Vicodin Addiction Withdrawal, How Long? Does It Ever End?

[BenMyer]

Hi all, I would just like to say that I have been lurking on this site for awhile now before finally deciding to kick my habit. I have been addicted to Vicodin on and off for around 2 1/2 years. I recently decided it was time to stop after having taken it for 3 months straight. I just did not like what I was becoming, and what this drug was doing to my life in general. I always told myself that the habit I had (I never called it an addiction even though it was) was under control, and I could stop at any time, well I was wrong for 2 years. No reason existed for me to take it other than the relaxation the drug gave me. My dosage would be roughly around 2 to 3 pills in the evening just to relax, and help me sleep. I never went over 2 to 3 pills thankfully.

I decided to stop cold turkey 6 days ago due to the fact that it was having an impact on my work, my social life, and my time with my child. It is something I am not proud of having done, so I had to stop. I have stopped before as I stated, but this time I was determined. The withdrawals were miserable, something I never expected, but only heard about. It started with a very very strong craving for the drug the first 2 days, and constant muscle aches, along with sleepless nights. All along this time the urge to swallow some pills was always on my mind. I was dizzy sometimes, had hot flashes, and was cold all the time. To try to combat the sleepless nights, I used Advil, which didn't help. The mental said of the withdrawal is much worse than the physical pains. After 6 days now, I think I am starting to return back to my normal self. I feel more alert, sharper, and overall a different person. Today I have only thought about the drug maybe a few times, but without the horrible cravings I had during the mid-week. I know that this is just the tip of the iceberg on what to expect on my long road to being clean.

The questions I have are, how long will the urge to take a pill or two last? Does it ever really go away?

Thank you,
Ben

[mae3206]

I'm on my 3 day of tappering off. I'm so scared of w/d I'm lowering my dose every 3 days until I'm down to 1 every 6 hours then off. I been taking vicodin for 2 yrs for the high,I love it. But I made up my mind about a month ago and I got the mind set now to get of. I did some reading on applecider vinegar braggs brand helps to clean body of toxins goin to buy that today to get it all out my body. I will keep you posted . Good luck to all. WE CAN DO IT!

[kyle505]

Shana:
Although I didn't snort the V, I too am in the process of stopping, cold turkey. I've been on Norco for eight months after surgery. Today is day 3...I don't feel any better, but continue to focus on the fact that I AM on day 3.  
That's all you can do...Just one comment - your boyfriend is important, but as someone noted in these posts, you really have to want to stop for yourself - to get your life back, to be who you truly are.  But, here I am with three whole days offering advise.  Good luck.

[ShanaBanana93]

I've been doing viks for 7 months. I started taking them and then a friend came along and told me that snorting it was better. So I did. And I was doing more and more everyday. Then my bf confronted me and told me he wasn't gonna put up with it much longer. So I told him I would cut down and quit. This was about a month ago. I didn't do what I said. So today is the first day to quit cold turkey for me. It's really hard but I want to keep my bf in my life. He means so much to me. I know tonight I'm not gonna get a good sleep. Plus I have major anxiety and the viks helped that a lot. Idk if I can so this but I really want.

[wussuphaters435]

I have been addicted for about two years now, I would snort from 3-6 pills almost everyday, well as often as I could afford to. It started eating up my money way too much and I couldnt afford to buy the things I needed instead I wanted to just buy pills. And now here I am typing on this board. It really influenced me, nobody where I live know what its like to suffer pain pill addiction so its really hard to talk to anyone about it. This site helps out a lot though, youre all good people and you just have to stick to your goal, it might suck now but believe me it can only benefit you. I am on day four of being clean and I feel pretty damn good, I still have some cravings but I just skate to get it off of my mind. I have been going to school and skating non stop and staying active and it helps a lot and also helps you sleep at night. I wish the best of luck to all of you, you can all fight it

[peacefrog483]

dmb3436 stopped working. Thank you guys for the support. I feel like I am in a battle for my life, but I will make it. Everyone keep well.

[dmb3436]

Here we go. This is day one. I have been taking at least 10 norcos a day for the last 10 years. So here comes 5 days of sheer hell. I have quit before, only to relapse.  Most of my friends like the pills, so I need new friends.  Benadrill helps a little with the runny nose. It's the sweats, muscle twitching, and cramps that are the worst. But I am determined. I am 35 years old, and it is time to start my life. Wish me well, and much strength to you all. I'm glad I found this site. Let's do it!!