rehabilitation

[4zanderman]

I have been prescribed Vicodin 10mg. and taking  3-4 daily for the past 5 years.  I desperately want to get off and am open to entering a rehab center, but currently have no insurance.  Is there any facilites out there that I can go to without having insurance?  I have tried to ween off and can deal with the dysenteria, ringing in my ears, flu-like symptoms, but I can not deal with my leggs wanting to run with me and that overwhelming anxious feeling.  How long does it generally take at the rate I am taking  to be off these demon drugs.  Thank you so much. To all of you battleing the same problem,  my prayers are with you.

[OpenMind24hours]

My Vicodin quit working the way I wanted it to, and my doctor wouldn't increase the amount or strength. I would always run out early and try to stretch the last of it by tapering down for a few days. Tapering Vicodin is tough. It didn't work. it prolongs withdrawal. Then I kept jumping back to my normal amount as soon as I could get my script renewed. One day I just gave up and decided to go through with WD all at once. I had been on around 30mg a day for close to two years. In two weeks the WD was pretty much over. It takes a while to catch up on sleep. By 1 month I was pretty much back to normal. I'm 6 months clean now and I've never looked back. I'm dealing with my pain by using PT. It feels really good to be opiate free again.

What about your original pain?

You mentioned you might not want to quit? if you want your freedom it's yours' to have. But It takes complete commitment and the willingness to be sick for a little awhile to put this all behind you. You CAN do this! If you decide to go cold turkey, we're here to support you. These people on here are wonderful! But I think your prescribing doctor should help you also. Like giving you some Clonidine? That was mentioned above. Many people on here have gone through this, some were on large amounts of various kinds Opiates. Everyone who wants to gets through it. Best of luck to you!

[4zanderman]

  I have tried cutting back and am successful for a few days, then something happens either mentally or physiological that throws be right back to where I was.  I think also that it's mind over matter.  I want to get off, but at the same time, I don't.  I guess that's part of the additon as well.  Thank you for your reply.  This forum is very helpful and lends so much support.  

[selfinduced]

Can't help you with the rehab question, but wanted to send some support your way. Oh yes, the anxiety is no fun during detox. Do you have some support at home and someone that can hold your pills to help you wean? Your dose is such that a few days of yuck and you'll be on your way. Can you tell your dr. so he can give you clonidine to ease things? Let us know what you decide. Very wise to get off the pill hill and get to living life.

[Goldengrl57]

Have you tried just takiing 5 mg less for 3 days to a week, then keep cutting. Hydrcodone isn't a fun withdrawal, but you're on a pretty low dose. If you'll keep getting prescriptions, you can drop very slowly & combine with vitamins and exercise. If you go 5 mg a week, that's over 2 months or more. Your brain will want the higher dose, and that's the hard part. Shouldn't be bad if you go SLOW.