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Can Vicodin withdrawal be done at home?
My therapist has tapered me from 4mg Ativan for 6 years to 2mg with orders to reduce to zero by the next monthly visit. I have also been taking Norco 10/325 from a pain management doctor for a cervical injury for about 6 months. Today I am going to attempt to go cold turkey from the Norco. I must already be addidcted. I know this because I have come up a week short from taking too many and have been trying to think of excuses I can tell my doctor so that he will continue to prescribe more for my injury. However, I know realistically that he has heard it all so I am beginning my withdrawl myself since I am down to only two pills. My dog was prescribed Tramadol HCL 50mg and I even tried taking 1 of those. It made me feel horrible and I'm terrified by the risk I was willing to put myself through by taking my dog's medication. I went through a vicodin withdrawl almost two years ago after my initial injury thanks to a neurologist who prescribed vicodin by the 100's. My husband was deployed and my teenage son helped me through the nightmare of withdrawal, but he still says he can never watch me go through that again. My husband is home now and about to be the one to watch me go through withdrawal. He will try to be supportive, but there's still the physical pain and emotional trauma I went through last time that scares me so bad. Can this be done at home again? Is there anything to relieve my suffering? The worst was the bone pain in my arms and legs and feeling like I was losing my mind. I have thought that death would be better than enduring withdrawal again, but that's not how I really feel. I'm also afraid of being in pain again from my neck. I can't go back to that either. Can I come back here for support through this process? Will taking Prozac during the withdrawal help? Please tell me anything and everything. I'm so scared. I don't want to do this in a treatment facility.
I don't want to trivialize what you've posted because a lot of what you've written is helpful information. But, I'm afraid you've oversimplified the process for a true addict. A true addict never "overcomes" their addiction to anything. We make it into recovery and place the disease into remission. Addiction is a relapsing and remitting disease that is chronic and has no known cure. The true test of getting into a state of recovery starts after the withdrawals are done and the mental aspect is done. It's also not a matter of intelligence or willpower. It's not something that can be done to keep from losing someone you love. A true addict will give up their last love for their true love: their drug. I hope that you're one of the few who come here merely dependent on them instead of addicted. Best of luck.
I finally came clean and told him I had started again, and I was convinced that I was stopping this time but I couldn't do it without him. I'm not gonna lie, he was very angry with me for a couple of hours. He just kept saying, "I have to tell your mom or something. I don't know what to do. I can't help you with this." I cried so hard and begged him to just give me a couple days and I'd prove to him I could do it. After cooling off, he finally agreed to it. He told me he loved me and he knew I could do it. The first 24 hours, I'm not going to sugar coat it, they were hell. I thought over and over that I'd rather die than feel this way. I have never been so depressed in my life. The only people that could understand are you guys, the people who have gone through the exact thing. I convinced my boyfriend to read some stories people had posted so he could kind of get an idea of what I was going through. He just kept telling me "you can do it". Without the support of a loved one, I don't know that it would have been possible. Honestly though, after the initial 24 hours, I felt a million times better. Yes, I still felt fatigued and like I couldn't really be productive, but the jittery feeling was gone, the restless legs were gone. I just relaxed all day and watched TV really. We even went to a family member's house for a little while. Getting out of the house was a great thing for me. I even cleaned my kitchen that night. I felt overjoyed that I was doing so well. Day by day, it gets even easier, and today, I feel normal. I finally feel like I don't need them. The thought of them sickens me. They are the worst thing that ever happened to me. They ruined my life, but luckily, I got my life back. After a couple weeks and the drug is completely out of my system, I'm going to take home drug tests with my boyfriend every couple of weeks to prove to him that I'm done, so that's even more motivation, but honestly I don't need it. I know i'm done. I may have to have the occasional energy drink to avoid being completely lazy, but besides that I'm all good. I've noticed that I have looked forward to getting out and seeing friends, and I don't want to stay in the house alone all day. I do know that I couldn't have done this without three main things: the loving support of my future husband, hot baths, and time off work. There is no way in hell I'd be able to do this if I had to go to work. I don't have a sit-down job or anything, I'm constantly on my feet moving around, so that would have just been awful. I needed a few days to cleanse, to cry, and to relax. There is not a doubt in my mind that I am completely done. I can't wait to go to work for my first day being completely clean. I can't wait to take the first drug test with my boyfriend and see it come up negative. I look forward to living life, and not having to worry about this crap getting in the way of things. I've always had great blood pressure, and I recently took a home test with my boyfriend just playing a game to see who had better blood pressure, and mine was through the ROOF. I know the only thing I have to blame for that was the pills. I had diarrhea for 3 days, but with some immodium it was ok. Just remember, you can and WILL get through this. You are strong. You are better than a stupid pill. If you don't truly believe that, then you won't succeed. You have to KNOW that you will get through it. Don't have a single doubt. Think of how exciting life will be without it. You don't have to lie anymore. You don't have to constantly worry. You can live life to the fullest without fear. And don't for one second feel like you won't be back to normal, because you WILL! All of the things you felt like you could only do if you had it, you'll be able to do all of those things WITHOUT having to depend on a pill. It does not take as long as you think!!! Within 1 week, even less in my case, you will feel great. just remember, every hour that passes is one less hour of agony!!! Make sure you don't have any pills in reach. Dissolve them in water. Get rid of every last one or you probably won't succeed. Have a few days at home and some immodium and plenty of fluids. Stay positive and you'll feel great in no time. Best of luck!!! Any questions at all, just ask. I'll be checking up here frequently because I want to do all that I can to ensure that I'm the biggest help possible.
