Vicodin withdrawal at home/cold turkey

I have been taking vics for a little over a year now. I started out taking one or two of my mom's every month or so when I had back pain (caused by scoliosis). That lasted about 3 months until I started feeling like superwomen on the pills. Then I found them elsewhere. Now, just a little over a year later I am taking up to 10 a day (7.5's and/or 10's whatever I can get at the time).

I have many addicts in my family whom I have watched throw their lives away. I always swore Id never be that person. I thought I was in control but now it is clear that control is far from what I have. What I have is a full blown addiction to pain medicine. woawee that feels good to let out. Although I have been aware of this problem for some time, I have never admitted it to a single soul. Not a single person in my life knows about my addiction. No one (besides the person I get them from) even knows I take the dang things.

I am a 22 year old college student who also works part time. I don't drink or do any other drugs. I am a good person and I would like to feel like one again. I miss being happy and energetic. I miss giving a **** about myself and the important things in my life.

I am ready to stop. I want it more than anything right now. I study psychology and concentrate a lot on substance abuse (go figure) so I know I am in the right frame of mind to be successful in overcoming this disaster. The problem is is that I am extremely scared. I know that I will be incredibly sick and it's going to be a tough battle.

So...here's what I am asking of you wonderful people...

I need some advise on how to do this right. I plan to fake flu symptoms to make it easier on myself. I will be able to miss school and work as needed for up to a week.
I plan on going to the store after this post is finished to get vitamins, Gatorade etc...I'd like to know more in detail the amount of time (days) that my withdrawal will last, when it will kick in and when to expect to feel normal again. I took 4 already today and have about 4 7.5s left. Should I taper or just get rid of them?

I would just like to be as knowledgeable about this experience as possible because I know that will help me through it. Basically anything and everything anyone would like to suggest or inform me about would be awesome.

MOST IMPORTANTLY--- I am doing this alone. Like I mentioned before no one in my life has a clue about my problem. I also live by myself. I would love some comforting words and support from everyone and anyone who is willing. I know I will be emotional and unhappy during the process and don't want to do this entirely on my own... HELP!

Sorry if this TMI or too long of a post. I just wanted to cover all the bases :)

Hope to hear from y'all soon!

[LostNoMore]

zandra;

Welcome! I'm on day 15 of a similar addiction to norco and oxy, mostly norco until the last few months. Look up the thomas recipe and the amino acid protocol on this site...they will help with the W/D. I "planned" my home detox so that I didn't have to work or take care of my kids for a week. It was just enough time to get to feeling like I could handle every day things like kids and work and so on. You're doing the right thing. Like Kyle says, the first few days were the worst for me. You probably won't feel too chipper. But it will pass!
Every day that goes by I feel a little bit better. The people on this forum are awesome and will help you through every minute of this. Some of us are up all night (yea, sleep is a bugger!) so feel free to post whenever you need to...chances are someone will respond pretty fast. We care about your recovery. We HELP each other here. Good luck and God bless.

[gg636]

Hi!

Welcome and remember your not alone!  I myself have been taking hydrocone/ lortab/Vics whatever you want to call them for ALONG time.

I have been typering for 2 weeks now going into my third.  Rather you typer or c/t is a choice only you can make.  I know how you feel know one know in my Fam either.  I want you to know somthing you in the right spot for support.  There are alot of good people on here that will give you good advise and be here for you thru out your journey to be drug free..


XOXO

[charliej41]

Well I been taking pain pill for about 10 years now been taking a bunch after I got hurt about Like u10-12 a day  for the last 3  years and I Tryed to quite a bunch of times I on day 7 today and if I had to work or go to school I think I b able it took me 5 days for I started to feel alright I mean I not fine by no means but the worst of it over so if u get a few day off b the best bet the first few day are the hardest there a lot of people that know a lot more then me that help u out u can do this it sounds like u whant to that a good start and keep posting the people are very smart and help u a lot wish I could b more help good luck :)

[all_alone1]

I. Agree with..gg..and..charlie....you are definatly in the right place....whichever route you choose...be it cold turkey or taper....you will be supported here....there are so many knowledgeable and caring members on this forum who will help you get through this....you are and will not be alone in your fight for a sober living.

