I started taking vicodin about 9 months ago.I need them for the pain that I have but then at times I yhnk that maybe I'm not as in much pain as I think that I'm in that maybe my mind s making me think that I'm in this pain just so that I

I was getting dependent on Motrin for my pain for awhile. These are the things I did
If you feel you may not be in as much pain as you think try cutting back and even not taking them unless you are in such bad pain that you don't feel there is any other way to get rid of it.
If you feel the need to take your vicodin take half of one pill and give it about 20 minutes if you don't feel better then take the other half.
Try other ways to relieve pain like take a hot bath in Lavender oil, dim the lights when possible, buy a massage cushion, brew some herbal tea like chamomile or passion flower.
Also some foods and drinks can trigger pain so keep track of what you eat when you get the pain and eliminate it from your diet.

Ya I know how that is, I had several surgeries on my shoulder started w ith norco, then percocet and know I am oxycontin, see how that works. We are own worst eenimes. IF you can get away with taking ibuprofen DO IT. Or talk to your DOC. I finally sat down with my doc and told her what a mess I was and she really didn't realize she was giving me that much crap. You know yourself better then any one. YA those drugs feel sooo good till you wake up and have to twice as more and your constantly chasing highs. Please take my advise. Get help and quit before the drugs own you and they will.

My very best to you.