will this plan help

[dollarbill112]

i am currently addicted to oxycontin. i am wondering if this self tapering method will help. i have been taking OC for well over a year now and it has not been perscibed by a dr. i do have a soldier problem and do need surgery. i originally started taking percs or hyrdros to cope with this. i started taking oc's and loved them. at this point i take anywhere from 80-160 a day. i will always have a reserve and an take 40 to get rid of symptoms and allow me to sleep.    
i was wondering if i start a self tapering to start me off with 40 a day until i can get down to nothing.. i have this planned out for about 20 days with the last 5 being just 5mg. do you think this will help?

[katrina_luvsxoxo]

I tried to taper myself for a couple of mos and couldn't do it.  I now had to have my husband help.  I am not taking as much as some of the people on here but still have the addiction none-the-less.  I am having physical withdrawls and have given my husband a set amount of pills and he is dispensing them.  If you really want to quit you will do it and never touch them again. This is my plan anyway.  I wish you all the luck in your journey.

[dollarbill112]

thanks for the advice jen but like i said this is not from perscription use it is from habitual drug use and i have not taken them orally since i started.

[helpjen]

You can't cut oxycontin tablets in half.  That will release all the med, and do you much more harm than good.  If you want to taper, you need to get some oxycodone or Percocets and set them up for your taper.  The oxycontin tabs are the extended release ones.  In order to set up a good taper, you need to get your doc on board so he can prescribe you the right size of pills for cutting ect.
YOu can do this!

[worried878]

ochooked gave u good advice...a taper schedule is almost impossible to follow along and handing over pills to someone we trust is a must for most...u may feel the taper as u cut down and if u get to feeling too bad it may be time to just CT and get it done instead of prolonging it...Picking an exact QUIT day and sticking to it whether u totally stick to ur taper is a very good idea...there is a taper articvle in the health pages that can help understand the tapering strategy..small doses thru the day/no spiking doses to help ur brain ease into it...and like ochooked said/cutting off all supplies, friends, telling your doctors and having none left in your house

[dollarbill112]

thanks for the post and i do have help in friends and family. my mom has recently confronted me about my problem and is willing to do whatever it takes. i think with her help dispensing and the medication and the support as well will help me get off of em.

[ochooked]

Yes, it can be done -- however, few addicts can taper successfully unless they have help - someone to hold and dispense their dose on a rigid schedule -- without succumbing to your pleas should you decide to 'cheat'.  You need to make a commitment that is solid and be willing to cut off your supply.  The single most difficult thing I did was to tell my doctor what I was doing -- that helped me tremendously and gave me the 'backbone' I needed to slam the door shut back to my supply, something that many are not willing to do --- they prefer to leave the door open for that "just in case I change my mind" moment -- I can assure you that if you do this, you will fail.  Before you start try writing down every reason you can think of why it is you want to quit.  When the going gets tough (and it will) pull out this list and read it again.  There are many reasons to quit and all of us could quote them to you but it will only do you some good if they are ingrained in you.  All the best.  Prepare yourself and good luck.