Aa
trying to overcome this addiction alone
I have been addicted to vicodin for almost 7 years now. I am trying to quit, but cannot find anything to help ease hings so that I can function. I am on the verge of losing my job because I just cannot function right now. I see people mentioning this recipe. Can someone let me know what this is? Maybe it can help me.
thank you for your comments....i guess its better to just not take anything and let our bodies heal naturally!!! i did not feel as though it would be bad at all with being a natural herb....but then again so is weed and alot of other drugs...at least the derivitives!!
Please be careful with Valerian Root. I used to love that stuff, took a normal size dose every day when I was on an herbal kick and it caused liver damage. I never took more than I was allowed.
Each persons body is very different. (For the same reason I could drink for 10 years and be in kidney failure, but my neighbor could drink three times the amount and be just fine physically).
I would talk to a Doctor before taking anything (including herbs).
Each persons body is very different. (For the same reason I could drink for 10 years and be in kidney failure, but my neighbor could drink three times the amount and be just fine physically).
I would talk to a Doctor before taking anything (including herbs).
Great hearing from you snowangels...have you heard from dodgehockey lately? just wondering how he has made out and if he went on his golf trip ? I too had ruptured L4-L5 and is how i got in this rut over five years ago. i rarely went over 4-6 per day but did go up to 8 a day at times. Days that i felt great(back not a problem) i would skip a dose....6 to 8 hours later i would be miserable...well i had no idea for 5 pluss years that i was actually starting to experience withdrawls (not my actual back pain!!) so what would i do ? i would take my meds and feel better and think nothing of it. It was years later that i found out on my own that i was actually withdrawing form the drug!!!i freaked out and got so angry with my doctor. He said since i never seemed to abuse them(call in early or try to up my dosage) that no red flags went up. Hello what about the fact i was not stupid and if i need more i would get them from freinds or buy them. Anyhow, I also have four kids (all boys 1,2,8,&10 years old). I had to work from day one of my withdrawl and no-one absolutely no-one knew. It was hell and i will not deney it, but i had to get off these things and just made up my mind. Now i will admit without the help of this forum and posts from people i do not know how successful i would of been. This is because it was the only way to get knowledge and converse with people so i knew i was not going crazy!! Also it was good to know that things were not going to drop off my body because it sure as heck felt that way!!!But i agree with you 110% also and with the rest of your post!! keep in touch and if you hear from dodgehockey tell him to hollar back at us!!! I am on week six right now and feeling soo good about myself and my symptoms(still have a few that are strangely different but as long as i know with time they will mend as well i will deal with it.....much better than the alternative!!! peace snowangels ...Hawk
Oh Hawk, your so right!!! I agree with you 110%!! You know what is funny- is people expect so much from Doctors- but they too are human. And everyone is so different. When I was given my RX for vicoprophen, he had me on 2 a day for migraines and back pain, L4-L5 rupture. And he also gave me some Celexa. Said the Celexa would block out geting addicted to Vico's. THAT was 3 years ago!!! HA! I almost begged him to change me off vicos because if I went a day without I had some symptoms, he told me it was not possible. But sure enough- here I am in day 5 and just recovering from some of the w/d symptoms. So- do I completely blame him? No- because what is right or works for some peoples body chemistry doesn't always work for others. I agree that everyone should have doctors supervision if they so choose, but I had to do this alone because I think he thought I was crazy!!! But I did this without any support or knowledge from family/friends/co-workers. I have 4 kids and I have to work full time- so there was no period of rest for me. If I had to do it all over again, I would still choose to detox- but I might recommend maybe taking off a Thursday and Friday and by Monday things should settle down......Nice to hear from you HAWK.
I agree with Freebird4good. I had been a user for over 5+ years and have been totally clean fromany and all drugs for 6 weeks now. I quit cold turkey without any family/freinds/co-workers knowing. Like "freebird"said the first three weeks were rough (mainly the first week) and then each week was much better. Still have some weird stuff going on with sleep and minor other issues but i feel sooo much better. I did not take any drugs at all except vitamins and some valarium root(still do). The excersise also liek "freebird" said has helped me tremedously. If and only if you can not do this without other drugs then i would definatley go and search out things to help get off. I have met and read so many posts about people whom have quit cold turkey and without other drugs to taper off so it definately can be done. Now we are all different and if that can not be done then try to seek out those medicated ways of getting off....BECAUSE THE ULTIMATE GOAL FOR ALL OF US IS TO GET OFF THESE DRUGS. I am just so anti pills / drugs and would hate for you to get hooked on something esle to get off the vicodin...but with doctors supervision hopefully that would not happen....but my lortab use was all started on doctors supoervison too and look where that brought me!!! So be strong have faith and "batten down the hatches" and ride this out you can do it. Read post and testimonials of people whom came off so you know what to expect. Hopefully this will help you get through it knowing that many others have done it and it can be done. Good luck our prayers with you ...peace! Hawks
Hi - I'm a lot like you. I finally decided that vicodin was ruining my life and decided to stop cold turkey. I also have nobody to help me with support. My husband doesn't understand and thinks that its something that you can turn on and off easily.
