Hydrocodone

[needguidance49]

Does anyone know how bad withdrawal symptoms will be for someone that has been abusing Hydrocodone 5/500's for just under two weeks? The number of pills has slowly increased from about 10 a day to approx 20. He has taken 20 for the last 3-4 days. Since the duration of abuse was short the wd's shouldn't be that bad, should they? I have been in a much worse situation having used much longer and he saw what I went through and is scared to death. I am trying to assure him the short time of usage is on his side and he will not go through too much. I have a few Valium I have offered him when he is ready to stop to help him sleep and for anxiety if needed. Any feedback is much appreciated.

[needguidance49]

I just found out the truth on this and any feedback is welcome, needed and very much appreciated. Like I said, I have had some experience with this myself but not the same.
My friend has actually been abusing the hydrocodone for about two weeks, quickly getting worse. It started with 10 5/500's a day. It quickly increased over the first ten days but has drastically gone up over only the last three days when he got his hands on 10/325's. He has taken 25 of them yesterday and 25 the day before and about 30 today. So over all it has been 14 days, about with a fast increase. From ten to twenty of the 5/500's in the first week, The second week has been from twenty of the 5/500's all week to 25/30 of the 10/325's over the last two days and today. Can I cold turkey him or will he get really sick? Again, I have had experience with very long term abuse myself then cold turkey hell with a little help of suboxene. I also abused myself for a short time, 10 days or so  at about 10-15 5/500's a day. I had almost no w/d's after the ten days but major hell the first time of the prolonged abuse. Anyone have an idea what I can expect with my friend and the best course of action?

[needguidance49]

Thanks for your kind words. He actually has had prior addictions but not Vicodin. I have had an addiction to Vicodin, that I mentioned earlier, that went on for months at very large doses and I literally went through hell. I did use again once after that for a period of under two weeks at about 15 pills daily and didn't have w/d's that bad, but also didn't feel too great for a few days. Depression, trembly etc. but not too bad. The depression and anxiousness was the worst part by far.

[worried878]

Everyone is different but 2 weeks should not be too bad on him if he does not have a prior addiction....someone who used before would have a harder time after 2 weeks than someone who never used.....many are on narcotics post op for that long and even on stronger narcotics and do not have withdrawals...i have seen people on IV meds around the clock for weeks and have no problems...he just needs to quit before he does have to deal with withdrawals...u are sweet to help

[needguidance49]

Thanks for your input. I won't give him the Tramadol at all. Not even sure why I have them and where they came from. They're going down the drain right now. I really appreciate you guys giving me you feedback. Your last post had just given him quite a bit of comfort!!! Thank you!  

[GoingToMakeIt]

I agree with mimi, No tramadol.  If it's only been 2 weeks. He should just quit. He will get back to somewhat normal in a week or two. We can't say for sure but his w/d will probably minimal.

[needguidance49]

The abuse and total usage has only been just under two weeks. It started with a handful to get over a break up with a girl. He started right off abusing to self medicate...to feel better. It went from 10 pills a day to just over twenty in about 12 days or so. I think if I stay with him and offer the Valium, only if needed, he should be OK over a couple of days. I just talked to a Dr. (I know they don't always know what they are talking about) but he said the short duration of abuse will result in anxiety, some sweating and depression considering the break up etc but shouldn't be too bad at all. That is if I can get him to knock it off. I'm not sure how many of the Vics he even has left.

[mimi1313]

Don't give him Tramadol. That is just is bad. He's only been using for 2 weeks? That jsut escalated really quick. Can you try to help him taper by a pill per week or every few days? He's taking way too much aceteminophen.

[GoingToMakeIt]

The short time he abused will help, but you didn't say how long he was taking them and not abusing. That is a factor too.

[Korley]

I have not been on pills that long, but I can already tell the damage. I would do anything to go back to the way it was before the pills. Lots of prayers are with you, and I would try anything to convince him that time is on his side and it will get much much worse!

Korley

[needguidance49]

You know how that goes, I'm sure. Taper over how long?...a few days? I had to taper when I went through it a year ago or so but had a huge struggle and actually ended up doing the cold turkey deal. It was hell to say the least. He witnessed some of it and that is why I'm having trouble getting him to stop. Shouldn't 10-12 days of use not produce too bad of symptoms? I also just found Tramadol which is a non narcotic pain reliever. Do you think I could give him some of those to help....?  

[mimi1313]

The short time is on his side but he increased his dose pretty quick. Can you try to get him to taper down to a lower dose? That would be easier.