How long before I become addicted to lortab?

[lilyput]

I have these Lortab 7.5 that they gave me for pain with this kidney stone. I'm supposed to take one or two every four hours as needed. Since the doggone stone doesn't seem to be moving, I'm afraid to keep taking the Lortab to manage the pain because I'm afraid I'll get addicted to it.

How long does it take at this dosage before I become addicted to the Lortab?

(oh, and i hope everyone has a great weekend! :)

[keepgoing89]

That's great that you're concerned with becoming addicted to them. Let me tell you something, addiction is mental. I believe that when we become affected to something that we are simply trying to cover emotional pain or fill in for something missing from our lives. Whatever it may be; childhood experiences, family relationships, stress. There are a lot of factors. Children often like to sleep with stuffed animals and it becomes hard to let go of those animals for some children, its a sense of security. Well I'm addicted to pain pills and let me tell you, its a sense of security. I'm using pain pills to temporarily cover my depression that really started in my childhood but is actually affecting me now as that I have became aware that the events I couldn't control in my life growing up have awaken my memory and consciousness. I understand that I have never accepted my past and my own worth is blurry.

So, this is the thing...I started taking a few lortabs a week recreationally about a year ago. That was when I was seemingly normal on the outside to myself and others. A few months goes by and I'm taking more because I felt like I could fo everything better; work, communicate, clean, etc. Then a couple more months roll around and I find that I need to take at least four lortab 10mg a day just to feel "high" and feel normal. So it went down from there, I eventually couldn't even start my day without the pills, and not just one, up to 8 a day. I have isolated myself over this past year just because I am so up and down and often depressed and defensive that I am so uncomfortable around people. I also take so much at times that I get paranoid that my friends and family would be able to tell I'm addicted to pain pills! So I have isolated myself.
In this time I have realized why I am so dependant on these pills and why I can't talk to anybody anymore or feel good about myself. I am not insecure or depressed because of the addiction per say, I am depressed because I've always been depressed and never realized it or dealt with it on a positive way. As human beings we can overcome anything, even depression, with natural cures such as exercise, water, nutrition, sleep, relationships with people, hobbies, etc. Well, if we find something that hides our mental pain (that we might not even be aware of yet) then it is human nature to keep doing that. So what turns into just a couple uses to make us "feel good" could very well turn into a dependency. It's going to be hard giving up something that hides so much in your mind and makes you numb. So to answer your question if you haven't already gotten my message, it is very easy to become addicted to pain pills if you are not happy. I think it is extremely important for you and everybody in this position to be aware of your mental state when using these and if for a moment you know you have used more to make you feel good and not receive pain, you need to tell yourself this is how addiction starts. Only take what you need for pain and if you feel like you're straying off, tell a family member so they can be an extra person to remind you of the dangers that could be in your future if you use it for comfort.

Best of luck, thanks for posting!

[leidencyrusdouglas]

I  know you pain I have the same issue you do with the stone, if you take it litteraly every 4 hours like I am you can become addicted within a few days just be very carefully I know the pain and im trying to fight it and its difficult, so try going 5 hour with out and then 5 1/2 without what ever you feel you can handle

[SableZen]

First, you have my heartfelt sympathy - my kidney stone episode was over withing about 8 hours. They are thinking a month for it to pass?? Wow that is SO not cool.

What would I do in that situation though... hard question to answer... But I think I would try and rely on acetaminophen for control of the pain now. And if it becomes severe enough switch over to the Lortabs for breakthrough pain if they aren't offering any other alternative - just want to be careful that you don't overdo it with the acetaminophen between the two.

I know most of the stronger (non-narcotic) NSAIDs they can give for kidney stone pain shouldn't be used for more than a few days to a week...

I do think I would tell them you may be prone to becoming addicted to opiates and want to be very careful and leave it at that. There is no way they are going to assume you are 'drug seeking' when you have a kidney stone like that and just dismiss your pain.

[lilyput]

well it's monday night and the stone hasn't passed. as a matter of fact, i've had no pain for the past two days. i guess it decided to take a break? it's still in my kidney - i got ahold of the CT scan and looked at it myself on my computer..hehe..i'm a nosey bugger.

so this means i haven't gotten to the severest pain yet. oh gosh! i talked to the urologists' office that i'm supposed to follow-up with tomorrow. i told them that it's not moving, and i have intermittent pain. sometimes painful, sometimes nothing at all.

they said to keep taking the lortab! to keep the pain "managed." they said if it is managed from the start, that it won't get out of control and require trips to the ER for morphine during the really bad part of it traveling down the ureter. they said this can go on for a month before the doc decides to go in and remove it, or do that soundwave thing on it to break it up.

i  told them that with all due respect i thought they were crazy. they expect me to keep taking lortabs for pain that's not that bad, or non-existent at times?? and that i should do this for a month?? the nurse told me to not worry, that if i became addicted they would just "wean me off."

i said "please hold on just one moment", put the phone down, went outside closing the door behind me, and screamed "holy sh*t these people are freaking me out!" then went back inside and got back on the phone. i told her that i wouldn't be taking anymore pain meds until i saw the doc tuesday, and thanked her for her time.

bottom line: i'm afraid to tell the doc that i have an addictive personality because i know that i will be in excruciating pain in the near future, and i want morphine when i'm in excruciating pain. if they know i'm addictive, they may withhold all that and let me suffer. i don't do suffering well at all.

any suggestions?

[worried878]

I think there are alot of factors that come into play on this...it took me about 3 years to become addicted but i had no previous addiction issues...if u do it could happen fast...my friend is a recovering alcoholic and she became addicted in a matter of months...i would be careful and hopefully the stone will pass soon...push the H20 to flush it outa there!  good luck

[johnnykelly]

Studies have shown that people in feal pain or less likely to become addicted in a physical sence.The problen i see,is if this problem doesant get resolved and you become dependant.I would speak to the primary physican/specialist and inquire about surgery and or other form of treatment is you can discontinue these pill without having to go c/t, Taper, or other more radical form of relief.That Buzz feels good at first,but it goes away in time,unfortunately we inherit a lot of bad behaviours along the way.When i look back in my own-case it wasent worth the harm it caused and the lost direction it takes us in.Please i know im 48,Ill be 49 in a week.My life was impaired to a severe direction in a bad way!! I have no reason to Lie!! Your friend John

[malenurse57]

I to agree with the others with one exception that being it all depends on how addictive ones nature may or may not be. That said please be very careful. Good luck and my prayers are with you, those things are PAINFUL

[sadinmichigan]

I agree with magi..You can get addicted within a month..So please just take them as prescribed..How long does the dr. say it takes for these dang stones to come out?? I am sorry you have to go through this..I am praying for a speedy delivery.lol I'm not trying to undermine anything here..But you will be better once it's out..

[flmagi]

It could only take a month to become dependant on them, then perhaps move quickly onto addiction. Take them only as needed and NEVER more than perscribed.  After time you may find you need more because your pain will seem worse, thats because the pain pills will stop your bodies natural pain killer.
So, be very, very careful. Try to go with out them at times, if you can.

[grievingwidow]

It would take you anywhere from several months to years to become addicted.  Pain pills are for people like you who have an acute medical condition with severe pain, so take them if you need them and don't worry. It was probably 2-3 years before I go to the point that I HAD to take them every day.

Some people here may not agree with me, but it is just my opinion (a person who has been an addict going on 17 years now).

Good luck.

Love, Cindy