal that it is a powerful pain reliever derived from opiates. The Vicodins are similar, as the compound “Hydrocodone” that is used in Vicodins are in the opiate family as well.

Now don’t get me wrong, there is truly a need for pain relief and a subscription for the above when the patient is suffering. Unfortunately what happens though, (as with other addictions) is the sufferer develops a “tolerance” to the medication. Subsequently he or she will need more just to get the same effects when they first started taking the medication.

Be real careful if you start with a prescription for any pain killer medication. They can be incredibly devious in the way they get a grip on you, and can easily turn a routine prescription into a habit. My friends brother developed arthitis in the spine, and needed a small daily dose. Eventually he told us he needed more and more just to get through the day (see tolerance), and before he knew it, he was hooked. He told us the “withdrawal” experience he had to get off the stuff was nothing short of agony.

So again, be cautious and continually consult with you doctor when on these types of medications. Ask him or her if they believe that adjustments should be made in the dosage, with the ultimate goal of you stopping the meds upon doctors advice.

Life can truly be a struggle at tmes for ourselves and family and friends. Unfortunately pain and suffering are a part of this “fallen” world, and we have to manuever it in the healthiest way possible. Turn to God with some of you daily struggles. When you see yourself as one of his creations, then a certain spiritual power can assist you in getting through these battles.

Sometimes our friends and family let us down. There’s really nothing we can do but forgive them, as they are human beings just like us, with many similar flaws. But God has no short-comings. When we turn to him in our time of need he will see us through the dark times.  Try praying. Get a bible and read it. Here’s a simple prayer a friend taught me:  “Dear God, these are truly difficult times. But I believe in you to see me through them. I Know you are by my side, and if I put my faith and trust in you, then I will see better days. It will be a battle God, but we will get through it together”

That prayer has bailed me out of so many difficult times. When you see yourself as a creation of God almighty, then you just know you are on the “winning” team. Start praying and see.

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online we are always praying for our readers and believe that they will truly have better days ahead if he keep their hearts and minds focused on God.

Addiction and Condemnation

There are a  lot of individuals walking around today who are struggling with addictions  and believing they are condemned. There are many who have been alienated by their family and friends, and feel hopelessly alone. Fortunately our God is a forgiving God, and his goal is not to condemn us. He might allow us to struggle for a period of time due to our sin nature (abusing substances), but eventually once we turn back toward God, our troubles tend to heal.’

Our ultimate goal should be to stay close to God in everything we do. He should be our “ultimate” support system, and come ahead of everyone else, including our family and friends. Once we “surrender” our struggles over to God, that’s when the healing begins Understanding that we can’t fight our battles alone, and that we need God’s help is the first step toward recovery.

Have you been reading the bible lately, and starting your day off with a quiet prayer? Give it a try if you’re not, and see if it changes your outlook. The way we feel is connected with the way we think. If we are thinking that we are nothing but a loser and an addict because others have told us so, then we will subsequently be feeling lousy and mentally drained. If we believe that we are a child of God, and with God we can overcome “all things”, then we will be on the road to recovery. 

Here’s some uplifting bible verses:

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us — they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5: 3-5 TLB

I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again, so that once again I will see His goodness to me here in the land of the living. Don’t be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and He will come and save you! Be brave, softhearted, and courageous. Yes, wait and He will help you. Psalms 27: 13-14 TLB

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 TLB

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online we pray that you turn your battles over to the Lord. He will sustain you through difficult times