1. Detox from Vicodin
The first phase of breaking an addiction to Vicodin is detox. It is the most unpleasant step of the entire process, but critical if you ever hope to be free of this addiction. When you've been taking Vicodin for a long time, your body and mind both become dependent on it. Your body gets used to the relaxed feelings associated with the drug and your mind craves those feelings.
Detoxing from the drug produces intense withdrawal symptoms that are difficult to manage on your own. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, chills, shaking and even convulsions are not uncommon when going off of Vicodin. Even gradually lowering your dose will produce some withdrawal symptoms, as your body is used to having a certain amount of the drug at certain times every day. These withdrawal symptoms are too intense for most people to manage on their own, which is why in-patient rehab or close, daily supervision from a doctor is usually a necessity when detoxing from Vicodin.
2. See an Addictions Counselor
Counselors who specialize in addictions can help you overcome the personal traits that lead you to becoming addicted to Vicodin in the first place. Many people have what is known as an "addictive personality." Someone with this personality type is more susceptible to becoming dependent on things such as drugs, alcohol, food and sex than other people. However, an addictive personality can be overcome and changed with proper counseling. Your counselor will help you realize why you look to outside things to bring you fulfillment and why you've formed such an intense attachment to Vicodin. She will then assist you in developing personal tools to change your addictive personality traits and replace them with more positive traits.
3. Try Meditation
Meditation can be especially helpful in getting through withdrawal symptoms and in overcoming the urge to take more Vicodin in the future. Meditation not only allows you to relax, it teaches you to form pleasant feelings and images in your mind in an instant. When the urge to use Vicodin surfaces, you can call on these pleasant feelings to get you through it.
The key to success in meditation is to practice it every day, preferably at the same time each day. About 1/2 hour, twice a day, is common for meditation practice. Simply sit in a quiet place and focus on your breathing. Breathe deeply and slowly, fully filling your lungs with oxygen, then fully exhale. If your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to focus on your breathing. Do not get frustrated or berate yourself if you find your attention wandering a lot at first; this is common. Eventually, you will be able to concentrate fully on your breathing for your entire period of meditation without difficulty. Meditation will leave you feeling relaxed, focused and able to take on any challenge, including an addiction to Vicodin.
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