Vicodin Addiction, Help Please! :(?

Question

Okay a little background on myself. I recently was prescribed Vicodin for an ingrown toe-nail removal. I know it seems trivial, but it's REALLY dealing with the pain. My toenail had went into my toe, and came out the other side. The pain was similar to when I got my wisdom teeth removed.

Anyways, after running out of Vicodin, I realized I CRAVED Vicodin, and there was no way I could get it. I don't WANT to do more Vicodin, but I seem to NEED VIcodin to function nowadays. If anyone has ideas on how to get the Vicodin craving out of my life, please help! I have 7 pills left, but my strategy so far has been to have the pills, but excercise my willpower in not taking them anymore even though they're available. Please can someone help me get rid of these cravings!?! I would REALLY appreciate it!

Answer 1

Tough situation... Here's a little background on what you are dealing with:

Vicodin is a synthetic opioid. In other words: it is an opiate. Commonly prescribed medication in this class include codeine, Demerol, and morphine. The bad news is: as I am sure you already know - its close relative in the street drug category is Heroin.

The deal with opiates (so to speak) is that once the ingested substance is taken into the body and metabolized it crosses what is known as the blood/brain barrier. All psychotropic drugs do this which is how you get what you get. The result of this process is that the substance (basically) is turned into a neurotransmitter (the things that sends messages through your brain) where it seeks a receptor that will accept it. In this case, an opiate receptor. We already produce a natural opiate (endorphins) so the sites are already primed and ready. This in turn sends a pleasant message to an area of your brain that interprets the signal as "good" and satisfies whatever physical (or psychic) pain is being experienced while producing a euphoric effect as a result of the drug being a narcotic. Simple.

The ***** of this is that two things occur:

1) Your brain likes the sensation and remembers that, and

2) It wants more!

The result is also a twofold process. As the opiate receptors empty from used neurotransmitters, they signal that you need more in order to feel the same pleasurable effect. This is where craving comes from. The second issue is that as you use a substance from outside of your body to do this, your body slows its production of it's own endorphins (because the same stuff is coming from somewhere else). When this occurs it takes more of the substance to produce the same effect as before. Thus is called tolerance. If you do not satisfy that craving, the body reacts very poorly as you systems have adjusted to accommodate the biochemical change of being full of the drug. These physical symptoms include nausea, running nose, restlessness, cramps, muscle aches, and a whole lot more. This is the process of withdrawal and is NO FUN AT ALL!

What you are experiencing is very common with patients having been prescribed Vicodin (and Oxycontin, Hydrocodone, Fiorcet, etc. Clinically, we interpret problems based on three factors: 1) A chronic pattern of use (craving), 2) an increasing amount of the substance to reach a sustained or desired effect (tolerance), and 3) physical discomfort when the craving is not satiated (withdrawal).

There are other questions that I would ask to determine the extent of your issue (How long have you been using, how much do you take, Are there any physical indicators other than the pain, etc.), but given what you have, there is a good chance you are headed for a very sharp curve on a very steep hill and the brake light just came on.

I will say this first: I AM NOT YOUR PHYSICIAN! As such, I AM NOT GIVING YOU MEDICAL ADVISE, NOR AM I ADVISING YOU TO ALTER WHAT HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED TO YOU!!!

However, based on what you have said: I would recommend ceasing the Vicodin at once. If you are no longer taking them for pain, flush 'em. You WILL experience discomfort, but this also WILL progress if you do not intervene. Also, go back to your doc ASAP and let them in on what's going on. The shouldn't judge you as a dope fiend as they created the issue. There are other non-narcotic painkillers that can help with you toe if that is still needed. There are also medical interventions for opiate withdrawal (though that is another issue).

I know this sounds bad, but it is better than the alternative and I don't think you want to get up at 5 o'clock in the morning to go dose at the methadone clinic every day.

Then again, even if you do... Vicodin contains acetaminophen (Tylenol) which in large doses (such as Vic addiction can result in... I have seen upwards of 120 pills a day) cannot be metabolized through your liver and WILL result in hepatic disorders (Cirrhosis primarily) within a very short time.

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to deal with opiate addiction/abuse. Decide what it is that you want, and then what you are willing to do to get it.

Good luck... and stay off the foot.

Answer 2

Please, talk to the Doctor who prescribed this immediately. Addiction to painkillers is becoming very widespread, with all ages. That feeling that you need Vicodin is real, and if you don't get help immediately, it will get worse.

Until then, I recommend finding an Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meeting in your community, and go ASAP. Addictions are nasty things to beat, and you are in the early stages right now. You need support.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I know once you're addicted to something, its hard to stop. Me I'm kind of addicted to computer. Its my stress buster. Before I used to talk a lot on the phone with my friends. But now, i spend most of my spare time on computer. I think you need to replace that addiction with something else. Something that won't affect your health.

Answer 4

I am sorry but you need help from a pro. Talk to your doctor and get help now. The first step in recovery is admiting you are powerless, you are on your way.

Answer 5

Cut them in halves (6 days of half a day)and then quarters (till they are gone) to wean yourself off. I cannot believe how anyone gets addicted to Vicodin. It is no more powerful than two Excedrin. I have had open prescriptions for my RA for two years and barely take it . I actually gives me a headache.

Plus learn to trim your toenails, so you do not run into this problem in the future.

Answer 6

hey youre kinda like Dr. House!!!

but i can help you; go see a doctor.....