Hydrocodone Abuse

[mgrace00]

Hello. I have a question for current or former hydrocodone addicts. I have been taking this medication for about a year now and have turned myself into a monster when it comes to the drug. I have 10/325s. I am to the point of wanting to stop, and I have made a plan to do so. But I have a question about something that concerns me. When I take this medication, I obviously do not take it as prescribed. I am an over-doer. I will take as many as it takes for me to feel the high that hydrocodone gives. Since I have been taking them for a year, that is about 6 at a time. Sometimes I will take 6 then I will take another in 45 min-1 hr, and another again in the same amount of time, to keep the high going. I have been doing this for about 2 weeks. I need to know about overdose. This may seem like a silly question to some, but it is a very serious one to me. I know that overdose can occur within a certain amount of time after one takes the medicine, but can it occur after large amounts have been taken for an extended amount of time. For example, since I have been taking 12+ per day, for about 2 weeks, will my body give out and something bad happen to me out of the blue?  What I am worried about is respiratory depression. I have been feeling a little more anxious than usual, but my breathing is ok. My blood pressure is ok, but my pulse was a little low earlier, at 61. I need real answers please. Answers from experience of taking high amounts for long periods of time, every day, without pause. Please do not try to scare me by giving me exaggerated answers. Please do not do this. I am already scared, and I know that the only way to not be worried is to not take the mess. I am truly working on stopping.  Thank you.

[OpenMind24hours]

I'm a hydrocodone addict. not former addict bc addiction is a life-long disease. As an addict I can't control the use of any mind altering substance. Alcohol included. Once I use its off to the races for me. I'm clean now and I just don't use on a day to day basis. I've put almost a year clean together. I couldn't taper, never. If I had it I used it. I can really identify with your using. I had to reach a certain level of high or what's the use. I kept getting deeper and deeper into a hole. I found its easier to stand on the edge of a hole looking down at the bottom rather than trying to climb out. It took more and more to get what I needed out of the stuff. I lived to use and used to live.  I stopped October 9th when I ran out. And I made a commitment by telling all my sources, including my Doctor, I'm not going to use anymore. Then I went through my 3rd and final detox (3rd so far).

As everyone said above, you're taking quite a bit of hydro at a time. You're worried or you wouldn't have bothered to post. To me, there could be a spark of willingness to stop? But something's got to give sometime; your liver, respiratory, or even moving on to heroin... addiction has an ugly ending if we go to the bitter end; jails institutions and death.

But above all mgrace, I know nobody can talk and addict into doing anything they don't want to do. Nobody could talk me into stopping until I was ready to stop.  I'm not only powerless over drugs when I use, I'm much more powerless over someone else's using. It will be your decision to surrender your old ways for a new life, but first you will need to get really sick and tired of being sick and tired. You can have a long life ahead of you, It's your call.

Just know that we will help you through detox. Right now going CT is doable, you've been using for just under a year. You have a good chance. You can do this if you choose.

[Ann2497]

There are people who take way more but usually have been abusing for longer than you have.  I think you said you have been abusing them for a year?  The guy taking 30 a day has been abusing them for 15 years.  I haven't seen many people take 6 10 mg pills at one time and then an hour later take another one (after only using for a year).  sorry, I am just being honest.  You only weigh 135 pounds too.  You can get opinions from others but that seems to be incredible tolerance for abusing them for one year and someone that weighs 135 lbs.    When do you plan to start your taper?  It ***** but stay on this board or have a friend you can trust help you thru this,.  Do you have someone to help you?

[toothfairie]

just wanted to chime in here.....i was taking 10mg hydros for more than 10 years.....i only took 1 to 1n half at a time but that was every 2 hours....so upwards of 10-12 a day....that was for years....i weigh around 130 lbs....that tolerance you've built up is pretty high and pretty fast...i do wish you the best....if you really want to stop, then now's the time....tapering might be easier on you if you're taking that much at a time.....it's your choice...but i would get on board with your doctor for sure....something will give out....whether it's your liver or OD'ing...not trying to be harsh, we just want you to be healthy and live a good life....being clean is so much better than being a slave to the pills...you can do this if you really want it and get a plan in place....hope you do this soon.  

[mgrace00]

You are a very nice person. I like the way you think and talk. I have made up my mind to quit. I am not getting anymore satisfaction from it. I still like intoxication, but it dont feel good like it used to. I dont want to move on to anything new or different, even though I do like to be "high" as horrible as that sounds. I have a plan to quit. I know that I can do it. I've quit other things before and didn't go back, and I did it in the blink of an eye because I was ready. I fear the withdrawal. I have to be functional everyday, all day. But I will do whatever it takes. I am tired of not feeling good, but above all else, I am tired of thinking about the **** 24 hours a day. It's like it consumes my thoughts all day long! Even when I have already taken some, its still there! Oh my God, but what will I do about the pain that I have, the reason that I started in the first place!

[Bobo0331]

Hey there,

Good to see you starting the process of reclaiming your life. My opinion is that you have been taking a lot, but it's been about a year, and you are young so that is good.

I could not taper, had to go CT, taking 7 or 8 10 mg percs on my last day which was 2 1/2 weeks ago. Been tough, but it is doable. You can do it, there is a better life in out there. Make your plan and execute it.

In the meantime, focus on damage control, and try to ease yourself closer to the ground before you jump.

Good luck my friend.

[brokenspiritandsoul]

This is my first time posting. I read daily and feel like I should respond to you. I am 38 and weigh 95 lbs. (I have always been small but the pills have kept me really underweight!). I have been taking hydros 10/325 for 2 years and I take up to 20 a say. I also will take 6 at once to get my high!  I am going cold turkey in the morning but that's another story!  A year ago I got sick over the weekend. Thought I had the stomach flu!  After 3 days of keeping nothing down, except for my pills, I went to the hospital. My liver was swollen to twice its size and not functioning!  I was scared to death!  Spent 2 weeks in the hospital then was released with a warning to stop the hydros. I went right back to them and still take them!  I know I am dumb but I am a addict!  So yes, you can have problems after taking so much!  It can happen to anyone no matter how many pills they take!  Somehow, my liver is ok today but I know if I continue that my liver will shut down again!  I only took 5 today and plan on that being the last time!  I hope you are able to taper down to a safe amount!  Please pray for me to be able to do this!  I have tried many times but this time just feels different!