Since it is an opiate-based drug, Vicodin withdrawal is similar to withdrawing from heroin, morphine, methadone, or codeine. Anyone can experience withdrawal symptoms if they have taken Vicodin over a period of time, usually several weeks or more. Although the symptoms vary by person, most people experience some withdrawal discomfort when they attempt to quit or cut down. Vicodin is a prescription painkiller intended for those suffering from severe pain, like pain following surgery. Medical professionals prescribe the medication to help alleviate pain and make the patient more comfortable. Once a marijuana addiction physical dependence on Vicodin develops, addiction becomes more likely.
The signs and symptoms of Vicodin addiction include increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and physical health decline. Further, individuals may exhibit compulsive use and psychological changes. Behavioral signs such as neglect of responsibilities and social withdrawal are also common. Generally, the doses are gradually reduced in an attempt to wean the patient off the drug. Furthermore, drugs such as methadone may be used in small doses to help replace the opioid without the negative side effects.
The United States continues to be in the midst of a prescription drug abuse epidemic. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the number of prescriptions for drugs like Vicodin has increased from approximately 76 million in 1991 to nearly 207 million in 2013. The U.S. is the world’s largest consumer of prescription painkillers, and this staggering increase in availability has helped to promote widespread abuse of these medications. Medication-assisted treatment combines medications, such as buprenorphine or methadone, with counseling and behavioral therapies.
Hydrocodone addiction may impact multiple facets of your life, like your physical health, mental well-being, work, school, family life, or social relationships. If you need assistance, our admissions navigators are available 24/7 when you call . They can answer your questions, discuss treatment options, and help you begin the admissions process once you’re ready. As with other drugs, Vicodin can interact with other drugs and alcohol.
If your doctor prescribes hydrocodone for you, you can take steps to avoid serious complications from hydrocodone addiction. First, though, you must understand why and how hydrocodone becomes addictive and the signs and symptoms of hydrocodone addiction. After completing an initial treatment program, aftercare and continuing care services are essential for maintaining long-term recovery. These services may include regular check-ins, ongoing therapy, support group attendance, and access to community resources.
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Thus, they are more likely to succeed in their attempt to conquer addiction. Medical professionals also offer their opinion on which treatment they believe is best for each patient and why. Results for rapid detox are very mixed, with good short-term effects but far fewer patients succeeding in their quest to stay sober long-term. Overdose due to Vicodin ingestion leads to a combination of adverse consequences of hydrocodone and acetaminophen use. This means that a patient can overdose, build up a tolerance, and become dependent on it, along with many other side effects. In the case of Vicodin, one can sustain serious damage to the liver and overdose on small amounts of the drug.
If you are addicted to Vicodin or think you might be, seek professional treatment. If attending a treatment center offered by The Recovery Village is not an option, try looking through our online facility locator to find a center closest to you. The hydrocodone component of Vicodin is a psychoactive substance impacting the opioid receptors of the brain and spinal cord. Like other opioids, the drug also triggers the brain’s reward system, leading to a flood of the feel-good chemical dopamine when you take a dose.
Addiction is a complex psychosocial phenomenon, and many factors contribute to a Vicodin addiction. However, some Vicodin-specific factors can increase the likelihood of an addiction forming. These include Vicodin overprescribing and the drug’s powerful effects on the brain. If you think you can’t quit on your own, there are many programs available to help you. Some of these programs use medications to help ease withdrawal, while others don’t.
Vicodin interacts with other opioids by increasing the risk of respiratory depression, overdose, and death. Combining multiple opioids amplifies their depressant effects on the central nervous system, significantly increasing the likelihood of life-threatening respiratory issues. The CDC reports that in 2022, nearly 85% of opioid overdose deaths involved the use of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, often in combination with other opioids. Treatment for Vicodin addiction involves a combination of medical and behavioral therapies.