Hello!
I recently overcame an addiction to hydrocodone, and I've been searching for a current forum so I could tell my story and attempt to help others going through the same thing. I'd just like to offer a helping hand and let you all know that this IS possible, you can and WILL get through it!
My addiction goes back to April. I know it wasn't long ago compared to many others on this site, but I was up to 25mg of hydrocodone several times a day. For those who don't know, that's 5 regular strength vicodins at a time, which is quite a bit. I knew I had to stop, and I told my boyfriend about my problem a few months ago. He was very supportive, and told me he believed in me and that I had to realize that as long as I was lying and sneaking around we couldn't be together, so that seemed like enough motivation for me to not do it anymore. (He is amazing, does everything for me, and I'd rather die than lose him). For that few hours, I was convinced that I'd do it, I felt great about it, but that's probably because I had taken my last dose that morning, so I was still feeling the great effects from it. I hadn't tried stopping before that, so I had no idea what to expect from withdrawals. I hadn't even researched it, so I thought it'd be easy. Well, that wasn't the case. As soon as the diarrhea started setting in, I felt it. NO motivation, just getting out of bed was impossible. My body was SO fatigued, yet at the same time I couldn't sleep. To me, that was the worst part of it. I would lay in bed alone, crying so hard because I hated what I was going through (my supportive boyfriend was working midnights). I felt useless and I like I couldn't do it. Within a day I had gotten a hold of more pills, and continued on with my addiction. I thought, meh, I'll do it soon. I just kept lying to myself. Well, the addiction continued for 3 more months. and the worst part of it, was that my amazing, caring boyfriend thought that I had overcome my addiction. I was taking them behind his back. He would occasionally tell me how proud he was of me. He took me out for an amazing romantic dinner where we had our first date, and I was even high for that. Sure, I had a great time, but afterwards, it was no comparison to the guilt I felt. We decided to get our own place, and I knew i HAD to stop, but I also knew I couldn't get through the moving process without them. I was too tired to do anything without them. So then I told myself, ok, I'll stop then. Well, we moved, and guess what, I continued to take them. I recently hit an all time low and KNEW i had to stop, or I'd lose everything. I decided I'd do it cold turkey, on my own, without anyone knowing. For me, withdrawal symptoms would hit in about 12 hours since my last dose, like clockwork. And I'd always take it around 11AM so I could be productive, because without it I'd just lay around all day. So of course, around bedtime that first day that I had no pills, I was in agony. My boyfriend was playing a video game and I was dying inside. I broke down, I was crying, and he didn't know how to console me. I kept telling him I was just depressed. I wanted to sleep so bad but I couldn't. We went to bed and I tossed and turned for about an hour, just miserable. But I kept telling myself, every time an hour passed, that was one less hour of agony, and one more hour of being clean. I tried taking nyquil, hoping it'd put me to sleep a little, but it really did nothing. I decided to take a hot bath. Oh man, did that help. Sitting there, soaking in the hot water, I finally felt relaxed for the first time in hours. When I felt ok, I got out of the bath and layed down. I finally fell asleep after that. The next day I woke up very early. That's always the worst for me because I feel like I can't fall back asleep. I got up and decided to try laying on the couch. My boyfriend eventually got out of bed and i just started crying. He was so upset because he didn't know what to do. I eventually said, "I have to tell you something."
