I need everyones help to kick my habit

Well, I guess it will help to give a little background information.  I am currently addicted to Hydrocodone.  I pretty much take all types of Vicodin/Norco/Lortab etc.  I took vicodin recreational in high school and never had a problem.  About 3 years ago I had a steady street supply and started taking them regularly, but still was not that bad.  (Usually kept it as a weekend thing only when I partied)  As we all know with prolonged use you eventually become addicted.  I would estimate I have taken some type of Hydrocodone every day for the past 2 years.  Things have got really bad within the last 3 months and I am up to roughly about 15-30 1000 MG Vicodin's a day.  Not only is it a terrible habit for my health it also is terrible on my wallet.  I spend over $100.00 a day on pills.  I have a very good job, but pretty much all my money goes to these evil things.  Basically I am about to go bankrupt :(  I have decided its time to quit.  

I have figured out these are my options

Cold Turkey - Not an option.  Impossible as I cannot be away from work that long and I have tried it before and its unbearable.

Suboxone - An option, but one I don't want to do.  I have a friend that got off using pills with this, but I just don't like the fact of using another pill to kick my addiction.  I have tried it a few times and I still had some withdrawals.

Taper Schedule - I feel this is my best option.  I don't know if I can control it, but I sure the hell am going to try!

I currently have 100 10/325 Norcos, is this a sufficient enough stock to taper off a 15-30 a day habit?  If not how many do you think?  What type of schedule should I do to tape off?  I would like to make this as quick as possible.  I don't want to taper off for 2 months, but I suppose if I need to its better then abusing every day.  When I have tried to cut down before it seemed like I always needed them the most when I first woke up.  

Are their any guides out there for a taper schedule?  If someone could link me or create one for me with the information above I would thank you very much!

Please help me before my life it over! :(

Thank You for your time

ThatGuy...

[mchiurazzi]

ok out of your options the taper probaly sounds best(but ultimatly ur decision) because im comin off suboxone right now and im now on day 8 and my withdrawls are lettin up a good bit but i have not slept in 5 days. suboxone is a very very strong opiate that has a half life of 37.5 hrs so it takes a long time for it to get out of you system wich make withdrawls longer, although while their longer on suboxone if you taper the suboxone low enough the WDs are very manageable but you have to be patient. now if you just taper off of your d.o.c. i would suggest having someone else hold and supply you with them and again taper to as low of a dose as possible before you jump(like i was taking 1/16th of an 8mg pill) the only problem with tapering is you normally feel mild withdrawl (withdrawal) symptoms the whole time your tapering. either way your gona have to take a lil time off. but just be positive tell your self that you can! you have to be mentally ready if your tellin your self you cant do it your not gona be able to. but best wishes and any questions just ask!

[corey411]

Hi Guy, Hydros were my DOC also. I had to go ct as I was not able to hold onto them to taper. I think that 100 will be more than enough to taper. Weekends are really slow on here and I'm not sure of the best taper schedule. Avisg had taper schedules in her journal. I will try to look it up and copy and paste for you. I'm sure more people will be on. Your decision to quit is a very good one. The other thing that that number of pills is bad for is your liver. The aceteminaphine can damage our liver on that amount. Welcome to the forum. Feel free to contact me if you need support. I will try to find a taper schedule for you. God bless, Corey

[thatguy2009]

I guess what I am looking for is a set schedule.  I am a very oganzied person and I feel if I had something on paper to follow it would work much better.  

IE:

Day 1: 3 when I wake up
           3 At Lunch
           3 At dinner

Day 2: 3 When I wake up
           2 At Lunch
           3 At Dinner

Day 3: 3 When I wake Up
           2 At Lunch
           2 at dinner

I guess something like that, but was just wondering what types of numbers to use.  Is that to much?  To little and still will go through W/D's?

[corey411]

I found this one for Ultram. I'm not sure of what conversion you would need for Hydros. It's very organized. You will get more responses . Some reduce by 1 pill every week. Hope this helps some. It was all I could find. Corey
Tags: tapering


******   I did not write this schedule it was written by a poster ********* By far the best one I have seen you can insert
yourself wherever you are in mgs of  tramadol
My take schedule (1500mg/day).  Chewed tablets in half.  
- 500mg at 9:00am
- 600mg at 1:00pm
- 400mg at 5:00pm

Ween-off schedule by day:
1st day - 300mg at 9am. 200mg at 11am. 200mg at 2pm. 300mg at 6pm.  200mg at 9pm.  TOTAL: 1200mg for day.
2nd day - Same.
3rd day - 200mg at 9am. 200mg at 2pm.  200mg at 5pm.  200mg at 9pm.  TOTAL:  800mg for day.
4th day - Same.
5th day - 100mg at 9am.  100mg at 11am.  100mg at 2pm.  100mg at 4pm.  100mg at 6pm. 100mg at 9pm.  TOTAL: 600mg for day.

