Anyone who has been addicted to Vicodin

[CatGrabber]

I just posted this in a similar thread but starting my own is the best route Im sure. I am currently bridging with a low test dose and am having a VERY hard time with a vicodin habit I got myself into. It has been quite some time now (roughly 8 months straight) I know I know I know, my liver. I get my bloodwork done every 2 months and Im OK there (4 now) but my problem lies in beating it. I am taking up to 20 a day ES or HP vics at this point. When my body does not have them it is almost unbearable, no it IS unbearable. It is like a thousand razors going in all over and Im a wreck in every sence of the word. Im sure some of you know what I mean.

Who among you has had similar problems with vicodins and how did you beat it? Please dont flame as I know the possible issues and costs in detail. Im just very curious as to how many of you beat it? How long were you on? How much did you take? Etc. All the best, Cat

[bigbouncinballs]

never had an addiction, just took em a little too often(not for pain) stopped takin em once i learned they slowed/stopped prot. synthesis. if i am incorrect in this don't tell me, its worked wonders so far.
good luck with it brotha

[stupidhippo]

I was addicted to smack for 3 years. As they are both opiates the mechanism of addiction is very similar. It takes some will power and time.. U can try to ease up by tapering but for me the cold turkey thing works better. I cant remember specifically how long it takes with vicodin but the worst should be over in a week but then starts the long and in its own way very frustrating time. U feel semi ok, depressed - cant quite explain it. If u slip usually u r back 2 square 1 in a week or so. SO a lil slip can cost u months of work. It took me half a year to feel good most of the time but looking back to that I stil felt like shit compared to 1 year after.. about 1.5 years and I was like Ive never used anything.. But then again heroin is much harder. TRUST ME, in the end it is worth it!!! After the initial week its tolerable but sometimes really stressful to the psyche!

Hippo.. wishes u luck!!

[justtrnd40]

Hey Catgrabber, Man I know your story all too well. I have been on vicoden for about 3 yrs for chronic pain from a neck injury. I was taking alot like you at one time. I went off of them for a year and the withdrawl was absolutely the worst thing I have been through in my life. It is hard to explain to somebody that has not been through it. I have weaned down from 15-20 a day to 6-8 a day now. Trust me if you can slowly wean off of them it is much easier than just stopping. Get yourself on a 24hr schedule and try and go every 3 hrs. example take 2-3 ev 3hrs (or whatever amount it is to keep you from feeling like sh*t but not enough to get a buzz) and just start increasing the time by 5 or 10 minutes between doses. You can do every 2 hours if that is more comfortable. Don't think for a second that you are the only one with a problem like this. Painkillers are one of the most addicting meds there are. I know teachers,preachers,lawyers,moms,judges you get the point. Trust me you can do this. set your schedule and stick to it. I am very experienced in this and if you need any help feel free to pm me. Good luck man

[stupidhippo]

Thats a choice but I prefer tapering down fairly quickly and be completely drug free earlier - that does take a lot of will power and motivation though.! Whatever u choose good luck!

[CatGrabber]

Thankn you all for your info and motivation. Its good to hear Im not alone on this. Cat

[SPIKE]

Ever look into Meth??? One of my buddies was addicted pretty bad to Vikes for a few months and needed help. He took some Meth and gradually weened down.

Good thing you didnt get into more serious drugs. Around where I live a lot of people hooked on oxys. Don't got down that route

[NYGIANTS21]

Ever look into Meth??? One of my buddies was addicted pretty bad to Vikes for a few months and needed help. He took some Meth and gradually weened down.

Good thing you didnt get into more serious drugs. Around where I live a lot of people hooked on oxys. Don't got down that route

Same where I live Oxys are what everybody is hooked on plus other things i suppose but good luck and you will beat this.

[SPIKE]

Same where I live Oxys are what everybody is hooked on plus other things i suppose but good luck and you will beat this.

I hear you bro, I stay clear from all of that. Remember who makes Oxys, they make them right here in CT. So there are a lot of people who have access to them.

