Could I have caused any liver damage from my Vicodin addiction?

[Scarface94]

So I have been off Vicodin for 8 days. I was taking 80mg of Hydrocodone everyday for 4 months straight. Could I have caused permanent Liver damage from that 4 month period? If I did do any damage, will it heal since I won't be taking ANY Vicodin anymore?

[clean_in_ks]

I've read your posts off and on for a few years and there is one common thread in many of them.  You state that you are BORED.  You have chosen to take addictive drugs for the FUN of it, you said.  At 20 yrs old, yes, you are probably able to take them for 3-4 months, then not, then start up again, but the question to ask yourself?  Why do I choose to take addictive narcotic medications to resolve my boredom problem or "for fun"?  You may be able to stop when you want NOW....but if you continue to go back to narcotics every time you are bored or want to have fun....at some point you will cross over that line between dependency and addiction.  You brain chemistry will change and then you won't be able to "at will" just stop.

It seems like it would be a good thing, now that you are clean, to learn some NEW ways to solve your boredom problem.  Even with your social anxiety, with some therapy, and some willingness to try new suggestions, you could possibly overcome this.  You are SO young.....the world is full of things to see, taste and do.  Wonderful people to meet & places to go.  
Yesterday I saw something I want to pass along to you....an acronym for BORED......maybe it will help to get your mind off yourself.

B een creative?
O utside play?
R ead a book?
E xercised 20 minutes?
D one something helpful?

[Ben727]

Everybody is going to have a different set of problems, so it's hard to say. Addiction created money problems, self-esteem problems, and relationship problems for me. It also stole 5-10 years of my life - time I won't get back.

You're 20 years old, shy, and living in your parent's house right? Addiction would probably create a different set of problems for you. Anything you build on a foundation of substance use will have to be torn down and rebuilt. At your age you'll miss out on important growth opportunities that you may never get again. Anything that drugs "fix" will never really get fixed and will only fester.

My only advice to you is to take addiction seriously. You're fine right now, but it sneaks up on you. You're not immune or special. Anyone and everyone, regardless of talent or advantage, is susceptible. Go live your life, try new and dangerous things, but stay away from the hamster wheel of drugs!

[dominosarah]

Are you seeing a therapist for your social anxiety?

[Scarface94]

I was doing it off and on because i have a tendency to do it when I'm bored. I'm 20 and have no job and only taking one class in a community college. I figured what's the harm in taking the pills for fun? I ALWAYS stopped taking them when i hit a certain tolerance level. I would usually stop for 4-6 months, then take them again for a month, then stop for 4-6 months again.

This last time I was using the pills, I did them for 3-4 months because Last semester I didn't have any classes or a job, so I was pretty bored. Also i have social anxiety, so i hardly hang out with people so I literally have NOTHING to do at home.

[dominosarah]

Then why have you been taking pills on and off for a few years?  You took your dad's sleeping pills, your mom's percs, tramadol and vicodin.  There is a reason why you have been doing this.  Just putting down the pills doesnt mean addiction is over.  We are only trying to help you here as none of us want to see this start to spiral out of control.  

[Scarface94]

The thing is, I'm not like any of the people on this site. I won't be going to any other substance. I know myself and I don't struggle with your definition of addiction.

You couldn't be more wrong about me going to another substance. I have been off everything for 10 days and it hasn't been an issue and I haven't even been thinking about taking ANYTHING. The minute i decided I didn't want to take drugs anymore, I dropped them and here we are 10 days later.