Terrified to start detox

[cutie pie]

I have been addicted to vicodin and norco for 4 years, i didnt know untill the first time i ran low that i would have withdrawals.I have to take 8 to 10 pills a day just to not get the withdrawal symptoms.I'm 58 years old. do you think i should go as an in patient to try to detox. How long untill i will feel normal again. Please help, i'm terrified. Thank you Lois

[Savas]

First, check the dates on the thread you reply to. This one is from 2001. But hey, that's okay, lots of good stuff in it, always good to see old stuff.

Well, it depends on how they do it. Is this an at home/ self detox, or with a doctor's aid?

If he's going to try taper, the best way to do it is to cut your dose by no more than 10%. He'll suffer mild symptoms for a week, possibly two. So the best way to go is by how long the symptoms are. How ever long they last, he should spend at least a week or two feeling "normal" before dropping again.
I'm at the end of a taper. At first, I dropped quickly, every two weeks for three months. By the third month I was stressed, tense and exhausted. So I switched to the above method to get some relief. The symptoms are minor, but without a respite, the stress builds over time. It's like having a bad cold for months on end.
Anything quicker, and you may as well just stop abruptly and go to an alternate medication therapy like clonidine. Fast tapers are generally torture, and not worth the trouble. The failure rate is incredibly high.

[Kay64]

Hi - My boyfriend is going to start detoxing from Norco shortly.  I don't understand but am trying to so I can help him the best I can.  There seems to be a LOT of good advice on here but how does he start?  He is taking about 6-8 a day and has been for at least 4 years.  Does he weekly lower the amount he takes or should it be every few days?  Anything anyone can tell me to help would be great - thanks!

[Flaco]

Tom is right on the $$$.......same situation here.....what he says is the TRUTH

[pat for tom to Annie]

tom wrote:

While I still feel the obligation to be actively working a program before posting on this forum, my "valet" pat will, from time to time, relay a message or two.

One suggestion for anonymity,

Type your posts in Microsoft Word or the equivalent, then highlight, copy and paste the entry into the forum window at the last moment. That will make your efforts less visible and improve the accuracy of your prose - not that yours needs any special help (mine often does).

[PS >>>>Annie]

......Just in case you miss it, I have a post for you under Ultram law.

[Annie to TOM]

I just read your above 2/11 post about "do you have family."  I think you may have taken it wrong.  I can remember wanting to ask you that many times.  I can recall trying to post and having to exit out quickly, because my kids walk in or husband.  He knows I visit here, but is very concerned.  He is scared that I may give out to much info.  I feel like I know you all and I am not afraid of posting.  Any-way, there could be one million reasons why that happend.  Dont read to much into it.  I have family, but dont feel comfortable talking to them.....I just feel like they get tired of my problems.  This forum has given me a lot.  I think everyone here connects so well because we all have somthing in common.  Dont quit posting.........we will miss you.