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HELP!!!! PLEASE!!!!! I can't stop taking vicodin

I have been on one pill or another for years. I'm terrified of detoxing, and don't know what to do. I have no insurance and tried calling detox centers and the only one that will take me is methadone clinic. And I don't want to fall into that. Is there a way to make this easy? or am I doomed?
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2021194 tn?1330607598
and thank u so much for requesting this person educate their selves on methadone people need to know the harsh truth about this drug. it may be great for non abusers with short term pain or something but hell they are fen us up with this drug it's like an epidemic.
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2021194 tn?1330607598
sorry bama if i didn't specify more, really i ment to but got off track. mental withdrawal is kicking my a**. i wasn't referring to anything about the codeine i was only simply comparing the methadone with any type of opiate pill. methadone is a very strong drug and i just think it would be right that people are more educated on the pitfalls of it. when i walked in to that methadone clinic i was told nothing negative, and for 4 yrs it ruled my life. i just don't want to see someone else going down the same beaten path. i would suggest honestly if anything a short taper from suboxone. as long as you're not on suboxone for a long period of time it doesn't bind as well and withdrawal is minimal to none. "again speaking from experience" . and i stress YOU HAVE TO ONLY BE ON SUBOXONE FOR A VERY SHORT TIME for min to no withdrawal. it doesn't matter if you're on 222"s found over the counter in Canada or even methadone. withdrawal is withdrawal and we only know the pain as extreme as we know it because our addictive stages, drug of choice and amount of use is different amongst us all. and yes you're right there is a heavy mental battle after the physical part goes. with methadone you're not only fighting the mental fight even 6-8 wks after your last does but you are still fighting the painful physical portion of it. day 16 still i have restless legs and can't barely sleep at night,diarrhea, lower back pain and shortness off breath. all classic signs of opiate pill withdrawal on day 3 and 4 sometimes even 5. i'm not even half way threw and it takes a toll. if i can save another addict from venturing on to this drug then so be it and i'm not saying it's not an option for this person just merley lending info i wish was given to me before i walked in to the methadone clinic. i would hear people talk in our groups at the clinic and they'd say methadone is harder to withdrawal from than heroin and that my friend is pretty sad.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i disagree with the above post from shinnock. first codine is not the same as morphine. no. codine here in states is codine..morphine is a class 2 narcotic....yes opiates metaboloze similar but your withdrawals are not as bad from codine as morphine....i used opiates for 8 years. i was on oxycontin for three....up to 120msg or higher a day...i jumped cold turkey. it wasn't easy...i was sick for a week. have you ever had the flu? its like that...and just like the flu will run its course. the only thing about detoxing is it two fold...physical and mental. first you get the opiate flu...that's what i call it. and than the mental part kicks in from cravings to depression. depression can be alleviated with anti depressant and time. the opiates change out chemicals in our brain.....there are generally no seizures associated with opiate withdrawals...benzos use yes...xianix valuim etc...but I've never ever heard of anyone who has died from jumping cold....if you look down at the bottom of page there is the Thomas recipe for detoxing...it really really helps. its not easy to let go of opiates but methadone is not the first answer in my opinion....methadone is harder to detox from than pain pills. research it. read posts about methadone before you make up your mind. i was a pretty hard core oxycomtin and roxie user and i lived. if i can do it so can you...you have taken the first step of this...asking for help.that's step one...the next step is getting clean followed by aftercare....i would encourage you to seek medical advise i was honest about my addiction with my doctor and he prescribed me clondine to help with withdrawals...and i made it thru...the key to recovery is the imner strength needed to stop. to find your self value...this isn't easy. but its totally do able....also have imodium for the opiate trots....ugh i hate those....i will help you any way i can. if i can support or answer any questions please ask...my name is bama im an addict who chooses not to get high today....i promise no more no less....see the thinking? and welcome to our forum. we may not always agree with one another as you can see. but we support and help another...here's my hand extended out to you i will help you any way i can
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2021194 tn?1330607598
there's different supplements you can take like a good multi vitamin will help ease withdrawal  and whey/protein shakes for when you can't eat.
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2039149 tn?1329770708
well vicodin is a very addicting narcotic and withdrawl symptoms can be harsh even fatal in bad cases....but you should try substituting the substance with some else ...no no not a drug but maybe something you like to do paint, draw, whatever honeslty you should just find your center and figure your way out with out going to a doctor but i want you to know there is hope and it is very possible but it takes time something else you can do which usually smokers do is slowly cut down and try avoiding situations which the drug is taken and gradually you will recover from your addiction ...
Helpful - 0
2021194 tn?1330607598
i agree with shinnock you really should stay away from methadone, i'm detoxing from it right now on day 16 and i can't tell you how many times i have said to my bf.... I WISH I WAS ONLY WDING OFF PILLS CAUSE THE WD'S WOULD BE OVER BY NOW!!! i went on methadone to sub a pill habit and a couple things i can tell you is..... we only know wd's as we individually know them. you may not have had a harder wd experience than what the pills provide so the wd's may seem extreme to you as you know and feel them. i can tell you from both perspectives (pills & methadone) methadone is NOT a road you want to venture down. i think they should ban it for the average pill user, only because it's SO MUCH STRONGER and before you know it you could find yourself on a high dose and can't get off. we have a name for methadone her in buffalo and it's.... LIQUID HANDCUFFS! once you switch from pills to methadone your in the belly of the beast and it's hard to get out. if you withdrawal from the pills you'll start to feel better after day 4. that's 4 days, not so bad to get away from an addiction. you just have to believe in yourself, that you can do it and that you WILL do it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Here in Ireland a huge scandal has blown up over the amount of men and women, many of whom are not even drinkers who have become addicted to over the counter pain meds which contain codeine. Despite these products now being regulated it's simple to buy them over the internet. The only reason methadone is recommended is to stop drug addicts from stealing, mugging etc to get money for their fix. The advice for a normal person like yourself is to stay away from methadone. I've been addicted to codeine in the past and when trying to quit the with drawls are horrific and virtually unbearable. Addiction to codeine does not sound that serious but in fact you are addiction to morphine as codeine is transformed into morphine in the brain. Like you I was very reluctant to approach a doctor with my problem but I visited a few until I found one who understood my problem. We made an arrangement where I visited the doctors office every day and picked up a prescription for a declining number of tablets plus something to help me relax. It worked and despite the odd craving I've now been clean for five years. Just one more thing there is nothing brave about or smart about going cold turkey. It has been proved that more people have died from the shock of cold turkey which can cause seizures and strokes than  codeine addiction itself....so find yourself a sympathetic doctor, they are out there, your problem is far more common than you think!  your friend Tim.
Helpful - 0
1970885 tn?1435860428
Hello and welcome. A couple of questions...Generally, what have you been taking, and how much per day? Where do you get the meds? Are you buying off the street?
As far as methadone goes, I'd suggest that you read the posts about methadone on this forum - be sure you're not just switching one addiction for another.
You are not doomed, but it isn't easy. If you have the meds, and the willpower, you can try tapering. Tapering is easier on your body, but draws out the detox over a longer period of time.
I am 50 days clean, used pills for over ten years. Although everyone's different, you'll find that on average, the first three or four days are the worst, then it gets better. So many people have been successful - read their stories. We are here to help, offer advice and encouragement. I can promise you, life without meds is wonderful.
Helpful - 0
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