How long does it take to form an addiction to hydrocodone?

[Truthsw]

I had arthroscopic shoulder surgery for a frozen shoulder on August 18 and I'm in the middle of 4 weeks of intense, painful physical therapy. My doctor prescribed hydrocodone/acetaminaphine 7.5/325 1-2 pills every 4-6 hours. I've had to take the maximum dosage to get thru it and I'm still in pain and I'm ready to take the next dose right at the 4 hour mark. A month before surgery he had prescribed hydro 5 for the pain. I was only taking one as needed, pretty regular. I'm concerned because I don't want to become addicted to the hydro. I'm currently taking 12 a day. I've considered tapering down, but the PT is still pretty painful. Should I be concerned this early? I'd appreciate your advice.

[Truthsw]

I spoke with my neurologist about it. I'm also on topamax for epilepsy. He said to very carefully wean myself down with longer periods of time between doses, 6 hours and then 8 hours and then 10 hours and then 12 hours. Going cold turkey wouldn't be good. I've not had any problems so far. I'm taking 4 pills a day now, 1 every 6 hours. I'm feeling some shoulder pain between doses, but I'm using ice and the tens unit to help with that.  Thanks PurrfectlyKrazy for the suggestion about the lidoderm patches and the Voltaren gel. I actually have some of both. They will help. I'll have to check into the swim classes. Thank you everyone!!

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

I almost forgot...check with your local ymca for a water aerobics class called Twinges and Hinges...It is so awesome....the person who runs the class is familiar with working with different joint issues...they won't push you more than you can do....do the class...then take a hot tub (if they have one).  It will help your shoulder limber and it feels good too :-)

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

I don't know if this will help but when I had my knee surgery I took the pills as prescribed for a few days.  When I started my physical therapy I would take one an hour before (if needed one after) and then only one at bedtime.  So that was three a day.  Of course, this is before the addiction set in for me...which was quite a few years.  

Get a handle on your usage now before it gets worse.  Try other things first....ice, heat, ask about stuff like Lidoderm patches or Voltaren Gel (both non-addictive).  Take your meds as prescribed only but try for less if you can.  If you have problems sticking to taking as prescribed talk to your doctor.

Good luck!

[luvdolphins58]

I have few yrs experience with shoulder surgeries. The PT I found was extremely painful but a necessity. Even with pain pills pain bad. I totally understand. After PT over to gain more movement and strength swim or join water aerobics. I'm speaking from total experience. Just a thought. I feel for you and saying prayers

[keith600]

Addicted or dependent, anyone put on say hydrocodone for a period of time will become dependent but are you an addict, maybe not. There are no drug addicts, addiction is addiction and drugs are a symptom of addiction. It could be sex, food, gambling, you name it. NA has a pamphlet titled are you an addict and few  of the questions involve drugs. It wasn't until I got in a program that I learned I have many signs of addiction and drugs were only one of them. So dependent or addicted, its a question only you can answer through research, reaching out to others about their experience and above all being honest with yourself

[Ballgame]

It's also not true that you won't get addicted if you're in pain. I've heard that a lot.

[Ballgame]

Some will say it could take weeks. I think it's more months of steady use. There are 2 sides to it. Emotional and physical.
Emotional meaning are the pills masking some problem
Physical as in your brain develops more pain receptors that the pills block. That's tolerance when brain starts building more receptors. Because you need more to cover the pain because you have more pain receptors.

[Truthsw]

I haven't started the strengthening phase of PT yet. I'm just on the mobility and range of motion phase. Yikes! I'm not sure how we'll get to all that in 4 more sessions. Damn these insurance companies and their visit limits (but that's another topic for another forum).
I woke up in the middle of the night with pain in my shoulder and took 2 Aleve. Went back to sleep just fine. I have noticed that my nose is running quite a bit. Could that a physiological symptom of withdrawal?

Brainchange...I'm not sure what you mean. Are you in the same place I was/am? Didn't realize how addictive the pills could be or how soon it could happen?

