tapering off percocets

[Lynn]

Tapering off percs is impossible, since I have a 20 pill a day habit for the past 10 years. I tried to eat just 2 in the morning and "save" the other 30 or so I had just copped (I buy them on the street), but that didn't work.  I would eat 2 in the morning, then 2 more, then 3 more, just to keep chasing that wonderful buzz, and before you know it, they are all gone and I have to agonize over where and when I will score again. It's just a matter of time, though, I have 3 connections, but the wait is agonizing!!! Just ducky, ism't it? Why oh why can't I stop? I envy all the ex-addicts who are now clean and sober.  How did you deal with the cravings, knowing how that euphoric high would make you feel? What this disease has the power to do to someone is nothing short of awsome. Can anyone relate to my story? God help us all.

[ken to ronnieg and angie]

I know exactly what your going through. I have tried to quit unsucessfully several times this past month alone. Today was my 9th day and I screwed up. I thought I had it under control this time, but noooo, I had to look in a medicine cabinet at a job I was working at today. I feel so frickin stupid. I was actually starting to feel good. Its very hard to do on your own, But I really want to stop! Keep posting and maybe we can help each other get off this ****!

[barbara to pain and lortab]

Remember it's not just addiction, it's why you started in the first place. You have to deal with the physical or mental problems leading you to self medicate if you really want to stop.

[Gene to Joanne]

Getting off opiates is not easy but I have found a way that is working for me so far.  I was snorting between 2 & 4 80 mg Oxycontins a day.  (that's like taking 32 to 64 percocets a day!)

I tried to taper myself many times but I couldn't handle the withdrawal.  So I decided to go into an inpatient detox program.  I was there for 6 days & the withdrawal was pretty light with me taking methadone while I was there.  I went home free of Oxycontin & methadone.  I then went through Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome.  What kept me sober was going to AA/NA meetings every day.  That refocused my energy & helped me to understand my addiction so I could stay sober.  So far it has worked as I have been sober for 8 weeks!

Good luck to you.

[Lynn to Neena]

Finally, people who can relate to percocet addiction. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy (well yes I would because its hell). A lot of people on this web site are taking percs for pain, but I'm not in any pain, I just like the high.  Also, there is no hidden emotional reason, I have a good job, husband, and health.  So what's the problem???? I have already resolved myself to the fact that even if I go to rehab, for no matter how long, the drugs will still be waiting for me when I get out and I won't say no.  NA meetings didn't work for me.  I couldn't wait till they were over so I could get high.  Right now one of my kitty cats is in the hospital with kidney failure and of course I want to get high and numb the pain I feel but I hit a dry spell and there are none around! I feel like I've been punched in the stomach, between the stess from my cat and not being able to find any pills.  I wish there was a magic wand to make all this go away, sometimes I feel like I'm falling through the rabbit hole, deeper and deeper into despair. Why am I so convinced I'll never be free of this addiction? Because I LOVE them so much?

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

What is "Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome"?  How did you select the place where you detoxed?  Did they treat you like a human being there?  I mean did the place itself depress you?  Do you feel like a new person now? I mean do you feel good now?  How do you handle the triggers that happen when you used to take the pain meds? by triggers I mean when the idea pops up to take one spontaneously like you used to how do you counter act the thought?  Sorry for the interrogation!!
Way to go by the way Gene you should be so proud of yourself. You have come such a long way!  Keep up the great work!
Sincerely,
Lindy

[Gene to Joanne]

What is "Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome"?

That is what they call the long term withdrawal from opiates which lasts longer than the initial way you feel as you are detoxing.

    How did you select the place where you detoxed? Did they treat you like a human being there? I mean did the place itself depress you? Do you feel like a new person now? I
  
I asked friends in AA & talked to my insurance company & my family doctor & an addiction counselor.  They actually treated me quite well, even those who wre heroin addicts & had been there many times before.  The place was a little depressing but I was there to get sober, not for a vacation.  I do feel like a new person now!  Eight weeks is a long time for me to be sober.

     I mean do you feel good now? How do you handle the triggers that happen when you used to take the pain meds?

I go to AA/NA meetings every day & that keeps my urges in check. I have a very strong dislike for what Oxycontin did to my life & I don't ever want to be in that position again!
    
     Way to go by the way Gene you should be so proud of yourself. You have come such a long way! Keep up the
     great work!

Thanks for the words of encouragement!

[loanne]

i talk a lot about my tapering off percs on this forum/  i just really desperately want to be done with these damn pills!!!!!  but i'm not doing it on my own.  i fessed up to my dr. and i'm chasing my sobriety.  there are really qualified and understanding addiction specialists out there.  you don't have to do this alone.  keep posting.  it helps me to hear.

[mike from eh]

i can feel your pain because i am going through the same thing with percocet 30's and i feel like i will always do them no matter how long i stop for. I look at it as a whirl pool you start taking them slowly just like a whirl pool starts off slowly and then you take more and it starts to go faster and then you keep doing them daily like two a day maybe four. It leads you into the middle of the whirl pool and its so strong and you want to break the whirl pool but its just so hard especailly when you have friends who do them which would help the whirl pool be stronger but you need to try to stop this but its just way to hard.