Vicodin addiction???

I am 2 yrs post-op and am having a major problem with vicodin. Before my surgurey, I abused it for about 3 years, but it seemed like a had soem control over it, because I only took it at night. Oddly enough, right after surgurey, I seemed to not need it, and I was actually clean for several months. Well, old habits die hard, and I was able to take the pill form again. When I started using again, I seemed unable to just stick to nights, so I started taking during the day when I wasn't at work. I would go on binges during the weekends, and would just be stoned all weekend. I have been clean now for several weeks, but I just wonder why it went from abuse to addiction after the surgurey. Was it not having the food to depend on also? It seems like I started craving it more after the surgurey. Any advice?

Advice?? How about a suggestion. Call AA's hotline and ask them to have someone call you about your problem with perscription drugs. Your question about "why it went from abuse to addiction after the surguery." tells me that you are trying to find a way to rationalize it so you can control it. No amount of knowledge about "why" will make a difference. It won't take it from addiction back to abuse. I know from experience. Fact is you need to get yourself to help NOW! Binges -stoned all weekend. This really scares me. If this was an ulcer, or stricture, leak or blockage you'd go right to the doc for help. There is no surgery to cure an addiction, only hard work. If you are already a member of AA, call your sponsor, if not call the hotline. Save your life. At this point you are on the road to a huge crisis. Am I being harsh - probably sounds that way but believe me it's only because I care. I don't want to see your profile on the "memorial page" with "not related to wls". God Bless and I pray that you get the help you need.

I think that it was always an addiction and you have finally just come to grips with it. Like many people will say it takes a strong person to say that they have a problem. I only hope that you find the help that you need to get over and past this addiction. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Melissa Smith

I come from a different school of thought than others...I think that you probably ate to overcome anxiety and other bad feelings. When you could no longer eat, you turned to the other thing in your life that made you feel good. We're all just trying to calm our demons and feel okay from time to time. Since you now know you shouldn't be messing with vicodin because of your compulsivity, you have to find another way to make yourself feel good. I don't know what that is, I'm in the same boat (trying to make myself feel good without food) and it's the hardest thing ever. I do think you should avoid the opiates. I have seen several people detox from them and it's ugly. If you're 3 weeks out, you're probably done with any physical symptoms of withdrawal and just need to focus on the psychological. Try to get into something that won't kill you, even if it's not great for you (I'm addicted to Nip/Tuck, for example). Good luck with this, it's a tough one.