how can I quit?

[shoogapie]

I was prescribed about 2 years ago 5mg vicodin for pain.  I instantly started liking them way too much.  my doctor continued refilling my prescription for about a year and then cut me off.  I at that time encountered someone who sold their vicodin for a hefty price, but at this point wasn't addicted, it was more for fun.  I would by from this person around twice a month just to relax.  Now, two years later I am totally addicted to them.  I made the mistake of mixing these drugs with everything i do in my daily life from work, to homework to hanging out with friends and now I can't accomplish anything without vicodin.  I've tried a few times to stop taking them but the withdrawls are aweful.  My body aches and my limbs are restless.  I feel dizzy and I can't eat.  I'm a full time graduate student and I work full time as well and will fail outta school for sure if I try and stop cold turkey right now.  Not to mention the cost of these drugs are running me into the ground.  I'm 26 and live alone and am supporting myself and a $300/mo pill habbit.  If anyone could give me some advice to help me get off of this I would be forever greatful.  I can't go to my family because I don't want to worry them and because I am too ashamed of myself.  I need to know how the withdrawls can be taken away because they just kill me!  It would be different if i didn't have such a busy schedule, but i just don't have the time to care for myself right now.  Please help!

[Flutterby111]

Have you tried to taper?  Aka Wean yourself off of them?  How many do you take a day?  Withdrawls can't be just taken away, but there are things you can do to help ease them, like tapering off of the pills, rather than quit cold turkey, and you can look up the Thomas Recipe in MedHelp's Health Pages for tools to help cope with the withdrawls (w/d) symptoms....good luck.

[shoogapie]

I've tried to taper off but I just haven't been able to control it enough.  I take around 6 a day which is about 800 dollars a month!  I never realized how much I actually spent untill this moment!  I need to stop this.  I'm gonna take your advice and really try and write down a plan to wean myself off.  Do you have experience in doing this?  I'll look at the Thomas Recipe too.  Thankyou:)

[worried878]

there is also an article on tapering in the health pages....read it...the main points are there...i tapered from a habit bigger than yours a suceeded...u can also do CT at that dose....keep posting

[bobby139]

dito with everything everyone has said. I also tappered it was hard but the w/d wernt quite as bad as c/t..but i wont lie they still were bad enouph to interfere with life big time. There isn't anyway you could stay home for like a week at some point, saying you have the flu? or even 3 to 4 day's?
bobby

[paul300]

you're in a tough spot. no need to be ashamed. it's difficult for others (family,) not ever being in your position to relate. i was up to 8 per day until i quit. it's been over two weeks now and i feel better than ever, barring the pain from my hip, but thats manageable. I'm still getting urges and such, but I know (thanks to this forum) that its a normal part of the process. Painful, but doable and you're not alone here.

The hard part for me besides the w/d's was the distraction at work. i just stared at the screen. It was very difficult for me to focus and complete even a simple task due to the anxiety. However, it will pass and you will become sharp again. I recommend planning a lull period for two weeks. I can't imagine your mental performance is good anyway with the drug; at least that was my experience. Note, everyone has a different experience during w/d's, from ct, to slow tapering. I did something in the middle.

You can do it, and there is great people in here that gives awesome support.
vires intus (strength within)
david.

[imrprod]

I feel like you were telling my story..I to became addicted slowly over a period of a couple of years until I was incorporating the drug into every part of my life..in the end I didn't even get the high, energy or any of it any more. I was just able to function and keep the withdrawal away.  I had to use suboxone to get off do you have insurance to pay for the meds. They are kinda expensive.

[freddbear]

I've found that the most insidious thing about the opiate addiction is you feel you have to be on them to enjoy everday day life. sometimes for me it's hard to even get out of bed if I don't have a pill in house. I know deep down that to beat this we have to reprogram ourselves and start doing things without the drug in our system. Little things at first despite our lack of motivation.  In essence we have to rewire our circutry and reprogram  Despite the lack of motivation.  Good Luck