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If you are in the medical field, you should know more than any of us as far as what would be suitable to treat your depression.
Have you spoke with a psychiatrist about how you feel concerning taking vicodin for your depression?
How many did you take a day?
Please seek some help as suicide is not the answer.
I myself am prescribed opiates for chronic pain and at times they bring me out of a slight depression, but they also make me jumpy and skitterish at other times. They help my chronic pain immensly but I do not like the feeling of being dependant on them.
Seek further help and I will pray for your recovery.
DON'T DO IT. I know exactly how you felt, have gone through the same once I stopped COLD TURKEY. I actually quit a job that I needed desperately because of the withdrawel affects. THIS WILL PASS, it's only temporary. I'm still struggling, but I refuse to give in to something that will be gone within a month. Please if your really feeling that bad, check yourself into a hospital. At least they can watch you around the clock and it will be harder for you to do what you want to do. Good Luck and I God bless.
My sister commited suicide, my mother suffers from manic depression, and i suffer from depression. So...from much experience my biggest bit of advise would be a psychotherapist, especially if antidepressants don't seem to work for you. Though usually with a good psychiatrist, they CAN find an antidepressant that does work for you. Make sure you see a GOOD psychiatrist, not always easy to find.
Good luck to you!
be very trughfull.
When you're talking about cutting, it seems that a good psychiatrist who knows addiction AND pain management might be of benefit. As you well know, cutting is just a short vacation from the real stuff, so why even bother?? Tell your doc what's going on, and get the help you know you need. You don't ever have to do it alone... best -- Lynn
I have issues with cutting and suicide. I first cut when I was 18 and it was only occasionally. Suicidal thoughts were there most of the time but I worked through them. Recently, I have started cutting again in earnest. I cut with razor blades, box openers, knifes,anything. I cut at work and at home. I was completely out of control before I saught therapy. It helped. I haven't cut again and that's been almost 2 weeks.
You should know that if a doctors keeps refilling a prescription for narcotics too frequently (time span less than 30 days), it is grounds for a malpractice suit. The least the physician prescripting the drug to you could do is suggest a good detox program. Good luck and don't kill yourself - the world can be a beautiful place.
to taper myself off the vicodine. I have been hooked on this
before only not as strong and I was not as old. I quit smoking
several years ago (and believe me that took some doing) and I feel like I can take care of this. I have noticed too that work seemed alot more tolerable than before I was taking the Vicodin and now that my surgery is up my doctor informed me that the drug supply was also comming to an end. So, here I am back at trying to get rid of something in my life that only should serve a purpose for a short time. But I will be ok because My Faith in God is powerful. No I am not a religious nut, I just simply love God and have total faith in him. He has never let me down before and I am 35 years old. Put your heart into his hands and let him take care of this problem. He will do it. I know he will. Taking your life is not the answer. It never is. Watch Touched by an Angel sometime on Sunday nights and you will see what I mean. God found me at a young age. I was a child with alcoholic parents and my mother was an athiest. How he found me I will never know. But I have loved him my whole life. There is Power in prayer and you don't have to go to church for it. It is simply available where you are right now. Take care of yourself and trust in HIM. Good luck and God Bless you
to taper myself off the vicodine. I have been hooked on this
before only not as strong and I was not as old. I quit smoking
several years ago (and believe me that took some doing) and I feel like I can take care of this. I have noticed too that work seemed alot more tolerable than before I was taking the Vicodin and now that my surgery is up my doctor informed me that the drug supply was also comming to an end. So, here I am back at trying to get rid of something in my life that only should serve a purpose for a short time. But I will be ok because My Faith in God is powerful. No I am not a religious nut, I just simply love God and have total faith in him. He has never let me down before and I am 35 years old. Put your heart into his hands and let him take care of this problem. He will do it. I know he will. Taking your life is not the answer. It never is. Watch Touched by an Angel sometime on Sunday nights and you will see what I mean. God found me at a young age. I was a child with alcoholic parents and my mother was an athiest. How he found me I will never know. But I have loved him my whole life. There is Power in prayer and you don't have to go to church for it. It is simply available where you are right now. Take care of yourself and trust in HIM. Good luck and God Bless you
I have been on them for 7 years and Iam going in to rehav to try to get off of them Iam also on soma, ultrm, and zanax, and prozac and can't even name them all and I get them for my workerscomp doc I hope you get though this good luck.
