Have an important question about quiting Vicodin/Darvon

[Dale]

I have been addicted to opiates such as Darvon and Vicodin for five years. I stopped taking them two weeks ago. I went through some very painful withdrawals. I feel much better now but I still have no energy and am restless at the same time. I am not able to work. I know that my body will eventually start producing the necessary endorphoins to give me energy again. Until then, I started taking Ritalin. It gives me energy while calming me. (It's the only way I can work) My question is: will taking the Ritalin retard my body from starting to produce its own endorphins to give me energy again. I am not planning to continue taking it. Only until I get my energy level back. I am sure I won't get addicted to them becasue I really don't like the way the way they make me feel. I just need some energy to go about my normal tasks. If they are going to affect my body starting to produce its own endorphins then I will stop taking them. I appreciate any info on this as I haven't found an answer any where else.


Thanks,

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I have never considered MMT but it does sound interesting. My doctor has diagnosed degenerative joint disease and periferal neuropathy in me and I am currently taking Lorcet. Some days it works and some days it doesn't. I can't honestly say that I'm addicted to this stuff but I do know that my life would be miserable without it. The quality of my life is the main issue here, not catching a Buzz. Is it even worth mentioning MMT to my doctor?

[Dreaming87]

I have been reading this forum everyday but have not posted. What started out Sun. as day one has turned into the same roller coaster again.  A few hydros, a few oxy's and here I am again. Why do I do this!?!  I do not need these pain pills, I have some lower back pain and the usual aches and pains but why do I feel like a slave to these pills?  I have to get my life together for my sake and my child's sake.  (I work full time, no one the wiser there) but I drink every day, not getting drunk, but getting a "buzz" and if the pills find me I can't say no always finding a way to get the money when I can't get them legit.  I can't function normally and like alot of you, seem to have the "flu" every other day.  I don't think my body can take much more but I do not know what to do.  In patient treatment is not an option, I have to work.  This use and abuse has been going on for over 5 years and my desire for the drug keeps getting worse.  Am I crazy???  Any help or comments is appreciated, day one starts again tomorrow.

[By Kim to Amber]

I read your post and it did make alot of since. My husband went to pain managment therapy and it teaches you how to do exercises to releive some of the pain  which is a good thing, but he  can manage and deals with his pain anyway, it is me that cannot. Therapy says most of it is in our heads( this is for all the people that are really in pain such as myself)I just don't understand why they say that when we really do feel the pain. How can we get it out of our minds when the pain is there? I'am addicted to percs, I now take 60 mg of oxy 2 a day and 2 percs a day, but I will sometimes find the bottle my husband hides from me and will take a couple extra. I'am weanig off the percs now, my next prescription is going to be reduced to 6o a month instead of 75. I origanlly used to take 200 percs a month and not the oxy. My doctor put me on the oxy so I would not have to po so many pills,expecially when percs are so bad for the liver,and the oxy are not. I keep on reading the posts hoping that one person out there can maybe really help find away out. I do not know, but it does not hurt to try. I can say one thing, I 'am admitting I do have a problem, like I have a freind that takes them and it is so funny because she thinks she can handle them, yet when she runs out, she acts just like the rest of us addicts do. Well I know I'am not giving up on myself.

[Frankinscense]

I am not trying to anger anyone I am trying to let people know that people who consistantly abuse short acting opiates are being harmed in one way or another. They are not intended to be taken for long periods of time. I know you have all heard through my earlier posts about LAAM and MMT. Methadone does not harm your liver or other vital organs like tylenol and other additives do. They let you quit thinking about cravings,withdrawals,and where you are going to get your next refills. Hearing and doing are two different things JB. Again I am trying to tell you of a better life without chasing a high. I have been where most of you are and grew tired of the lifestyle and having brushes with death and incarceration I started on MMT. I have been on MMT for six years and have gotten my life together,went to school,and conquered all most all of  my pain issues. I would never have done this if I would have stayed on lorabs, tylox,vicodens and whatever short acting  opiate I could get my hands on. These drugs will eventually ruin most peoples life by taking away your free will. You live on the drugs agenda not your own. This absolutely does not happen to you while on MMT. It's legal and allows you to get back you life. I am on a very slow detox and have dropped sixty milligrams with little difficulty. I do not have any desire to take opiates. When I have pain I take an occasional antinflammatory and it works for my pain when in the past I would have laughed at the idea of taking a advil. I am still on MMT and have bouts of severe painly only rarely. When I do have severe pain I can take a pain pill when necessary. I do not have to take large doses to achieve pain relief. Knowing and doing are two different concepts JB. No offense intended. This is what has worked for me and many other pill addicts. (including,doctors,lawyers,and many other professionals) Knowledge is power to do the right thing!
Sincerely, Dan

[charlie]

The Pill Box is perfectly legal.  As of today, it has not been shut down.  It does seem hard to believe that you can obtain narcotic drugs without seeing a physician, but that really is the case here.  There are no legal consequences to follow you.  For myself, however, I have chosen to live a life without any opiates(that is today the way I feel).  I detoxed myself over a month ago and I am currently enrolled in a three night a week intensive out-patient group.  I am working my program and I feel so much better.  Good luck to all of you.
Charlie

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I'll listen to whatever you have to say, Dan. What is this new and healtier way all about? I am curious to see if you've come up with something I haven't done or heard about yet.
Incidentally, I have a question for you. Why is it that the majority of people who drink alcohol don't become alcoholics? The same question again for opiates.