Is it worse than it seems?

[hulko85]

Im 29 and Ive been taking lortabs frequently for the last 3 years, the same amount, one a day about 5 days a weeks. Never more and obviously never less. They have a strong hold on me mentally, as they give me energy and make much more sociable. As im naturally an introvert and pessimist, ive never been interested in social functions or social interaction. Ive been that way my whole life, that's why i appreciate the way they make me feel so much. This is a problem to me obviously because im taking a narcotic that is not prescribed to me, on a regular basis. I dont lie and steal to get more pills, anybody that ask me knows exactly what i take and how many, im just an honest person, always have been. When i dont have them i dont feel bad besides a little diarrhea, which ive heard is a normal withdrawal function from lortab, i just go back to feeling how ive always felt, unsociable and very pessimistic. How bad is this problem i have? I just feel like ive found my miracle social balance and i have no idea how to explain this to a doctor since they are for pain management. Thank you for any input and have a great day.

[gnarly_1]

Hi  well any time your taking the pills for anything but pain it is abuse as I see it your in the early stages of addiction...it is a slippery road that leads to disaster ....the pills give you a false scene of well being and like you most of us here  like it...just know your playing with fire these pills will get a hold of you and when they do and they will,will ruin your life it is time to buckle down and get off them wile you still can the phyical withdrawal last around 4 or 5 days but the mental part can go on for months  your brain will recover please dont judge the way you feel without the pills for 90 days   it takes that long for your brain to recover somewhat keep posting for support we can and will help you get off them   Gnarly

[hulko85]

Thanks for the information everyone! I know I'm not special and am on the road to addiction the way things are going. It's just confusing that these things are used for anxiety if they help it. I've always felt like I'm missing something mentally in the social aspect and I thought these were helping. And no I don't freak out when I don't have anymore lortabs, I just know I'm not going to be as social and optimistic feeling as I am on them. I've been to counseling for years in my teens as both my parents passing away affected me negatively for a long time. They just always put me on antidepressants and xanax, which I took myself off of bc of how lazy they make me feel. All I wanted to do was sleep and stay in a dark room. So I stopped taking them. I'm not depressed anymore, in fact I'm very happy! I just feel awkward with long conversations, can't look someone in the eyes for to long while talking, and feel like I'm about to have a panic attack in the midst of conversation when I'm off lortabs. Anything else yall need to know, just ask. I'm more than happy to answer! Thank you.

[Yesidid]

You are actually in a Very good stage to stop this now. You've made the mental switch that leads us all down the road to addiction and Big problems. Percocet is not the answer but the answer could be another type of medication. Please stop now, be your old self and see a doctor that you trust. A psychiatrist would be best - they are simply medical doctors that specialize in emotional/social/mental issues. They are not just for severely mentally ill people and they won't lay you down on a couch and analyze your problems. Good luck..please stop doing this today, and get help for your other issues.

[jifmoc]

Ooh I remember that feeling: thinking I found the "miracle" to my depression and blah in life. Like you, at first, I didn't take too much either. I thought people that told me it will only get worse we're talking about "other" people, not me because I had never been addicted to anything in my life. Let me tell you, w/ this we're all the same. It does get worse. Some quickly, some slowly. You are obviously in the slowly category. It's physically impossibly for you to get the same high after a while, so you'll need to increase. And on it goes.

It's obvious you are wondering if you have a problem since you took the time to write on here.(I remember that stage, too.) A few things to think about.

How do you  feel about the thought that you can't get anymore lortabs ever? Does it freak you out?

You are obviously getting them from someone who is not doctor. How do you feel at the thought of being arrested for what you are doing?  Or that the person you are getting them from gets arrested for selling/giving them to you?

Is this something that you feel good about? Does it make you proud? Is your life progressing because of your lortab intake?

If any of us could have the chance to go back and STOP before we went into full blown addiction, we would have in a heartbeat. I wish the same for you.

[Sonrissa]

Hi there, Lortabs are for short term pain relief.  I understand that taking them can give some mental and social benefits. However, those benefits do not last forever.  You asked how bad is your problem.  Well honestly, I've seen much worse.  My own addiction was much worse.  I can tell you that if you don't stop now, your habit will get worse.  Your body will develope a tolerance for the Lortabs, and you will require more and more to get the same feelings. It can easily start you down a path where you will need something more, and stronger. It will become a nightmare, and could ruin your life.   I hope that doesn't happen.

Please let us know if you are ready to quit. We can help you with advice and support.  Take care, I wish you all the best.