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vicodin Addiction

by kris, Jul 11, 2000 12:00AM
I was taking vicodin for about 3 months, many pills a day,

I have been off now for 2 day, they have me on the clonidine patch. i feel weak and depressed and just want to die sometimes, How long will this last? I have 3 kids to deal with and I need to know when this will be over.

Thanks for any help..

Kristin
Member Comments (9)

by tom to Kris, Jul 11, 2000 12:00AM
Hang in there, Kris. I was a Vic addict for 8 years and with the right help was able to quit and stay quit. The physical withdrawal symptoms will run their course in about one week, but the psychological withdrawal will go on much longer. The key thing to really quitting is this: you need to identify the hole in your life that all those Vics were filling and come up with a better way to fill it. If you ignore it, then you'd better reserve your room at the rehab because you'll be back. 12-step programs can be an immensely powerful force in your life and can save you, but not if you don't face the very personal aspect of your addiction: what it is that you're missing that those pills, for a time, seemed to take the place of.

Whatever you do, don't let anybody make you feel ashamed of your condition. What happened to you happened simply because you're human, not because you have some shameful defect in your character or morals. All you have to be is human to be suseptible to opiate, i.e., Vicodin, addiction. It's as natural as taking a pee. The greatest thing that the right AA group did for me was to make me realize the literal truth of this statement. In our drug addiction, believe me, you and I are in very, very good company. I like to read, and generally feel better about what's going on if I can educate myself about it. Get a copy of the "Big Book" (usually a big blue book), of AA. They're everywhere. Read the series of mini-autobiographies therein, spanning the decades from the biggining of AA in the 20's (or early 30's), to close to present day. They will curl your hair! But moreover, they will tell YOUR story, over and over, with just the names and places changing. Nevermind that the stories are about alchohol addiction. Other than in a strictly medical context, your drug of choice is completely irrelevant. The mechanism, the experiences and the consequences of drug addiction are always the same. And in that you can find some comfort. For these are stories about recovery, stories about people who, with help, pulled themselves out of the abyss. You can do the same. If you want, post another message and I will check back on this site for you. I do this because I believe in the fundemental principle of AA, Bill W's great discovery, that only an addict can help another addict. In helping you, I save myself. Good luck to you.

by kristin, Jul 11, 2000 12:00AM
thanks for the encoragement Tom. its really hard now. can't sleep or eat, feel depressed and full of anxity.I want this to end NOW.its so hard to stay away from what caused it all, but I know it would kill all these sympteoms. Will keep trying.

Thanks.

Kristin

by TO SHARON FROM SHELLEY, Jul 13, 2000 12:00AM
I KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL.  YOU HAVE TO TRY AND TAKE IT ONE HOUR AT A TIME,( 1 DAY AT A TIME SEEMS ENDLESS...) AND KEEP TELLING YOURSELF "YOUR'E NOT GONNA DIE".  EACH PASSING DAY WILL GET BETTER.  TRY TO STAY BUSY AND KEEP YOUR MIND OFF IT. IT DEFINATELY HELPS IF THERE IS SOMEONE YOU CAN TALK TO OPENLY AND GET SUPPORT.  THATS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING; FEELING ALL ALONE IS TERRIBLE.  THANK GOODNESS FOR THIS SIGHT HUH?  GOOD LUCK AND REMEMBER 1 HOUR  AT A TIME.

by TO SHARON FROM SHELLEY, Jul 13, 2000 12:00AM
OOOPS. MY LAST POST WAS DIRECTED TOWARD KRIS.

by To Ann or anyone who knows about Catapre, Jul 14, 2000 12:00AM
Thanks for the encoragement Ann. I wanttotakeoff Ctapres patch. I think its making it worse. its almost been a week since I have been off of the vicodin. Do you have any idea if this would be ok?

Thanks

Kristin

by Brighty to Ann, Jul 15, 2000 12:00AM
Since you got the Catapress patch from a doctor I hope you remember to call him/her and at least ask. The catapress is really to help minimize your withdrawl symptoms. Perhaps if you talk this over with the doctor you can remove it and see how you feel... and ask to have another one handy in case you find you want to use it again. Just a suggestion... and good luck to you.

by Brighty to Ann, Jul 15, 2000 12:00AM
Since you got the Catapress patch from a doctor I hope you remember to call him/her and at least ask. The catapress is really to help minimize your withdrawl symptoms. Perhaps if you talk this over with the doctor you can remove it and see how you feel... and ask to have another one handy in case you find you want to use it again. Just a suggestion... and good luck to you.

by Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys, Jul 15, 2000 12:00AM
I agree with Brighty, you should speak with your doctor.  However, in the event you do not want to wait, it is safe to simply remove the patch.  At 1 week from last use, the patch is probably not helping you anymore and, as you indicate, it may be hurting you (due to the lethargy from the patch).

by kristin, Jul 23, 2000 12:00AM
FIRST OF ALL...I want to say Congratulations for making that first move toward your life and away from the Vics.  I, myself and still taking the drug.  Although, I have legitimate physical reasons for the intake, I know in my heart that I am extremely abusing it.  I have a friend you gets it prescribed to her and she just gives it to me or I give her a few bucks to buy food and such, because she is less fortunate, finacially, than I.  I admire your perservance and hope that I too, can take that step to releasing myself from this Hell. Neena
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