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Will telling my doctor about my Norco addiction get me in legal trouble?

Will telling my doctor about my Norco addiction get me in legal trouble since I buy them off the street?  I need help quitting ..

I hit a low point.. I told a coworker about my addiction last year and he ended up telling my girlfriend (also a coworker) of 5 months and it almost ended us this past weekend.. I promised her I'd stop and I truly want to and I've been wanting to for so long but now I finally have a reason besides my health to stop.. But the withdrawl makes it so difficult..

Should I just try to stop by myself or should I tell my doctor?

Thank you all for your help!
24 Responses
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Avatar universal
You're right MintyFresh.. I stopped the subs because they made me beyond dizzy and naseous on just 1/4 pill! But I still have the rest of them in case I ever slip up.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think he said he stopped the subs and didn't like the way it made him feel so he stopped it jan 11 but has a few subs left just in case
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1827057 tn?1397520277
are you now on sub
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Avatar universal
Oh and a quick update on how i tapered off the pills..

Starting in early Decemeber i was on them just maybe once a day.  then by 12/11-12/15 in NYC, i had none w no WD symptoms. <-- great sign maybe i'd been taking such small doses the body wasn't needing them anymore.  

By end of December, i was probably taking a half a pill every other day just to keep me sane yet not enough for me to hardly feel it.  I made my detox/rehab appt, but they couldn't get me in til 1/11.. I knew i'd probably not even need it by then but i wanted to Suboxone to stop my urges becase they were def there.  So after i took the subs, i was done w the urges and i've been off them since.  sometimes i can go all day without even thinking/remembering about how i would want one every few hours or else how would i work and live.. seems so funny to me now.  i was a weak guy. crazy how much life can change in such a short amount of time.  

=)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey!!  Yes I'm here.. i fell off for a little bit but i slowly tapered off and I'm done w the pills.  I can't believe how addicted i was.. how bored was i??

And guess what guys..?. not only are me and my girlfriend back together (we got back togther a few days after my first posts).. we're expecting a baby!!!  I can't believe I'm finally going to be a father.  Just found out last week.  She's 5 weeks prego.  =D

I went to NYC in mid December and went a good 4 days without the pills and I knew then, that I was finally just about ready to stop the habit for good.  i couldn't live a lie anymore..

Towards the end of December, we made a decision to try to have a baby on her ovulation day and we hit it on the first try.. def blessed!!

So i went to a clinic and they gave me suboxone and it made me so dizzy i couldn't do anything. like i was drunk.. such a bad feeling when i thought i was going to have a good time on it to replace the norco. i took it like 4 times, but I'm done w that, it was horrible!  that was on 1/11 and from that day on i haven't even had the urge to want a pill at all.. soi guess it worked! but i hate suboxone so i don't take that either.  but i will keep it just in case i have a weak moment but ive been very strong and have no want for a norco.. ive got other things to do!

not to mention since having found out (on 1/16) I'm an expecting dad, i have no want to cloud my mind w anything like that and I'm on my hustle harder than ever at work and more positive, less stressed, showing more love and being more generous w my money since i don't spend it on u know what!  it's great.  =D

I'd been meaning to message you guys and i apologize for being one of those people that asks for help, gets it, then disappears.  I'd just been a bit busy and w stuff on my mind.. but i never forgot all your kind words and advice.. it helped me so much.

Thank you to everyone that responded to this post.. you guys helped me more than u probably realize and i hope i can help someone else too.

All the best,

GotTheRealMeBack
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Just wanted to check in a see how you are making out? You hanging in there?
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4204073 tn?1361831476
Well, im starting over again myself, so you aren't alone.  On day 2 today which is always the worst as far as physical symptoms.  I know tomorrow will be better and each day after that.   I have the hardest time after I get past the wd symptoms because I don't know what its like to live without opiates.  I know its possible and I made it almost a month this last time.   The cravings hit hard along with the mental part out of nowhere.  I wish you the best and hope your gf comes around.  
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Avatar universal
Glad to hear you are doing well! Hang in there, the worst of it will be over soon. Just keep reading this site, and remember what you are doing it for.
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Avatar universal
Thanks everyone!  I'm at work and can't be on this site here so I'm on my iPhone but I wanted to let everyone know I'm doing pretty good and REALLY appreciate and love reading your posts.. They help so much!

I'm just suffering from cold sweats and my shirt was soaked this morning when I woke up and they've got the AC running on blast here to make it worse but it'll be ok..

Ttys
Helpful - 0
1700643 tn?1464846682
Oh and yea100%honesty will b fine w/ur doctor,u wnt get n trouble&chances r ur doctoe will b a litle proud.They get this is difficult2admit&takes a lot to b honest.by the time u go u will n feeling so much better.
Helpful - 0
1700643 tn?1464846682
Sry about ur gf.she obviously doesnt get addiction&truth b told u dnt want some1who just doesnt get it but left when u needed her around.i get feeling betrayed BUT I think she was really cold.U can do this.keep posting.
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Avatar universal
Hi honey!  Sorry about your GF.  That can be tough especially during this kind of sickness, but let's just get you better, ok?  