PLEASE NOTE***  The quantities I have on hand.  I stockpiled this **** to make sure I could do this and run out right when the time was right.  You can't just decide one day to quit and do it.  It takes planning and you MUST go easy on yourself when planning this downgrade.  This is a lifestyle change that you are making too.  Stick to it!  You just can't start cutting yourself off because you think you are doing a good deed for yourself.  You'll fail everytime.  Plan plan plan.

6th day - Same
7th day - 100mg after 9am. 100mg after 1pm. 100mg after 4pm.  100mg after 8pm.  TOTAL:  400mg
8th day - Same
9th day - 100mg after 10am.  100mg after 3pm.  100mg after 8pm.  TOTAL: 300mg
10th day - Same
11th day - 50mg after 10am.  50mg after 3pm. 100mg after 8pm.  TOTAL: 200mg for day.
12th day - Same.
13th day - 50mg after 10am.  50mg at 3pm.  50mg after 8pm.
14th day - Same.
15th day - 50mg after 11am.  50mg after 6pm.   TOTAL: 100mg for day.

I had to do day 15 for a few days....

Day 16:  50mg after lunch time.  If I made it beyond lunch without taking it, I saved it until after dinner so I could give myself I chance to sleep.  

Day 17: Same.
Day 18: Same.
Day 19: Same and I ran out.  

[thatguy2009]

Thank you for your help Corey.  It is is kind of hard for me to turn that over to Hyrdo though.  Any thoughts from anyone?

[worried878]

I agree with tapering..u sould try that for sure before trying sub...15 a day is where u would start and get down to possibly 50 mgs a day before u quit...with 100 pills that is all u could probably do but getting off of 50 mgs a day or 5 pills is easier than 15 pills a day...for a less painful taper u would need more pills but sometimes it is best to seize the moment..would be glad to help if u want to pm me...time of highest use, how many u take at a time..how many pills u have and ur QUIT day are all important when making a taper...small doses thru the day is the way to taper/no large doses//there is an article in the health pages about tapeering...what is the minimum u can take right now without wds?   good luck and keep posting

[worried878]

I re-read the posts...I see u r going to do it with the 100 pills u have...dropping from 15 pills plus a day will be a bit tough but do-able..with 100 pills it will be a fairly short taper..i did a  10 day taper and was a 10 poill used per day...and handing over ur pills is almost a must for an addict..u just gotta do it and think of someone u trust....hae it written out and they give u the amt u hae written for the day each day...handing them over is a part of the letting go process...and have not one pill in ur house..talking to ur doctor for some meds to help with sleep and anxiety,,,phenrgan is also a good safe drug to have on hand for wd....the thomas recipe is a good read and u can stock up on the suypps...this taper will not be painless..but i think it will be easier than ct.....let us know how u r doing

[asil6328]

I myself am on my 11th day of tapering and am doing it with 80 5/500.  Have been taking 10-15 10mg vicodin a day for over a year.  The first couple of days were hard, more mentally than physically, The worst thing I am having right now is anxiety,( because I was calling in rx's for myself and confessed to my boss after the pharmacy called and wanted to talk to him), so the anxiety of not knowing if by boss is going to find it in his heart to forgive me, I have worked here for 16 years!  Anyways, you have to REALLY want to get this **** out of your life in order for the tapering to work, what helps me the most is daily devotional readings and prayers.  It really helps when I feel anxiety coming on and it has given me faith and hope that I can overcome this
myself and with the help of Jesus Christ and God.  Believe me, I was not into daily readings, prayers, and meditation before this but my boss is a true Christian and is a big believer in this, and I have to say it feels good to restore my faith.  I'm almost at the end of the tapering schedule and by this friday I will be done.  Good Luck to you.

[thatguy2009]

Well today is Day 1.  I have told myself countless times I would try and just binge eventually.  Today is going to be different.  I know I am strong enough to stick to a plan.  I couldn't fine a definitive tapering schedule so I just kind of came up with my own.  It's time to rid myself of this.

[Ella789]

  We will be here for you, post often or start a new thread.  Lortab was my addiction, 5 years of it.  Feb 16, 09 , I took my last 1/2 tablet at 6:30 a.m.  I have never looked back, only for each day that goes by now my addiction is over and my body and brain are healing,  no more sluggish brain receptors, my pain levels are much less too!

I wish you a speedy detox and recovery!!

Ella

[refusingbondage]

thatguy:

good luck on your taper.. tapering was always impossible for me, I would do the same thing-- have a plan and then the minute I felt a little 'off' from the taper I woudl convice myself that I might as well enjoy what I have and pay later.. it was pointless for me.  If you can do it -- Great!  Might be good to have someone hold for you if thats possible.. Just want to show some support and say good luck to you!