I'm proud to say that Thanks to this forum, I am on day 37 with no vicodin...this is the longest time that I've gone without the drug ever. I won't lie, its rough for the first 3 weeks but it does get better. I didn't use the T Recipe but I found that vitamins, sleep, eating right, and excercise (even five minutes on the treadmill) did wonders to help me sleep at night both physically and mentally.
You can do it.
I'm proud to say that Thanks to this forum, I am on day 37 with no vicodin...this is the longest time that I've gone without the drug ever. I won't lie, its rough for the first 3 weeks but it does get better. I didn't use the T Recipe but I found that vitamins, sleep, eating right, and excercise (even five minutes on the treadmill) did wonders to help me sleep at night both physically and mentally.
You can do it.
Sorry this is coming so late..but the Thomas Recipe is in this post..
This is a work in progress...something I've been working on off and on for the last couple of weeks. It's not considered complete, but has lots of info from lots of sources. If any of the "old timers" have anything to add, let me know and I'll add it to the document. I hope to use this to post a general "how to" every couple of days or so.
Listed below are suggestions for detoxing and quitting an opiate addiction. They are just suggestions compiled from the detox plans of people that have gone through cold turkey detox before. They are just that, suggestions, and any detox plan is best when done under a doctor's care. Consult your doctor before trying any of the suggestions below.
This is prewritten for anyone who is beginning, or planning on beginning, a cold turkey withdrawal to opiates. This includes drugs such as tramadol (Ultracet and Ultram) codeine (Tylenol #3, #4), Darvocet, Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco, Lortab and derivatives), Oxycodone (Endocet, Percocet, Oxycontin), Morphine, Demerol. Fentanyl, and Dilaudud. There are many other opiates not listed, so if you don’t see it listed, you can still use these suggestions if it’s an opiate based addiction. None of these apply to benzodiazepine based addictions. These addictions should never be dealt with by going cold turkey. Always consult a doctor for a detox plan for benzos.
First of all, opiate withdrawals are uncomfortable, but rarely life threatening. You may think you’re going to die, but most of the withdrawal symptoms are just very uncomfortable. If possible, take some time off work or schedule a week or so in order to fully detox. You will honestly not feel like doing much anyway. Opiate withdrawal symptoms usually start 12-24 hours after your last dose. But, the timing of withdrawal symptoms depends upon the drug taken, length of time you’ve been taking it, and how you react to medications. The physical withdrawals usually last 3-7 days, with days 3 and 4 being the worst. Once again, this is all dependent on the person. You can expect these symptoms. Dilated pupils, diarrhea, runny nose, goose bumps, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, sweating, agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, general aches and pains, and sleeplessness. This list is not absolute. You may experience all of these symptoms, only some of them, or other symptoms. Again, we are all different. Below is the famous Thomas Recipe. It gives some general information along with supplements that help with the withdrawal symptoms. The only thing I would add to this list is a blood pressure drug named clonidine. It effectively lowers the blood pressure and lessens many of the withdrawal symptoms. Most any doctor will prescribe it if you’re honest as to why you need it. Discuss dosages and frequency with your doctor.
Thomas Recipe:
1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.
2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).
3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.
4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.
5. Vitamin B6 caps.
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).
How to use the recipe:
Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5. During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.
Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it. At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help. With breakfast, take the mineral supplement. As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.
After withdrawals, the fight has just begun. It is as important to have a plan for recovery as it is to have a plan for detox. Some people swear by AA/NA and the 12 step process. Others take the private therapy route. There are many options, and there is truly something for everyone. Whether you attend meetings every night, group meetings every week, or therapy every other day, find a support system and work on your recovery. The withdrawals will be the most physically challenging part of your recovery, but the mental part that comes afterwards is just as hard. The best defense to relapse is to have a plan and stick with it.
This is a work in progress...something I've been working on off and on for the last couple of weeks. It's not considered complete, but has lots of info from lots of sources. If any of the "old timers" have anything to add, let me know and I'll add it to the document. I hope to use this to post a general "how to" every couple of days or so.
Listed below are suggestions for detoxing and quitting an opiate addiction. They are just suggestions compiled from the detox plans of people that have gone through cold turkey detox before. They are just that, suggestions, and any detox plan is best when done under a doctor's care. Consult your doctor before trying any of the suggestions below.