I am also a medical professional (an emergency physician in southern california) who was addicted to Vicodin. Hearing your story was supprising as I too have had a life long battle with depression (maybe it's better characterized as disthymia). I have tried psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, and multiple medications but nothing helped. I have felt suicidal many time, but would never do it; I just wish[ed] I was dead. About 2 year ago I saw a patient who had a bad reaction to Vicoden and gave me her bottle to throw away. I didn't throw it away. I tried it, and as you said, my depression and social anxiety went away. I was floored. I thought, "Wow, THIS is probably how MOST people feel!" I started enjoying my work and enjoying my family so much more. Well, I started using vicoden weekly, then daily, then up to 12 pills a day. I realized it was a problem about 6 months ago, and recently I tapered myself off over 3 days it and am now clean, but terrible depressed (for some odd reason I did not experience any of the classic opiate withdrawl symptoms). I have not shared my problem with friends, family or colleagues. I do not feel I can even though I know some of the other physicians I work with have had the same problem. Unlike you, I don't feel that my choice is suicide or vicodin, and I know that if I keep taking vicodin I will destroy my liver and die, so it's not an option anymore either. I just don't know what to do. I guess I'm just writing, Rebekkah, to let you know that you're not alone and my thoughts are with you. Please please let me know what is happening with you.
Thanks for the reply. I have to be honest, I'm too afraid to call you. It was huge hurdle for me just to respond to this forum. I'm definately not ready to talk about it aloud. It took months until I admitted to myself that I had/have a problem and it's very hard for me to even type about it. I'm sorry. I know I'm a wus, but... <sigh>. Thank you so much for your support. I may take you up on the offer later on if I become stronger inside. Right now the anonymity is the only thing that comforts me. Meanwhile let's keep eachother posted here as we go on. -Jerry
Anyway, finding this board has been a Godsend for me...kudos for all of you who are quitting/contemplating quitting...you are amazing. As for me, Im just gonna curl up with my opiate buzz and read some more of the postings on this board. (Sorry for the longwinded-ness of my comments, I just feel like I have a lot of bottled up stuff to spew about right now!) I plan to write again soon, hope no one minds!
I don't know about the confidentiality stuff. I know how easy it is to get a hold of records, and how people talk at the hospital. I do not have much hope in that area. On the other hand I do know of a few MDs and nurses who still work and were addicts. They kept their licenses. Regarding L.A., I can't believe that happened to you Rebekkah, I'm so so so sorry. If you wan't to talk about the assault here we will give you all the support we can, I promise. If not, I understand and won't mention it again.
I have not checked the forum in a while since you stopped writing, but checked in tonight because I had a relapse a couple weeks ago. I started using vicodin again and got up to 12 pills a day. Last night my wife found out. She found my stash and confronted me. THANK GOD!!! I have never lied to her about anything and can't believe what a relief it is that she is so understanding and willing to help. Most of all that she is not mad at me. I'm now tapering myself off the pills again over a few days, and have strong hopes of being able to remain sober. I'm so glad to find out that I can talk to her. She is my best friend but I was so affraid to disapoint her, and to admit that I'd broken our trust in eachother by lying about it. I can't believe how wonderful she is about all this. We also had a long talk about my depression (that she knew about but never understood). She is an amazingly upbeat, stable, and well grounded person and just can't grasp the concept of being unhappy with yourself despite having everything going for you. She CERTAINLY can not understand social anxiety. She is trying though. Luckily her best friend has depression (well, not *LUCKILY* but you know what I mean) and she has been going through it with her. She understands a lot more now, and is much more receptive to the idea that people can have emotions and feelings that don't make sense to her.
Anyway, I wanted to stop in and let you know about my relapse. Just in case you thought I was strong for being able to do it in the first place; you were wrong. Time for try number two. I'll be checking back more now that I know you have returned to the board. Please keep me posted and let me know how I can help. I'll let you know how my second try at it is going. With my wife now supporting me I am feeling a bit better and might be able to call you one day. Not yet, but maybe. -Jerry
I also was prescribed vicodin for pain. I have Endometriosis its very painful however, I to am afraid of addiction. I have only been on them for the past 10 days and already I notice a change in my behavior. I am jittery. depressed, and quiet grumpy.
I think I will not take them again. I also have a hard time concentrating Im afraid to go through withdrawals though. I can already feel it. Good Luck to you. God there has to be an easier way for people to get help.
Kova