Hi, all - I'm hoping someone can help me. I've been taking Vicodin for the past 2.5 months for chronic back pain. I'm in the process of getting cortisone shots, and hoping that this will rid me of the pain so that I can stop taking the painkillers. I'm worried about addiction and curious as to how you know when you're facing addiction - are there any signs? There's been times when the pain is so fierce that I've taken more than my prescribed amount. I've taken painkillers before for months and was able to get off of them cold turkey without any withdrawal symptoms, but I don't think I was taking as much. When do your body and mind start to become dependant on them? I don't really have an addictive personality, but addiction does run in my family so I know I'm at risk. Any advice you can offer would be much appreciated. TIA.

[Osagewoman]

Hello, me! I would say that since you are questioning it, it may be closer than you think! For me, I think I knew it when my husband started telling me I was addicted (he is an alcoholic and former drug addict) and realizing taking a pill was always in the back of my mind, counting the hours or minutes to when I could have another one. Another sign for me has been physical: when it's getting close to time for another one, my body kind of aches all over and 'hurts'. It's hard to describe, but it kind of feels like the beginnings of the flu or a bad cold, an all-over sort of ache. Now, I take them just to keep that feeling away; I have to take more than my usual 2 ten's per day to feel really good, but when I do, I can go and work and get so much done and feel great! One more signal: when you think about not having them and how hard your everyday life would be, then I would say you were there.....[xx(]

Well, I've been questioning it from the beginning - I've always been very aware of what could happen. I ask my doctor to take me off of them, and he gives me a script for morphine....which i certainly don't want. I think maybe I'm just over-cautious and I should be all right, especially since I know I don't want to take them for much longer and the only reason I'm taking them now is because of the intense pain my back is causing me. Thanks for your response, though - I appreciate your input!

[mpvt]

95% of people that use opiates for acute pain like yours (providing the injection works) have no problem at all when it comes time to stop.No pain then no pill,just about as simple as that.As long as your taking them as prescribed and taking when you do have pain and not just to get a buzz then you will be fine.Good luck.....DAve

[stickyfingers]

Agreed. Whem you're taking them relatively close to how they are prescibed, at normal intervals, and without breaking the pills and ingesting- You should be able to get off without much physical withdrawl. Just be aware of the psychological side of withdrawl. It can be much more powerful than physical addiction (atleast in my experience). It just boils down to being honest. You should seek treatment if you're abusing or unable to stop taking the meds and are taking them to "feel good or right" rather than just for pain relief.

Just be completely honest with yourself and take the appropriate action. Best of luck.

[Kaidog]

Just_me:

Not to rain on your parade or anything but, I've got to disagree with a few of the other posts here.

Many, many, many addicts have become addicted to opiates.... even when taking them EXACTLY as prescribed. By the very nature of the drug, if it is taken for any length of time at all, even at relatively small doses, your body WILL develop a dependency upon them and withdrawals is the inevitable outcome once you terminate taking them.

Admittedly, the degree of dependence and the subsequent severity of the withdrawals is dependent on how long and how much you have been taking.

Now, having said all that, there is no reason to live in pain and if the pain medications are required to control the pain, by all means give yourself a life and use them. Just be aware that there is a price that must be paid if that use extends much beyond a month or so.

Listen to your heart and even if you do need to take them for an extended period of time, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are doomed to taking them for the rest of your life.

[mpvt]

Dependency and addiction are two completely different things.He's worried about beoming an addict.Which I don't think he needs to worry about because he isn't showing signs of addiction....Dave