Addicted or Addict

[GoodOldDays]

Hi everyone - is there a difference from being addicted or an addict?  I ask for curiosity purposes only.

I'm a Vicodin user and ready to quit (again).   Have been using for approximately four years, as many as a dozen a day, but 6-8 is more typical.  I know what to expect while quitting CT - RLS has been the worst part for me.  I'm making plans to have three days off from work and using a weekend so I have five days to take on the brunt of the physical w/d's.  I'm also am a chronic tobacco chewer.  I'd like to quit both at the same time.  My reasoning is that with five days off I can literally lay in bed if I need to.  My plan is to force a bit of exercise each day, but aside from that nothing else if I don't feel like it.

Any opinions on whether I can quit both at the same time?  If I had to choose I'd focus on the Vicodin first.  Either way I'm going to be miserable so why not kill two birds with one stone, Suggestions are very much appreciated!  Thanks!

[motye51]

OMG.....if I wouldn't have had my cig's during withdrawal I think I would have gone insane!!!!!  I see on here alot where people quit everything all at once....lol.....totally not me. One vice at a time!  Good luck to you and your quest to quit both.....takes a lot of guts in my book!

[GoodOldDays]

Yes I have used the patches before.  I didn't wear them overnight and I don't recall having vivid dreams.  I had success using them, but after 4-5 days I would feel as though I conquered the habit and stop wearing them.  At one point I had stopped chewing for 1 1/2 years and all it took is one time and I was back full swing.  It was actually a good learning lesson for me as I now see why continue support for any addictive behavior is required.

Chewing began when I was around 27 years old, Vicodin use around age 37.  IMO pretty dumb choices for someone who should have known better.  I'm 41 now and I want to try and get back to when I felt better.  I'll never be 27 again, but I can at least treat my body like I did then and maybe a little better :)

Oh - and the good news is that I have secured next M-W off from work.  I'm real excited for the weekend to get here and begin my new clean life.  As I mentioned earlier I know what to expect so I'm not scared - I just need to be strong enough to put up with the WD's, keep myself busy, and rest when I need to.  As I've learned detox is the easy part, staying sober is the difficult part.  My favorite saying is you don't need to be sober forever, just today!

[mlajl]

Perfect way to discribe it, calm before the storm! Have u ever tried the nicotine patch? I did about 10 years ago or more, not only did it give me and my husband both joint pain at the sight of the patch, caused very weird scary realistic vivid dreams.. so if u experience this, u know it's the patch..  good luck to u!!! I'll be watching for your success story!

[GoodOldDays]

Thank you all for the responses.  I'm still debating on whether to quit both at the same time.  To help with nicotine WD I'd use the patch, but the Vicodin will be CT.  I do appreciate the advice and I'm not trying to undermine your experiences and knowledge.  Generally speaking I have good willpower, but I'm not underestimating the struggles I’ll be facing and realize I’m not in control of my Vicodin addiction.

IBKleen - yes I recognize I have a problem.  Not only do I take it inappropriately, but I'm not prescribed it any longer.  That’s a double whammy.  This time I’m approaching it more methodically and developing a plan.  For starters I've already cut all ties to my contacts.  I never did that previously.  I’m also giving serious consideration to sharing my addiction with my family.  I think they’ll be very supportive and help me through this.  In the past I’ve kept everything close to the vest, but I want and need their support to succeed.  I have been evaluating aftercare programs, but haven’t settled on one.  I’ve spoken to someone who recommended a group – this is the favorite at this time.  I’m also setting a quit date and making preparations in advance.

Today I'm making plans at work and I hope to quit using Saturday and have M-W off next week.  It's a difficult time for me to take time off right now, but I think I can make the arrangements.  At the end of the day I need this so one way or another I’ll find a way to make it work.

Thanks again for the replies.  I’ll keep in touch, which shouldn’t be too difficult because I enjoy reading the success stories and knowledge so many of you are willing to share.  Have a great day everyone!

P.S. I apologize if I seem somewhat non-nonchalant about this, I think it's because I feel good that I'm developing a plan and it's the calm before the storm...

[Cricketk92]

I have to agree with all the above who said not to try both at the same time!  I am a smoker and knew better for myself than to try to give them both up together!  I have been off the pills for almost 5 months and now am attempting to quit smoking.  Nicotine is a nasty devil too and it is not easy to try to quit!  I would just stay focused on getting off the vicoden first....that will be enough for your body to handle!  When is your quit date?  Keep on posting and we will be here routing you on!!!!  

[dominosarah]

I would stick to getting off the vicodin first.  Putting that much pressure on your brain and body can be disastrous but only you know how much you can endure.  Are you going to do anything with aftercare this time?  Please keep us posted on how you are doing~

[BearsFan1966]

I agree with IBK take one addiction at a time! I know that when I quit if I did not have my smokes I would of never left the house! lol But really if you can not do one of them and relapse then you might give up all together! Be kind to yourself and tackle one at a time.

[IBKleen]

There is no difference between dependant or an addict.There is a difference being being an addict and being someone who is dependent on the medication.  However, if you are taking 6 to 8 a day then I assume they are not prescribed that way. Generally it is 1 every 4 hours or every 6 hours. so that right there says you have a problem. What do you think you will do different this time so you won't relapse????

I think stopping the tobacco at the same time is a bad idea. One thing at a time. One step at a time. You are taking on way too much and I think you may be setting yourself up for relapse.

[mlajl]

Well, I'd not give up tobacco and vicoden at the same time lol I'd go crazy I do know chew is stronger source of  nicotine. Lots of men I know have a hard time giving it up.. up to u.. u know what u can handle.. addicted/addict, is a fine line.. how do u sort out the difference? Both have withdrawals and both are mesrible...as from my point of view, I also see no difference between the two.. . Atleast u have 5 days to get the worst behind u.. good luck to you!

[Krissy_123]

No there is no difference. If you're addicted you're an addict. There is a difference between dependant and addicted. But it's a very fine line that can be crossed over very easily. If you want to quit stick close to this site. It can be done you can get your drug free life back. And quitting both is up to you. Try it and see how it goes. I'd deff try not to lay around for 5 days though. Them 5 days will turn into 10. If you don't get up and move around you can't heal. You can't get energy back without trying.