any light addicts out there?

[todd247]

What I'm asking are there any users of pain killers that have been using over a year now that did not progress to 5-10 pills or over per day. Ive stated many times in the past I only use 1 to 1.5 tablets per day of 7.5 norco for sleep primarily. Im looking for those people and the w/d's they've experienced on lower dosages. I can't imagine using 10-15 pills per day but god bless those who do and are trying to get better.

Thanks

todd

[pandas42]

I'm not sure what you are meaning with your comment of "With all due respect thats the difference in my addiction and yours..." Are you meaning the amount that I have taken compared to yours? I've used 2 or 3 per day compared to your 1.5 per day -- more than you take, yet still a relatively small amount.  Anyway, I just was trying to figure out what you meant to see if I've misunderstood what you were wanting to know in your original post. Thanks!

[todd247]

With all due respect thats the difference in my addiction and yours. I now have 18 pills left and they will last me 22-23 days. I have no sesire to take them during the day because I never have, if so my problem would be much worse. Remember Ive been doing this for over 3 years now so some self control has been evident. Anyway thank you for you input and good luck to you.

Now Flmagi makes another point. The prolonged abuse regardless of dosages really concerns me. I am quitting in the near future thats not in doubt, because I will have to. I realize Im in a losing battle regardless of how little I take.

Todd

[VicUser]

I took three 5/500 per day for seven years, I think I am the type of "user" you are looking for. My W/D was slight diarrhea for a couple days, trouble sleeping for a few days, increased back pain for about a week (This started a couple days after I stopped taking vicodin) and a lack of energy for weeks. I really haven’t had any desire to take anymore, until last night when my wife pi$$ed me off over plans in made to be nice to her, but I refrained. Good Luck and I hopes this helps.

[flmagi]

And wasn't the topic of this post " Are the lights out in the attic" ?
Yes, the lights are out in my attic

[allaboutmary]

LMAO   It's true,  this is what happens if you use for a long time. lol

[flmagi]

No, I didn't read wrong... I have brain damage due to drug abuse...LOL   And that just goes to show you what will happen if you continue on the path your headed.
I am retracting all comments posted here.
Sorry

[allaboutmary]

You must have read wrong.  He is only taking 1 to 1/2 pill per day.

[flmagi]

You say your not ready to quit yet.. hasn't interferred with your family life or work yet.

LOL  Is that what your waiting for?  Your waiting for the world to come crashing down on your head before you wake up?   We're sitting here telling you that your in trouble. Listen, please. before you screw up all aspects of your life. And your low dose is not so low, it's more than what a doctor would prescribe.
Sorry if I sound bitchy, just don't want to see you get deeper into this hell. I know that you know you have a problem, or you wouldn't be here on the forum. Just wish you'd get serious about getting clean now.

[Flutterby111]

I was a "light" user if you will.....down to 2 percs the last few times I'd taken them...been on them for 8 months straight.  My W/D's were:
Horrific body aches-worst pain of my life (worse than the reason I was prescribed the pills)
porfuse sweating
fever chills
horrible visions
emotional distress-uncontrollable sobbing
diahrea
Fear of everything-
No energy whatsoever
Hopelessness
Nausea

But, day 8 I'm getting better-finally went to the Dr. and they gave me Clonidine and that helped alot.  Stopped sobbing within hours.  Sweats still at night.  I definatly am afraid of how to handle my normal pain without percs.  It was really really messed up.  I told my husband I think I could understand a heroin withdrawl-it was traumatic.  I survived though-and I'm a wussy girl.  

[pandas42]

Todd - I have been taking a fairly small dosage -- an average of 2 or 3 hydrocodone per day, but feel that I am definitely addicted. If I have to try and cut back the wd symptoms are bad and I think about ways to get more. The really bad thing is that I don't even have my own prescription... This is all from my sister's rx... She thinks she's only given me 1 per day on average (for migraines, back pain, arthritis pain). The other 1 or 2 per day I have stolen out of her rx bottle -- clearly I am addicted even to a low dosage! She knows that I have stolen a couple times and started hiding them from me, but I found where she hides them. (We are roommates.) She doesn't know that I have taken many more than she's given me...  I also know that if I had my own rx, I would have them used up at least half way through the month if not sooner, because I've done that in the past when I had my own.

So, yes, even at a lose dose you can be addicted. I think that the way to tell is how you feel when you try to stop.. My sister is not addicted to the hycrocodone -- if it weren't for me she would have pills leftover at the end of the month.