[brainchange]

just reading those questions/points jinx...makes me wish I found this forum (or thought to look for something like this) a year ago. I haven't been taking these pills for pain in a long time. Originally perscribed for that...but then....all those other things you mention. Guess I am not alone!  

[Sweetness91]

Hi & Welcome. I detoxed off methadone almost 2 years ago an did ok. (I guess...lol). Then in May of this year I broke my thumb in 4 places and had a large break in my wrist. I took Vicodin for the pain, although I didn't take as much as you for fear of addiction and withdrawal. BUT, I did take them for over two months, and was terrified of stopping at that point because I just knew I would have a bad withdrawal. But I didn't. This isn't meant as advice on a taper for YOU, only how I did it. I basically cut myself down by 2.5 mgs when I felt comfortable with it. Maybe about every 3-4 days I guess? Not even sure but it was close to that. And I dropped all the way down to a 1/2 of a 5mg pill and stopped at that point and had no withdrawal whatsoever, except the damn sneezing...but I sneeze at just about everything, fresh mowed grass, pepper, cologne...whatever..lol. So that's wasn't a big issue for me. I will say this though....take them at least long enough to get thru physical therapy. I told my ortho doc I didn't want anymore, and that was just a few days before I was to start the "strengthening" phase of PT, I should've never done that! I lasted two sessions and haven't went back because I can't handle the pain afterwards. Had I kept taking them, I could've gotten more of my strength back in my hand and wrist, but that's done and over now so no looking back. That's just my advice from experience. Do what you have to do for your health and well being, and deal with the rest later. I wish you the best of luck and prayers for a speedy recovery!!

[Truthsw]

I am strictly taking them for the pain. I didn't realize they'd give you a sense of euphoria, energy or false sense of well being. If that is "the test" or one of the tests, then I do feel better about it. I haven't felt any of that. It just freaked me out when my colleague told me they could be addictive. Today I took 1 at 9:00 am and 2 at 1:30 pm right before my physical therapy session. I'm feeling fine. I don't plan to take any more unless the pain becomes unbearable, after trying the ice on my shoulder. The surgery was just over 2 weeks ago. I have another week of intense PT and then the rest is at home on my own.  Thanks for your responses.

[Jinx_777]

are you taking them at all for the 'euphoria' or energy or false sense of well being????

that is when you will know you crossed the line.  only you know the answer to that question.
if you get to that point, where you are not taking them for pain alone, then you will have a harder time getting off of them

[Truthsw]

Thanks for your response. I don't know much about hydrocodone and didn't realize how addictive they were until a colleague said something about it. I guess I should have asked more questions or informed myself more. I didn't take it too much before the surgery, mainly at night to sleep, or if the pain was really bad. I said pretty regular, but not every 4 hours or anything like that. Since the surgery it has been a different story. I feel so dumb! Yes, I am using ice for pain, and I've recently purchased a tens unit. Hopefully that will help as well. I don't want to stay on the meds at all. Just thru the next couple of weeks of PT. If I can make it without them, I'll do it.

I'm wondering what the best tapering plan is? To increase the amount of hours between doses or cut the dosage? Advice?

[10356]

Hi Truthsw Welcome to the forum.. I had a shoulder replacement so I know how much a frozen shoulder hurts. I have to say 12 pills a day is a lot. If the meds are not addressing your pain you should speak with your Dr. Are you using Ice ? This helped me tremendously. Well in answer to your question More then likely your body has become addicted to the pain meds and you will experience wd How bad it is I can not say as we are all different. If this is your first time I would think not so bad, but you were taking them for a month prior to the surgery and are now taking 12 a day, When ready to stop speak with your Dr, about a taper plan This may help also comfort meds to come off.. as for addiction Only you can say if you are a addict our not. How long do you plan on staying on the meds ? Anyway when you are ready to come off we will be here to support. take care, lesa