Quit Vicodin

[SeahawksWin]

Ive been taking Vicodin off and on for the last 6 years.  I'm up to about 3 a day which doesn't seem like a lot, but when I go too long, my face gets hot and I sweat.   How do I quit without major withdrawals?  Vicodin makes me happy and I feel very depressed without it.  Sad thing is, I'm beautiful, huge house and great life.  I just suffer from depression and want to start a clean 2014!  

[mutty188]

pretty similar. I took no more than 4 a day, usually 2 or 3 for 2 years. I got clean for 5 weeks then relapsed, I'm clean again.

Even at relatively low doses, you are in for a bit of a shock when you stop. It's totally doable. I actually felt weird, wiry, but in a better place. It'll take a few weeks to feel right again, but each day is better.

The first thing you'll realize is that the pills don't make you happy, and don't provide more energy. It's a lie. You'll be able to be super mom, or whatever you want to be BETTER without them.

My relapse was stress induced. We all have to learn to deal with life on life's terms and sometimes it's not fun.

The 3rd thing i realized is that this is a progressive disease. You don't pick up back at the fun beginning, you pick up exactly where you left off. There is no getting around this.

You need to take the plunge and stop those pills. If you are getting them via your doctor, you're gonna need to end that. You can't live being a copay away from a bottle of pills. It will get you. AND, your dr might find some non-narcotic help for you.

[petsrule]

We are all afraid.   Nature of the beast.  From reading I have realized my thoughts were not thoughts alone to me.  The actual first day I was so afraid.   I knew I had to start living a better life but the drug had made life so comfortable.   And,  the drug was no longer giving me the energy it had but I kept trying.  Everyone will experience it differently.   I wanted to be free but would have continued but my doctor quit writing for me.   So I was mentally half there.   It probably would have been easier had I been 100% mentally ready but I had to start.   I am so glad now.   I am mentally clearer and the physical is coming.   The mental clarity is so worth it alone.   Like several people here you have that voice that is telling you the usage is a problem.   Once that starts the voice nags constantly.    There will be bad days,  but I know already that they are worth it.   Take the advice of others here of how to best set yourself up to make it as easy as possible.   I didn't find the forum until I had 3 days into it.  One of the best things for me is getting rid of the constant thought process centered on the drug.  How much do I have,  why am I taking it again, the secrecy.   Good luck to you.

[tooter212]

Welcome Seahawks, your at the right place. I can't tell you how important it is to stop now!!!!!!!!!!! At one time many years ago I used to drink a six pack of beer to just feel normal. I did that for 25 years. Of course I drank more than that more times than not. I finely quit and went to AA because my husband was going to leave me. I was sober for many years. Just took 3 exceredine  for the caffeine to jump start my day. I'm still taking it ever so often. I got on the hydrocodone 10mg about 2 or 3 years ago for real bad pain. I was to take it up to 3 times a day. Needless to say the last 6 months to a year I was taking it up to 5 or 6 times a day. It got to where it didn't work anymore for the pain or make me feel happy. so on Oct 14 of this year I decided to quit. I won't lie, it has been hard but sooo worth it. It's been the mental part for me. but today it seems to have turned around!!! I'm actually happy! Just hang in there and keep posting and venting and praying and you'll make it to the other side. God Bless  

[meegWpaw]

Seahawks I have been thinking about your post.  I started Vicodin in my 20s and I didn't really take that much of it, but over the decade I went from casual use to a solid dependency.  By the time I tried to get clean a couple years ago (close to 20 years later), I was up to about 40 pills a day.  It has been a battle to get and stay clean!  You should get off the junk now.  This is the time!!!!  You will feel happier and better about yourself in the long run.  :)

[ariley13]

Hey there and a big welcome to you! You are on a low dose right now, but have been using them for quite awhile. Now is definitely the time to quit. The longer you wait to do it, and the higher your dose gets, the more difficult this will be. Do you feel that you are addicted to them, or is this more of a physical dependency? Do you abuse them, take more than you are supposed to, run out of your script early? If so then you are probably addicted. That's a question that only you can answer. If you are just dependent, you will feel a little rough for maybe a week or so, then be just fine. If addicted, you will have to deal with the emotional and mental aspects of quitting and your disease. Have you told your doctor that you are wanting to quit? That may be important to cut out your sources. If you don't have them around, it makes it a lot easier to quit. Just know that you can do this and that we are here for you. Once you quit, let us now what symptoms you are having and we can suggest different things that might help you. Good luck to you!

[VICourageous]

Hi & Welcome..Well you will experience some kind of w/ds because the Brain and Body has to adjust back from the removal of these Stims. One of the reasons that most of us got hooked was for the energy or the depression..Plus it is all in the Brain Chemistry that gets us hooked as well.
You did not take a lot in one day but you have been playing with them for years now..The thing you will want to do is either Taper a bit down with help..Get the DR involved so they can help or just c/t. Start drinking Tons of water..Get some electrolyte powder to add to water..Get some Protein powder too..Set your self up with some good natural Vit/Min..Magnesium is a god send..it helps draw the poisons out and helps the brain balance back. There is so much more to this..Get some Epsom salt for your bath too. The sweating and such that you described is just part of the detox. You could experience different stages but it will be gone soon..It is the mental waves that will come & go that you will have to stay in-tune with and just know it is part of the process..TIME is the biggest healer..With time comes Patience. Most of us experience the same things but the Time Limit differs from person to person..Depending on what drug, how long, how much (mgs) in a day and how healthy you are and AGE!! Stay close to your post..We have all kinds of caring and sharing souls on here..Some just started this Journey and others have months or years. You must have Support..This Journey into Recovery is not meant to be walked alone. The detox is the easy part (hard) but staying clean is where the work begins. I wish you the best..I know you can do it and we will be cheering you on all the way.
Bless