I'm a 47 year old recovering alcoholic (w/Alcoholics Anonymous) with 15 years, today, under my belt. I have dealt with a weird pain condition (probably dysthetic vulvadynia) for 11 years and finally broke down and asked for pain killers about a year and a half ago. I'm prescribed 5 (10mg) hydrocodone a day but, of course, being an addictive personality, I am overusing and running out early, then suffering until my "script" can be refilled. I can handle the physical withdrawal and usually have tapered off by the time I run out early so that I don't experience any difficult physical symptoms. The thing that's driving me crazy is that when I quit taking them, to prove that I'm still "ok" I get so depressed! I am absolutely not interested in anything. My arms and legs feel like they are full of lead and I can hardly get up and move around, much less cook dinner, go to work, do laundry, take care of a husband and two kids, etc... I know now that my endorphin production is messed up but how long does that last?? I'm dealing with some stress issues, had to move from my beloved home town, hate where I am living now, lost my sponsor of (almost) 15 years to cancer this summer, boring job and I never do anything for me but when I'm off the pills I couldn't muster up the energy to do anything for me IF I could think of anything I WANTED to do. How long does this last?? Will I ever be me again? I used to be extremely high energy - never stopped moving - excersized, yoga.... now - nothing unless I'm on the pills. Will I ever be me again when I quit taking the pills? As an alcoholic, I know this can't go on... mentally it's driving me crazy and I'm having a hard time going to meetings cuz I feel like I'm not being honest.