Addicted to hoarding (but not abusing) meds.

[Legion]

I'm unsure if this goes into substance abuse or not. I didn't think it related more to the substance itself, but to my need to hoard them. If I am incorrect, I apologize. Cut the new guy some slack, yeah? hehe Feel free to move it to the appropriate location.

Anyway, onward! You see, I have a habit, stated above. I feel this compulsion to hoard medications. Not such things as Advil or other things I could get everyday over the counter. I mean prescription meds. I hardly ever use, so I don't consider myself an addict. Usually the meds sit there in this one drawer I have and never see daylight again.

I mean, there have been a few times where I used. After a really bad day, I needed to forget, so yeah I took a bit of oxycodone. Or some Vicodine to stave off a headache. I have nausea meds too, a bit of morphine, some assorted antibiotics, and a few other kinds of prescription drugs in pretty numerous amounts.

I also never deal. A few friends know I collect and have tried a lot to get me to sell it to them. I never would though. I'm not that low..even if they offered $80 per hit.

I fear where it would lead if they were found by campus police. I keep em in a medicine drawer beneath my bed, among my other legal meds and over the counter stuff. During a fire drill or such, they do room searches. If they found that, I may be branded a user or a dealer, and I don't have a good record with the campus police. (I'm not a criminal I swear. It was a misunderstanding.) Still, it doesn't help to have when they find a ton of prescription meds in your possession.

I just can't bring myself to toss them cold turkey. I don't even know why I feel a need to hold onto them. It's silly. Regardless, any assistance?

[JKmadu619]

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/hoarding-buried-alive

One of two things will happen with the above link. It will scare you, and you will throw away alot of junk that you don't need.

Or you will identify strongly with the people featured, in which case getting help now is a must.

- Justin

[Maverick.]

The link that the above poster mentioned should be taken with a grain of salt. You know that this is wrong, you have to take control of yourself and throw them away. Think of the consequences. You are not alone. There are many people who have issues with storing and hoarding things, they are afraid to detach themselves from the said objects. I really hope that you are able to resolve this through whichever method you plan on using, whether it be self control, and realizing the severeness of the situation, or you find a way to deal with these issues by counseling. Don't tell yourself that you can't, I have faith that you can overcome this.

[Whisperer]

Hey there,
Since you don't actually use them except in really bad times, it seems as if you may use them as a comfort to yourself. Sometimes just knowing something is there even though you know you're probably not going to use it helps a lot. For example, (triggering SH maybe) I keep a jackknife hidden in my room incase I ever need it. But I've been SH free almost a year and a half now. Have you talked to anyone about this? It's important to reach out because although we can try and help you, we aren't professionals. My advice; find something else you can use as a comfort. Teach your body to use writing, drawing, music, something as a coping tool so you won't have to lean on hoarding the medications. I wish you luck and feel free to let me know if you ever need anything.
Alessa

[Legion]

Whisperer, you were very spot on. The feeling is more of a safety net. I hope to never need it. I don't plan to need it. But it is fantastic to know it is readily available should I require its services.

I have seen hoarders before. Good show. I am not at all that bad though. I don't think I could get buried under bottles of pills easily. We are talking maybe 7 bottles here, in a small drawer.

I will not seek professional help on this. I won't say here why, but I refuse. (I'm not against explaining, but I don't want it to seem as if I am encouraging others not to seek help.) Point is, professionals and I will never be a mix ever again for the rest of my life unless it is for my physical health or they arrest me..again. Sorry for the outburst, but I must make that highly clear.

Still, I appreciate the help so far.

[JKmadu619]

No, I understand hoarders is dramatic and made for TV. However hoarding can take place on many different scales.

The show will either show you how irrational it is to keep useless stuff, or you would strongly identify with the hoarders, also implying a problem

Hoarding does not need to be large scale, and it could be a possible disorder.

I would simply throw them out and think "If something happens, I can buy more meds, as I need them." just keep thinking about that. I cleaned out my room yesterday, threw away a bunch of stuff. I wanted to keep some of it, but it was junk, and I figured "If I ever need another notepad, I can buy one" when I threw away an old crinkled notebook. If you need you need medication, it's like the notebook. Just get more as you need them. Keep reminding yourself that. Or if you can't find it in yourself to throw them away, put them in a shoe box and then a plastic bag and bury them on campus. Then you get the piece of mind that they are still there, but you won't need them in your life.

- Justin

[Legion]

Perhaps. I think that could work, a good suggestion to be sure.

[Terry]

I do the same with old anxiety/anti depressants I have. I have never taken any (after i eased off them) but feel the need to keep whatever I haven't used. >__>

[Legion]

It's like a safety net, as was stated above. To know they are present if the need should arise. I feel if I remove them from my possession, I will need them not a day later and be out of luck.