How long after w/d can I take Norco's again medicinally?

[norcs4life]

My question is I have been taking vicodin and norcos off and on for about 20 years, started with sports injuries in high school and college.  Of all those year I have only been abusing them for the last 2 years or so.

It has been exactly 48 hours since my last norco, I was taking about 10- 15 10/325's a day.  I had quit once before about 9 months ago and underestimated how quickly I would get physically addicted to them even if I was taken them medically not to "get high".

So ultimately I would like to know how many weeks or months I need to be totally off Norcos (I won't be taking any other similar substances) before I can take them on a given day or over a 2 or 3 day period when I am in severe pain and not become addicted.

I would appreciate anyone who has information regarding this.

Thank you,
Sean

[atonicat]

I've gone through what you have several times. I was taking much less norco than you but it's all the same in the end. When I first started taking norco I was on 6 10mg a day. I then stopped for about six months. After that six months I was put in pain management and put on 4 10mg's a day. After about the second day on them my body would build up a tolerance. I've not taken norco for weeks and months at a time and each time it's the same. Two days in and they have little effect anymore. If you're body builds up a tolerance (or addiction and you said) quickly, than it does not matter how much time in between you take. I've tried several different narcotics with the same result. It may be in the way we metabolize the medicine, I'm not sure.

[Ashelen]

Honestly I'm not sure what help we can give you....none of us really have any experience (to my knowledge) with what you're asking. Most of us who take narcotics have to take them around the clock because our pain is too extreme to use "once in awhile" so I just don't have the knowledge or experience to help you. I do know that several other members here on the Pain Management community (myself included) have, in the past, taken "drug holidays" during which you take no pain medicine and it helps lower your tolerance so you don't have to continue taking stronger medicine....and most "drug holidays" are 15-30 days, so if that helps answer your question....

but if you begin taking them again regularly, even a few times a week, chances are you will build up a dependence again...it's just how narcotics work. I also want to emphasize...if your doctor prescribed 12 10/325's a day, DO NOT exceed that. even "occasionally" taking 12-15 is overloading your liver....by a lot. THey are considering lowering the maximum recommended tylenol to 3000 a day, not 4000 a day, if that tells you how finely you're walking the line. it does NO good to exercise and eat right if you're blowing your liver out in the meantime.

hope I helped...I really think you need to discuss your concerns with your doctor.

[IBKleen]

Please take your questions over to the pain management community. It is very difficult for many members here to hear about others taking pills for one, and not one of us is successful at taking them as prescribed--hence, this is called the addiction community. The members in the pain community can help you with what works for them.

Good luck.

[halstead124]

      ah man!! cant thank you enough of the great feeling i have right now suffering all week would have died for that feeling,That your off to pop a few were all so very excited for you see in a month or two back here later,bro!!

[aintgonarun]

If you had a doctor allowing you a prescription to take 10 -15 aday. You should sue him.

[norcs4life]

I wanted to add one more thing.

I really, really, think people underestimate how much going to the gym/or other exercise will help you when you are going through w/d's.  I forced myself into the gym on Friday 48hrs into w/d's and again on Sat. 72 hrs. into w/d's and I honestly think it helps a lot.

I'm really looking forward to going today at lunch, I think those endophins really help fire up the brain and give you some of what ur missing from the drugs.  

Just my 2 cents.

Again have a great day everyone.

[norcs4life]

First off, I'd like to thank everyone who posted on here for your input.  I truly appreciate the concerns/comments.

Quickly in response to the above post.  No, I was being honest with what I was taking, I was up to 10 - 15 a day.  Averaged about 12.  Have a script for 360 a month, so was careful to not run out (Taking 12 a day was no accident 12 X 30 days = 360) and I could get a new refill on day 29.  I could always get more from another source as needed but to be honest, even though it's counter intuitive, I'm kind of a health nut, have always worked out even on Norcs and never wanted to destroy my liver.  I can honestly say the most norcs I've ever taken in a singe day is 16-17 and that was only 1 or 2 times.

In regards to my specific pain, the constant pain I deal with is knee (4 knee surgeries thus far) and about 15 pivot shifts earlier in life which destroyed my knee (dumb young athlete and bad medical advice).  I have figured out how to manage that pain without narcotics.  Only if my knee "goes out" do I need narcotics and knock on wood that hasn't happened in over a year.  For now I think my knee pain is under control and I've figured out how to manage my knee health.

