How to stay clean

[kittycat1]

Been taking vicoden 7.5 for about a year and sometimes loratab 10 mg. About 4 a day, which doesn't seem like much compared to some I've seen on hear but I want to stop this. I did  stop  by tapering off about 3 weeks ago and went 7 days with out too bad of w/d. Used xanax if felt anxious. tylenol pm and amodium. Felt pretty OK after day 3.
Going to start right now. Haven't had one in about 5 hours. will not give in to this. any suggestions on how to stay off?

[worried878]

tapering works for some....not many addicts tho unless u hand them over...40 mg a day i would not taper..i would ct...tapering is no fun and can prolong the agony of quitting for many and take so much discipline....if u want to taper then give them to someone u trust and get it done....i was at 80 and felt bad for 4 days physically and back to work day 5...tapering is often needed for  people at 15-20 or more pills a day...if u can handle it taper down 1/2 pill ever few days...personally i would ct at 40 mg a day..if u r afraid to let ur pills go u have some serious thinking to do about ur goals...gotta put urself in control and take the power away from the pills...hand em over to taper or flush em....and move forward....

[kittycat1]

Thanks for the support. I really feel like a hypocrite. My son was addicted for years, now serving jail time. His girlfriend too. Don't know how some pain in my ankle led to this.
I have seen first hand what this can do to people. I really think the reason I still continue to take it is I have a lot more energy on it and when I am not I feel so lethargic. Does the listless feeling ever go away?  I have given what is left of script to BF to dispense. I am feeling anxious already just knowing I don't have it when I think I need it. Thanks for listening.

[enemy48]

Some people can taper, but most fail.......including myself.  I tried detoxing so many times and the longest I went was 6 days.  The withdrawals were so bad, and as long as I could get pills, I'd give in.

If you think you can do a taper, give them to a trusted person that won't give in you you no matter what.  You will hate that person, but that person has to know this before you do it.  There are people that are diciplined and can do it themselves, but they are rare.

Make your plan and don't start before it's put in place or you'll probably fail.  Get all the ingredients for the Thomas Recipe, and go grocery shopping and do errands beforehand, because you'll be down for a while.

Keep posting your questions or just vent.  We've been there and with the wonderful people here, made it.  Some people are in your boat right now, or attempting again, or lurking out there............but there's always someone here for you.

Best Wishes,
Pamela

[kittycat1]

Thanks for the advice. Yes I am grateful I have not gotten into this as bad as some have. For me the Idea of not having any in the house makes me anxious. You don't recommend taper method?

[worried878]

well....if u have any in ur house..they need to go....vital to success....think about the reasons u started back after a week last time and try to correct the things u may have not done correctly...get some aftercare and hit a meeting tonight...stay enthused and post often..take the supps as recommended and exercise daily....and be thankful that u are only taking the amount that u r...why push it and end up on the same boat u see others on/up the creek and searching for a paddle....keep moving forward and get rid of any pills u have asap