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Hello all I am new to this group.  I was wondering if I could get some advice.  I am afraid I am opiod dependent.  I have had a back problem (last year) and am seeing a doctor at a pain clinic.  I am prescribed 4 norco 10/325 a day.  I am constantly taking more than is prescribed.  originally 10-15 per day.  when I would run out I would suffer horribly until I could get a refill.  I had been hiding my drugs from my wife and recently told her.  I have a full bottle now and my wife keeps them locked up and dispenses them for me.  I have never sought help from a professional yet.  I am seriously considering it. for anyone who has been to a chemical dependacy treatment please tell me what to expect.  My job is in the medical industry and I sign and handle morphine and dilaudid daily.  I have never abused them but am worried if someone found out about my opiod addiction then I might not be trusted around them.  I have looked in suboxone but would that help manage my pain also.  is counciling mandatory with suboxone treatment.  How long is the tapering process for opiod treatment.  Thanks and god bless all
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Avatar universal
you guys are great!  I never expected all the replys.  I know I can do this and I will.  I am going to sit down with my wife and show her all the replys and different options.  To answer the question of "do I ever get into the stash at work" no I have not and do not plan on it.  I am just concerned about being trusted if my employer found out through my insurance co.  Apparently I have to be preapproved for chemical dependency treatment.  Since I work for a large hospital system you can see the problem.  Thanks all  
Helpful - 0
526961 tn?1213063601
aloha tom...I am in recovery for 11 years now, after five tx centers. they are not so bad. i have plenty of friends in recovery who are in the medical industry. i am a therapist. i know you are in a difficult position because of this. please go seek help from a professional in your area who can direct to to the appropriate resources in your area that will be confidential at the level of care you need. your wife cannot be your security guard or your detox. it doesnt work. go see a therapist who will direct you to a place which is sensitive to your professional anonymity. they all know where they are at. dont worry, just be informed.
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Avatar universal
I am on Day 6 - again.    I can't count the times I have done this, but each time I go back on, I seem to take less and consequently each time I go through withdrawal is easier.   Because I have a real medical reason for taking the drug, that just makes it harder to walk away.  Decades ago, I was into cocaine big time.   But because it was illegal - period - it was that much easier to quit.

Like most people on this forum, this is a do-it-yourself project.    I can't get away from work, etc. to go into any treatment, even though that might have been the most expedient thing to do.   And like you were until recently, my husband has no clue.    Although I don't post much,  if it wasn't for this forum, I don't know what I would have done - the thought isn't pretty.  I believe this forum has been a lifesaver - literally.

I tried to taper, but without any outside support, I couldn't.  The first couple of times I went cold turkey were pure hell - but you survive, eventually.   And this time around on Day 6, I'm feeling pretty good, considering everything.   In fact, I really don't have any cravings at all.

All I'm trying to say is expect a rocky ride.   Don't give up if you relapse - many do - but consider it a temporary setback and  keep an eye on the goal.    For the first time in a year or so, I think I'm reaching it.

All my best wishes.
Helpful - 0
372416 tn?1242665752
You've been given a lot of information on this thread.  It will be your choice.  Doing this detox while staying w/this forum will be very comforting.

I can't speak about treatment facilities because I have no experience w/that.  I had many failed attempts to taper.  But people do it all the time.  I had to do the c/t thing.  

Oh, and by the way, the doc told you that hydros were easiest to quit?  That was my DOC, and was by far not easy!

One curious question.  What does it mean to sign & handle pain medications?  Did you ever use some of those when you ran out of your stash?  Do tell.
Helpful - 0
518598 tn?1215513006
I find myself taking more than one all the time. I think most will agree, that w/d for people are the similiar, they can be different, in regards to time, and what symptoms. Some have sleeping and RLS, some it only last for a few days, and others, quite honestly, it is miserable. Like having the flu, 100 times over. I don't mean to scare you, but it's the reality. However, you can get through. Read some of the post these wonderful friends have shared and you will see that while it was a struggle, the outcome is well worth it!


P.S. I hope I have not stepped on anyone's feet, or spoken out of line for anyone. I think this paints a pretty good picture.

