How long until physical dependence

[LT12]

I have a ruptured disc in my back and have been taking about 7 percocets (10mg) a day for almost a week. I am wary of becoming addicted because i am a recovering alcoholic (4 yrs sober). Am I in danger of a new addiction if I stay on for a month?

[mr.lucky66]

It's true that the level of dependence can vary greatly depending on pain, tolerance and addictive traits. 7 10 mg. percs per day is nothing to sneeze at and more than most regular docs would perscribe. Be vary carefull, that amount can go up and up.

[MizDemeanor]

My 2 cents is to stop taking them asap. I was never an alcoholic and never addicted to anything and opiates almost ruined my life. (Or let me say *I* almost ruined my life by taking them)
I used to take about 100 - 150 mg a day of vics or percs and now in hindsight I was a walking zombie and thought I was GREAT. I know what legit pain is, and you might have to take some but seriously...you are hitting a high number of 10's. Thats my advice for what its worth, I know that you are the only one who can decide. Read some posts and journals and you can see the hell that opiates cause. I wish you all the best!
Peace~

[CATUF]

i agree with 1234betterlife - for anyone in Recovery, taking opiates is like playing with fire.  i had nine years that were at least clean and dry (if not actually "sober") when i went on pain meds following a serious injury.  i went into a downward spiral of active addiction that dominated the next nine years and came as close as could be to taking my life.

as i look back on it now, i view it as a good and necessary thing.  but that's only because i wasn't in Recovery before - i was merely abstinent. if you're already in Recovery, you likely don't need a trip into the black hole to get you into a posture from which it is possible to find Recovery.  There are plenty of tickets into that place, but finding a return ticket can be a real **** shoot --  far too many never return.

CATUF
1042

[LT12]

The pain is too much to handle without them at this point, way too much. Are there other pain drugs I could ask for that may be less dangerous. I am having a lumbar cortisone shot this week so I am hoping that helps.

[Rayy]

remeber when you become addcted one is to many and a hundred is never enough

[Jacqui805]

Ditto to all above....you're definitely tolerant at this point....and I'd wean off as soon as you can.

[1234betterlife]

please be careful. i think you are playing with fire. honestly if i were you i would flush them right now and seek another path of treatment. you are in danger.

[speciality]

I take them for chronic pain, they are a road to nowhere, pretty soon you will take more and more for the same effect. It is the nature of the beast. You MAY be the ONE in a hundred thousand that this does NOT happen, to, but I would advise...Get out while the gettin is good

[Rayy]

in one weeks time it is a bit much but the docs stll prescribe it like taht on occasion

[Rayy]

thats not true mr lucky 7 percs a day is not all that many doctors prescribe them at "taking 1 to 2 at a time evry four hours do not exceed 12 in a 24 hour period"
but you can get adddicted ven if you take just one a day so yes you are in danger

[Rayy]

you can be physically dependent and you can be adddicted. if you need them because you have a ruptuered disc and your not getting high its ok to do so but your are stilll going to get addicted. if you are physciallly depenedent cause your in real pain then  being addcited is what you need but its not neccessarily a bad thing untilll your getttin high and getting our of control and most of the time you kno when your outa control..and most of the time you dont know but if your takeng them even one day your are in danger of becoming addicted

[GoingToMakeIt]

Ditto to all above! That is way too much of a dose for only 1 week of use!
I can't remember the exact time but I think that it's about 10-14 days and you can be physically dependent. (don't quote me on this) worried is so right and I can attest to this too. It is very easy to switch from one addiction to another. Even if you have been clean for a while. Once addicted to anything, the bodie's chemistry is forever altered.

[worried878]

Considering you have a former addiction...you could be a blink of an eye from being addicted to these...it can happen fast to those who have never had an addiction....7 a day is alot for someone who has never taken them to be up to in one weeks time....i would be very cautious

[mr.lucky66]

You had better get off of them fast. Cut down is 3-4 days and stop. The dosage is close to what ab addict would take. Alcoholics can easily become opiate dependent. all the best

[Penelope14]

Indeed you are! Be very careful, the withdrawals from percs are horrible! This is what got me into the mess Im in now, I started with vicodin, then moved up to percocets, then got into the heavy duty stuff, oxicotin, when I was so drained from this addiction I found a new one, methadone, little did I know or want to know that I have a addictive personality & was using not for ligitimate pain, as you are, but I did get these drugs from someone who like you had a ruptured disc, { my ex }. Just be careful, & if theirs anyway you can get onto something less addictive that would be in your best interest.