Vicodin Addiction & Treatment

What is Vicodin?

Vicodin is a prescription painkiller that contains the combination of a synthetic opioid (Hydrocodone) and acetaminophen. Together, these ingredients make Vicodin an effective pain reliever that is ideally prescribed on a short-term basis to treat post-surgical pain. Vicodin may also be prescribed under other brand names and generic names such as:

• Anexsia
• Hycet
• Norco
• Lorcet
• Maxidone
• Stagesic

The drug is typically prescribed in tablet or solution form. Vicodin, like other opioid pain reliever narcotics, is a Schedule II drug. That means it carries a high risk for drug abuse. Opioid/opiate abuse is serious and frequently deadly. Someone who has abused Vicodin is at increased risk for developing a Vicodin addiction.

Vicodin Effects

The effects of Vicodin result in relief from severe pain. The drug acts on the body’s central nervous system to reduce the symptoms of pain related to injury, surgery, or various health conditions. Medical professionals only choose to prescribe Vicodin in the short term because the acetaminophen it contains can cause liver damage with long-term use. The Hydrocodone contained in Vicodin is effective for pain relief but carries an increased risk for prescription drug addiction. For this reason, prescriptions for Vicodin are usually limited and monitored closely.

Signs of Vicodin Abuse and Addiction

One of the most widely abused prescription drugs, Vicodin plays an important role in the pharmacological pantheon of opioid painkillers but, as such, carries a high risk of opioid addiction. Annually, more than nine million people abuse prescription painkillers like Vicodin, and every year, roughly two out of every three overdose events involve an opioid drug. Although Vicodin abuse continues to be rampant in the U.S. Vicodin addiction treatment can help individuals manage their drug addiction and abuse problems. Signs and symptoms of Vicodin abuse or addiction to Vicodin include:

• Spending a substantial amount of time obtaining the drug, using it, and recovering from Vicodin abuse
• Doctor shopping in order to obtain Vicodin prescriptions or other opioid prescription drugs
• Taking more of the drug than prescribed
• Taking someone else’s Vicodin or purchasing it from an unauthorized source
• Forging prescriptions to obtain the drug
• Reduced performance at work or school
• Development of relationship problems
• Experiencing powerful urges to use Vicodin
• Trying to stop using Vicodin and failing
• Experience Vicodin withdrawal symptoms

If these abuse and addiction signs are present, it’s important to enroll in an addiction treatment center’s inpatient rehab or outpatient treatment programs before the effects of Vicodin abuse result in irreversible physical and mental health conditions or overdose.

Vicodin Withdrawal Symptoms

Like cocaine addiction, meth addiction, or heroin addiction, Vicodin addiction can result in extremely unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when ceasing to use the drug abruptly. The effects of Vicodin withdrawal can range from mild to severe and include symptoms such as:

• Cramps
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Dehydration
• Sweating
• Fever and chills
• Suicidal ideation
• Intense cravings for opioid drugs

Vicodin withdrawal and overdose are medical conditions. It’s not advisable to stop using opioids cold turkey on your own. DayBreak features medical detox programs where people can obtain opiate addiction treatment that includes medications designed to reduce Vicodin withdrawal symptoms. There are medicines that can help with addiction to opioids and their withdrawal symptoms.

Long-Term Side Effects of Vicodin Abuse

The long-term effects of Vicodin abuse can be serious and life-threatening. A person who abuses Vicodin is at increased risk of liver damage. Other long-term effects of Vicodin abuse include:

• Irreversible scarring of the liver
• Liver failure
• Difficult urination
• Reproductive problems
• Development of mental illness
• Heart irregularities

Of course, someone who abuses Vicodin is also at increased risk of Vicodin addiction and overdose. Symptoms of Vicodin overdose include the suppression of the respiratory control center in the brain, which can result in death.

Vicodin Addiction Treatment

Is there medication for addiction, specifically opioid addiction? Yes. DayBreak Treatment Solutions does offer medicines that help with addiction to opioids as well as alcohol addiction or other substance use disorders. We feature residential treatment and outpatient rehab that includes opioid addiction treatment, dual diagnosis treatment (if needed), family therapy, medical detox, and various types of evidence-based behavioral therapy that can help someone manage their opioid addiction. Contact our drug rehab to learn more about our recovery program options today.