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

[littlebit667]

Hon, go up to the top of this page and click on the orange ask a question button.  Copy and paste what you have typed there.  That will start a new thread and you will get the support you need.  This is a pretty old thread and your need may be missed.  Good luck!

[kw0827]

ok so not sure where to begin, but its my 3rd day off of Vicodin.  Something just snapped in me a few days ago, and I just want to stop.  I didn't really thinking I had a problem, and felt like I could stop anytime I wanted to.  I think right now the mental part is the hardest for me, and I just wonder is there gonna be some kind of light at the end of the tunnel that I will not feel the need for them.?  I finally got the courage up and tell my husband about my problem, and thank God he is supportive and is standing by my side and helping me.  It really helps to read all your posts and realize I'm not alone in this fight.  The only thing I hope is that I get my energy back, and to stop thinking about taking a pill.  I would like to see if anyone has any advise

[gibbs541]

I to recently decided to stop taking vicodin I didn't think it was a problem I started taking them 4 yrs ago after losing my sister I found myself getting violent drinking so a friend gave me a vic and told me it would help calm me well it did I enjoyed not hating life and feeling alive they made me happy and now after 4yrs I would be lying if I said I didn't depend on them everyday im scared cause I can take vic 10s all day I took 90 of them in the last four days I haven't had one all day and am finding myself breaking sweats extremely pissed off and shaking and in pain im scared cause I want off these things I want my life back but what im worried about is can the withdrawals kill me??? Congrats on finding the inner power to stop I am hoping I can also but the pain I feel inside from my sisters death is what takes me back to my addiction at this point I feel death is my only way out.

[paulie32]

Well today i took my last pill (i hope). I had started taking them to work those extra hrs. Then went through a hellish breakup and loss of work for 3 yrs and  became depressed. Now i have a job app. In 10 days. And have to pass a drug test. The job is worth 100k a yr with great benifits.  I had stopped taking for about a 2 months b4and my friend was selling me his  suboxin. To calm the anxieties. In the past. I need support peeps. I cant believe this tiny little object is standing in my way of a successful life. Ive sparred ** penn, matt brown, and uriah faber all world champs but this thing is kicking my ***!!.  has anyone been 4 months or more clean and can share a testamony to inspire me.  The problem is i dont really want to quit but i have to choose between a great career or poverty. And i am single with no kids so i have no devoting inspiration. I start today. And thanx 4 all yous guys honesty. Uhhh.... Here i go!   Paulie.....

[Nanook63]

I had a back injury that requkired me to hve fusion L5 S1. The doctors took 1 1/2 years diagnosing this.In the meantime I became addicted to percocet and oxicontin. I realized I was addicted after taking 2 oxi 40 and 5-6 perc 10(self medicating myself) at a time and I would start sweating an hour later (withdrawl symptoms). My back has started again. I have been back on percs and now vicodins for about 45-60 days and back to my old ways taking to many at a time telling myself the prescribed dose does not work. Well needles to say I have gone through my current scrip and in agony! Can't get a refill till Saturday. My back is killing me! I feel like such an idiot. I had to go to rehab last time. They put me on Soboxin for the withdrawls and told me that they would be sending me home on them. When I found out someone else in rehab was there to come off the Soboxin. I went straight to them and told them to wean me off everything before I left. I did not want to be a slave to a prescription again.
Humph! Well here I am again and angry at myself.
They are doing a Myelogram on Monday and I am hoping they can tell me what is going on. If this is going to continue I do NOT think I can make it. I can't do this again.

[naydine]

I've been taking vicadins for awhile im having back surgery.in June I missed my dose last night and I got up.so  sick my doctor.said when its time she will wean me.off of them should I  don't want to be on them anymore should I try getting off of them on my own or let the doctor help me the way I felt this morning now I'm scared