[KDRLINUS]

i have been on vicodin ES and Percs (10mg /325) for about 5 years now due to mulitple car accidents.....i see pain specialist monty and am perscribed a healthy dose per month (about 100) i know all to well what it feels like to be without, as i usually take between 6-8 each night after i get home from the gym..... or if it cant wait i chew them like gum at the gym... they are the worst thing i have ever encountered, and while i ask for no sympathy it is nice to know others can empathize.

for me the main prob i have is that i look back and cant figure out where i lost control. 1 a day becomes 2 then 3 and before u know it u need at least 5 before u feel anything. by this point u need them to get through your day, its not an option anymore, its a must have...after a while they completely changed my demeanor making me quick to snap on people, and very hostile when without them.

To date i have been slowly weaning myself off for about 2 months and i must say while extremely difficult, i feel a thousand times better.

that euphoric feeling has caused many issues in my life over the past 5 years including, getting engaged to my ex...... not to sure about you but im completely different on thses things and i make decisions without thinking them through....... i finally feel i have control of my life again and although i still live in pain, at least i know what i do feel is real and not some diluted reality painted by mind/ mood altering chemicals.

good luck to you and your not alone.....

[Perrypup]

Hey Catgrabber, Man I know your story all too well. I have been on vicoden for about 3 yrs for chronic pain from a neck injury. I was taking alot like you at one time. I went off of them for a year and the withdrawl was absolutely the worst thing I have been through in my life. It is hard to explain to somebody that has not been through it. I have weaned down from 15-20 a day to 6-8 a day now. Trust me if you can slowly wean off of them it is much easier than just stopping. Get yourself on a 24hr schedule and try and go every 3 hrs. example take 2-3 ev 3hrs (or whatever amount it is to keep you from feeling like sh*t but not enough to get a buzz) and just start increasing the time by 5 or 10 minutes between doses. You can do every 2 hours if that is more comfortable. Don't think for a second that you are the only one with a problem like this. Painkillers are one of the most addicting meds there are. I know teachers,preachers,lawyers,moms,judges you get the point. Trust me you can do this. set your schedule and stick to it. I am very experienced in this and if you need any help feel free to pm me. Good luck man

Man he is so correct with this statement in my opinion. i had a lower back injury in 97 and was on codine and soma.. i had to ween myself off them also, my body ached and i had massive sweats and felt like shit but it took me a little bit to get away from them... Good luck it is hard to get off the shit but it is possible with the help of will power and loved ones..

[anabolicbruce]

Ever look into Meth??? One of my buddies was addicted pretty bad to Vikes for a few months and needed help. He took some Meth and gradually weened down.

Good thing you didnt get into more serious drugs. Around where I live a lot of people hooked on oxys. Don't got down that route

I hope to god you are not referring to crystal meth. If so that is the worst advice you can give. He would be better off taking the vics than dabbling with meth-In other words, the answer to solving an opiate addiction should not include a powerful, highly addictive and possibly lethal amphetamine.

Bro, you are definetly not alone. my brother was in a similiar situation and it took some time and strong dicipline to break the habit, he is extremely thankful for quiting now. Two years ago my grandmother died from causes related to lifelong opiate usage, she was bed-ridden for the last 10 years of her life; suffered from kidney failure, depression, hepadic isuues, onset diabetes, etc. She ended up pulling her own plug in the hospital because her new Doc refused to give her any more pain meds. I guess that is why I have always been afraid of taking those meds, even when I needed them. dont be afraid to ask for help, this is not somthing you should do on your own, but in the end, you will be very thankful.

[djboots]

Well i feel your pain I'm a recovery drug addict (cocain mostly). I can tell you that you are past the hardest part which is realising you have a problem. now what to do next? well with the vics your are going to go through some HORRIBLE withdrawals. you need to set about three days aside even it means calling into work or going to a detox center. these three days to a week are going to be hell. diarea, vominting, cold sweats, . vicoden addiction is very simular to heroin.

I my self seeked further help and go to N.A a few times a week but thats on you i'm no N.A preacher.

good luck!!