Other pain issue is my back, 2 back surgeries including a fusion.  Again this is something I am able to manage without pain meds unless my back "goes out".  So I have worked with Docs, my own self awareness of what I should and shouldn't do, needed to stop participatiing in certain physical activities and alternative treatmens/meds (glucosamine, massage, accupuncture, etc).

I think I have gotten to a point where I can manage both injuries with only very, very occasional use of narcotics.

As for the last issue (and the biggest one from most the comments) can I use Norcos on an occasional basis recreationally??  I fully understand what everyone is saying and I understand the concerns (how could I not, look at the forum we're in :)  All I can say is I think it's within me to do so.  I am on my 5 day of not taking any pills and unlike what I am hearing from others I have 2 bottles both full of 360 norcs each sitting in my bedroom and to be honest, I really don't have much desire to take them.  I'm lucky that I have a busy/difficult/demanding job, wife, young child, studying for certain credentials, etc. and having to take pills everyday to function really is not how I plan to live and the demands of my life make it easier to not want them all the time.    

I like the first high with those things but the taking everyday to feel normal non-high is completely useless and I now see where it leads.

So I will check in with the forum now and then to let everyone know whether I am succesful in my attempt to take them occasionally for recreational use or whether I'm not as strong willed as I think and figure out that using them in this way is something that I cannot manage.

Again I appreciate everyone's input and wish nothing but the best to those fighting their own demons!!

Have a good day everyone, summers coming time to get in shape!!

[halstead124]

HEY HOW YA DOING FELLA IF I READ THIS WRIGHT WICH ACTUALLY KINDA DIDNT  READ WHAT WAS BEING SAID ,NOW WHAT DID GET OUT OF YOUR POST AS I THINK YOU SAID THAT YOU HAD QUIT FOR 9-MONTHS I THOUGHT AND THATS GREAT! NOW WHAT I THINK I READ WAS YOU WANT TO START TAKING MORE AGAIN? IM A IN THE BALL PARK ,YOU SAID IN YOUR POST THAT YOU WERE TAKING UP TO 15-A DAY COMMON IT WAS PROBABLY 20 WRIGHT BECAUSE I KNOW ME JUST BE THE JUNK IE I CAN BE BECAUSE THERES NO WAY IF YOU WERE TAKING THAT MANY YOU WOULD OF HAD TO OF HAD A SCRIPT OF 300 OR MORE NOW WITH THAT BEING SAID WHEN YOU WERE TAKING ALL THOSE CONSTANTLY HAVING THEM IN YOUR SYSTEM AND WOULD ALSO BET AHHH..MY LIFE THAT YOU RAN OUT ALOT AND MOST LIKELY HAD SOME PRETTY BRUTAL WITHDRAWLS WICH IM FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO NOW JUST BE STARTING I MEAN YOU SAID YOU WENT 9 MONTHS WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN IF YOU WERE ONLY GONNA TAKE A COUPLE BUT YOUR NOT YOU MEAN YOU WERE NEVER SO NERVOUS ABOUT NOT MAKING IT TO THE NEXT SCRIPT THAT YOU DIDNT TAKE THE ONES YOU HAD LEFT AND THROW ON  TABLE AND COUNT A THOUSAND TIMES AND SIT THERE AND KID YOURSELF THAT YOUR GONNA MAKE THESE LAST REALLY!!!! I MYSELF HAVE BEEN TAKING NORCO 325 FOR FOUR YEARS OR MORE AND I WOULD TAKE SOME DAYS 10 SOME DAYS 25 LIKE IM SURE YOU DID IM NOT TRYING TO BE A **** BUT IF I EVER MADE IT AS LONG AS YOU DID WITH THE PAIN SICK I GO THROUGH ID BE LOOKING FOR SOME ADVIL

[bmdad]

A few years ago I asked the exact same thing on a forum. I got many similar replies and I kept asking until I received the answer I wanted to hear. I've seen many others on here continue to ask the same question until they received the answer the wanted to hear. It doesn't matter if they don't get the answer they are looking for from the next one hundred replies. They are just waiting and hoping for one person to say, "go ahead", you'll be fine. An addict will go above and beyond to justify their use. It's classic addict behavior.

It doesn't matter if we are off of them for years. Once we cross that line from dependent to addicted all it takes is one pill for that little click in your head. More than likely the first day you take one you will tell yourself, " Since it has been so long since I have taken any I'll just take a few extra today to get that feeling I love and then won't take any tomorrow". The same thing will happen the next day and then the next and then the next. You might not take that many over the first week or so each day but gradually the amount will continue to go up and up and before you know it you will be right back to where you started.

