I Need Help.
I have been addicted to vicodin for over a year now. It is starting to ruin my life. I know I need to quit.....but I am terrified at the thought of going through the withdrawl effects. Terrified. Can I go to an emergency room? I can't wait much longer. I need to stop this now. Anyone.............
Maximus,
First, depending on how much you've been taking, the w/d off vicodin may not be as bad as you think, esp. if this is your first time. Generally, hydro leaves the body after three days. The physical w/d symptoms tend to last 4-6 days, with the worst day being day 3. Bad flu symptoms, the runs, restless legs, general soreness, fatigue, sleeplessness. There are over-the-counter meds that can help with the physical symptoms.
There are various ways to get clean, including but not limited to: going cold turkey; tapering; detox facility; out-patient, doctor-supervised w/d; subutex. Whatever the method you choose, I'd strongly suggest you eliminate your source(s) -- if there's a refill left, or a gullible doctor, you'll probably use it down the line.
The most important thing is that you make a commitment to get clean, develop a plan, and start taking the necessary steps to follow through on it. Getting stuck in the limbo of "I want to but can't" just causes undue angst and ends up being a justification for continued use....we've all been there at one time or another.
Finally, when you are deciding on a plan to get physically clean, I would strongly suggest that you develop a concrete plan for STAYING clean. 12-step meetings (AA, NA, Pills Anonymous), individual counseling, out-patient programs -- some or all. In my view the more tools the better because the mental part of this adddiction is so powerful. Seek help, find someone you can be completely honest with about your addiction, and start from a place of honesty. It can be an incredibly rewarding, enjoyable, and meaningful life once you're off the pills -- like night and day from where you are now. You deserve that kind of life. Good luck to you, and keep posting -- M.
First, depending on how much you've been taking, the w/d off vicodin may not be as bad as you think, esp. if this is your first time. Generally, hydro leaves the body after three days. The physical w/d symptoms tend to last 4-6 days, with the worst day being day 3. Bad flu symptoms, the runs, restless legs, general soreness, fatigue, sleeplessness. There are over-the-counter meds that can help with the physical symptoms.
There are various ways to get clean, including but not limited to: going cold turkey; tapering; detox facility; out-patient, doctor-supervised w/d; subutex. Whatever the method you choose, I'd strongly suggest you eliminate your source(s) -- if there's a refill left, or a gullible doctor, you'll probably use it down the line.
The most important thing is that you make a commitment to get clean, develop a plan, and start taking the necessary steps to follow through on it. Getting stuck in the limbo of "I want to but can't" just causes undue angst and ends up being a justification for continued use....we've all been there at one time or another.
Finally, when you are deciding on a plan to get physically clean, I would strongly suggest that you develop a concrete plan for STAYING clean. 12-step meetings (AA, NA, Pills Anonymous), individual counseling, out-patient programs -- some or all. In my view the more tools the better because the mental part of this adddiction is so powerful. Seek help, find someone you can be completely honest with about your addiction, and start from a place of honesty. It can be an incredibly rewarding, enjoyable, and meaningful life once you're off the pills -- like night and day from where you are now. You deserve that kind of life. Good luck to you, and keep posting -- M.
Hi Maximus! I like your name by the way.. is it from the movie the Gladiators? Since i am in the same boat you are i am afraid i can not be of much help except to say you are not alone.. i am trying to get off these darn things also and for me it is really hard.. i am trying to taper down because i also can not bear the withdrawal.. the thing that gets me is the total panic and heebeegeebees i get when i stop.. i also found out i had high blood pressure when i tapered too quickly.. over thanksgiving i messed up bad.. i keep thinking i need them for the energy to cook for 3 daughters and 7 grandkids..clean house and work.. etc. etc.. excuses excuses i know.. i know they are really zapping me of my energy and it is all a false sense of security.. i have lost my sense of humor all but totally... but it really helps to read these posts.. none4me is a real inspiration and it helps to know there is life on the other side of this darkness...whatever you do i wish you the very best..your friend
Hi! Congratulations for realizing that you have a problem. I - and every one on on this page is going through or has been in your shoes. I have been hooked on vicodin for about the past 10 months straight. Before that I had a bottle of pills about every few months. I was so good with getting doctors to give me pills, I even had 5 rx's filled while I was pregnant!! How bad is that?
