Is my Vicodin addiction severe?

I was first introduced to Vicodin ES (10mg/325 APAP) in December of 2008. I have been taking between 4-8 10mg Vicodins everyday for about 4-5 months now. I finally realized I have an addiction and I am wasting to much money on them. I really enjoy taking them for recreational purposes but I think its about time I stop. Compared to others, and the readers of this, is my addiction severe? I am thinking about tapering down to about 2 a day and then after about a week stopping cold turkey. I think this would be effective. I've gone thru withdrawals before and they are HORRIBLE as you many know. But my vicodin intake was never quite this high. Thanks! :o]

[cris385]

OK... couple things.  The meds you are taking are norco, not vk ES! I just quit the same things a couple weeks ago.  Also, I think that taking anything for months at a time is pretty severe, but you are right compared to others not that bad.  I was taking 10-15 norco a day for about 4 months.  My wd's were awful!!!!!!! I also was spending obscene amounts of $.  10-15 a day at 4 bucks each...  I spent over $3,000 of our savings in this short time! So sad! Quit now while you still can! there are some people on this site that have thrown away thier entire lives for this drug. I think that it only gets worse!!!!!!!!!!! good luck during the wd period.  thier are a lot of awesome people on this site...  Take thier advice... even if you hate it!!!!!  lemme know if you need anything!

[TrayCee]

is she says shes taking Vicodin ES (10mg/325 APAP).  Why do you think shes taking Norco?

[reeves_2]

Ok either way I am taking hydrocodone (10/325), whether its norco or vicodin it doesnt matter! Its the same drug haha. But thank you for the advice! Hopefully Ill be done with this soon...

[cris385]

Because vicodin EX has twice the tylenol.  I was taking the same drug and I just wanted to be sue that they knew what they were taking.  That's all...I meant no harm at all!

[Florida_Guy737]

Taper sounds good but if you have enough, create a plan to taper and then get down to one, then 1/2 and then jump...wds will probaly be almost non-existant except for PAWS.  read the PAWS info contained within this site.

Take Care
Guy

[troubleinohio]

TRAYCEEE  the ES has 750 mg of aceto. thats one of the reasons why its called ES (Extra Strength).   the norcos and other named hydro meds have varying lower amounts of aceto in them.  unfortunately i know alot about vicodin and the ES particularly that was my DOC

[dominosarah]

Am glad to hear you have a plan on tapering.  Stick with it and we will be here to help you thru......time to get off this roller coaster ride straight to he!! before it really gets out of hand.  Keep posting         sara

[I_want_out]

Is yours severe? I guess anything you take out of the realm of prescribed dose is a problem. However, just to give you a little insight : My DOC is Hydro's 10mg. I've been on them since 2003 and got to the point of taking 15 daily, sometimes found myself at 20. Im getting ready to stop tonight - so severe is just in the eyes of the beholder I guess. Any addiction is severe. Try to stop now before you end up like me and others in here - Hope your doing well, and please stop - its going to kill us.

[reeves_2]

I really appreciate all the insight. I'm down to 4 a day now. With about 14 10mg's left. I think I'll try 2 a day for a couple days. Then 1 1/2, then 1 etc. Stopping after 1 a day for a few days shouldn't be to bad. Plus I have panic disorder and anxiety so I have some valium to help me with the withdrawals. Thanks again all! :o]