***continued in a new post because I exceeded the character limit, haha***
I recently overcame an addiction to hydrocodone, and I've been searching for a current forum so I could tell my story and attempt to help others going through the same thing. I'd just like to offer a helping hand and let you all know that this IS possible, you can and WILL get through it!
My addiction goes back to April. I know it wasn't long ago compared to many others on this site, but I was up to 25mg of hydrocodone several times a day. For those who don't know, that's 5 regular strength vicodins at a time, which is quite a bit. I knew I had to stop, and I told my boyfriend about my problem a few months ago. He was very supportive, and told me he believed in me and that I had to realize that as long as I was lying and sneaking around we couldn't be together, so that seemed like enough motivation for me to not do it anymore. (He is amazing, does everything for me, and I'd rather die than lose him). For that few hours, I was convinced that I'd do it, I felt great about it, but that's probably because I had taken my last dose that morning, so I was still feeling the great effects from it. I hadn't tried stopping before that, so I had no idea what to expect from withdrawals. I hadn't even researched it, so I thought it'd be easy. Well, that wasn't the case. As soon as the diarrhea started setting in, I felt it. NO motivation, just getting out of bed was impossible. My body was SO fatigued, yet at the same time I couldn't sleep. To me, that was the worst part of it. I would lay in bed alone, crying so hard because I hated what I was going through (my supportive boyfriend was working midnights). I felt useless and I like I couldn't do it. Within a day I had gotten a hold of more pills, and continued on with my addiction. I thought, meh, I'll do it soon. I just kept lying to myself. Well, the addiction continued for 3 more months. and the worst part of it, was that my amazing, caring boyfriend thought that I had overcome my addiction. I was taking them behind his back. He would occasionally tell me how proud he was of me. He took me out for an amazing romantic dinner where we had our first date, and I was even high for that. Sure, I had a great time, but afterwards, it was no comparison to the guilt I felt. We decided to get our own place, and I knew i HAD to stop, but I also knew I couldn't get through the moving process without them. I was too tired to do anything without them. So then I told myself, ok, I'll stop then. Well, we moved, and guess what, I continued to take them. I recently hit an all time low and KNEW i had to stop, or I'd lose everything. I decided I'd do it cold turkey, on my own, without anyone knowing. For me, withdrawal symptoms would hit in about 12 hours since my last dose, like clockwork. And I'd always take it around 11AM so I could be productive, because without it I'd just lay around all day. So of course, around bedtime that first day that I had no pills, I was in agony. My boyfriend was playing a video game and I was dying inside. I broke down, I was crying, and he didn't know how to console me. I kept telling him I was just depressed. I wanted to sleep so bad but I couldn't. We went to bed and I tossed and turned for about an hour, just miserable. But I kept telling myself, every time an hour passed, that was one less hour of agony, and one more hour of being clean. I tried taking nyquil, hoping it'd put me to sleep a little, but it really did nothing. I decided to take a hot bath. Oh man, did that help. Sitting there, soaking in the hot water, I finally felt relaxed for the first time in hours. When I felt ok, I got out of the bath and layed down. I finally fell asleep after that. The next day I woke up very early. That's always the worst for me because I feel like I can't fall back asleep. I got up and decided to try laying on the couch. My boyfriend eventually got out of bed and i just started crying. He was so upset because he didn't know what to do. I eventually said, "I have to tell you something."
***continued in a new post because I exceeded the character limit, haha***
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes you can wd off vicodin at home. Check out the amino acids in the health pages as they are a big help during and after wd. Aftercare is very vital to our recovery. Are you taking Prozac now? You can do this and we will be here to support you.......sara
Yes... I have done this myself. But, everyone is different. One word of advice, I do not recomend going "cold turkey." If you do, you can and will suffer great withdrawls. The first wek is the hardest. I rec tapering down. Some people enter an outpatient "suboxone" program, but also, suboxone does help majorly by taking away withdraw effects, but some ppl (I myself) find this addicting as well. This is also a program of tapering down w/ help from a doctor. It is your personal choice weather or not to go on suboxone. Everyone is different.
