HI,
after reading a few of your stories, mine seems really bad! I have been addicted to vicodin/norco for almost 6 years. I am taking up to 30pills a day of 5mg each. I would like to get my life back and need help on how to go about a home taper.....any suggestions? i have not seen my primary doctor about this yet...but am contemplating a visit....
thank you
Last edited by mod-anon; 10-01-2010 at 12:48 PM.
Reason: edited font
I tapered off of oxycodone and i blogged about it. I think if you do a search on this board you will find other people who have tapered off of vicodin. I know a lot of people can't taper, they just can't control their intake. Do you have someone to help you to give you a lower dose each day? The Thomas Recipe for detoxing is goodjfor detoxing at home. Good luck. Keep posting
Thank u rosebuddy I phoned my primary doctor yesterday and they scheduled me for Monday. I explained over the phone what was happening. He phoned in a prescription for xanax for the weekend until I can see him on Monday. I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel! I haven't stopped the vicodin yet, but am hoping Mondays appt will help me start my recovery!
Last edited by mod-anon; 10-02-2010 at 09:04 PM.
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Friend, two wonderfully constructive steps have already been taken by you ad I am so happy for you! First, you recognize that you need to get control of your life back, and second, you have contacted a doctor for the needed help. Way to go.
To step up and come clean with our doctor is just one of the most important steps we can make to find our recovery, but it is the hardest for many. For me, it was totally the most liberating thing I did. He told me right up front that he could help me. He also said he could only give me the best help possible with total honesty. I was so ashamed of where I had gotten myself, but I figured that I wanted help badly and if total honesty was what it took, then total honesty was what I was going to embrace. I was in such a bad place that honesty sure was not going to put me any lower.
Together my doctor and I put a tapering plan in place. I left his office feeling hope for the first time in a long, long time. That first week, it only took a day or so to realize that the taper had begun too fast. I went back and told him exactly what was happening to me and together we tweaked the plan. It was so wonderful to know he was in my corner.
He prescibed the oxycodone to a pill each time. My husband handled the keeping of the meds and doled out a day's worth at a time. I made the cuts every two weeks or so and only made the cuts once the withdrawal symptoms had abated and I felt strong enough to cut again. A strict rule for me on the opiate cut was once a cut was made, it stayed made.
Take time to read the second thread on this board called "a Sample Home Detox." Many helpful hints there for a cold turkey, at home detox.... while cold turkey is not the option for many, the hints are still worthwhile.
Be strong and commited, stick by your doctor and the board. I wish you every success and will be rooting for you.
Thank u for sharing your story with me.....it gives me so much hope! I am looking forward to Monday and seeing my doctor. I have a question for you and anyone else who may have dealt with this: did u have to take any sort of medicine like suboxone, or methadone long term to help with the recovery process and your success?
Again, thank u to everyone for ur support and advice....I will keep posting with my progress.
Last edited by mod-anon; 10-02-2010 at 09:05 PM.
Reason: Please use the Quick Reply button instead of Quote Reply.
No, I took no sub or methadone. Truthfully, I was so horrified by what Oxycodone had done for me that there was no question in my mind that I was getting off and staying off. For me, sober thinking came before I was off the drugs.
I was, however, also on Xanax, and I did not taper off that until I was done with the oxycodone. I would NOT suggest going on Xanax long term for a taper, though, because a benzo can be so very addicting and was harder to get off than the opiate. However, I have read that clonodine, a blood pressure med, can help a great deal in withdrawal. It has helped many.
I would suggest some live support with the whole issue of addiction, whether it be a group deal like AA or NA or private counseling. Get to the root of the addiction ( all abusers of meds have root issues) and the addiction can be conquered.
Ok, my doc prescribed xanax over the phone on Friday since I couldn't get in til Monday. I am going in with full exposure and vulnerability...I trust him. I will be totally honest and forthright...I know this is the first step to getting my LIFE back! I will look into support groups on Monday after I see my doctor and get my recovery plan together
Thank u again, everyone, for all the support!!!! I am feeling so hopeful
Last edited by mod-anon; 10-02-2010 at 09:06 PM.