[Mealticket]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

read it. Good luck

[timvds]

As you can see I don't post much because I only post what I have experienced personally. I was on viks for a year after I broke my knee about 10 years ago. I will tell you this the best and only way to kick the habit is to drop them cold turkey. Weening yourself off of them only postpones the withdrawls.

Set yourself aside three days for the withdrawl sysmptoms. Hey the third day you will be so sensititive to everything, if you have a girlfreind have her there on the third or fourth day. That will pass some time. Good luck. I wouldnt want to be in your shoes again. However after you kick the habit you will feel better physically and emotionally, just as you were before you started them.

My best wishes to a speedy recovery.

[Brazil]

I got some info on this one. After Highschool I used everything under the sun. Ill tell you how to get off that. The easiest way is to use methadone tablets for a week. Go to a local clinic or buy some from a freind. Use for a week or 2 to get you through the withdrawals you wont have a hard time sleeping or night sweats. Youll be able to eat too. Methadone is a totally different substance and is long acting. 2 weeks wont get you addicted. The biggest problem is in your head even after the withdrawals go away. Ive been off and on this crap 3 times, once had overdose (oxys) after my car accident Ive havent used in over a year just got to forget or try to about how good it feels. I feel better lifting weights again and enjoying the sun and women here.

Over and out

[SPIKE]

I hope to god you are not referring to crystal meth. If so that is the worst advice you can give..

NO NO NO NO. That's my fault Bruce I should have specified. Sometimes I forget that this board is worldwide. I talk like I"m speaking to people in my area so I tend to use slang. When I said Meth I was pertaining to Methadone.
Methadone is prescribed to people addicted to other opiates, It is given to prevent physical withdrawal symptoms - when you are prescribed methadone it is not supposed to give you a buzz, or get you high. If you take methadone orally, it will take around thirty minutes before you feel the effects.

[anabolicbruce]

Bro, I just thought of that after I sent the post, I should have known better. I have read that methadone is an effective way to taper off of "harder' opiates. My bad bro, but as you said, some idiot somewhere would rationalize his crystal meth use based on that assumption.

[tboney]

Listen bro! Be smart and go to treatment to kick! I was a heroin addict for 12 yrs and trying to quit on your own is not going to work. Get some help with this!! Best of luck! If you ever need to talk, let me know.

[tboney]

Dont use methadone!! Its worse to come off of than dope! Most of the treatment centers are using Subutex or suboxone.

[stupidhippo]

I was also a heroin addict and tried rehabs - DIDNT WORk.. When finally managed to quit did it by myself. PPL are diffrent, find what works for u!

[testosterona]

with my experiences, methadone is WAY more potent than hydrocodone. i have buddies that are addicted to methadone, too. ask any herion addict about methadone, they will say it's not a good route. it's just swapping one drug for another. if your seroius about body building, just use it as your motivation bro. you can conquer this, but as other's have suggested, don't be afraid to seek help. my best wishes, and good luck

[SPIKE]

Dont use methadone!! Its worse to come off of than dope! Most of the treatment centers are using Subutex or suboxone.

This may be true. Obviously you know more about this subject than I do and I"m always willing to learn. I"m just speaking on the behalf of actually a couple of people that used this method to "clean up."

What worked for them may not work for others. Same goes for AAS.......

[FLBMWMech]

I myself have had a problem with lortab after back injury (lortab and vicodin are both hydrocodone)
Anyway-- I was able to wean off by using Ultram which is another painkiller that isnt a regulated narcotic but still a distant cousin of codiene (or so Im told)
Dan Duchaine suggested Ultram to a friend who was trying to beat Nubain (as referrenced in Chemical Muscle Enhancement).

Eitherway- Ultram (or Ultracet-- Ultram/Acetominaphen) is 8-9/10's as effective and not considered addictive. Also just about any doctor will write a scrip for Ultram or Ultracet.. Vs having to go to a sympathetic doctor for Vicodin.

Good luck My friend!

