How to taper off vicodin

Could anyone give me suggestions on how you begin the tapering off process if you are addicted to vicodin.

[No name22]

I don't but alot of people do on here most are probably sleeping or trying to...But don't worry if you don't get you're answer tonight you will tomorrow...FLaddic (she's a member on this site) will even give you a scheduel...don't worry your not alone.

[GA Guy]

Depends on how long you want the taper to last and how many pills you have. Most suggest reducing dosages by 10 percent every 5 days or so. Keep steady streams of the drug in your system, even if you have to cut pills in halves or fourths. What's your daily dosages right now?

[FLaddict]

How many per day are you taking??  I generally have people spread there doses out farther each day until you get down to 4 then break them in halves. I can explain it to you if you like??

[beachtowel]

depending on how much you take and for how long will determine how bad your W/Ds will be would you consider stopping if the worst case would be the flu for 5 days?

[sharon82657]

First and foremost, thank you for all the  advice. Actually it is my son that I suspect is abusing vicodin. Someone concerned about him has finally admitted to me that he may be taking 4-5 750mg  vicodin a day but isnt sure. If this is the amount what would the tapering schedule be. He has denied that he is using when i confronted him so I will be making another attempt once I educate myself on the options of handling this drug. He does not live at home so it has made it more difficult for me to confirm what I have been told. Is there any signs I can look for that may stand out more than others.
Thank You
sharon

[FLaddict]

If he is taking 4 per day I would have him break them in half. Take one half every 2 hours. The point of this is to keep a steady stream of the med in the system so that it can adjust better to lower doses. Then start spreading the doses out 30min longer each day. so every 2.5hours, then every 3 hours, then 3.5hours, 4 hours, 4.5 hours. ect every day a little longer. This enable the body to adjust slower to lower doses. When the doses get further apart pills will just "drop out" of the schedule. There is an article I have posted here that explains this better I will post it later on tonight for you.