Please,Please,Please Help!!!

I have been on Vicodin 500  for about 5 years now and I take 6 a day everyday but I started out taking just 1-2 for the first 3 years. I recently had a frozen shoulder and was prescribed it again. So actually I have been taking 6 for about 2 years now. I am better ( shoulder) and I really need to get off of these thingsl I am on Xanax for anxiety atttacks. I also take prozac.
I am just looking for the best way to get off these. I am an alcoholic and go to AA and it just seems like giving up the Beer was easier than these pills.   I would like any advise on how to get off of these things. I need to know what to expect Physically and Mentally for each day.  How long does it take to start getting and feeling better?  I am looking for any answers yu might have,Please.  At this point I would probably try anything.
Thanks so much in Advance.!!!!!

[happy2b]

Well 1st off, welcome! There are soooo many great people on here, it's amazing. So you've come to the right place for help! I'm here to support people, having lost my brother-in-law to his addiction, and having good friends go through and suffer with addiction and its consequences. Other people should be along shortly that have the experiance and expertise to help you.
One thing though is what is the strength of the Vicoden you're taking? Most have 500mgs of Acetometophine (Tylonal) and either 5, 7.5, or 10mgs of Hydrocodone (the opiate). That will help the people here to kind of be able to better gauge the intensity and severity of the withdrawals you're looking at, though everyone's different. But 10mgs is twice the 5's strength so it could make a difference.
Again, welcome and we are very honored to have you here! Its always a pleasure for me to help people. I've seen the very lowest point that addiction can take you to, and would gladly give my left arm to help someone not have to go there!
Take care and know that we are here to support you!

[happy2b]

And did I mention I'm left-handed so giving my left arm would be quite the sacrfice! Lol! :)

[cathy5841]

hi jewels and welcome to the forum...since everyone is diff in w/ds there is no way to tell you HOW bad it will be for you...happy2b is right..if you are 5mgs or 10mgs will make a difference too.look in the health pages to the right and find the thomas recipe, it has good suggestions for detox.  also exercise is the best thing for you...your brain has stopped producing endorphins cuz the pills have been supplying them.  excercise helps to jumpstart the brain again...if rls is bad for you, eat plenty of banans and try a heating pad and lots of hot hot baths...you can do this..it wont be easy but it is doable!!!  keep posting too, it helps.

[Jewels110]

I am taking the 5 mg vicodin,not the 7.5.  Will my Xanax help with the withdrawals? I  had heard that it can so hopefully it will. I the I just need to go ct cuz once it's in my system I will always want more.  Again thanks you all and I will keep posting so hopefully I can get through it.