Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Best way to quit Vicodin without rehab

I'm new to this but here I go. Around 3 years ago I started getting vicodin for a stomach problem, they couldn't figure out what it was but I had horrible pain and vomiting. At first the V just knocked me out and I didn't like that feeling at all. Literally within a week I noticed I handeled them a lot better and just thought that was normal. I didn't know that meant I was becoming addicted to them. Since then I've been on them for different things. I'm kind of disappointed in the medical community that they automatically prescribe this for every little thing. I did break myself of it for a few months then started having a lot of dental problems. Since last year I've had 3 dental surgeries and due for 1 more. You get Lortab/Vicodin for the pain. I know my  problem is serious as I have done some sneaky things to get vicodin. I've stole them from family who has them, I pay for them off the streets from people I know and trust me I don't have the money for it either. An old friend moved back in town and knows I have a back problem. She offered me 100 V for $50. Her husband goes to the VA hospital for "back problems" and actual has none but he is too addicted. They give them out like candy there. He gets 300 a month along with tramadol and 360 somas. If you run out early they give you more so its like I can always get them. Well of course I jumped on that but then realized this could be big trouble. She gets a new prescription filled this week and already offered me again. I have no idea what to do. I have 2 children and do not want to go through rehab as I have to care for them. They are 10 and almost 14 and I do not want them to remember mommy popping pills. Its so hard to explain the feeling but I'm sure you all understand. I wake up and need that before anything. Sometimes I'll test myself to see how long I can wait usually only being an hour or so when I first get up. When I don't have V I usually can get my hands on tramadol which I take a lot too. The feeling is horrible. Its like you cannot function without it. For some reason it makes me happy. I have no idea why, and I'm not depressed except for when I run out. I honestly can't think of the last time I didn't have at least 5 vicodin in a day. I have told my husband I think I'm addicted but I do have some issues that give me pain so its like a no win situation. He doesnt know how serious it actually and he's a very good man so I he will be here but how in the world do I tell him my whole day is based on how many I can take, where do I get more, what if I run out. I'm trying to plan out how to stop. I have dental surgery to cut out several teeth and add dentures on the 23rd so I know its impossible to quit because of the pain and the meds they give me. There is no way I can do that without something for pain so I'm planning ot quit when I recover from that. Are there things you can do to help cope when you first quit? I don't want to take more pills to stop other pills. The last time I quit these were my symptoms: chills constantly, very irritated, the most restless sleep I've ever had. Anything you know can help please let me know. I don't care if it sounds dumb I'll try whatever. I honestly can't believe this is me. I've never done drugs, or understood why people do and now look at me. Not to mention how I hated them when I started. I was going to consult my doctor and shes kind of a witch anyway so I'm sure I'll get an attitude for it but if you label yourself an addict then something does happen I'm always afraid they won't help the pain because you were an addict. Thanks in advance for any advice.
11 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
599071 tn?1300068702
Tramadol is a partial opioid, (synthetic opiate) combined with an older tricyclic antidepressant.  For most of us, the withdrawals are identical to any opiate except frequently much longer & worse, (perhaps due to the antidepressant element).

If you have been taking tramadol for any length of time, please browse through the tramadol dedicated thread on Emily Post's journal-

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/61733?personal_page_id=142

There is great withdrawal support & info.  If you don't prepare for the challenges of tram withdrawal, the shock to your system may set back your good intentions to withdraw which would be sad.

