I think I'm addicted to hydrocodone

[Brigga123]

Title says it all. I think I'm becoming addicted to hydrocodone. My step dad gets prescribed liquid hydrocodone for his cough, huge bottles of it, so there's always plenty. Oh and I'm 21 years old btw. it's always helped wonders for my cough in the past, and well I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it, but I lost 45 pounds over the summer and decided to get into shape (I figure it may work same way as alcohol, usually takes more to get a big guy drunk than a small guy). A few months ago I got a nasty cough and I took a tablespoon of the hydrocodone. Boy did I get an amazing high and made me sleep so amazing.. Even after my cold went away, I found myself wanting a tablespoon of hydro every night before I go to sleep cause it relaxes me so much, puts me a great mood, and allows me to sleep very good.

I started trying to hold off on it and only do it a few nights a week but it's hard lol. I've never had any type of addiction like this before, I don't smoke cigarettes or weed, I don't drink, except on rare occasions, definitely no other drugs or meds etc etc.

I mean I don't think about it until I lay down at night to go to sleep, it's not something I dwell on all hours of the day and can't wait to take it type of deal, but as soon as I'm about to go to sleep, I'm craving that "high" I get from it.
If I knew if I'm harming my liver or something, it would probably make me stop, but I have not read anywhere except people talking about overdosing on it, which I'm definitely not even remotely close to doing such a thing. I take a tablespoon and that's it. Is there something I should worry about or what?

Thanks.

[kyle505]

I can only repeat what has already been said...The line between dependance or abuse and addiction is blurry. Right now it seems like you are standing right at that line, so be careful. The next dose may push you over. You are very smart to recognize what's going on and to look for help BEFORE things really get out of hand. If you stop now, it won't be too bad. If you don't, then you could end up addicted and everything will change.
But ultimately it's all up to you.
K

[ROSYouralright]

Hi! Welcome to the forum.. It's good that you caught it now! Try changing up your bedtime routine a little so that you don't go nuts thinking about the codeine. Its better to stop now while your just taking it at night! Narcotics are SNEAKY! The addiction can sneak up on you before you know it.

[Lainemoss]

Let it go!!! Not only are you damaging your body, but you are permanently changing your brain chemistry, and the structure of how your brain works. Stop it now before it gets out of hand and you become like all the rest on this forum-lifelong addicts. Even though we no longer use, we will always have the addict label. Real said it best-stop now!!!

[Real180]

The post above says it all --- you are addicted but you caught it early enough to GET OUT before this truly grabs you and ruins your life and everything you have accomplished... Posting here was the right thing to do, and I think it's great the you recognized you have an issue, now do what everyone on this forum will tell you -- STOP NOW!!! Any uncomfortable feelings you encounter by stopping will pass, hopefully you will not have any but if you do it is a result of WDs and like I said they will pass in a few days.... Also, educate yourself on the horrors of opiate abuse so you can learn why it is so important to stop what your doing and never mess opiates again!!! Please keep posting with any other questions... Again, great job on recognizing this issue before it was too late.. All the best..

[marycarmel]

Well, even if you're not taking huge doses, it's still being processed by your liver.  And even though you're only using it once at night doesn't mean you're not going to increase your dose as tolerance develops.  Read the stories of people who took pain meds for a legitimate injury or illness and see how it one day turned on them.  Now is the time to stop.  You probably won't have any withdrawal at this point or if you do, it will be very mild.  The road to addiction is very elusive.  You just don't know when it will turn on you.  We had a pharmacist at one of our local pharmacies that became addicted to hydrocodone cough syrup.  He lost his career and family.

There's lots of great OtC sleep aids:  melatonin, Valerian root (which also helps with anxit)  and Alteril (which works great for me.)  The fact you wrote this post shows you know you're heading down a dangerous path.