Vicodin Addiction, Abuse, And Treatment

The production of prescription painkillers increased substantially from 2000 to 2010. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. While addiction can occur from building tolerance to the drug, individuals misusing it tend to take Vicodin to alleviate minor symptoms, such as a headache. The user begins to rely on the medication for that sense of relief and tranquilization that follows the slightest discomfort. Individuals who choose to utilize the drug illegally usually crush it themselves. Rather than be taken orally, the powder is snorted into the body by the user.

Get help for Vicodin addiction today

Vicodin is a prescription painkiller developed for the relief of moderate to severe pain. It is a prescription tablet of hydrocodone and acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol). The hydrocodone in Vicodin is a synthetic opioid, which activates the is vicodin addictive same neurotransmitters as opiate drugs such as heroin. Rehab centers use evidence-based strategies to alleviate opioid abuse. A treatment plan may include opioid agonist medications, such as methadone, to relieve withdrawal symptoms.

Learn about the prevalence of Vicodin addiction

Feel-good sensations of euphoria produced by opioids are likewise introduced here; these sensations encourage people to take the drug again. Often, when people try to quit or reduce the amount of hydrocodone they’re taking, they discover how dependent their bodies have become on the painkiller. After repeated use, opioids’ action in the frontal cortex weaken the individual’s ability to control decision-making and regulate mood. Experiencing trauma, like abuse or a chaotic home environment, or exposure to stress as a child or adult may lead some people to turn to drugs as a coping mechanism.

Vicodin Detox and Withdrawal

In some cases, they steal opioids or purchase them from street dealers. But prescription drugs obtained on the street are often mixed with more powerful substances, such as fentanyl, that increase the risk of experiencing a fatal overdose. Ongoing use of the medication can cause physical dependence, increased tolerance, and an increased risk of addiction.

This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use. This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as amylase/lipase levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, and slow/shallow breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by drug addiction treatment your doctor, usually every 4 or 6 hours as needed.

Hydrocodone oral – Uses, Side Effects, and More

While experts are unsure how acetaminophen works, hydrocodone works by activating mu-opioid receptors. People addicted to Vicodin may experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it. Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms include mild effects such as yawning and a runny nose.

• All opiate-based drugs can become habit-forming and cause physical dependence.
• Nausea commonly occurs with the use of hydrocodone and usually goes away after the first few doses.
• Before it was discontinued in the UK around 2012, it was regularly prescribed by doctors.
• If you think you or someone you know has overdosed on Vicodin, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
• Additionally, the combination can cause drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and slurred speech.
• This combination works to create a potent opioid analgesic characterised by its ability to alleviate moderate to severe pain effectively.

FDA approves painkiller said to thwart addiction

• Depending on your individual insurance plan, treatment at a specific facility may or may not be covered.
• As their tolerance grows, they need to take increasingly higher doses of the drug to achieve the desired effects.
• Opioids interfere with pain signals heading to the brain to change your perception of pain as well as your emotional reaction to it.
• They can harm a person’s physical, psychological and social health.
• Make sure that someone checks in on you each day and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

In 2014, lawmakers recognized the increasing danger of hydrocodone combination products and changed them from Schedule III to Schedule II controlled substances. Previous formulations included 500 mg to 750 mg of acetaminophen per pill. At The Recovery Village, patients can work one-on-one with a treatment team to determine the best route of action to assist them the most efficiently. During a thorough and detailed medical detoxification process, doctors and therapists evaluate the severity of the addiction and establish a plan to rid the body of the drug safely. Withdrawal symptoms for each person will vary, but doctors can prescribe medication to ease the severity of those symptoms.

• Getting help for hydrocodone addiction can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone.
• Always be sure to take only the prescribed amount of Vicodin and to space each dosage properly.
• The length of the withdrawal process and the severity of the symptoms will vary from individual to individual.
• With this understanding, please know that any potential side effects or risks of the medication can be easily managed with proper medical oversight.
• As the most prescribed painkiller in America, hydrocodone belongs to a group of medicines called narcotic analgesics.
• This prescription painkiller is a combination of hydrocodone and the active ingredient in Tylenol.

Once you withdraw from Vicodin, it’s important to enter a substance abuse treatment program. Hydrocodone addiction can cause serious physical and mental withdrawal symptoms. Medically assisted detoxification can help you safely and comfortably detox from the substance. Detox programs use medications for a period of five to seven days while your body withdraws from hydrocodone dependence.

Medical Disclaimer

As your tolerance grows, so does your risk for hydrocodone addiction. People addicted to Vicodin compulsively use the drug despite knowing the consequences, often sacrificing their health, responsibilities and relationships. The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies hydrocodone as a Schedule II substance. This means that hydrocodone products such as Vicodin have a high potential for abuse and their use can result in severe physical or psychological dependence. While it is effective when used properly, misusing Vicodin can be harmful.