Do Vicodin change people?

[Jenni48]

Hello. Can anybody tell me if taking painkillers like Vicodin change peoples personalities? I have found a number of  empty prescription bottles and i know he has had issues with his back in the past but i really feel he is abusing them. From the bottles i have found the number he has been taking is pretty outrageous. He must be taking 5 to 8 a day. And i dont see how his back is still in so much pain after all this time. Over the past year or so he has really changed from the person i know. He rarely wants to go out, he spends alot of time to himself and can be very secretive, we have almost no love life, and he can be very defensive and paranoid. He hasnt been the person i know. Its like he just isnt interested in me anymore and im not sure if i can take much more of it. Is this normal for someone who might be addicted to painkillers?

[MzPacMan]

The withdrawals aren't as bad as the addiction. My husband also was prescribed hydrocodone for back pain. His use is out of control right now and he is (or was) really trying to get a handle on it. When he started withdrawing it was hard on him, and in turn hard on me. His body hurt all the time and he was anxious and depressed. But eventually it started to get better and there was in all that a little optimism because he was trying to quit. He had (is having) a relapse and the pain it's causing for the both of us is way way beyond that of withdrawals.

[Jenni48]

Now im worried about withdrawals and what that might be like. From what i have been reading it seems almost worse than the addiction. The physical part doesnt look as bad as the mental part, that is what has me worried. Can anybody comment on that and what to expect?

[jt808]

let me tell u first hand that is one hundred percent what i did and was like i would have to say that i am hundred percent positive that thats what he is doing. sorry

[newmanagment]

If he wont admit he has a problem , or does and just doesnt want to stop. there is not alot you can do, except quit enabling him. You have to make a decision wether you want to go on and on and on living like you are now, or even worse if his addiction deepens, or if you are going to leave and start a new life. leaving him may make him wake up and at least decide to confront the problem, but it may not. either way, and addict is not much fun to live with! If ya dont believe me, I can wake my wife up off the couch and have her tell you just what addiction will do to a family if the addict wont take action to stay sober. best of luck to ya, and ya know ya gotta confront him on this, right?

[Jenni48]

Thanks everybody for letting me know. My husband has almost become a stranger to me and know its starting to make sense. I dont really understand drugs and what you have told me is a great help. Confronting him is going to be the hardest part. Awhile back i kinda brought it up and he was kinda defensive and told me he had it under control and not to worry. Im afraid he will just deny the problem again. If he doenst want to get off them then what do you do? I love him dearly but he just hasnt been the man i know and love.

[lostsoul2]

Yes, I have an on again off again relationship with vicodin.  I can feel the changes in myself.  It has led to problems with my wife and I.  The number you claim he is taking is quite small for many addicts, as crazy as that may sound to you.  The problem is that opiates are a real problem and change a person's brain chemistry, so yes, the personality changes.  I was fitness, weightlifting freak, until I threw my back out and got a 6 months supply of vicodin from my Dr.  Now, 2 years later, I am still fighting the addiction and I am so out of shape it sickens me.  But what happens when the supply of drugs stops is withdrawal, and that's what keeps many using.  The depression that comes with withdrawal is awful, and I know personally that I fear that feeling.  As far as sex goes, I will admit that vicodin makes it hard for me to get and maintain an erection, so not only does interest in sex wane, but fear of failure creeps in as well so I avoid it.  Those pills are a major problem, but understand that he has changed.  The good news is that with a little time, a month or so, you can get him back.  The challenge becomes keeping him clean.  Hope this helps.  Don't turn your back on him if you love him.  He needs you now more than ever, even though it may seem like the opposite.

[dominosarah]

I was like Jeckly-Hyde

[TrayCee]

100%

[10356]

yes.....

[ochooked]

Snowflake told you the truth.  It does change the addict -- and the people who frequent this site will all tell you that.   It changes the person in many ways and you named only one or two of them -----  The sex drive is normally significantly decreased so that would explain why he is not interested in you as much anymore.  He needs help and you may have to have an 'intervention' to show him the changes in his behavior and personality.   Also may be a good time to talk to his doctor or doctors if he is using more than one (doctor shopping).  He will NEED you if he does decide to quit -- it is not easy but very doable - and many on here have done it.  Life without the pills is soooo much better --- even though many of us live with chronic pain and find other means to deal with it rather than Opiates.  All the best.

[snowflake620]

He has all the classic signs of an addict,yes vicodin changes people all they worry about is the drug it sounds like you have a problem on your hands,can you talk to him about how you feel or is he really defensive? if he is defensive it is probably because he is not ready to admit to a problem, the only way he will stop the pills is if he wants to not because you want him to,sorry to be the bearer of bad news but that is how it goes with an addict,if you have any more questions please post again there are alot of people who can give you very good advice here  good luck to you