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Getting through Withdrawals

I want to stop taking perks and vic and need some help.  I started taking them about 3 years ago for many reasons.  There was a health concern but that was only for about 1 month, it was back problems.  Since then I have continued to take them off and on.  I am taking 3 perk 10's a day, which I'm not really sure if that's alot.  It has always felt that the high makes me deal with my life better.  I'm more social and tend to be more laid back.  I feel thats the biggest reason why I made the choice to continue to take them.  I do not doc shop or make up reasons to get them at a ER.  I just have a friend who has the ability to get some.  I don't ask questions on how they do it.  I have a very good job and have Masters degree, so money has never been a issue, which at times I feel is a bad thing.  I can't go to a doc or detox program with the problem because of my status within my community.  I am in the public's eye alot, and many people know me.  It would cost me my job without a doubt.  I want to stop because I find myself counting pills, and not being in control.  The feeling of wanting to make sure I don't run out, really gives me concern.  I want to put this chapter behind me and be pill free. My family has no idea about the problem.  I do not think my wife would understand it.  She is a woman that doesn't drink or have any drug issues.  She did get sick about 3 years ago with some mental issues- in short after a death of a family member she had a break down.  She was in the hospital for about a week and was giving meds to help cope but refused to take them and hasn't since. To be honest she has regrouped well.  This was about the time I started to take the pills, being the father ,this placed me in control of all parent responsilbities. I think that's why I started to use, it gave me that energy to take kids to all the events and care for my little one.  I quess I just wanted to post to get some feed back on someone outside looking in. Any suggestions on how to stop this addiction. Cold Turkey? Cut back a little each day before I stop c/t.  Withdrawals are a concern but I do have time to miss work.  That would not be a problem, and I really do want to stop, and I believe I can. I am new to this form although I have read it alot in the past. I simply never posted
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1374653 tn?1289239473
Cris and Jordy......great job, I read through this entire thread this morning, it always makes me smile to see people take the plunge back to the normal life.....I wish you the best with your recovery.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello!  Looks like you and I both are on Day 5.  How are you feeling today?  I have to admnit, as I was reading throught this post and all the great reponses, my heart swelled up inside.  I'm so proud that you made the decision to quit.

This forum is one of the reasons I am doing so well.  So many helpful and understanding people here.  It's hard to explain to people who don't have addiction problems what your going through, but here....you can say just about anything...and we understand.  

I didn't take many considering the other strories I've read here, mainly about 1-5 a day....but it turned me into a person I hated, (coutning pills, worried I did have enough for the day) it's sad isn't it?  I felt just like you, when I took them that I had energy to deal with the kids, but that's the lie we get caught in.  They don't help us be better parents, we're going to be better parents for what we are doing now.

Again, so proud of you taking control!!  Exercise has saved me, I get up and walk every morning....I actually even ran this morning!!  I haven't done that in years!!  :)  It feels good to take your life back doesn't it?

Just keep posting....even if your being tempted....feeling weak....we're going to have good days and bad days...(my bad day was yesterday)  and a good freind on here pulled me through it.  Keep going man!!!!

Cris~
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Avatar universal
Great job Jordy!!!

It sounds like you're doing well.  One day at a time and you will feel the grip loosening.  It sure is nice to see another success story around here!!!

Very proud of you for your what you have accomplished,
Keep keeping!!!!!!

bob
Helpful - 0
617347 tn?1331293081
that's good news, jordy...and you are right : no turning back... having this on mind you will see too that "this too shall pass" whenever you feel down, think that this too shall pass..

good luck today and tell us how you are doing!!
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Avatar universal
Again thanks so much for staying with me guys.  Everything seems to be going well.  Staying the course, just wanting to stop it before it got out of hand.  Small back pains but thats about it right now. Day 5 and no turning back.
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Avatar universal
just wondering... what reasons does your wife have for thinking you are an addict even though you deny to her? Do you deny just the addiction part or do you deny taking them, how many or how often?
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Avatar universal
MY NAME IS SCOTT. I HAD A DISC FUSION ON FRIDAY MAY 21ST. IVE BEEN ON PERCS FOR ABOUT A YEAR DUE TO A CAR ACCIDENT. I STARTED WITH 1 PILL A 5MG NOW IM UP TO 4 OR 5 10 MGS  A DAY I LOVE THE FEELING BUT KNOW IM HEADED DOWN A BAD ROAD. I CAN GO A COUPLE OF DAYS WITH OUT THEM BUT I KNOW I WANT THEM. IM UP ALL NIGHT I DONT EAT MUCH AND I FALL ASLEEP DURING THE DAY. I GOT 60 PILLS THE DAY OF MY SURGERY (4 DAYS AGO) AND I HAVE TAKEN PROB 25 OR SO SINCE.THAT WAS MAY 21ST.I HAVE BEEN GETTING PERCS EVERY TIME MY SCRIPT RUNS OUT ALL THOUGH I WAIT THE REQUIRED TIME FRAME. I DONT DOC SHOP AND I DONT GO TO THE ER AND I DONT BUY THEM FROM ANY1.......ITS NOW AUGUST1ST I HAVE SWITCHED FROM PERCS TO VICS I TAKE 3- 7.5S AT ONE TIME ONCE A DAY.I KEEP SAYING I WILL STOP AFTER THIS SCRIPT RUNS OUT. I AM AN ADDICT I KNOW I AM MY WIFE KNOWS I AM BUT TO HER I DENY IT. IRONICALLY THEY STILL WORK. IF YOU READ THIS GET OFF THESE DANGEROUS PILLS BEFORE ITS TO LATE. IF I CANT I WILL CHECK MY SELF IN TO AN OUT PATIENT DRUG PROGRAM. I HAVE TO FOR MY HEALTH AND FAMILIES WELL BEING.
THANKS FOR LISTENING!!!!!!!
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Avatar universal
Hey again,

It looks like you are well on your way.  I agree about the staying busy part.  It was the single best advice anyone ever gave me to get through wd.  