[aloneinmyhead]

Day 5 clean and feel lots better but still no energy. Take the vitamins and I did nyquil to sleep at night. I listened to lots of music from my teen years. Plus if you like Eminem his song "Not Afraid" really helps. I listen to it every day when I wake up! Good Luck and post often everyone here is great!!

[kyle505]

zandra:
There are so many people here who have done what you're about to do and have been very successful. If you haven't already, I'd suggest that you read the various posts on this site. A lot of us also used vics/Norco, but no matter what the drug of choice, the detox and recovery are similar, but keep in mind that everyone's different.
My most recent dance with the devil was very similar to yours .... averaging 10 Norco 10's for well over a year. I'm in day 28 of my recovery. I too had pills left over after I took my last four and decided to go cold turkey. I flushed almost 45 pills! I mention this because it gave me a boost, and a sense of pride to finally be doing something good for myself. You flushing the ones you have left may do the same for you. The hellish side of the detox lasted about four days - days 1 thru 3 were really bad. Around  the end of day 4, I felt a wee bit better. After that, I started improving daily. I didn't want to lie to you; you will have to experience some tuff times, but it does get better. My detox was a blessing. Keep posting; we're always here. You can do this.

[LostNoMore]

zandra;

Welcome! I'm on day 15 of a similar addiction to norco and oxy, mostly norco until the last few months. Look up the thomas recipe and the amino acid protocol on this site...they will help with the W/D. I "planned" my home detox so that I didn't have to work or take care of my kids for a week. It was just enough time to get to feeling like I could handle every day things like kids and work and so on. You're doing the right thing. Like Kyle says, the first few days were the worst for me. You probably won't feel too chipper. But it will pass!
Every day that goes by I feel a little bit better. The people on this forum are awesome and will help you through every minute of this. Some of us are up all night (yea, sleep is a bugger!) so feel free to post whenever you need to...chances are someone will respond pretty fast. We care about your recovery. We HELP each other here. Good luck and God bless.

[zandra450]

Thank you everyone for the kind words! It helps so much to know how many others have and are currently struggling the same battle.

Tuesday I took one in the morning and one at night (7.5). I started going through withdrawals right away. They are awful It's nothing that I've ever experienced. I haven't replied yet because just the thought of getting out of my bed to do something that required moving or any sort of thought was far from where I was.

Yesterday I took a half of one in the morning and then had a break through.....One of my best friends came over to take care of me (thinking it was the flu). I made myself come clean. I confessed to everything. I also gave him each and every last pill that I had. The temptation of them sitting in my purse was probably a little too much for me. That alone will be a huge influence on my recovery.

Although helpful, he has never been addicted to anything in his life. These posts from you guys are absolutely what I need for hope and positivity through all of this. Please stick by me!

Today is my first day not taking anything. I have had the typical symptoms and have somewhat followed the thomas recipe. I am taking multi vitamins, melatonin and allergy meds to sleep...which doesn't last for more than 3 hours. I have been taking baths every hour or so and that has helped the most.

Does anyone have the slightest clue when I will start to feel normal again?

I cut to two tuesday, half of one yesterday and zero today. Some sites I've read say that if you decrease the amount drastically like i did..that I would've already started my withdrawals. I guess what I am asking is will it get worse or better from here since this is my fist day off of them completely.

THANK YOU to everyone helping me through this.
Y'all are my angels <3

[IwillDoThis]

Zandra - good luck and hang in there.  You did pretty much what I did, today is day three and I am starting to feel like a person again but the last two days were rough, I will be honest - just get through it.  Showers, immodium and all the other stuff.  I'm on solid foods today, have lost about 8 pounds and feel week but I do feel like the worst is probably past.  Everyone is different but just tell yourself its probably only another day or two of hell and then you'll start to feel better.  I wish you the strength to get through it - hugs to you

[aloneinmyhead]

How are you doing?

[IwillDoThis]

yes please let us know how you are, hopefully the worst is passed and every day will get a little better.  When you feel up to it give us an update!  We care and we are here!

[Needtobemeagain]

I just read your post and am sorry for whats going on. I went through the same im on day 6 and i feel great! I did it alone(physically) but had so much emotional support here. Things do get better. I did it and i know you can to. I hope all is well.