Blondie, how are you doing? As far as the Vicodin, living without it is possible. I had to take it for physical pain (arthritis) in the past, but in retrospect and now that I have months' worth of clean time on my hands, I'd rather live with the pain. What pain meds did to my stomach alone is a great deterrent. Now I stay active, and when the knees begin to ache, I simply rest. In other words, I get done what I need to during the early part of the day, and elevate my legs during the remainder of it. Praying for anyone who suffers from pain med addiction to be delivered from it, pain can be managed without drugs, Glory to God!