Here's the deal.....you can go and tell your doc that you are addicted and need help.  There's nothing illegal about being addicted to pain meds.  Now, it IS illegal to buy them off the street, but there's no reason for you to go into that with your doctor.  How you got into this position isn't really the issue.  You wanting OUT of it is the thing now, right?  Is there any way that you can call and talk to her over the phone or get an earlier appt?  Thing is, by Monday you may not even need assistance.  The worst of the WDs only last about 72 hours.  Now, you'll still have some symptoms after that, but it usually peaks and starts to slowly get better after three days.  Sleep and energy take a while longer.  SO, this is day 1, and you'll start feeling better this weekend.  I'm not saying not to go to her on Monday, but you may not need assistance with this particular issue.  Being honest with your doc is always best in this situation.  No matter how hard it seems! : )

We can help you with the symptoms if you'll tell us what's bothering you most?  Also, it's great that you're going to the gym.  WONDERFUL!  Oh, but watch the L Tyrosine and careful not to take too much.  It can make you jittery.  
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Avatar universal
Your situation feels so much like mine. I remember those first few days and may be able to give you some support to get through those. If you need someone to talk to don't hesitate to message me, these first few days will test you, but you need to stay strong. If you don't want to lose your girl, you need to show her you are serious about this. The loss of respect hurts, I know the feeling! But most importantly you really need to want to stop for yourself. I realized even if I don't get back with my girlfriend, she made me look in the mirror and realize what I had become. Once I did that, I told myself never again.
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Avatar universal
I have first hand experience with this issue you have! Back in January I finally told my primary physician that I was illegally taking Xanax and wanted to taper off. I had tried going to multiple detox centers but they had no beds available. Out of desperation I flushed the 2mg pills I had left and figured I would just go cold turkey! Horrible idea! After the 2nd day I was hallucinating by having a conversation with my grandmother who has been gone for over 8 years! I made an appointment the next day. He was very understanding and put me back on it and took me off slowly decreasing the dosage every 2 weeks. Definitely talk to your doctor! Not only are you protected by patient confidentiality but MOST doctors want to help those who are asking for help! I was off the Xanax in 3 months with next to no withdrawal symptoms! I'm not sure how they would handle an opiate but I highly doubt your doc will just say sorry I can't help you. Doctor go through hell to get their degree to HELP people. So trust him and see what happens! Best of luck!
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2107676 tn?1388973859
It's a great decision.
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Avatar universal
I'm going to tell my doctor.. BUT. I feel like i should Tell- not Write.  I will talk to her next Monday during my appointment.  I just hope that's not a bad decision.. thoughts?
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Avatar universal
Thank you guys so much.. I'm not telling anyone in the world about what I'm going through.. except you good people.

No, she's never gone through addiction and she won't understand anything I'm going through.  She also thinks the position in in life is because of the pills which is 50/50.. She's lost respect for me.

My friend just called me to go to the gym now.. I'm going!  I know I'll feel better.  Before I go, I'm going to GNC to buy the L-Thyrosine stuff I read about.  

Wish me luck!
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1970885 tn?1435860428
Unless your girlfriend has struggled with addiction, even cigarette smoking, over eating, etc., then she will never understand what you're going through.
One of the first and most important things I did when I quit was to email my doctor. I told him that I am an addict and need to be red flagged as such. I asked for his help with future situations where I might need to take pain meds again. He wrote me this - "Well good for you. Very few people can admit that they have a problem, and fewer still will ever do anything about it". I will never forget his words. They also apply to you.
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2107676 tn?1388973859
I'm so sorry about your girlfriend and hope that you won't let it stop you from quitting.  You are doing this for you and to get your life back.  The next few days may be tough.  Make sure you take imodium, drink lots of fluids, gatorade.  Get some ensures or boosts and try and eat even if it's a little big.  Hot baths really help apparently.  I didn't try them but many people swear by them.
Working out sounds great too but make sure you stay hydrated.
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Avatar universal
Well..  the day took a turn for the worse.. My girlfriend broke it off w me today.  All while I'm having cold sweats and wishing I had a happy pill.. I had a great day at work and I can become so sensitive to my emotions there, I won't let it negatively affect me, but im just laying in bed and will hopefully have the energy to go to the gym to work out my stress.  

Tomorrow will be better.. Wednesday even better than that.. hopefully.
Helpful - 0
2107676 tn?1388973859
I understand.  I quit so many times and was stuck at days 3 and 4.  I now have 16 days clean.  
Make sure you get some imodium, stay hydrated with water, I love gatorade.  Try to eat as much as you can even if i'ts crackers, soups, bananas etc.   Boosts or ensures are really good for you.
Hot baths will really help with aches and if you get restless legs.
I am sure I missed something but others will chime in with great advice.
Keep posting.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you!  I'll let her know about it but I can't see her until 12/10 but hopefully I'm still off them by then. This is day 1 and I'm feeling okay.. Just workin and clear minded. I had cold sweats last night but wasn't too bad.. I just need to get past day 3-4 and I'm good!  I haven't been past day 3 in idk how many months .. But I will this time. I'll keep posting updates.  thanks to everyone for your help!
Helpful - 0
2107676 tn?1388973859
No, Telling your doctor won't get you into legal trouble and it's a good idea to get your doctor involved.
If he will help you come up with a plan that is great.
Talk to him and let us know if we can help you too.

Your doctor will keep it confidential.
Helpful - 0
4341997 tn?1514588688
hi and welcome!  i can't say for sure about the legal stuff....but i would think that telling your doc would be confidential information.....that's just MO.....it's awesome that you want to stop whatever the reason.....you can also maybe do some research online about the legal part of it....

WDs are hard but you CAN get thru them.....this site is a great place for information on how to get thru them.....it helped me to get clean and stay clean for 16 days now.... there are alot of otc things out there you can take and do that will help with it....the Thomas recipe you can find at the bottom of the page in the right corner.....every one here is so helpful and got me thru the worst of it....please keep posting and know we are here for you any way we can help.....
Helpful - 0
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