thank you for the responses.
Since the "vicodin diagnosis" which was just yesterday, I haven't yet spoken with the neurosurgeon about his actual plan, as truthfully, I left his office in tears that I was not going to get the surgery I had sought after. He does very much want to work with me on a plan to ultimately treat the herniated disc. I will see what his course of action would be.
I guess, impatient as always, I thought an inpatient setting could do a faster taper than at home. But that is most likely via more medication to ease the vicodin withdrawel; unlikely the doctor would prescribe such in an outpatient setting. I should be patient and taper as instructed.
Will hopefully find out today.