I too suffer from chronic pain due to a back injury. I too ended up taking way more than prescribed. I finally decided to get clean and then asked the same questions you did. I had many tell me that I shouldn't risk it because more than likely I would end up right back on them. I knew deep down that I probably shouldn't start taking them again but I talked myself into it by saying I would only take them a few times a month. I honestly knew better but when it comes to addiction willpower isn't enough.

I'm not saying that you won't be able to do this but it is highly unlikely. I know you realize this due to some comments you made. I also wonder why if you are in such severe pain what would be the point in taking them for just a few days a month? If you're going to take them for 4 days out of 30 why even bother?

Like I said, is it possible, yes. Will it happen that way, probably not. I hope you realize that people aren't telling you that you will fail. They are just telling that from experience, it's not a chance that is worth taking. At least not for pain relief for just a few days out of the month.

I'm not sure what causes your pain but if you feel comfortable enough you should share with us here. There are many of us that also suffer from chronic pain and have had to find alternatives ways to deal with that pain. If we knew more about your pain we may be able to make some non narcotic recommendations.

I have been a part of online addiction forums for over 5 years and have seen this question asked many times. I have never seen one person say that they were successful at doing this. If you do decide to take them I would recommend having someone you trust hold on to them so that after your couple of days of taking them you won't have access more.  Also, as a fellow addict I know that your mind is already made up because you ended up receiving the answer you wanted to hear but while you are waiting for that month or two to pass before taking them again, why don't you start seeking alternative ways of dealing with your pain. You may be able to find something that works and you won't even have to take this highly unlikely chance.

I really do hope that you are able to pull this off but seriously, the chances are very, very slim.

Best of luck to you.




Brian

[perch101]

Hi,
Since you have abused them in the past...... it is highly likely you will again - unfortunately thats how it goes.
The thing is.... when you have genuine pain it is not always possible to go through life without touching a opiate/narcotic pain pill.
The BEST thing to do is - when you are in pain and your doc has prescribed them GET SOMONE TO HOLD ONTO YOUR PILLS!! Somone that will only give them to you appropriately (whatever the doc has written them up as, they don't let you have more.)
Better to do that than have to go through withdrawl again :-)

Good Luck,
Perch

[10356]

Hello norcs4life. I understand your thinking my mind traveled along those same lines when I first started to get clean. what pops out in my mind is where you say " I was taking about 10- 15 10/325's a day " That is way more then recommended in a 24 hour period. the only reason we would take that many is for the high. thinking you can take them occasionally is addictive thinking. Pleases do not get me wrong as I'm not judging you, just calling it for what I have experienced.. You will do what you feel you must but just be cautious ok for too wake the beast it only takes 1 time at the right time. take care. lesa

[dominosarah]

Good Luck with this......

[norcs4life]

Actually I didn't, maybe that wasn't written as clearly as it should have been because I was trying to keep the question simple and not make this convoluted.

First off I'm not trying to start a fight, I'm looking for some genuine information, if this type of questions upsets people, I can take it somewhere else, just let me know.

As I mentioned above I was able to take multiple pills in a single day and then not take them for a bit and do the same thing over again and not get readdicted.

As far as getting readdicted, I took them for multiple days (not a single day) then went to Vegas and kept taking them for fun, still suprised how fast I got addicted again, but lesson learned and won't make that mistake again.

Still looking for a reasonable answer or opinion.

For the sake of making it simpler for the naysayers, lets say someone has the willpower or whatever to take them only once or twice a month for 2 days each time, and they wait at least a month or two after going through w/d's to start this process, would this get them readdicted?

[inoverhead]

It has been exactly 48 hours since my last norco, I was taking about 10- 15 10/325's a day.  I had quit once before about 9 months ago and underestimated how quickly I would get physically addicted to them even if I was taken them medically not to "get high".

i thnk you answered your own question

[norcs4life]

Just curious, are you saying it doesn't work that way medically?  Or are you saying it doesn't work that way because we eventually all go back to taking them at a rate we become addicted again.

If you're saying medically, I'm not sure I totally agree but would like to hear some valid medical arguments.  After I quit the first time I was able to take them a couple of different times but never more than a single day and never more than a few pills and I certainly didn't become addicted again.

So can you please clarify?

[IBKleen]

Hi,

It doesn't work like that. You will become addicted to them again, no matter how long you wait. So many of us have tried to only take them when we are in severe pain and I don't know anyone here that has succeeded.

Have you spoken with your doctor about alternative pain mngt?