Vicodin and Depression

[Boinngo]

I have been taking vicodin for 4 years now on and off.  The most recent stint has been for 8 months. I stopped Monday so it has been 4 days.  I was taking 10 7.5/750's or 12 5/350 norcos a day.  

The physical symptoms are all but gone already but I am having some MAJOR emotional problems.  I was getting really stressed out at work for the past 3 weeks  with a lot of anxiety and depression.  I finally had to take 3 weeks off and decided I was going to stop the vicodin as well.  

I am wondering now though if the vicodin and/or the withdrawl has anything to do with the way I feel now.  I am very anxious, unmotivated, depressed and nervous.  Can Anyone shed some light on this for me?

[Zurich42]

I think it is 'normal' to feel some level of depression when withdrawing from Vicodin (remember - it made us feel 'good' whereupon we got addicted to it in the first place - withdrawing from it no longer provides that 'good' feeling).  In addition, Vicodin helped us become 'super human' with becoming very motivated to 'clean the house', 'get homework done', 'get that work project finished', etc.  To not have 'those' results when being or becoming sober is . . . sobering, right?  The depression will last for a while - as well as the'lack of energy and unmotivation'.  However, it will lessen - I assure you.  In order for you to get through this though you might need to talk to your doctor about an anti-depressant.  Of course, you should be talking to your doctor about your withdrawal from Vicodin and your over-all dependency these last years.  
You've made the right decision to get off this drug - I whole heartedly applaud you for that.  I also applaud you for going Cold Turkey and surviving the withdrawals.  Mostly, I applaud you for seeking advice, help, and encouragement from this forum.  This alone tells me you are on the right path and that warms my heart.  Please keep posting and tell us how you're doing - even if it changes every hour (I did and am now enjoying my 6th day of sobriety after tapering from 10-12 Vicodin a day).

[1eagle]

It was my experience, after a multiple year history of opiates, that the anxiety will gradually vanish first, and after that the depression won't be far behind....that being said, it was a several month procedure with me - but it did get better almost daily and it is so well worth it......hang in there

[Boinngo]

Thank you for the kind words.  I have an appointment with my Physician on Monday to talk about anti depressents and I started seeing a therapist on the day two of my sobriety.  I think I have the right tools in place, we shall see.  Today begins day 5.  My wife is home with me today so it shouldn't be too bad.  Congratulations on your 6 days Zurich.