Supporting Someone Withdrawing from Vicodin

[MNiceGuy]

My significant other is currently going through the process of ending their dependency on vicodin. She began getting prescribed the drug about a year ago to deal with legitimate pain and although that pain eventually subsided the prescription refills did not. By her own admission the vicodin was/is being used to help cope with a pre-existing battle with depression.

Within the last month or so she 'fessed up' to their doctor and established a plan to quit vicodin. From the beginning she wasn't able to successfully ration the week's pills (she was given one week's worth per refill) which resulted in difficult moments of not having enough in the later days. The days in question typically result in sudden and extreme changes in mood, inexplicable periods of severe depression, and irrational thought processes.

She has been able to function at work as far as I can tell although she has recently missed some work as a result of difficulty with withdrawal. Irritability and irrationality have increased 10-fold in the past week or so as the dosage has been dwindled down to almost nothing. She expressed to me that she wanted to end our relationship (which has been great before this), quit her job (which she has absolutely loved before now), and move away to an undisclosed location. I don't fear for her safety at all but I do fear that at least for the time being irrational thoughts coupled with unprecedented mood swings could lead her to decisions that will have long-term consequences.

Any attempt I make at reasoning seems to result in an explosive defense. She seems genuinely convinced that these ideas and actions are completely rationalized so anyone that questions them simply does not trust her ability to take care of herself. I want to be supportive and patient but I don't know what more I can do. Are these behaviors normal for someone withdrawing from vicodin after long-term use?

[Innerstrength67]

Yea, sounds like typical addict talk to me. I wanted to do all of that and did quit a few jobs. Would she be willing to come on this site? Addicts helping other addicts, in my personal opinion is the most powerful way to recovery. We understand her. No offense to you...
Hope this helps!
She can always send me a private message. I was a hard core Vicodin addict for 2 years. I'm 5 months clean!

[MNiceGuy]

I did forget to mention: she is currently undergoing professional help for depression but I am not certain that the vicodin-prescribing doc is aware of it.

[kyle505]

First, if she hasn't already, she needs to let her doc know that she has an ongoing issue with depression.  When going through detox, depression, mood swings, a feeling of being lost, alone, etc., are all pretty normal, but from what you've described, her reactions seem extreme.  The physical symptoms of detox generally last three or four days, but the mental part can go on much longer.  We are all different; how our bodies react to withdrawal varies from person to person, but it sounds like your girlfriend needs professional help ASAP.