Addicted to Vicodin

Umm im JJ and im 19 and im addicted to vicodin and drinking alcohol. ive been doing this since i was 17 and just recently i was hospitalised for an overdose on it. i was wondering if there is any way to gradually stop this addiction because i dont want to go to rehab.. Alrighh many thanks JJ :)

[Ann2497]

I am sorry to ask a question to a question but I need to know more info especially since you overdosed recently.

How much do you take each day?  What strength (milligrams)?  Where do you get the pills from?  Just confirming - you are an alcoholic too?

There are many people here that can help you.  Welcome to the forum.

[snakejones]

Hi there, and welcome! I am Margaret---glad to meet you and glad you are here. You have a whole bunch of new friends here to help you if you truly desire it. We can also answer most of your questions, we just have to stick to the forum guidelines.
From our experience (probably in the thousands now!), most addicts cannot taper down their drug dose successfully. It's too great a temptation if the drugs are there in front of them, and too great a need physically and psychologically. I had a successful taper on Ultram, and am doing a further taper now. It truly can be done, but it is generally not recommended.
Therefore, a great many forum members do a cold turkey (ct) withdrawal, and many are successful. It's brutal, but also quite doable, especially with the vicodin. Opiates are one of the safest things to come off, depending what category they're in. Vicodin is in the safest category physically. The more you are on, the harder the detox symptoms will be. Two years is a long time to take them--could you tell us how many on an average day you normally take? That helps us answer questions better, not to pry at all in your personal life.
It's the alcohol that troubles me. Again, could you please tell us how much on a normal day you drink, and what kind of liquor---beer/wine, or the stronger spirits. You can die coming off alcohol due to seizures--alcohol is in a special class of drug that way, along with Valium class drugs and benzos, which are tranquilizers. This is why you really don't need to do it by yourself--and especially if you OD'ed recently. There are more folks to talk to here, just stay close by and ask all the questions you like. We are here to help! I'll be looking for your posts......

[Bkitty]

Welcome,,Im on day 3 coming off percocets I averaged 5-10 a day. I have been thru the withdrawal of vicodin as well and it usually last 3-5days. The main symptoms I had was the chills,shaky, sweating and diarrhea, restless legs and insomnia. I went cold turkey off them. I am concerned though about the alcohol that is a whole different game. Stay close by here,,we will support you.

[snakejones]

Oh, meant to add that Vicodin + booze = dead liver. No kidding. I'm a nurse, and seeing a man die of a drug and alcohol induced dead liver was one of the most horrifying things I've ever seen in my life. (Google "liver cancer symptoms" and you'll get the identical description of a drug-killed liver.) It's not the opiate in the Vicodin, it's the Tylenol component (Vics are a double drug) that does the damage. A Tylenol overdose can kill your liver by itself, but add alcohol and you end up with turbo liver kill. And once it happens, you're done for. It can happen to teenagers and 80 year-olds alike. Okay, I'll shut up for now.

[Kendraerika]

I watched my father in law pass away from liver failure. It was horrible, and I remember birthday, because it was on my birthday he got peace, by passing away. Please, that combination us horrible and you are way too young. I kno people who do it and they look at least ten years older. Not worth it. We can help support you.

[paleflower]

Hi jj, In the past I've abused drugs and alcohol, I understand how you feel, just like you I have overdosed not once but four times, once I almost didn't make it. This is a mortal combination you wanna stay away from, you are so young with all your life ahead. Keep posting, here you will find good advice and lots of support, here we will help you not judge you. God bless you....

[JJkid]

ummm i do about 20 a day... I get them from a friend and they are fairly strong about 400mg... not sure
I drink strong spirits about 2 -3 bottles... got my stomach pumped on the 18th
Thanks everyone for comments
i've slowly made my way done to 7-10 pills a day and not a lot of alcohol

[selfinduced]

Would you ever consider going to AA meetings for support? From what I have read, the good news is that youth is on your side. For some reason younger addicts have an easier time detoxing. This is a big incentive for you to upright your life now before your in deeper. Your very wise to reach out.

[JJkid]

Umm.... Yeah I've recently started AA. I've gone to one meeting so far and im finding it good...
Thanks for all the advice :) reli appricate it xx

[JD1885]

Hey I'm not sure what your home life is like (married, kids, etc...) but I can tell you that I'm 30 years old and married with two kids.  Since you are only 19 man I would do whatever you can do to stop right now.  If you have to go to rehab for 2 years and dress like the queen of england while you're there, then go get you some pantyhose because you do not want to carry this addiction with you any longer. It gets worse as time goes by until there just seems like there is no way out.  Especially when you spend every dime you have and leave your wife and children with nothing but bills like I have done.   I wish you the best and hope you stay safe and clean.

[JJkid]

Thank bro...havent reli gotta home life... ive a 6month old son whom i have custody for since his mother is somewhat like me.. :s yeah so im clean 11 days... longest ever..  

[selfinduced]

Very Cool! Keep it up, Like JD says, whatever it takes to maintain your clean time ( minus the pantyhose) baha!  DO IT! Stay with the meetings, keep posting, cry when you need to, lean on your friends. You have a whole life ahead of you. Stay strong, we are here for you! xx

[JJkid]

Thanks I willl :)

[littlebit010101]

So how r u jj??? Life is full of ups and downs but u r young and life is so full of many great things....hang in there its so worth it...best wishes my friend....

[JD1885]

JJ - hope you are doing well.  Keep thinking those positive thoughts.  Just tell yourself that no matter what it gets better and easier.  I'm on day 7 and the physical symptoms are gone.  Now I'm just fighting the mental part.  It's got its ups and downs as well.  Today has been surprisingly easy, but yesterday was really hard for about four hours and I wanted to use bad.  But I refused to, and when I laid down last night to go to sleep, I just layed there and smiled because I had beaten it that day.  That gave me strength this morning when I got up to know that I can beat it again today.  Good luck.  Keep posting.

[selfinduced]

Hi JJ, How ya holding up?

[lynnalb15]

11 days? Awesome keep it up for that baby of yours!! He deserves it as well as do you!