[BUYLONGTERM]

Be strong bro!!! We are behind U 100%. We know you can do it. I'd take everyone's advice and do NOT quit cold turkey.

Peace,

BLT

[timvds]

I myself have had a problem with lortab after back injury (lortab and vicodin are both hydrocodone)
Anyway-- I was able to wean off by using Ultram which is another painkiller that isnt a regulated narcotic but still a distant cousin of codiene (or so Im told)
Dan Duchaine suggested Ultram to a friend who was trying to beat Nubain (as referrenced in Chemical Muscle Enhancement).

Eitherway- Ultram (or Ultracet-- Ultram/Acetominaphen) is 8-9/10's as effective and not considered addictive. Also just about any doctor will write a scrip for Ultram or Ultracet.. Vs having to go to a sympathetic doctor for Vicodin.

Good luck My friend!

Ultram will only prolong the inevitable. I was on ultram a couple of months before I kicked. It IS addictive and the withdrawls are the same.

[timvds]

Be strong bro!!! We are behind U 100%. We know you can do it. I'd take everyone's advice and do NOT quit cold turkey.

Peace,

BLT

If he doesnt quit cold turkey he is only prolonging the withdrawls. I have been there. Three restless days, cold sweats, zero hunger. It absolutely sucked. But well worth it IMO. If I hadn't quit, i would still be on some sort of opitate to this day.

[justtrnd40]

If he doesnt quit cold turkey he is only prolonging the withdrawls. I have been there. Three restless days, cold sweats, zero hunger. It absolutely sucked. But well worth it IMO. If I hadn't quit, i would still be on some sort of opitate to this day.

I don't know how much you were taking but if you think he can quit a 15-20 vic ES a day habit and only be sick for three days thats crazy. I have done it both ways more than once. When you quit cold turkey (Which I still recommend to some people) you go through the withdrawls which are hell on earth and then you go through depresssion,terrible anxiety and all kinds of crap for weeks to months after. The good thing about cold turkey is that once you go through it you don't ever want to do it again and that keeps alot of people from using them again. When tapering you still have withdrawl symptoms but not near as bad and yes it takes longer but in my own experience if you have the mindset to do it, it is the best way. Some can some can't but to say three days of restless days and cold sweats and no appettite is that is setting somebody up to fail.

[KDRLINUS]

I myself have had a problem with lortab after back injury (lortab and vicodin are both hydrocodone)
Anyway-- I was able to wean off by using Ultram which is another painkiller that isnt a regulated narcotic but still a distant cousin of codiene (or so Im told)
Dan Duchaine suggested Ultram to a friend who was trying to beat Nubain (as referrenced in Chemical Muscle Enhancement).

Eitherway- Ultram (or Ultracet-- Ultram/Acetominaphen) is 8-9/10's as effective and not considered addictive. Also just about any doctor will write a scrip for Ultram or Ultracet.. Vs having to go to a sympathetic doctor for Vicodin.

Good luck My friend!

ULTRACET is a non narcotic pain killer, it may or may not help in the weaning process, could be more a mental thing than a physical thing when taking this.... i have a ton of it and it didnt help my addiction, the only think that helped was hitting rock bottom and having no where to go but up... good luck to all be strong and think positive

[timvds]

I don't know how much you were taking but if you think he can quit a 15-20 vic ES a day habit and only be sick for three days thats crazy. I have done it both ways more than once. When you quit cold turkey (Which I still recommend to some people) you go through the withdrawls which are hell on earth and then you go through depresssion,terrible anxiety and all kinds of crap for weeks to months after. The good thing about cold turkey is that once you go through it you don't ever want to do it again and that keeps alot of people from using them again. When tapering you still have withdrawl symptoms but not near as bad and yes it takes longer but in my own experience if you have the mindset to do it, it is the best way. Some can some can't but to say three days of restless days and cold sweats and no appettite is that is setting somebody up to fail.

Yes, I do beleive he can kick it in three days. The physical part at least. If he kicks the physical part of it he will be able to cope with the emotional sides.