Best wishes, Michelle


Helpful - 0
452063 tn?1324074916
OK first off you do not want to take Sub for an hydro addiction. It is a much stronger drug and from what I read the only people who think that it is great are the ones who haven't had to detox from it. Read about it under health pages and find out what members had to do to get off of it. Second, You are fooling yourself. The hydros are worse on your stomach than Ibuprofin. You say that your kids don't see you taking pills but I'l tell you , they see your highs and lows. They will also wonder what is going on when mommy is detioxing time and time again. You say that you are doing things with them. You can kill them bt driving them in a car. You came on here for help and you seem to want to tell everyone who is giving you advise that you don't want to hear why you should keep using. You are in denial. I don't mean to be so hard on you but you are making excuses and not taking this seriously. Do you want help or do you want to keep popping pills? Use ice for your dental work. I had every dental procedure there is and you can get steroids for swelling and ice and you will live. Opiates, you may not. I don't want to see you mess up your life and your families. We will do everything to help you when you realize you need it. God bless hon, Corey
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was addicted to vicodin just like you for 10 years, although I am only 27. But when the vicodin didn't get me high enough anymore, I moved on to stronger things and eventually found myself addicted to oxycontin & morphine and any other opiate I could get my hands on. I, like you, stole from my family or whatever it took to get my pills. Then I found that my whole life was consumed by trying to get pills and I was spending all of my money on them. I also have two kids, 8 & 3 and they are the love of my life. I know exactly how you feel and I am happy to say that I have been clean for over 2 years now and I would love to share with you how I finally did it. I tried everything with no success until I found what I call my "miracle drug". I still take it two years later, but it takes away every bit of craving and withdrawal. Sounds crazy, right>? That's what I thought, but it really does. I was able to kick my habit overnight. The drug is called Suboxone & I promise you it is the best, and for some people (like myself) the only way. Please e-mail me @ ***@**** and let me share my experiences with you and follow you in your journey to sobriety. Here is a little bit of info on the drug & if you go to suboxone.com you can find out a lot more. Good luck...It's not going to be easy, but you can certainly do it.

Buprenorphine is the active ingredient in Suboxone, Subutex, and Buprenex. Suboxone has a added ingredient called Naloxone. This was added to prevent abuse, and the Naloxone in Suboxone will allegedly cause immediate withdrawal if the Suboxone is injected or possibly snorted. Naloxone has also been known to induce withdrawal (wd) symptoms when some people are initially starting treatment, therefore some Drs will initially induct patients with Subutex which is just Buprenorphine without any additives.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
First of all I'm sorry your going through this I know it *****!but you said that you can't take tylenol well if you are taking hydros such as 10/650 um the 650 part is tylenol so I just wanted to point that out.you have to want to quit and by getting more isn't the answer.you will know when your ready. Good luck to you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Decieving ourselves and rationalizing and denial are all part of the game with this problem.  Good luck to you!  I had my gallbladder taken out with no post op meds. I hiked mountains and fought a war for three days (Nam) with a broken arm. I also had a wisdom tooth extracted in a federal prison with no meds and no prior X-ray to tell them that the roots were grown around my jawbone. Then they broke the tooth in half with a chisel and hammer to extract it. Aspirin for post op pain. Dont even tell me how much a person can put up with ........... Take care of this problem now or you wont even remember your children being in high school. And you wont be participating with them.  I am sorry ..... but i have seen this movie all over the world. And the only constant is that the user never wins. Some just last a little longer than others.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't think my kids see me as that right now, and I know they are not stupid and I'm not one of those naive moms that say o they are just kids. Trust me they know a lot more at their age then I did. The thing is I hide them from the kids for that reason. They have no idea how often I actually take them. The last time they seen me take a pill was weeks ago because I hide them and only take them when they are not around. As far as taking them out without a bunch of pills in my system I don't know exactly what you mean by that, as in what do you call a bunch of pills. As I stated I haven't been totally off of them for a while between medical issues. Thats how all this started and I just recently realized its an addiction. I was having pain and getting pills, I always though if the doctor is saying yes you need them then you do until I realized this can't be normal to want them with no pain. What really made me realize how serious this problem is was a talk show and this person who was talking sounded like me. I do a lot of things with my children, the other day I had to host a party at their school at 2 pm. I had taken 2 vicodin 500mg and 200 mg ibuprofin when I woke up at 7am so at that time I wouldn't consider myself full of meds. Other times, yes I've taken them and we'd go do things right then. I know some people can manage dental surgery with no pain meds but myself, there is no way. To me that is the worst pain in the world. I had an appendectomy in December and that wasn't half as bad as the dental surgeries I've had. To be honest I'm not supposed to be taking ibuprofin or tylenol at all because of a stomach issue. The most I've ever taken was 600 mg and was in tremendous pain and ended up at the hospital. Thats why if I take any its only 200 mg.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Look at avisg profile - she has bountiful information on tramadol and its addiction and withdrawal..........also look through the health pages for experiences.....you can search medhelp through the forum/site search engine.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for responding. It just depends on how many I have. When I have a bottle (30-100) I might take up to 10 a day. If I have a few left I can space them out over a day because I always find a way to get more the next day. I don't think I ever take less than 5 a day of vicodin or tramadol. Either one I have. Honestly I had 1 Vicodin and 1 tramadol left this morning and I've taken both. Right now I have a large cyst on my ovary and can't hardly walk. But generally I take them when nothing is wrong. Also if you know maybe you can answer this. I know tramadol isn't actually a narcotic but does act like one, so do you get withdraws from the tramadol too? I've always wondered that.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The tramadol make you happy because they are as much an antidepressant as a pain pill. Everybody feels happy when the serotonin in your brain gets bumped up a lot. But the tramadol merely create an illusion. They heal nothing. And they turn on on you.

