Am I addicted or just dependent??

[Waiting4myprincess]

Hey everyone. Just a quick question. I have been taking vicoden for about 3 months now pretty regularly. (actually WAY more than I should be taking...if I am going to be honest I might as well be completely honest). Anyway, I have gone thorugh about 90 pills of 7.5/500's in the last week. Do you all think that I am addicted to them or do you think I am just dependent on them? I want to stop taking them but I don't know how bad my withdraw is going to be. Any help would be appreciated. Is there anything I can take to help with the withdraw? I do have a whole bottle of gabapentin 100mg's in my cupboard. I have heard that they help. Please help!!!

[Army220]

Gabby and Neurontin are the same.  My doc gave me some 7days ago along with the Clonidine and they helped out alot better than I thought.  I tried CT before never making it passed day 2.  

If you could try not doing it alone.  You are going to need someone help out with the kids.  

I told my wife of my addiction 7 days ago today.  It was the most embarrasing thing I ever had to do.  I felt like I let her and my to baby girls down.  I was always there ROCK.  And ya know what?  Im a STRONGER ROCK on day 7 to them.  

Just remember that.  You will always be your childrens ROCK!!!!  

[Waiting4myprincess]

Hi everyone and thanks for replying to my question. I apologize for not getting back on sooner but I have a 3 month old daughter and it is really hard to get online during the day. My only computer time is at night.

Yes, to answer all of your questions...I am ready to get off of these pills. No one knows about my addiction so I am kinda worried about doing the THomas Recipe. How do I get Valium if my doctor doesn't know about it??? I only have 5 pills left until the 24th and I would love to kick this habit in the butt before I have to get another prescription. I want to be over with this...NOW.

I do believe that I am addicted to them. I feel like I have to have one as soon as I get up in the morning and I can no longer just take one. I have to take more than that to feel any affect of them. That to me sounds like addiction. I am scared to stop because of the withdraws but I know that it is something that I have to do and have to do now. I am so scared though.

So I guess for starters...how do I get valium to start the Thomas Recipe when I can't talk to my doctor about this problem???

Where do I start? Please help...I am getting desperate and my little girl deserves more than I am giving her right now. Really....please help me.

Thanks,
Danielle

Oh and on a side note....someone asked me what Gabapentin was......the real name for it is Neurontin. I have heard that it helps with some of the withdraw symptons. Is that true?

[VicUser]

I was taking 3 5/500 vicodin per day for 7 yrs for chronic back and leg pain. My Dr and two pain Drs said that I needed to be careful because in time they would be less affective and in time. Then I would either need to take more for pain or at some point there would be nothing that would really help.

If you are up to 90 in one week to manage your pain then you need to discuse it with your Dr right away. If you are taking them "to help you" get through the day, then you might want to do some soul searching and start tapering. That much Tylenol (acetaminophen) could cause liver problems in either case.

[10356]

I come from the fact that I'm dependent on nocvo to live every day life, with-out it my life and physical activities would be greatly diminished and yes I did abuse for a time then had to taper for 2 months all the while sick from wd to get to prescribed amount all  while under a Dr. care who knows my whole past of addictions, so you see I'm dependent and addicted This forum helped me to accomplish this, that is why my response is as it was Limbo.

[MsTickles]

Dependent and addicted are not necessarily the same thing. At least in the Doctor's or government's eyes. You can use the word "addicted" to describe "dependency" but USARMYMEDIC1 said it perfectly.

A lot of people abuse vicodin... Dont feel terrible about it. Just stop before it gets worse. learn to use moderation. You don't want to over do it, especially if you need to keep taking the vics for pain. Withdrawal is inevitable... taper first. Your body is getting used to taking a lot. Get your body used to taking less, or exactly the prescribed amount. Lets face it, we all like to get high! But vicodin addiction and abuse is difficult... The more you use, the more you'll need to treat pain. And eventually your tolerence will get higher... Making your addiction worse... And if you don't watch out you'll be taking so many you may not wake up someday. And withdrawal will be unbarible the more you use. So really try to steady yourself. 3 months is early and you have the opportunity to keep it from getting real bad! GGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDD LUCK!!!!