Anyway, I am on day 4 of withdrawl. This is the first time I have made t** 4 days without having a "PLAN" to get more. Had this been last month, I would already have a Dr appointment, or be at the ER.
This is very hard. I still believe I need them to clean my house, to play with my kids, even to work at my job. I have no energy, I have had dhiarrea for the past 4 days, the chills & sweats, moodiness ect. Every one keeps telling me that it will get better, but I just don't see it coming.
Just last night I had a dream that my ears were hurting, and I went to the doctor, and she gave me a rx for vicoprophen. That to me was the best dream I have ever had, because for a moment I was happy - unlike the past 4 days.
I have the mind-set to quit. I know I will not try to get more, I just hope these symptoms of withdrawl pass quickly. It sucks.
So be prepared, and everyone keeps telling me it is better sober, and to live with out the pill nightmare. I can't wait until I reach that point - as well as you!
Britney
Anyway, I am on day 4 of withdrawl. This is the first time I have made t** 4 days without having a "PLAN" to get more. Had this been last month, I would already have a Dr appointment, or be at the ER.
This is very hard. I still believe I need them to clean my house, to play with my kids, even to work at my job. I have no energy, I have had dhiarrea for the past 4 days, the chills & sweats, moodiness ect. Every one keeps telling me that it will get better, but I just don't see it coming.
Just last night I had a dream that my ears were hurting, and I went to the doctor, and she gave me a rx for vicoprophen. That to me was the best dream I have ever had, because for a moment I was happy - unlike the past 4 days.
I have the mind-set to quit. I know I will not try to get more, I just hope these symptoms of withdrawl pass quickly. It sucks.
So be prepared, and everyone keeps telling me it is better sober, and to live with out the pill nightmare. I can't wait until I reach that point - as well as you!
Britney
Hello all- I have no energy....all I think about is getting more Lortabs. I even went on my websites to order...I didn't, but came close. I hurt all over. I'm tired.
It does get better, honest! It's so hard in the early stages. Your body is not going down without a fight! It keeps sending signals to your brain...gimme gimme gimme. But don't give in! Stay strong and take it a day at a time. I was in your shoes just two months ago. It took about two weeks for me to really start to feel better and sleep well. But two weeks of misery in exchange for a lifetime of recovery is well worth it. As None4Me said the worst is over in a few days. Please stay strong and don't go back. Trust me it only gets harder if you bounce back and forth. Get some exercise, try an NA or AA meeting. Don't isolate. You have come to this forum because you have a desire to get clean. That takes courage, and that courage will get you thru the wd's. Take care; Jim
Maximus-
I just wanted to jump in and welcome you to this board. You have already gotten some wonderful advice above - please use it. I have been in your shoes a few times already - so I know how it feels. It does get better - that I can promise.
You take care and keep coming back. You'll find alot of support here, as well as meetings. Hang in there!!!
Love,
Marie
I just wanted to jump in and welcome you to this board. You have already gotten some wonderful advice above - please use it. I have been in your shoes a few times already - so I know how it feels. It does get better - that I can promise.
You take care and keep coming back. You'll find alot of support here, as well as meetings. Hang in there!!!
Love,
Marie
I'm proud of you, Maximus, for making this decision to put a stop to this. Do you know what occurred to me? We all have experienced a bad case of the flu at one time or another in our life, right? And what do we do about it. Decide we don't want to do go through it? No. We suck it up and make ourselves as comfortable as possible. A day after it's done, it was like it never happened.
None of us likes to think about going through any pain, but with withdrawal, as in childbirth, there is a new and happier life after the pains. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. God bless!
