Help with hydrocodone addiction

[rebecca]

I'm posting this because I have finally come to terms that just can't beat my dependency on hydrocodone on my own. I need help...but am too ashamed and dnt know where to start. I am a 33 yr old single mom, my youngest is almost 2 yrs old. I started using hydrocodone as post operative pain medication for my c section w/ my toddler. I dnt think it would have progressed into what it is today if my husband did not leave me when she was just 2 weeks old. I'm sure that sounds like an excuse but I was under so much emotional stress at the time the medication made me feel like I could "deal" with my situation by numbing the emotional pain. I have since then come to terms with the abandonment of my ex and tried many many times to quit the pills. I'm totally dependant. Can't even get out of bed sometimes without downing one at my bedside. I'm a hard worker and good mom. So its not like I'm a junkie...but I feel like that sometimes because I can't even function w/out a dose. I'm down to just 2 a day which is better that what it was. I just can't wean myself any lower. Being a full time worker and single mom I dnt have the time or resources to go to a rehab. I've learned there is a drug called subutox (or something like that) that can help wean addicts off the other stuff....what kind of doctor do I go to to ask for that? And if I did would they be obligated to report me for substance abuse because of my parental status? I've heard of that happening to people with street drugs but not sure about pain meds. Well I think I just wrote a book. This is my first attempt at reaching out so thank you for reading. Any help anyone can provide I genuinely and sincerely appreciate from the bottom of my heart!

[Michael]

I had a huge post all typed out, and lost it when I submitted it. So I'll give the main points.

• You have a child -- the BEST reason in the world to get and stay clean.
• Cold-turkey is the best method at this point. Suboxone and other stuff is pretty darn addictive and would be used in severe cases.
• A doctor cannot report you due to legally-bind confidentiality.
• Your addiction is spurred by depression, like mine was. It's very common. I suggest therapy to help with the long-term care of STAYING clean.
• I went cold-turkey off taking 8-10 hydrocodone a day at 7.5 mg each, and it sucked, but I've been clean for over seven months now. So you can do it too!

The finer points got lost in there, but the main concept -- just do it! You want to get clean, you've asked for help, and now all you have to do is take that leap of faith!!

[Ashley C]

i am too an addict to lortabs, same thing u take. i am not sober now but consider myself a functioning addict. i have being using for 11 1/2 years and im 26. i try to control my addiction when i find myself taking 6-8 a day i cut back to 4-5 a day. i know that still sounds like alot to u but ive been an addict alot longer than u. and im not sure what ur mg is but mine is 10/500. i can find them anywhere, mom, streets, friends, doctors. thats why im so scared to try and quit, but i have 3 kids and im a single mom like u and a good mom. but like u, id like to be a sober and great mom like my kids deserve. and have rational thought in my head that isnt clouded by DR. WATSON and this evil team of dealers. and im ashamed that ive let it come this far for this long. the only time i was ever clean and endured the pain was during my pregnancies bc i didnt want my kids to be born addicts bcof my selfish, weakminded stupidity. so i know that u and i can both do this, i believe that u r a strong woman, just like i am, which makes us know whats best for not only ourself but mainly for the innocent children we brought into this world. dont they deserve a clean and sober mom? i know mine do. please blog me back id love for us to be able to do this together, bc i cant do it alone either. goodluck with everything and keep ur chin up. we will all get threw this together.

[Slave2Mr.Watson]

Rebecca and Ashley, I am a 25 y/o mother of 4 and have been on hydrocodone for a long time as well. My quit day is going to be tomorrow. Have you guys started yet? Please post back I think we could really help each other and work together to beat this. I am not single but I take care of the kids and house by myself. My husband had an accident and is still on crutches till February. I hope you are doing well and hope you post back. I was prescribed the pain killers because I had a tumor grow through my shoulderblade and had to have them both removed. That was 3 yrs ago. The pain is still pretty bad but the pills dont work right anymore and I am tired of it. I made a plan and think you should too if you have not started already. Also you can go back and read the posts from the older posters and it is really inspiring.... lets me know that there really is light at the end of the tunnel and we really can do this.