first time reaching out

I've heard the first step to recovery is to admit you have a problem. I have an addiction to vicodin. I have been taking 4-5 pills a day for 6 years. I need some advice to get me help to get clean!!! I have been wanting to stop, but I am dreading the withdaw syptoms (symptoms). ANY advice would be greatly appreciated.

[cathy5841]

Yyou have definatley come to the right place for support.  welocme to forum and you HAVE taken your first step.  you need to get the ingredients to the thomas receipe in the health pages.  it is a life saver and get some immodum.  what are ytour plans for quitting?  cold turkey or a taper.  let us know the when and how and we will be here for you

good luck
cathy

[persnick38]

Congratulations! You have taken two really important steps in the right direction. First, you admitted the problem and second, you came to the right place for help.

I was taking the same thing and about the same amount (sometimes a lot more). I quit cold turkey 17 days ago. If I can do it, you can too.

The withdrawal symptoms are not fun but they are do-able. Look on the "Most Viewed Health Pages" on the bottom right of your screen and check out the Thomas Recipe. Lots of people here have said that helps. I personally didn't use any of it, but use whatever helps.

If you can, take some time off work - call in sick with the flu. Take lots of hot baths, try to get some exercise everyday. Drink lots of water to cleanse your system and keep you hydrated.

Most importantly, keep reaching out for help. There are sooooo many great people here. I would never have made it this far without them. Remember that you are not alone. There are plenty who know just what you're going through. If you need moral support, we're here. Keep us updated on your progress.

[want2bclean]

Thank you for your response. i started to cry when I read it. Congrats on your 17days!! I can't even imagine not taking any of these damn pills for that long.

Is it dangerous to just stop cold turkey? I read so much about how it can be. I am so sick and tired of being consumed by these pills.

THANKS AGAIN.

[sadinmichigan]

Welcome..You are in the right place! This is a wonderful forum full of great people ,that offer so much support. I couldn't say I have been clean off my vicodin addiction for 17 days! (I would have taken by now at least 180.) without my friends here. You can do this.!! You have already taken that first step!

[worried878]

Welcome...you are really lucky that your daily dose is not more after 6 years of using...very doable...do you want to taper down or just go ahead and quit?

[cathy5841]

withdrawal from opiates won tkill ya lol.  it may make you wanna die, but you will make it.  c/t is not easy, but 7 days is the average before you turn the corner.  days 3&4 for me were the absolute worst.  i have been clean 115+ days and it was the single best thing i have ever done for myself.  i never would have made it with out the help of this forum.  keep reading cuz knowledge is power.  and keep posting cuz it helps to know you are not alone.  you can do this. it aint easy and it aint pretty but it is worth it.  good luck to you in your journey to recovery
cathy

[persnick38]

I'm no doctor so can't really answer your question about safety. I had been taking anywhere from 3-12, 10mg Vicodin every day for the past 4 years and I went cold turkey, but that's me and how I chose to do it.
I did it that way b/c I knew that I couldn't taper - no willpower. If they were in my possession, I would have taken them.
If you're worried, talk to your doctor. There are lots of people on here who have more experience than me so they'll be a good source too.
Since it's Easter Sunday, the forum may be a little slow for awhile, but there will be lots more posts coming. Hang in there.

PS - I couldn't ever imagine not having taking vics for this long either. Just goes to show that it can be done. Believe me, you will feel so much better without them - physically and mentally. It will take time, but you will soon realize that it's possible to live, really LIVE without them.

[want2bclean]

i will probably taper down. I don't know really, this is the first time since I began taking them that I have even thought about it...

I am so happy I found this forum to be able to know that I am not alone in this struggle. I really appreciate everyone's honest responses!!

[flmagi]

Welcome to the family!  No withdrawels will not kill you. It is like a really, really bad flu. the average time is 5-7 days with days 3 and 4 being the worst. Day 5 most people start to feel better, with each day after better than the one before. Sleeplessness seems to be a longer lasting problem, but you'll get thru it. So if you're gonna go cold turkey, gather your supplies together (Thomas receipe-all or some), also maybe some Boost with protein, soup, crackers and maybe some chocolate (lol) and lots of toilet paper. And hunker down cause you're in for the ride of your life. But 5-7 days of the flu is a excellant trade off for your freedom from the pills. You can do this and we're all here to help you. You are not alone.  Oh, and make sure you drink lots of fluids, very important. Don't over-do the immodium, let the poisons out.
Good luck and keep posting.
Magi

[worried878]

I will pm you...look at your inbox in the right hand corner...tapering can be hard...doable..depends on the person...at your dose you could do either/ or...tapering my be easier...read the info on tapering in the health pages for the main tips

[sadinmichigan]

go cold turkey...you will make it...like all these wonderful people said..you will feel like ****,but..it will be over before you know it...it isn't impossible to wean..but very hard..if we had the self control to do it..we wouldn't all be struggling..It's not easy to wean because it takes sooo much SELF control..many of us in this position..didn't have..Get it over with..I know it's not easy...I failed several times myself...17 days today...cold turkey..you can do it!!!