You are so wise to have stopped this before it gets out of hand.  

You have also proven that using is merely a symptom of addiction and has nothing whatsoever to do with the size of your habit.  Perhaps some seeing this thread may just realize that they too have a problem despite only taking several per day.  To those people, you have done a great service.

Very very happy for your progress,
Keep keeping!!!!!

bob
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for checking on me.  Another day, still hanging in there.  Less pain today, staying busy.  3 complete days of c/t. Just being active has help alot. Amino Acid has helped some too.  Sleep about 5 hours last night, we will see how things go the rest of the day.  Thanks again guys!!!

Jordy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Really happy to hear you doing ok,

5 hours of sleep is great.  If you were going to get wd real bad, you sure would know it by now.  I think you're going to be fine.

Keep keeping!!!!

bob
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well Im on day 2 of c/t.  Actually I took 1/2 a perk three days ago.  Things going well.  The cravings in the morning seem to be gone at least the past three or four days. Again Im taking the products I got at GNC (Amino Acids).  I do seem to get hot and cold flashes, sweating alot.  Last night I had a little trouble sleeping, but did get about 5 hours in of sleep. I do not want to go backwards thats for sure.  Also, the bannas before bed time I think is helping as well (RLS). Alot of praying too. I hope everybody stays the course and gets through this.  We must remember staying clean is very important to our families.  The support on here is wonderful, it helps me so much.  You guys have no idea how it makes me keep going. I can do this right!!!!
Helpful - 0
617347 tn?1331293081
hey, i wanted to wish you luck now and congratulate you for the decision you have taken....

you have been given very good advice :)

now, all the best, jordy
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Avatar universal
Well guys.  So far so good.  I've been taking alot of vitiams today, went to GNC.  So far I feel thats helped alot.  Again, the key for me is staying busy. I took half a perc yesterday around 5pm or so and nothing today.  I have 1/2 a perc left and don't think I will take it. So really as of today at 5 it will be actually one full day with nothing.  I went three days taking two, and yesterday I decided just to take 1/2 becuse I felt good. So I can really just say the taper process is now complete. Into c/t we go.  The next few days are going to be a tough one. In time will tell.
Jordy
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932659 tn?1332118704
How are you doing today?
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Avatar universal
I feel one of the most important things is staying busy, simply occupying your mind.  Finding something to take your focus off the withdrawals, so Im going to go do some work outside and go to the gym. I seem to be sweating alot anyway.lol

Everyone thanks for thinking about me.  Badshadow- This too shall pass, we can.
Helpful - 0
932659 tn?1332118704
Way to go jordy - hang in there!  That was another huge step you took in breaking that pill connection!
Helpful - 0
1349329 tn?1276985202
Congratulations on your progress.  Your doing great.  I'm still working on my taper, but I will be glad when I'm free of these pills and have my life back.

The Sleeping is very hard for me, I have Ambien but have hardly ever used it for fear of becoming dependent on another medication, but I might use it for a week or two to help with the bad withdrawal and anxiety.

Reading about people like you that are quitting and dealing with their withdrawals helps me mentally think that I can do it too.

I think the mental part is definitely at least half if not more of the process.  The withdrawals can be hard, but eventually they do pass.  I have to keep telling myself that so I can get through the next minute/hour/day.   I agree that it does help to keep as busy as possible.  Time has never seemed to go so slow as when I've been really sick with withdrawals, no sleep, and can't focus or concentrate on anything.

Keep up the good job.
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Avatar universal
So far so good. Beating it.
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Avatar universal
Hey,

Great step!!!!  Yes it's in the right direction!!!!  It's a good move to make NOW while you are strong so that in a weaker moment you don't cave.

Awesome job!!!

bob
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Avatar universal
I broke all ties with my pill connection today. They called and I told them I was done.  I actually feel good about it.  There is no turning back now.  I had to break through that wall.  Changing my relationships.  I feel its a step in the right direction.
Helpful - 0
1374564 tn?1295059520
Flush the rest. Just do it and start yourself on the right path. You know you need to do it so do not delay it any longer by taking another and then another and so on. You can do this jordy!
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Avatar universal
I took a half today around 2:30.   I think it will be better to taper for my body even though it prolongs the problem.  I will see how I feel, I should of flushed.  This is just the mental game that I'm going to win.
Helpful - 0
932659 tn?1332118704
You are right - there is no point in taking them!  It will only slow the process up and you don't want to do that.  Please consider flushing them, I know it's easier said than done but just think about it....
Stay strong today, you can do this!!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey Guys.

I am feeling ok today.  I did take 2 percs yesterday, one around noon and the other around 5 .  Haven't taking anything today. I do have a little discomfront but its nothing to complain about.  Your norm (lower back pain, really bad runny nose, very litle sleep, small headache) but nothing that is a big deal. I find myself saying what's the point to continue taking them (four of them left) its just preventing the detox. I have started the vitamins today as well. I quess its just the mental part, fear of the unknown.  I think if I can get through the first 4 days, I will turn the corner.
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