Oh I broke my knee in six places and have had two surgeries. First was to place a rod, a plate, and 12 screws through my knee. I was on just as many meds as the next guy with that type of pain. Second was to scope and remove the plate.

What do you suggest he taper with? Another narcotic? Or ultram?

They tried ultram and tylenol 3 on me. Ultram was a new product 10 years ago I think. They told me it wasnt a narcotic and non addictive. Still had the withdrawls though.

[djboots]

Be strong bro!!! We are behind U 100%. We know you can do it. I'd take everyone's advice and do NOT quit cold turkey.

Peace,

BLT

Do not ween off!!! just tell your family and friends you got the flu and lock youself in a room for three days and just do it. keep someone close by so they make sure you do not tak any!

[justtrnd40]

Yes, I do beleive he can kick it in three days. The physical part at least. If he kicks the physical part of it he will be able to cope with the emotional sides.

Oh I broke my knee in six places and have had two surgeries. First was to place a rod, a plate, and 12 screws through my knee. I was on just as many meds as the next guy with that type of pain. Second was to scope and remove the plate.

What do you suggest he taper with? Another narcotic? Or ultram?

They tried ultram and tylenol 3 on me. Ultram was a new product 10 years ago I think. They told me it wasnt a narcotic and non addictive. Still had the withdrawls though.

When I say taper I mean for him to slowly reduce the dose of the vikes that he is now taking. I know alot of people say to just quit and suffer through the withdrawls but at the amount he is taking he really needs to get the dose at least cut in half before I would tell him to quit. And still at that dose it will suck. Also you are right about the ultram. I was prescibed that at huge doses saying it was perfectly safe and not addicting. ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT!!!
I went through hell with them to.

[timvds]

Okay that I can live with. Definately taper off the dosages. One every 4 hours or so. Then spread them out even further if possible.

My buddy has been on them for 7 years (ultram) They told him too at first that they wouldnt be addictive. He gets them prescribed for an ancle injury. Doc gives them to him like candy.

[JuRzEE_PiMpIn]

Ever look into Meth??? One of my buddies was addicted pretty bad to Vikes for a few months and needed help. He took some Meth and gradually weened down.

Good thing you didnt get into more serious drugs. Around where I live a lot of people hooked on oxys. Don't got down that route

Please tell me you are kidding by telling him to use meth to ween off vicodin?

Oxy may be a good idea, of course you will run the risk of an oc addicition. I sent you a pm...

[testosterona]

ween of vicodin with oxycontin? are you kidding me? nice advice bro, way to be supportive. cold turkey is the only way too go man. i know your dreading it. you gotta do it and you know it> your stronger than the drug man, remember that.

[justtrnd40]

Okay that I can live with. Definately taper off the dosages. One every 4 hours or so. Then spread them out even further if possible.

My buddy has been on them for 7 years (ultram) They told him too at first that they wouldnt be addictive. He gets them prescribed for an ancle injury. Doc gives them to him like candy.

That is exactly what I mean when I say to taper. There are still some withdrawl symptoms but it definately keeps them in check where they are tolerable. We are on the same page now. I feel for your buddy hopefully he can handle it.

[CatGrabber]

I cant thank you all enough for the support. You see, aside from going to N.A. where else can you find group support like this? Even though I do get my bloodwork done, I worry about my liver just failing one day due to the exccessive Tylenol (the REAL issue with vicodins and why the label says to not drink while taking them). What a nightmare that would be. I really need to get this in check fast. Again, much thanks to you all who contributed something to my post. Catgrabber

[usamm]

Hey just checking up on you, how have you been doing? Home free yet or still working on it?

Stay Safe

[Milky87]

Goind back to the original post: Have you ever considered applying for methadone treatment? Or how about a detox?

There is a powerful psychedelic called ibogaine that can not only dulls withdrawal symptoms, but also blunts cravings. The problem is that it is both very expencive and very illegal. Also, the duration of the psychedelic experience goes on for two to three days and can be extremely exhausting

[lowstace]

this sounds cool but weird..