This is prewritten for anyone who is beginning, or planning on beginning, a cold turkey withdrawal to opiates. This includes drugs such as tramadol (Ultracet and Ultram) codeine (Tylenol #3, #4), Darvocet, Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco, Lortab and derivatives), Oxycodone (Endocet, Percocet, Oxycontin), Morphine, Demerol. Fentanyl, and Dilaudud. There are many other opiates not listed, so if you don’t see it listed, you can still use these suggestions if it’s an opiate based addiction. None of these apply to benzodiazepine based addictions. These addictions should never be dealt with by going cold turkey. Always consult a doctor for a detox plan for benzos.
First of all, opiate withdrawals are uncomfortable, but rarely life threatening. You may think you’re going to die, but most of the withdrawal symptoms are just very uncomfortable. If possible, take some time off work or schedule a week or so in order to fully detox. You will honestly not feel like doing much anyway. Opiate withdrawal symptoms usually start 12-24 hours after your last dose. But, the timing of withdrawal symptoms depends upon the drug taken, length of time you’ve been taking it, and how you react to medications. The physical withdrawals usually last 3-7 days, with days 3 and 4 being the worst. Once again, this is all dependent on the person. You can expect these symptoms. Dilated pupils, diarrhea, runny nose, goose bumps, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, sweating, agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, general aches and pains, and sleeplessness. This list is not absolute. You may experience all of these symptoms, only some of them, or other symptoms. Again, we are all different. Below is the famous Thomas Recipe. It gives some general information along with supplements that help with the withdrawal symptoms. The only thing I would add to this list is a blood pressure drug named clonidine. It effectively lowers the blood pressure and lessens many of the withdrawal symptoms. Most any doctor will prescribe it if you’re honest as to why you need it. Discuss dosages and frequency with your doctor.
Thomas Recipe:
1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.
2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).
3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.
4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.
5. Vitamin B6 caps.
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).
How to use the recipe:
Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5. During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.
Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it. At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help. With breakfast, take the mineral supplement. As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.
After withdrawals, the fight has just begun. It is as important to have a plan for recovery as it is to have a plan for detox. Some people swear by AA/NA and the 12 step process. Others take the private therapy route. There are many options, and there is truly something for everyone. Whether you attend meetings every night, group meetings every week, or therapy every other day, find a support system and work on your recovery. The withdrawals will be the most physically challenging part of your recovery, but the mental part that comes afterwards is just as hard. The best defense to relapse is to have a plan and stick with it.
Just to add a note of caution though- FMLA is actually up to 12 weeks- however the company has to employ a minimum of 50 employees or the FMLA act does not cover the employee. You also have to be with a company for a minimum of 1260 hours or one full year to qualify. Then, the illness has to be certified by your doctor and forms have to be filled out. Not as easy to qualify for FMLA as one might think.
First abossi01 if you are at the point of losing your job, I would tell the company that you are taking 4weeks off from work under the Family Leave Act that was signed by President Clinton. It allows a person who has a sick relative or yourself to take 4 weeks off from work. The company cannot fire you or they would face action by the Dept of Labor, and you could file suit in civil court for wrongful dismissal.
Hopefully you have health insurance of your own or if your married hopefully you are on his policy. Seven years of opiate use. Opiate Addiction is a Treatable Chronic Disease of the Brain. I do not feel the Thomas Recipe is going to work for you.
I am a Suboxone patient for pain management in on 8mg every 6 hours for pain. This drug was prescribed to me post-op back surgery over 7 months ago. Prior to that I was on a heavy dose of Oxycontin along with Norco 10/325 up to 8 tablets a day. I never really had to abuse this medication cocktail as it offered adequate pain control. But my pain doctor mentioned the fact by delaying the surgery any longer would not be wise. As I could end up with permanent nerve damage and quite possibly end up in a wheelchair. I had the surgery in 3/07, started to do a taper on the opiates, but I was unable to stick to the taper. It was then she decided to put me on Suboxone for pain management as well as my dependence on opiates. I went through the Induction phase 3 days and then went on the Suboxone which also contains 2mg of naloxone which is an opiate blocker as well as a form of diversion from keeping some users of the drug to try and use it intravenously. I would definitely get the help I needed with the Suboxone, You would only need about 1 week off from work to make the adjustment. Many people forget about the family leave act, which allows sick employees or sick family members, pregnant employees and their spouse's to take up to 4 weeks off. Some of the employers even pay the employees for the time off. You must have exhausted all your sick days and vacation time first. To find a physician that has their DEA waiver to write for this drug go to, www.suboxone.com the web site is in bold letters. click on the site and they will be able to match you with an appropriate doctor based on your zip code and also enter the # of miles you are willing to travel 100 mile round trip is a good # to start with, I travel 175 miles round trip every 3 months as refills are allowed on this medication. It is a schedule III medication the same as the Vicodin you are addicted too. You may also call them by phone at 1-877-782-6966 8-8pm EST. I think you should look into it. When your ready to do a taper. Which is a relatively mild withdrawal profile when done slowly and under a doctors supervision. My proposed date for taper is 1/1/08 is when I will begin my slow taper like 1mg a week until I get down to 16mg daily and then I will hold at that level for three months. I will pick up again with a 1mg taper of a week again until I get down to 4mgs and then hold for 3 months. Then I will continue with 1mg per month until I am off, I pray that it will go easy, Think about it and if you should have any questions feel free to e-mail me anytime. Just right click on my user name. What ever you decide I wish you LUCK---------NOAH
Hopefully you have health insurance of your own or if your married hopefully you are on his policy. Seven years of opiate use. Opiate Addiction is a Treatable Chronic Disease of the Brain. I do not feel the Thomas Recipe is going to work for you.