Good luck Tom86, feel free to message me again, as we were..
Helpful - 0
401095 tn?1351391770
I dont think too many forum members went to a treatment facility...most earned from the site what needed to be done and went from there...the health pages has lots of good info...ur wife would be a great person to help u taper unless u r also getting them on the side...read up on sub and read posts from people on it...lots to learn and u need to be educated on the drug before chossing it...most try to taper or CT before that option...but for some it is the way to go...just as long as u get it done...my sponsor went to a treatment facility...she stayed 3 months and was scared to come home as then she would be in the real world again...many choices...u just have to make a plan
Helpful - 0
402205 tn?1230481005
Tom,

I did take more than one at a time(never more than 2) but once I started the tapering I never took more than one and I spaced them out as far as possible.

If you need any help with tapering, let me or avisg(she's really good) know.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No my problem really started march 07.  I signed up in 04 for other forums.  you know my PM doc told me that hydrocodone was addictive however, about the least addictive of all the opiods.  I find that hard to believe.  when I went 5 days without any a few months ago I was irritable however the insominia was the worst!!  I am going to try to start tapering since I have plenty to do so.  I guess on the positive side mentally I believe I can do this.  Thanks for all the replys
Helpful - 0
352798 tn?1399298154
Welcome to the forum! You can do this. I would not go the sub route just yet. I would first try to quit or taper then quit. What dose are you at now?

Your profile says that you joined in '04? Did you have a problem back then?
Helpful - 0
511409 tn?1373395178
Hi Tom, and welcome to the forum. You have come to a good place. I am on Day 16 c/t(cold turkey) from a nasty vicodin(hyrdos) addiction. I would love to tell you that everything you are going to experiance will be easy, but that would be a lie. It very well could be the toughest thing you ever have done. But, it comes down to a question. Do you want to live as a slave to an addiction, or, are you willing to walk through the flames of hell to have your life back. Now, if your ready, here's a breif summary of what you have to look forward to. Physical withdrawl(flu like feeling that can put you on you face), Overwhelming feelings of dred. Intense Cravings(By this, I mean that your brain will try to trick you into thinking you have to have the pills or you might die)  and NO energy. I will point out that everyone is different and alot of it depends on how much and how long your DOC(drug of choice) was has been in your life. I know, it sucks to admit that YOU are addicted to a DRUG. But, you are. It is just a drug that society likes to hide in the shadows. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to scare you. I am not trying to discourage you. I am just trying to let you know what you are in for. Its gonna be a tough road bro. But, one that is well worth it. Let me give you an example. On my Day 6, I went for a walk on a beutiful day. As I was walking, I started to smile. I actually was smiling from the sounds, wonderful smells, and sites of my neighbors BBQ's. I know, sounds nuts. But, the thing I was missing the most from sober life was simple. JOY. Those damn things took away my ability to enjoy just about all the things I enjoyed before my addiction. And let me tell ya. I was extatic. Now, I have to take a min and again, Thank everyone on this post that walked me through the first 3 days. Especially a certain someone who was going through it with me. I would not have made it without them. I still have a long way to go, but, I can see the sun on the horizen again. And that, is a beutiful sight. Good luck Tom. We are all here for you. Please don't get discouraged if someone isn't responding when you look for them. We all have do the best we can. Look up the thomas reciepe and the amino protocols. They do help. God bless.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Tom:
Have never been to a treatment facility. But I did taper off hydrocodones.
90 mg/day down to 10mg/day, then quit. My taper lasted 1 month. The withdrawl was bearable and mostly while i was tappering.
But it worked!!!!!
If you decide to taper, I found the best thing was to make it a rule right from the start to not take it anymore than twice a day. So you really have to wait inbetween. You might want to set something else up for pain(like what?) or not work for a little while.
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Avatar universal
did you ever catch yourself taking more than one at a time.  How bad are withdrawl with this method?  Thanks for responding.  Tom
Helpful - 0
402205 tn?1230481005
Hi Tom,

Welcome to the forum! I tapered on my own and basically cut back a pill per week. But counseling is a really good idea becasue it is very easy to relapse. I don't know much about suboxone but others on this forum do and may be able to help you. If you look in the health pages on the right hand side of the page there is a lot of usefel information there.

Good luck,
Melissa
Helpful - 0
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