Hydrocodone

[woodtick]

What is this stuff? Is it like heroin or something?

[True Blue]

Hello Woodtick, Hydrocodone is a pain killer, pretty much the same as vicodin. Very Very addictive. Hydrocodone brought this women to her knees and it hurt really bad when I was down there. They say it is just as hard to get off of as heroin.

[mnj1024]

I believe that hydrocodone is the active narcotic ingredient in vicodine, like oxycodone is the active ingredient in percocet. yeah janet wicked stuff, been there.

mike

[woodtick]

Janet,
Thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear it got you and I'm glad you were able to beat it. I better get rid of this dangerous, vile poison! It's amazing they even rx stuff like that, but I'm sure people with cancer or very serious pain need it. Tylenol and Advil only go so far. It must be like an opiate.

[eddie z.]

Brent,
Yes, it's an opiate. And everything everyone else said is right except I would add that Vicodin and Percocet also have acetaminophen (Tylenol) in them as an active ingredient.
—Eddie, speaking professionally

[godsonmyside]

Its a opiate made with hydrogen and tylenol, active ingrediant of vicodin. It is highly addictive. I went to detox for oxycontin and percocet, no opiate is fun to detox from. It was the Hollywood drug for awhile too. It is hard to get off this stuff on your own once you have developed a habbit to an opiate. its all in the heroin family, if that tells you anything.

[woodtick]

I live just off a highway and some tourist lost her storage container with her junk in it at the end of my driveway. I cleaned it up and there was a bottle of hydrocodone in there. If I were a drug addict I would think it was Christmas or something! She must be into drugs cuz there was a nice little piece of glass in there too with a substance on it . I can't imagine what else one would want with a 2"x4" piece of clear glass especially since it had stuff on it.

[Allyson S.]

You guys just gave me an education as well. I have been taking Hydrocodone since I hurt my back in Nov '03. I am trying to kick the habbit myself and it has been very hard. The withdrawel feelings stink...I hope I can do it alone b/c I can't take time away from work. Thing is then I started mixing the pills to look for new highs. That was bad. I passed out a few times infront of people. Its amazing that Drs will give an rx for stuff like that so easily.

[Allyson S.]

Can I also ask...what is it that makes it soooo adictive?

[ashley80]

hydro is my current DOC. It is synthetic opiate and is addictive just like all opiates. It's stronger than codeine and therefore more addictive. Takes less pills less time, etc., till you get physically dependent.
I'll post more later, about how to handle the WD's. Have to run now, but hang in there! And don't try to do it alone. It didn't work for me.
Ashley

[Dan]

Hey thanks for this thread. I was a cheap opiate user inasmuch as I just swallowed pills I scored in other peoples cabinets! Thanks for the pro advice ed!

[eddie z.]

You're welcome, Dan!
Allyson,
One big reason hydrocodone is so addictive is that it takes effect and wears off quickly, leaving you wanting more sooner. And Ashley is right; it doesn't take long at all to become physically dependent to the point where you have withdrawal symptoms. And one also develops tolerance rapidly, requiring more frequent and/or larger doses to achieve the same effect. Does that answer your question?
Love, Eddie

[ashley80]

Thanks Eddie! That's what I was tryin' to say.
Allyson???? How are you feeling? Are you getting through the detox OK? It s*cks, but you are NOT alone. Can you get some help, medically, to get you through the worst of it? Or are you just going to stick it out, on your own?
Hot baths/showers, Immodium, Tylenol PM at night to help you sleep (actually it doesn't do much, but it's worth a try). Lots of fluids, ice cream or sherbet, yogurt, more Immodium, cuddling your dog (if you have one - if not, I recommend borrowing one), more hot baths. A walk in the sunshine if you can manage it.
Trashy novels and DVD's or videos to distract you. These are all things that have helped me get through it in the past. (And will soon be helping me again.)
BUT, I highly recommend seeing a doctor if you could to get something that might help with the withdrawals. Hope you are doing OK - hang in there. After 5 days or so the worst is over. Let us know how you are doing.
Ashley

[Allyson S.]

Thanks for asking Ashley...

I feel like crap!!! I am trying to make it through though on my own...I hope its only a few more days. I am soooo nausious (I threw up at work today), can't sleep, dizzy etc. Your suggestions are great!!! I am going to give a few of them a try. I really thought it was the pot but now think its the mix of pills I have been playing with for the past few months. WOW. It started off as fun but I don't think anyone is laughing now...

Hope you are doing well too!!! Maybe a meeting tonight!!! I don't really like the face to face thing much!!