I am a Suboxone patient for pain management in on 8mg every 6 hours for pain. This drug was prescribed to me post-op back surgery over 7 months ago. Prior to that I was on a heavy dose of Oxycontin along with Norco 10/325 up to 8 tablets a day. I never really had to abuse this medication cocktail as it offered adequate pain control. But my pain doctor mentioned the fact by delaying the surgery any longer would not be wise. As I could end up with permanent nerve damage and quite possibly end up in a wheelchair. I had the surgery in 3/07, started to do a taper on the opiates, but I was unable to stick to the taper. It was then she decided to put me on Suboxone for pain management as well as my dependence on opiates. I went through the Induction phase 3 days and then went on the Suboxone which also contains 2mg of naloxone which is an opiate blocker as well as a form of diversion from keeping some users of the drug to try and use it intravenously. I would definitely get the help I needed with the Suboxone, You would only need about 1 week off from work to make the adjustment. Many people forget about the family leave act, which allows sick employees or sick family members, pregnant employees and their spouse's to take up to 4 weeks off. Some of the employers even pay the employees for the time off. You must have exhausted all your sick days and vacation time first. To find a physician that has their DEA waiver to write for this drug go to, www.suboxone.com the web site is in bold letters. click on the site and they will be able to match you with an appropriate doctor based on your zip code and also enter the # of miles you are willing to travel 100 mile round trip is a good # to start with, I travel 175 miles round trip every 3 months as refills are allowed on this medication. It is a schedule III medication the same as the Vicodin you are addicted too. You may also call them by phone at 1-877-782-6966 8-8pm EST. I think you should look into it. When your ready to do a taper. Which is a relatively mild withdrawal profile when done slowly and under a doctors supervision. My proposed date for taper is 1/1/08 is when I will begin my slow taper like 1mg a week until I get down to 16mg daily and then I will hold at that level for three months. I will pick up again with a 1mg taper of a week again until I get down to 4mgs and then hold for 3 months. Then I will continue with 1mg per month until I am off, I pray that it will go easy, Think about it and if you should have any questions feel free to e-mail me anytime. Just right click on my user name. What ever you decide I wish you LUCK---------NOAH
Google the Thomas recipe online and you should get it. It's also under Ga Guy's posts. Take some time to read through the posts in this forum. You'll get all kinds of awesome advice and hear a lot of stories. Keep posting and very quickly you'll meet some people that you can relate to with the same addiction. They'll help you all the way through. I just discovered this forum last week and have already met several people that genuinely want to help and have given me awesome advice. I'm going to go c/t next Wednesday and I know they'll be with me the whole way. So, read, post, make a profile and stay with us. We CAN help you.
I am overcoming this alone as well- well, not really alone- the people on this Forum are wonderful. Go to GA Guy- he has the Thomas Recipe on there- and I am NOT pushing that on ANYONE, but from personal experience I can tell you that it has helped me work through my detox, and take care of my kids. I don't do all of it- I just do the L-Tyrosine and the Valerian Root. The L-Tyrosine is an amino acid for energy and the Valerian Root is to help keep you calm and help with sleep. Although I can not lie- I was out here last night looking for ANYONE to talk to me at almost 1 am because I had a problem falling asleep. Some swear by Sub (sorry I can't spell it)- every individual is different- I am over 100 hour detoxed now and starting to feel OK- it can vary hour to hour and during the first 48-72 hours it was minute by minute....it's not easy but if your commited and you stay positive and don't beat yourself up you CAN do this....Good Luck to you!
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