Quitting Hydrocodone

[Alexander1111]

Hi! I am a 22 year old and I have been taking Hydrocodone for the past ~7 years. I first began when I was about 15 years old when I had discovered my mother's prescription. I had started taking so many that I became nauseous and would vomit anything I had eaten. Over the years I have had periods where I would go without, (rarely) doing without for a month at the longest.
My parents both have relatively addictive personalities, at one point in my mother's life she was addicted to methamphetamines but she quit well over 30 years ago. My father has always been a heavy beer drinker, even to the detriment of losing his marriage.
I am currently at a cross-road in my life and I know that I need to, and want to, stop abusing this medication. I do not want to carry this addiction into the rest of my 20s, and I am turning 23 next month.

For the past 2 - 3 years I have been taking, on average, 2 to 5 pills a day (50 - 500 apap).
Currently as of today I haven't had any. I find that on somedays, depending on my level of activity and vitamin intake, that my optimism of quitting and withdrawal symptoms seems better.

I would appreciate any advice that I can get on my situation.

[vicki595]

Hi there- What is your source for the pills?  You need to block that source immediately; it's extremely important. Don't think for a second that you can take one here and there; you can't.

Let us know how you're feeling and if you need any suggestions to help the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal.  Think about some recovery support as in a therapist, counselor, and the sort...

I have a daughter exactly your age so I understand the crossroad and I'm really proud of you for taking control of your life. It's probably the best decision you'll ever make...

[atthebeach]

you are so young and have so much living to do.

don't let your past define your future.

stay away from the people, places and things associated with your use.
lots of fruits, veggies and protein.
stay hydrated.
move around as much as possible, exercise.
stay positive.
find new hobbies, keep yourself busy.

find a counselor, clergymen, support groups to help prevent relapse.
keep posting for support.

[Alexander1111]

Thank you very much! It seems you posted just as I was posting my comment.
I appreciate the support. :)

[Alexander1111]

To both ricart70 and OpenMind,
Thank you for the valuable advice. I intend on utilizing the support that this forum can offer as well as my own will-power in order to beat my dependance. I've begun a vitamin regimen that will hopefully make this process much more bareable.

[VICourageous]

I 100% agree with Open and Ricart. Get out while you are young..Take it from a older chic..It gets harder and harder when we get older. To much damage can happen by then..Get Some support for sure..This Journey was not meant to be walked alone..Support-Support and More Support!
Bless

[ricart70]

Yep get out now while You are young....that is very smart. As openmind said above. Focus on yourself and bump up the activity or whatever makes you feel a little better. In a month you will feel way more confident about life without these things. We have all been there and believe us when we say it is so much better to be living life without worrying about pills all of the time.
Hang in there friend You can do it !

[OpenMind24hours]

Congratulations on your decision to stop! Hang on to this willingness that you have right now. You CAN quit. Hydro was what got me to this site also.

Sorry to hear about your parents and their addictions, but our addiction is a personal thing. We got to concentrate on us and us alone. On the bottom of this page you'll find the Thomas Recipe. There is some helpful info on making withdrawal more tolerable inter that link. We will support you through the detox and into recovery. There is a difference between just not using and good recovery. Good recovery is what you strive for. I go to NA almost every day.One true addict helping another is how that program work. The recovering addict is our addiction's worse enemy. I find good recovery at the meetings.

First things first. Take not using and detoxing one minute, one hour and one day at a time. You'll get through it in no time. Then comes the recovery process.

I wish you the best. Keep posting.