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Chris, I did not mean to imply not to use the Xanax your doctor had prescribed. I only meant to caution you to use it as sparingly as possible, only when absolutely needed. I would hate to see you overcome one addiction and find yourself facing another.
Withdrawal is but a physical process, although it can, indeed, be a tough one. Try to look at any withdrawal symptoms as symptoms of healing, for that is what they truly are. That helped me a great deal. My doctor also gave me a mantra which I said to myself many times a day... "I am getting stronger and better every day."
I am happy for you that you have the wisdom to understand that support must also be a part of every successful recovery plan. Again, good for you! In my own recovery, I learned so much about myself. I have often written that in the first year of my recovery, I learned more about myself than in all my other years combined. Some was painful to learn, some uplifting. A tough way to self-discovery, perhaps, but all worthwhile. To this day, I employ the lessons learned and am a happy person for it.
Thank u Reach for ur wisdom and understanding. My doc prescribed 10, .05mg xanax for Fridat, Sat, and Sunday. I have really only taken it to sleep, which has been helpful since I usually wake sweating at 4am needing my Vicodin. I am excited for tomorrow......nervous, scared, but mostly ready to LIVE again. I will keep posting. I will update my doc's and my treatment plan tomorrow.
I read ur posts and found it very, very insightful and will probably use it as reference while I am recovering. Unfortunately, I am alone in this as my husband does not know about this. He has questoned some bank withdrawals, but as addicts do, I lied about what the money was spent on....I am not planning on telling him ANY of this.....as I fear he would leave please keep me in ur thoughts as I jump into this new chapter of my life I will be looking forward to the beginning of my recovery....
Last edited by mod-anon; 10-03-2010 at 01:32 PM.
Reason: Please use the Quick Reply button instead of Quote Reply.
How did the visit with your doctor go today? Been thinking about you and hoping all is good.
reach
Hi Reach,
Well, I went to my appt and left feeling a little depressed. My doctor felt my addiction was bigger than he can handle, and suggested I call an outpatient rehab center. He did give me. RX for vic (30) and xanax (30) to help. I don't know what to do? Ant suggestions?
You are doing the best thing you could do contacting your doctor and being upfront. <edited> it's great when someone is upfront about an addiction, and asks for help. Usually people are trying to hide addiction and work their doctor for more Morphine type substances. <edited> I have also lived through my own addiction to pain pills. Don't try to wean yourself, as this could be deadly. Your nervous system is now accustomed to the morphine. Also, be careful of the Xanax. It is addictive and even more dangerous to withdraw from than the pain pills. Take it ONLY as your doctor prescribed. I know its a difficult step to take, and believe me I fought it tooth and nail, but the best place for you is probably a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility, or a hospital detox unit. You need to look out for your physical safety as well as needing lots of emotional support and stucture.
Last edited by mod-anon; 10-05-2010 at 09:25 AM.
Reason: Please read the posting rules
Thank you for replying to my thread...I still feel helpless...I went to my doc for help, and felt that I left with very little...not even a phone number for an outpatient center. Its still early here in california, and my family is home, so I will be contacting some outpatient centers as soon as I have some alone time......uuggh, I'm having a bad day my doc only gave me 30 vicodin, so it looks like I'm hitting my lady today to get more....I'm so scared
Last edited by mod-anon; 10-05-2010 at 09:25 AM.
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Your doctor may simply not be familiar with the process of getting people into a rehab facility. People usually don't do this through their doctor, though they should. Look in the phone book for a local facility. If you can't find one, or you don't have insurance, go to a hospital emergency room. DO NOT go out to get more pills. If you go to an emergency room and tell them what you've told us here, they'll know you're headed for life threatening withdraw. You'll get treated and admitted to a facility. I suspect your doctor may have sensed some reluctance on your part when he mentioned rehab facililty. When dealing with an addict, we all know no one can force us to get help if we're not ready, and don't really want it. When you are ready and willing, you'll be amazed at the amount of people willing to reach out a hand to help you. Try also calling your local NA or AA group. Go to a meeting TODAY if you won't go to a rehab today. They will also help you to get the proper treatment.
