Quitting Vicodin / Hydrocodone

For the last 2.5 years was taking about 20-25mgs of vicodin and or norco's a day for no particular reason other than I really liked the effects. I stopped taking the pills 95 days ago and had one relapse on the 30th day...since the relapse I have been off vicodin for 65 stright days.  The question that I have is why do I not feel normal yet, why is this taking so long?.  I feel much better, but do not feel all together with it, and I also think about taking vicodin again quite a bit.  Does anyone have answers???

[CR_ST_NA]

one reason is when you've been abusing opiates for a long period of time, your brain starts to grow more and more receptors. your brain naturally has opiate receptors but the more you abuse the more your brain will create to keep up with your abuse. then when you cut down or quit all together you feel like **** because you have all these extra receptors that aren't getting fed by your drug and your body can't naturally produce enough endorphins to feed them. the new receptors never go away, but the good news is the longer you stay clean they will eventually begin to lay dormat (sp?) you don't feel great because you still have all these receptors wanting to be fed by your drug. one way to feel them naturally is exercise. i know it ***** that it takes so long to feel better, but it will happen. are you taking any vitamins? christina