[ashley80]

Allyson, hmmm. Mix of pills? Did they include any benzo's, like valium or xanax? Not trying to be nosy, but if you have an addiction to benzos, it can be REALLY rough. The opiate withdrawal from the hydrocodone is bad enough. I am concerned about you - and you are right, I don't think you would be sick from quitting pot. Anxious maybe or antsy, but not physically sick. The insomnia is classic opiate withdrawal, and nausea too.
I don't blame you for not wanting a face to face meeting when you are feelin' so sick. I'm thinking of you, sweets. Hang in there, and do consider getting some medical help if you are not feeling better tomorrow. How many days is it now? Four? You should start to feel better soon.
A

[eddie z.]

How's Allyson this morning? Did you get any sleep? I hope so. My thoughts and prayers are with you, honey!
Love, Eddie

[Allyson S.]

Hey there-

Just got to work and all I want to do is stay with you guys...I did sleep a bit last night. It takes about an hr but then I am up every 2 hrs for about an hr. Yuck! I woke up this AM at 7a to the sound of jackhammers. They are redoing the streets outside my apt. You guys are great and I know I will get through this. I don't want to feel this way but in a way kind of gratefull that I do. I hope it keeps me from popping and smoking pot. I will make it through today!!! And so will you.

Ashley-While I don't have a pup I do have a kitty and for some reason she was very snuggly with me last night. I think she can feel my vibes...It was very soothing to pet her and feel her purr...

Thanks much for all the kind words. Enjoy this day and I hope the sun is shinning where you are!!

[eddie z.]

You're welcome, Allyson! It's funny how cats (and dogs, too) know when we need comforting. I even have one cat that gives massages! Hope you get some sleep tonight. Have some chamomile tea with lots of warm milk.
Love, Eddie

[ashley80]

Allyson, what's up? How are you doing? Cats are great cuddlers, I wish I wasn't allergic. Although my crazed dog would eat a cat if I got one.
Eddie, the cat is back! I've got to get my BC avatar back up.
A

[eddie z.]

Ashley,
Isn't that your Border Collie up there now? That's the crazed one, right? I put up Patsy for now. She just turned 17 and seems as healthy as ever!
—Eddie

[ashley80]

Yup, Eddie, that's the crazy, lunatic Border Collie mix. She is under my chair right now, due to a storm outside. Later she will shred my new welcome mat when the mail carrier arrives. Then, on our walk, she will attempt to shred any morning papers that hapless neighbors have neglected to bring inside.
I have most of the neighbors pretty well trained by now though. Can't tell you how many times I've had to give up my own newspaper to sub for one that is floating through the neighborhood in tiny pieces.
Life with this dog is interesting and challenging. Why do we love her? She's a great soccer player, though.
Your cat is awesome! 17 - that's pretty old for a cat, right? I'm so allergic to cats - wish I wasn't.

[eddie z.]

That picture of Patsy is probably about eight years old. I just like the way the sun's coming through her whiskers. I like it for the same reasons I love the picture of your dog—the lighting.

Seventeen is elderly but not ancient for a cat. But she is the oldest cat we've ever had. And it seems like she'll just keep on pat-pat-patsying away! Did your pup finally emerge from under the chair?

—Eddie

[rezinate]

I used hydrocodone for chronic pain for 5 years. I get off of it for a couple weeks and then go right back. I even went 8 months while I was pregnant w/o taking it but I had a c-section so I immediately went back to it after. I was at the point then where I could not make it through one day of withdrawal. It seems to affect every single body part and makes you horribly sick. I know it is only supposed to last a week or so but the craving lasted for months and months for me. I finally started on a methadone treatment program (which I don't recommend unless you have been trying to quit for years) that is helping me overcome my addiction b/f I have to deal with all the detox sickness. Although it took me a long time to become addicted it didn't take long at all to become physically dependent.

[eddie z.]

I think it was the opposite for me. I was addicted with the first high, but it took a while to get physically dependent.

Now, what has become of Ashley?

Love, Eddie

[ashley80]

Hi, Eddie. I'm still here. Day 14 off all opiates, day 22 off hydro. Hanging in there. Doing IOP rehab, NA, AA, etc. I've had a rough 7 - 8 days, but I am still fighting.

Blew off my sponsor this weekend, now I'm afraid to call her...... But I will, and take my medicine. Well, I've got to get moving today bcz I'm sitting here kind of wallowing, and THAT's not good! Time to use the phone and get the heck out of the house.
Hugs, and I hope that you are doing OK? Let me know, k?
PS, rehab has been great. What an eye-opener. I have finished two weeks so far. No session tonight and I'm gonna miss it. Who would have thought?
Ash