I have to go out now, but I am worried about you. Try looking at it this way-you can either get the help now, of your own free will, or you can wait until an ambulance crew scrapes you up off the pavement, the police cart you off to jail, or your family calls the funeral home. All of this is what is waiting for you if you keep going with this addiction. Get help like your doctor told you.
I can't go to an inpatient facility. I do have health insurance, but my husband is not aware of my struggle. I am going to look up a place for a meeting today and look into an outpatient facility.....thank u for your help I am committed to this......I know its a long road, but worth it!
Last edited by mod-anon; 10-05-2010 at 09:26 AM.
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I can't go to an inpatient facility. I do have health insurance, but my husband is not aware of my struggle. I am going to look up a place for a meeting today and look into an outpatient facility.....thank u for your help I am committed to this......I know its a long road, but worth it!
You're taking 30 pills a day and your husband isn't aware of it??? There is no way he's not aware on some level. He may be in denial. Whatever you're doing to keep yourself going may work for him right now. He may have an addiction or codependency of his own. Whatever. Addiction is a family illness. The whole family is sick, and the whole family would benefit from treatment and recovery. However, I know where you're coming from. My kids were 1 and 2 years old when I'd had enough of my addictions. There was no way I was leaving them to go into a facility. I went to an AA group that had a clubhouse, and hung around the clubhouse whenever I could. People do get clean and sober without an inpatient stay. What is dangerous in your case is the type of drug you're addicted to, the amount and length of time you've been taking it, and the daily way you've been taking it. Withdraw can be very dangerous. My husband had a real problem with me getting into a recovery program. Looking back, I think he liked the way everything was always my fault, and never his, when I was in my addiction. He felt superior, one up on me at all times. We are no longer married. I filed for divorce after I'd been sober 2 years. He really didn't want a sober wife
I am so sorry that you left your doctor's visit feeling short-changed. I sure wish he could have been a bit more helpful! I do think, however, if he thought that the issue was over his head, it was good that he was honest about it.
I see some choices for you here. Another doctor can be tried surely. Just ask straight up if the doctor is able to help you with an addiction issue. Also, more help could be available with a psychiatric doctor. They do deal with addiction. An outpatient rehab could certainly work. Call the drug hotline in the front of the phonebook or a local hospital to ask for references.
I really, really feel compelled to give a gentle nudge here.... don't sell your spouse short. It was my spouse's support that was of the greatest help to me. Even with a taper, there is little chance of hiding withdrawal symptoms. There will be times of edginess, anxiety and general need. In a marriage we help each other along through life. I know you would help him. Expect the same from him to you. It is scary and embarrassing and undubtedly some crying comes with the territory, but the truth being out in the open is also liberating. It is a common thread among addicts that we stuff emotions down and end up trying to hide ourselves from the world.
Having an addiction, Chris, is serious, but it is not the worse thing in the world at all. It happens. We are all work in progress. Hiding the addiction has not done much good.... let it out in the open to those closest to you. Addiction makes us feel worthless and we forget how much those close to us love us and are willing to work hard alongside us to help. Okay, lecture done.
Meep,
I just wanted to say that from what I understand, everyones addiction and recovery is different and theirs alone. When u say "the whole family is sick," I guess u would then agree that ur 1 and 2 year old were sick, too? I mean, as a family issue u said "everyones sick".....I don't know if I agree with that.....
Last edited by mod-anon; 10-05-2010 at 11:47 AM.
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needing help 
please keep me in ur thoughts as I jump into this new chapter of my life
I am committed to this......I know its a long road, but worth it!