[enemy48]

I haven't read any responses to your post.  I don't think I need to.  You seem to be following the footsteps I was in.  Sorry to say, but you are addicted.  I know it sounds degrading, but don't be so hard on yourself.  

We've been there and are still here to help you get through this.  Do you want our help?  Do you want to stop that bad?  If so, then you've taken the biggest step by coming forward with the truth.

We're here for you when you're ready.

Hugzzzzz

[10356]

dependent addicted the same thing Limbo

[Army220]

Get off them while you can.  3months will turn into 3 years really fast.  I know it happened to me after I had my C1 vertabrae removed and replaced with a piece of Gortex ( My buds call be boot head )  Yeah I needed them after my neck surgery.  I abused them from there on.  

I put my big boy pants on and told my wife.  That was the hardest part of this whole withdrawal.  She had no idea I hid them for 3 years.  She was very suprised and mad at herself for not catching me any sooner.  Tell your Hubby about your situation if you havn't yet.  Yes I was very embaressed to tell her.  It was well worth it.

And yes I told my Doc enough is enough.  He gave me some Gabbys and Clonidine to ease the withdrawals.  THEY WORK   5 days clean almost 6 in a few hours

[reviewer]

Hi there,
90 pills ina week is alot if it is for pain or not.. Only you know what is going on but like someone wrote earlier about going without and see what happens.. I have never heard of a doctor writing a script for someone to have that many... Another concern,speaking from a nursing point of view is the tylenol that you are getting when you take that many... Your liver is probably wondering what is going on.. the tylenol can be very toxic to your liver.
Think about it the next time you start to take a pill... Do I NEED it for pain or do I just NEED it...
Hang in there, this is what this forum is for.. no shame here only help.

[Mikeinthesouth]

It really all comes down to your heart and the truth only you know.

[usarmymedic1]

dependent is the bodies reaction to prolonged use the word addictions is when use for the high or you are self medicating for other reason than perscribe. also if you lie deceve or dr shop ie seeking from defferant sources you are addicted sorry but I feel you are addicted and you are abuseing the med by taking that many tht isway to much for your system ie tyl

[Mikeinthesouth]

90 in a wekk sounds like abuse I am sure your dr don't prescribe ya 90 for aweek. Thats 12.5 aday. Yeah it is enough to say abuse. OUCH

[newmanagment]

if you are using them as prescribed for pain, and you NEED them for the pain, you are dependent on that drug to help with the pain... but you are abusing them, takin more than you should, gettin high on them, etc...
you are addicted, dont be confused, dont fool yourself, your addicted..
still in doubt, dont take ne more for 3 days, see how your mind works at ways to get the drugs, and how your body starts the withdrawel process.. this should clear it up for ya.. when your ready to quit, you will find tons of support and understanding on this forum!! ya already had a couple wonderfull people responding that have done this too.. good luck

[kim715]

90 vic's in a week is more then I took and I was definitely addicted.

[josh231]

yes you lucky you came here because before you know it 3 months does turn into years faster than you think you learnin whats up with everything will help you 3 months taking it then stopin will b alot easier than 4 months taking it then stoping ect

[road2recovery]

I am glad u found this forum at only using for 3 months instead of 3 yrs....Yes you will have w/d's , but maybe not as bad as if you keep using....
I have no idea if you are addicted or dependent, but it doesn't matter much when going through w/d's....Now the mental might not be as bad since it is not that long..
If i were you i would get off now....
we are here to help you, look at all the health pages to help you....
good luck
r2r

[TrayCee]

Also, Ive never heard of gabapentin.  Good Luck

[josh231]

yea might need them for pain ect but you are addicted

[TrayCee]

addicted

[Waiting4myprincess]

I am confused. You say I am probably dependent, but also that I am hooked. What does that mean?

[Waiting4myprincess]

I do take them for actual pain. I have 3 herniated discs in my back and I have 2 bulging discs. I wake up every morning in pain and have to take a vic. Yes I guess I do need them when I am out. I honestly think that it is more of the fear of going through withdraws that makes me want more. I do have actual pain everyday of my life though.

[josh231]

you might be dependent but your also hooked so yeah

[TrayCee]

when your out do you "need" more?  Are you taking them for actual pain?