When I quit taking vicodin (I had a 5-6 year habit, up to 15 750mg a day) I went cold turkey and was very sick and depressed the first 2 weeks. It was very hard. I did very many different things, but found myself constinately craving, thinking, dreaming about the pills. I was 3 months clean and fell off the wagon. After going back on the vics, I got sick of the constant "trying to get the pills, spending $, Lying, etc" I heard a commercial for suboxone. I found a Dr. and have been on the program for a year. I am tapering down, and haven't taken a pain pill in over a year. My life got better, I feel better, I think clearer, and I even saw the light to my marriage and left my husband. (A whole different story...) But, that is what worked for me. Besides the suboxone program, I also see a therapist, and go to NA meetings. I excercise, and take a multi vitamin, a complex vitamin B (Helps the nervous system) and a vitamin D (The sunshine pill!) Vitamin D is good for your bones (calcium) but, in scientific studies, it prooves that ppl who live north in the U.S.A. lose vitamin D in the winter due to lack of sun. We all know sunshine helps ppl who suffer from depression. So, in the summer, your body produces Vitamin D which helps your serotonin level, and you lose your vitamin D in the gray days, winter. SO- when tapering or quitting a pain pill, you can suffer from depression, that's where an anti depressant helps (talk to your Dr.) or vitamin D never hurts... An anxiety medication helps, too.... Just, as depressed and tired as you may get, after resting for the first 3-5 days, FORCE yourself to excercise starting out with walking, for example... Counseling, a DR, a supportive friend or just coming on here helps as well. "Troubleinohio" has been a member on here for a long time and has some really good advice as well. We will all support you through out our recovery!!! Keep us posted DAILY!
When I quit taking vicodin (I had a 5-6 year habit, up to 15 750mg a day) I went cold turkey and was very sick and depressed the first 2 weeks. It was very hard. I did very many different things, but found myself constinately craving, thinking, dreaming about the pills. I was 3 months clean and fell off the wagon. After going back on the vics, I got sick of the constant "trying to get the pills, spending $, Lying, etc" I heard a commercial for suboxone. I found a Dr. and have been on the program for a year. I am tapering down, and haven't taken a pain pill in over a year. My life got better, I feel better, I think clearer, and I even saw the light to my marriage and left my husband. (A whole different story...) But, that is what worked for me. Besides the suboxone program, I also see a therapist, and go to NA meetings. I excercise, and take a multi vitamin, a complex vitamin B (Helps the nervous system) and a vitamin D (The sunshine pill!) Vitamin D is good for your bones (calcium) but, in scientific studies, it prooves that ppl who live north in the U.S.A. lose vitamin D in the winter due to lack of sun. We all know sunshine helps ppl who suffer from depression. So, in the summer, your body produces Vitamin D which helps your serotonin level, and you lose your vitamin D in the gray days, winter. SO- when tapering or quitting a pain pill, you can suffer from depression, that's where an anti depressant helps (talk to your Dr.) or vitamin D never hurts... An anxiety medication helps, too.... Just, as depressed and tired as you may get, after resting for the first 3-5 days, FORCE yourself to excercise starting out with walking, for example... Counseling, a DR, a supportive friend or just coming on here helps as well. "Troubleinohio" has been a member on here for a long time and has some really good advice as well. We will all support you through out our recovery!!! Keep us posted DAILY!
Thank you for your reply. Being in touch with anyone will help me through this. Can you believe I took my dog's tramadol? OMG! I don't ever want to be that desparate again. Knowing that so many have done this at home gives me a little hope. I'm not sure about what my life will be life after, and how I will deal with my neck pain, but this withdrawal is going to happen. It's inevitable.
yes you can detox off vicodin at home...probably 90% or higher of us here have DT'd at home including myself (many many times!!). Also alot of us have needed antidepressants for awhile after quitting as depression can be very bad sometimes after quitting especially if youre already predisposed to that. I do hope you read the posts here alot and write as much as you want. This forum is so great and you will get so much support and advice during WD and throughout your recovery. FOr many of this, THIS is our aftercare to help stay clean. As for what you can do during WD- get some Immodium or pepto for the diarrhea thats about to come, some Gas X, some Advil for the pain. ALso sleep aids may be needed briefly. You can read the Thomas Recipe here too if you are interested in using some vitamins and supplements that are supposed to help during WD. ALso maybe buy some bananas and comfort foods, and keep hydrated with water. Use Hot Baths, and a heating pad for your neck/back/arms/legs. Be aware that your neck pain may briefly become worse during WD and dont fall into the trap thinking that is your normal baseline pain that will be with you forever! THis happened to many of us (me too). But when you first quit, your body is screaming out for its drugs and it will send EXAGGERATED pain signals to your brain to try and get you to take more! So dont be surprised if your neck starts to hurt worse for a couple days. Use the Ibupofen for it (or whatever OTC pain reliever you can take) and just grin and bare it. After about 3 days or so, the physical WDs will start to subside and then you have to get past the mental cravings. You can do this!
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