Am i addicted to pain pills?

[triathlete121]

I have been taking a mix of hydro or percocet for a few months for a couple of bike wrecks I had with a broken elbow and broken ribs. Now that they are healed, I still find myself talking one or two during the day when aching from triathlon training, or I might feel moody or grumpy will take one to feel normal. I only take a 5-10mg hydro or perc, and usually not more than 1-2 pills per day. Am I addicted to them? They make my life easier and I am in control enough not to take multiple pills to get high. Thoughts? Thanks

[tryntogetwell]

Were you taking the tramidol also. If so how many?

[triathlete121]

If I was on around 20mg/ day for several months, should I taper down or quit cold turkey like I am trying to do today? Or am I just looking for a reason to take one today??

[triathlete121]

Freaking A. I thought this would be easier than it is. I feel really anxious this afternoon, my shoulders are hurting, and am wanting to take one really bad. I did not realize it had come this far till I decided to try and stop. I think I was only kidding myself saying I was taking them them for pain, when really I think I was really wanting that euphoric feeling. If it is this tough for me, I really feel for those of you on higher doses and lots of pills. That's would be a rough withdrawel!

[tryntogetwell]

Do yourself a favor and get rid of them. you are one of the lucky ones who can stop this before it gets to the point of horrible withdrawls. If they are in the house you are most likely going to take them. You can take them to a pharmacy to be distroyed. I wouldnt flush them cause it can make it gets into the water supply and makes it difficult for the water company to keep the water safe. But just get rid a them. And keep posting.

[triathlete121]

Thanks all. Today is day one of no pills. So far so good, just a little achey feeling that I took some ibuprofen for. It seems to be more mental than physical withdrawal since I was on lower doses and not many pills. Just missing that "calm" feeling after taking one. Told the wife about it this morning and she is praying for me. She knew that I was taking them, but thought it was just for my pain and did't know I was kinda hooked on them. I have so many tramadols, hydros, and percs at home and I can't force myself to get rid of them thinking that i might need them one day.

[shiningstar500]

I agree with all of the comments. My addiction started out as 1 a day at night and then went to 3 and than went up to 6.5 a day. It takes a little while to start taking more. I would stop while you are ahead! Good luck

[pattifan]

Sarah is dead right I'm afraid. Pain pills are for pain, and even then they can cause problems.

If you need to take them to feel normal (ie not moody or grumpy), you're taking them for the wrong reason.

You've been on the tablets at a low dose for only a few months, so you'll find much easier to stop or taper them down now than if you wait much longer.

I suspect the fact that you've come to the addictions forum means you already know the answer to your own question and just want confirmation.

You've now got that confirmation, so the next step is admitting to yourself that you have a dependency problem. As Sarah said, you should act quickly before your problem gets worse.

Keep in touch.

[newstart730]

I felt the EXACT same way a few years ago.  Had them for 2 ankle surgeries.  It did NOT happen overnight.  It was a gradual shift in the way I saw them.  At first, they were just for pain and used as directed.  I could put them down and not think about them.  A year later, I kind of remembered liking the euphoria, they made a long night at work "easier," etc.  Eventually, you start to come up with reasons to take them to get through even smaller "difficulties."  In my opinion, you are already there, because you are taking them to affect your mood.  They are NOT "happy pills," though they sing a siren song and make you believe that until you are hooked.  1-2 pills quickly adds up because your body builds a tolerance, you see where I'm going?  Casual used morphed into absolute hell over time for most of us here, and I really hope that you see it can happen to you too.  Think seriously about it, and good luck to you.

[this_big]

You might feel like your in control now. You will soon realize...Thats not the case. Taking Pain meds to make life "easier". Is why most of us started taking them in the first place. You will find over time you loose control, and your body WILL need more to "ease life". My suggestion... Stop NOW before you realize what little control you really have over these things. You would probably experience very mild withdraws if you stopped now. Just read some posts on here and decide if you wanna go through bad withdraws. STOP right now and save yourself that hell

[dominosarah]

The answer is right in front of you.  Does your instructions on the bottle say to take them as needed to make your life easier??  You havent been on them for real long so now would be a good time to get off them.  You say you are in control right now and i can tell you that will not be the case in a very short time.  These pills will rob you of everything and it will happen so fast you wont know what hit you.  Stick around here and read and post.  We will be here to help you get off these........sara