[worried878]

Just be careful...Some do not even realize it when they cross the line..I did not

[todd247]

I know you are speaking the truth. I am also an exercise addict and it will slow me down. Anyway goodnight and thanks for your advice.

todd

[GoingToMakeIt]

I know you have been on here for several months. In that time you could have been clen a dozen times over. You realize they have a hold on you because you feel the effects when you stop a day or two. You mentioned once that valerian root worked to sleep and that you might quit the norco. Well there is no time like the present.
     Quitting is the easy part. It's staying off of them that is the hard part. You have a decision to make. It is not healthy using them like you do. They are doing damage to your body, mind and soul. You are not fully convinced of this. But i am here to tell you, if you quit and stick to being clean. You will know that I am speaking truth. I hope for your sake you choose to quit.

[todd247]

thanks you're all a godsend to people on this board.

todd

[todd247]

I for one do not think you're an addict. Some posters on this board may disagree for good reason. I know their intentions are nothing but good. I discovered these from a root canal. I do not take for pain and that's the difference between you and I. Godd luck to yourself and good health.

todd

[whathefu_k]

I would immediately start taking on 1/day @ night- do this for a week. Then 1/2 pill each night for a week, then 1/4 pill each night for a week, then quit. Do it now, before your habit gets worse. Your WD's shouldn't be too bad- mostly emotional hell. You can do it, be strong

[oxygirl487]

i agree with mary ...stop now b4 it gets worse and trust me it will sneak up on ya.....i used to take as prescribed but ended up abusing them ..never thought i would either....

[allaboutmary]

My first couple of years of use were very low.  I barely noticed the withdrawal.  Thats probably what got me into trouble because I didn't have to "pay the piper".  OH Boy I'm paying now though. It's weird how one can go years not really abusing and then BOOM, your addicted and can't get enough of them.  It's all kind of a blurr how I got here.  I never ever thought I would eat 10 in a day. Be careful. Best wishes.   Mary

[beentrying2quit]

At one time I was using up to 5 - 10/500 Lortabs per day which progressed to a 75 mic Fentanyl patch every 48 hours but now I'm down to 2 - 5/325 Norcos per day and have been at this current level for over a year.  What I do is cut them in half and take 4 halves a day.  I do have chronic pain that is related to a past injury and am not able to take any OTC pain meds.  Before I went to my pain doc I was taking 20 Advil per day and that caused two ulcurs to open up druing the night and I almost bled to death.

I have tried to quit several times.  I realize that the doseage I'm at is considered almost nonexistent compared to others but it has been a real BI TCH getting over this last hump.  I struggle mostly with the mental aspect of withdrawals, anxiety, stress, cravings are the worst.  Then I get angry with myself for being such a wimp.  I have always thought of myself as mentally strong but these white devils have my number.  

What I find is when I take a half pill is I calm down, relax and am able to focus at work.  I do know that this is my addiction talking but there are days that I actually do need pain relief.  I have never called into my pain doc for early refills and I have never doctor shopped for meds.  This does not make me a good person it just means, so far, that I have been able to keep this addiction relatively quiet.

One day I hope to be free.

[todd247]

honestly I dont want to quit right now. I will soon. Does not interfere with my family life or work and never used during the day but maybe twice in 3 years. Last sat. night really got to me because I did not take any and I felt like I was on pins lying in bed.

Toxixdome you're right thats definitely not what I meant. An addict is an addict.

thanks

todd

[toxictome]

Thee last month or 2 i was only taking usually 4 day...i tapered and still had wds...they were minimal, however, they still s**ked!!!!

[WhoIsThisPerson]

In my experience, and from what I've read, the less you take the less your wd's.  That's why many people will try to taper off instead of going cold turkey.  Never-the-less you will have wd's...they might last two days, they might last 7 days.  You won't be able to sleep, might have chills, diarrhea, RLS, aches, pains, basically a really bad bout of the flu.  Have you ever had wd's before?  Are you wanting to not take them anymore or are you out?  I've really just ended my detox phase, glad it's over, but the hard part is coming...the unbelievable mental cravings.

[todd247]

that's just what Im not looking forward to. Just did not know if a low dose user what to expect. Ive read so much about others that took much more. Im sure psychologically its probably the same regardless of the dose and to a lesser extent the person who's doing it.

thanks

[toxictome]

Welcome...

light addict???
is that like a light alcoholic???

For me.....One is too many, a thousand isn't enough!!!

Hope you hang around ...keep reading and posting!!!!