About your dental work. There is never a good time to stop taking the narcotics. There is only the right time. You would be surprised how many refuse the narcotics for any dental work. Especially after they realize that they are addicted and one pill is too many and a thousand arent enough. 800mg ibuprofen will get you through your dental work. Say no to the narcotics. From "well" meaning friends and dentists and from every other source. It only takes a very brief second to fall again. You have to stay strong continually. And dont even try and tell me that you cant stand the pain or I will tell you a few stories that I remember from Nam - -

At 10 and 14 your children know a lot more than you are giving them credit for. They have classmates that are abusing. The drugs are available at their schools. And they probably know already that Mom is a junkie.......just not bottomed out all the way yet. When was the last time that you took time out to do something special with your children? Especially without a load of pills in you.
Helpful - 0
718651 tn?1237042917
Welcome to the forum,, I'm glad you've realized what a problem this is becoming, I also had to plan in advance to give them up,, I bought a lot of vitamins, which I would definatly recommend,, they ease the w\d and help your body heal, you can find the ones you want in the amnio acid protocal on the right hand side of the page, they explain what each is for and how much to take,, It is hard to walk away when we see happiness with the pills, I was sick and tired of needing them to make that happiness though,, As for the kids,, during w\d it will look like you're having a flu, if you need to use that cover with them,, once your body gets the drug out of it's system you'll feel like you're coming out of a fog and your emotions will be very sensitive for a while,, sadness, anger, happiness, even sex will be better than you remembered, you will start seeing bits of happiness and if you wait out the healing process you will feel happiness without needing the pills,, keep posting and read other people's posts,, you will learn a lot... with me I had to understand what I was going to go through to be able to do it,, I'm 16 days clean and at times it's a struggle, but the good times are more than the bad times at this point, and i know it only will get better,, good luck and let us know how you're doing,,,

Lisa
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm sorry to say that once you are labeled an addict, that sticks in your medical record and can it make it really hard for you to get any narcotics at all for real pain.  I am not off all my stuff yet, but finding the best way for me is a taper. I can't go to rehab or get that laber either.  Some people say take 10% off of your dose a week, others say 25%.  I am going to try to cut out one pill every 3 days and see how that goes. Make yourself a list of when you are taking them and how much and stilck to it.  The amino acid protocol and thomas recipes are helpful in getting your strenght back.  And help with the withdrawals.  Now many a day are you currently on?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community

Top Addiction Answerers
495284 tn?1333894042
City of Dominatrix, MN
Avatar universal
phoenix, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.