[Curiousforacure]

I am 28 years old, live alone, and have been taking Vicodin for over a year now. It started out as a simple way to cure back pain and menstrual cramps. I work in an environment which requires physical work. I was never prescribed, just got them from someone at work who had them and never took them. I am up to about 8 to 10 a day now. I don't smoke cigarettes, or pot, but have been known to have drank socially in the past. My boyfriend was never a big drinker, and so, to please him, instead of going to the bars at night after work I would take the pills instead. I feel like I may have switched one addiction out for another. My boyfriend does not know of this issue, nor does any of my friends or family. I have read all the discussion forums, and every person, as I can see is different, and I'm curious as to how to cope with trying to dismiss this addiction from my life, the easiest way for me. Is it easier to wean yourself off the pills, taking less and less each day, or would it be easier to quit cold turkey? I cannot lose my job, though it seems it has affected my performance in just two days that I have not taken them. I deal with the public, and have absolute no patience for them when I am sober. I also once had an anxiety attack at work, after being clean for two days. It was never like this before, and I need some advice on how to cope with that as well. I really can't talk to anyone about this, for fear of judgement. Is there any solutions? I heard orange juice helps with the physical cravings, and herbal tea. But is there anything for the "mental" cravings? Someone gave me Seraquil to calm nerves, and that helps me sleep, but could that become addictive as well? I'd appreciate any advice anyone could give me.

[Cats Meow]

Taking 10 per day is too much to quit on, you want to taper down to at least 3 before going cold turkey, and I believe in CT, but you need at least 3 days off work, starting day 2. Not much helps the mental cravings, but try substituting something healthy everytime you get an urge, like chug a liter of water or do 10 push ups or sit ups.
Watch the Seroquel, it's too heavy duty, idk if it's addictive, but anything that puts you to sleep can be abused, and just about anything can be psychologically addictive, even drinking water!

[Curiousforacure]

I appreciate your advice, I need all the help I can get right now.

[ymccormack]

Curious:

Search this site for the "Thomas Recipe". It has a lot of tips on quitting and, while not every tip is practical in every situation, many of the tips (like taking mega doses of Immodium) are life savers.


It's a tried a true recipe for quitting opiates.

Good Luck and keep us posted

YM

[Robert_325]

Here is a link to the Thomas Recipe as mentioned above ..... http://mb.rxlist.com/rxboard/ultram....ames;read=1955

Seroquel is a psych med and strong but not addictive. It will knock some people completely out though. I took it for a while and didn't really see any big deal about it. I did get some relief with sleeping and originally took it for that purpose in rehab. I continued it for about four months and had no problems stopping when I decided to do so.

You will have serious w/d symptoms stopping cold, tapering will make the ultimate stopping a little easier. You will still have noticeable w/d symptoms however even if you taper to two pills a day. I could never taper. Would do good for a day or two, then take everything out of frustration. Hang in there, stay focused. Good luck.

[Curiousforacure]

Thanks for the support, I will try the recipe and keep posted.