Am I addicted???

[caz007]

Okay, need any experienced advice please. I have been abusing pills for about 4yrs now, since first prescribed after a c section. It started with Perc's which made me feel so wonderful, like cocaine in pill form.(which I tried years ago and could count on one hand how many times). Anyway, I changed to Lortabs because they were easier to obtain. I only used a few a week at first then one a night. Now 4 years later I think I have a problem. I have not tried to stop so I'm not sure if I'm addicted or not. I have a few questions though. Flu symtoms were mentioned. I have been very stuffy in the mornings and waking up with a terrible sore throat almost everyday that goes away by evening time. Also, I cough up "chunky" phlegme, is this all due to the Lortabs I am taking? People have said that they have no appetite but I do, I get very hungry when coming down...so I eat. What is crazy is that I do not feel the effect of my pills if I have a full stomach, so I usually take a few pills and then eat or I will eat, vomit it up then take my pills. I am reading this and thinking how pathetic I am......does everyone have these same issues or is it just me? I need to know more signs and symtoms of what it does to our body. And also, am I addicted? because I am really not sure, I like the buzz of course but have gone a week a few times with no crazy change except not being able to sleep. Any advice will help. Thanks.

[Cats Meow]

Are you addicted? Probably, if you take painkillers every day for weeks on end then yes, it's the nature of the drug.
W/D sypmtoms are, runny nose, aches and pains, loss of appetite, lethargy, sleeplesness, frequently restless legs, cravings, and of course diarrhea! Symptoms usually start hitting you 12 hours after your last pill has worn off, you may be waking up with them starting, or your stuffy nose is something different. When you're in withdrawal, believe me, you'll know it.

^..^ ~~ ,
=´`= ___ )~~

[jpklcapp]

COngratulations on taking your first step - you are obviously coming to the awareness that you are both physically and mentally dependent on the medication - you are addicted (addiction is defined in it's most simplistic form as the use of medications regardless of damage or injury to yourself). You really need to seek some professional help with rehabilitation from 4 years of drug abuse on a daily basis - withdrawl is defficult, cann be traumatic and last for weeks, you are unlikely to defeat this addiction without professional help. Please please please seek some help for this.

[Cats Meow]

Everyone should try qutting first, save rehab for when all else fails, it's very possible to quit on your own, many succeed, it takes a strong will.

^..^ ~~ ,
=´`= ___ )~~

[caz007]

thank you all for the advice, gonna try on; my own and see what happens, maybe it won't be so bad.