Help I think I may have a problem

[Spooty]

I think I may be addicted or on my way to becoming addicted to painkillers, I beleive that I do not take alot, everynight I take 2 painkillers(Myercindal etc) the really strong ones with codene that have a relaxant in them, I take them to help me sleep but I am at the stage where I cannot go to sleep unless I have taken them. I am aware that I have an addictive personality,  I do not drink and I do not do drugs (illegal) should I be concerned about this?

[lilyput]

I don't know about any other herbal remedies, I'm sure there are some out there...but I just thought I'd put my 2 cents in: In case you aren't, I strongly recommend regular medium to strenuous exercise on most days with only one or two days off a week at most. It will help with your racing mind and insomnia. Yoga and meditation are also helpful I've heard (just started so I can't say yet).

[Spooty]

Thank you all for the advise,  what scares me is how the hell could this happen, I am so anti drug its not funny as I never thought of pain tablets being a problem, I seem to think that I can stop this anytime and I will wait to the weekend as I know I will have a really bad night sleep, I should also explain that I have ADHD and I take Dexamphetamine (I beleive the similar drug in the US is Aderol),  I think I got hooked as my brain is so active and wont shut up and if I get worked up before bed (ie read and exciting book or get cranky) I cant sleep, the pain killers seemed to relax me and I like the way that feels. I have to stop this as I can take the Dex as this does stop my mind racing but it does not relax you.  does anyone know of any herbal remedy or any ides on sleeping?
the stupid thing is that I have stopped taken them before and re-trained my body to sleep, ! once went a few weeks, then I had a headache and instead of taking a regular headache tablet I took a myercyndal(the strong one) and that was it.

[patchesohulahan]

Today is day 5 off of the pills for me. I was taking 10 to 15 hydrocodone 10/500 per day. I did not see it coming until it had hit me like a train. I beg you, if you think you may have a problem, you better cut it off at the pass. Detoxing off of painkillers is not fun. I have had sweats,and chills at the same time. Throwing up, diarrhea, and I don't mean the gentle kind. I mean the violent kind. Shakes, restless leg syndrome, and I have slept about 8hrs in the past 5 days. I am just starting to get better, and I will continue to get better as long as I stay off of those pills. Sounds like you may have a head start on this. If you do, thats good. Read all of the post on this site about what pain killers have done to everyone's life. Then read close about what it has cost them, and what the detox was like. One thing I know for a fact, One will lead to two, two to three, three to four, and so on. It is easy to get in and hard to get out. I wish you all the best, and I will keep you in my prayers. The people on this site really know so listen. You will find allot of good advise.

[bandnmom]

It does sound like your body has become dependent. Stop now and try something else less addictive. Soemthing OTC maybe.