Susan
None of us likes to think about going through any pain, but with withdrawal, as in childbirth, there is a new and happier life after the pains. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. God bless!
Susan
Hello everyone, I have been on Norco for about a year and my need for them has just increased until I take more than 10 a day. I know I have a terrible addiction to these pills because I have tried to stop and I cannot stand the pain of withdrawal. I have about drained my bank account dry buying them on the street when my scripts run out and I have about reached my bottom line. I know I must stop there is nowhere else for me to go but I am terrified! I feel I cannot work without them I cannot function without them, but then again I am so tired and drained on them now what will I do if I try to get off them. Your messages I have been reading are incredible and have given me hope, somehow I fet there was no one out there quite in my shoes, how wrong I was and how comforting to know there are people going thru the same thing. I pray this board is the answer to my prayers for support I know I will need when I do manage to scrounge up the courage to quit.
Everybody talks about getting through withdrawals, but after you are lucky enough to get though withdrawals, why do they always go back? What power do thse devilish pills have that they control peoples lives so much... even when it comes to losing their families, their homes, their jobs??? What is the sucess of getting off vidodens and staying off??
Dear none for me,
You said there were some over the counter meds to help with withdrawls I am desparate what will help me?
I am so sick I've been taking Lorcet for 5 years now 20-30 per day can anything help me with restless legs and insomnia?
You said there were some over the counter meds to help with withdrawls I am desparate what will help me?
I am so sick I've been taking Lorcet for 5 years now 20-30 per day can anything help me with restless legs and insomnia?
Dear In Need:
Try Immodium A-D for the runs, lots of it; Motrin for aches and pains; lots and lots of water to flush your system and stay hydrated; a banana for the potassium (helps w/leg cramps); Sleepy Time or decaffeinated chamomille/valarian teas before bedtime -- some people find Benadryl helps as well, also the herb Kava Kava; TheraFlu (green/yellow box) for the flu symptoms; long walks for the restless legs; warm baths with Epsom Salts for aches and pains, relaxation.
I'm sure I'm forgetting some OTC meds that have helped people. Maybe someone else will add to this. You will probably find that the sleep problems continue longer than the other physical w/d symptoms, such as the restless legs. Don't worry. Sleep does come, and when it does, you sure appreciate it like never before (!).
Congratulations on your decision to get off the Lorcet. I was doing similar amounts of hydro when I quit over 6 months ago, and my life has changed so much for the better now. You should be proud of every minute you endure to get off these pills -- and never forget. Are you doing this alone, or do you have the support of any family or friends? God Bless, M.
Try Immodium A-D for the runs, lots of it; Motrin for aches and pains; lots and lots of water to flush your system and stay hydrated; a banana for the potassium (helps w/leg cramps); Sleepy Time or decaffeinated chamomille/valarian teas before bedtime -- some people find Benadryl helps as well, also the herb Kava Kava; TheraFlu (green/yellow box) for the flu symptoms; long walks for the restless legs; warm baths with Epsom Salts for aches and pains, relaxation.
I'm sure I'm forgetting some OTC meds that have helped people. Maybe someone else will add to this. You will probably find that the sleep problems continue longer than the other physical w/d symptoms, such as the restless legs. Don't worry. Sleep does come, and when it does, you sure appreciate it like never before (!).
Congratulations on your decision to get off the Lorcet. I was doing similar amounts of hydro when I quit over 6 months ago, and my life has changed so much for the better now. You should be proud of every minute you endure to get off these pills -- and never forget. Are you doing this alone, or do you have the support of any family or friends? God Bless, M.
Good advice there None but I must add not too much Imodium, loperamide (imodium) is actually a member of the opiate class of drugs people have been known to start relying on in although there is no mind altering effect from it. I found this out from my Dr. He had prescribed this when i was in W/D and I began taking lots of it.....I was almost dependant on it, he became concerned and explained the above. I suggest an internet search to confirm what I have said.
Paul
Paul
