Addicted to Dihydrocodeine?

[Justbobscotland]

I have been taking 60mg modified release of dhc since 2000 for lower back pain.
To start with it was 1 tab twice a day(which is my prescribed dose)

Sometimes i wouldn`t take any at all and save them up,and for a long time id snap them in half and take one and a half at night to chill.

Now i`ve got myself down to just one in the morning and occasionaley i take the night time one as im waiting for neurosurgery as i have a protruding disc so i am actually in pain.

If i forget to take the morning one the cold like symptoms start along with the really drowsy feeling.

I`ve got myself down to just that one a day,but if i dont take it,im obviously suffering withdrawals so i must be addicted.

Should i be content that i just take the one a day and keep taking that?
I`ve also noticed that when i have a dump(sorry) first thing in the morning there is a blood there when i wipe,is this related to the continual dhc use?

Thanks in advance for any input

[happy2b]

Hey there. While I'm not familiar with that medication (so no clue if the blood thing is a side effect, though I've certainly never heard of anything like that, so I'd have that checked out if I were you) I can tell you that taking any medication for that long will lead to a physical dependance (anti-depressants, blood pressure meds, ect) so stopping it will probably cause some minor symptoms for a couple days but shouldn't be too bad, if you're wanting off them completley.
As far as addiction, it doesn't sound like you are addicted, though only you can know for sure. Addiction is more a phycological need for the medication, and an inability to stop at theraputic doses. Like if you said, "Well one works fine, but 3 would make me feel even better," or just flat not being able to resist taking more even when you know you don't need it. If that's the case, then you are luch better off stopping them now and dealing with minor withdrawals than starting the spiral to full flegged addiction. Hope I've been a little helpful! Take care!

[Justbobscotland]

I was being serious you know.