Research suggests that 50% to 75% of those with substance alcoholism treatment use disorder have a co-occurring mental health condition. As the most prescribed painkiller in America, hydrocodone belongs to a group of medicines called narcotic analgesics. These are typically prescribed to manage moderate to severe pain on a short-term basis. It’s possible for someone using Vicodin to treat pain to develop a physical dependence on the drug, but this doesn’t always indicate an addiction. Withdrawal symptoms are possible, so doctors sometimes gradually reduce the dosage. The timeline of Vicodin or any opioid withdrawal will depend on the level of addiction, genetics, and tolerance.
How to spot the symptoms of Vicodin addiction
However, damage done to the liver and kidneys is difficult to reverse as well as treat. Mental health plays a big role, too, as people with anxiety, depression or even a lot of stress may use Vicodin to sedate themselves and take the edge off. However, this can easily cause you to become reliant on Vicodin for long-term management of mental health issues, which is a massive aspect of Vicodin addiction. When severe pain strikes, Vicodin can be a pain-relieving hero where all other medicines have failed. However, this relief can come with serious strings attached and none more dangerous than the risk of Vicodin addiction.
- Treatment for Vicodin addiction involves a combination of medical and behavioral therapies.
- This can include using clonidine to reduce anxiety, agitation, muscle aches, sweating, runny nose, and cramping.
- Once the detox is over, the patient can switch to other long-term rehabilitation programs to prevent relapse.
Physical and Behavioral Signs of Vicodin Addiction
Most people get through the most uncomfortable symptoms within a few days https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/vicodin-addiction-symptoms-treatment-and-recovery/ or a week. 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.
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While experts are unsure how acetaminophen works, hydrocodone works by activating mu-opioid receptors. 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. Combining an opioid medication (Vicodin) with a benzodiazepine (Valium) is highly dangerous and can result in coma or death. Vicodin carries an FDA-boxed warning against taking the drug with benzodiazepines for this reason. Additionally, the combination can cause drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and slurred speech.
- Find rehab for yourself or a loved one by speaking with a treatment provider.
- As their tolerance grows, they need to take increasingly higher doses of the drug to achieve the desired effects.
- This means that a patient can overdose, build up a tolerance, and become dependent on it, along with many other side effects.
- Only trained and licensed medical professionals can provide such services.
- You can also talk to your doctor about alternative ways to reduce pain.
- According to SAMHSA in 2020, hydrocodone (Vicodin) was involved in approximately 17,000 emergency department visits for nonmedical use of prescription opioids.
Specific living environments with no exposure to the drug, counseling, or meetups with fellow former addicts enable the recovering patients to discuss progress and prevent potential relapses. Furthermore, costs and medical conditions prevent many patients from undergoing rapid detox, especially talking about long term addicts. Mixing Vicodin with alcohol is strongly not recommended and poses a serious risk to the user’s health. Vicodin and alcohol both act as depressants of the CNS, which is in charge of many important bodily functions, including breathing.
- They can also provide you with other medications for vomiting and diarrhea to make the process less uncomfortable.
- Some signs of hydrocodone addiction include taking more than intending to and prioritizing drug use over personal or professional responsibilities.
- This is designed to help you get to the root of your addiction, focus on recovery, and learn healthy coping mechanisms to change your relationship with hydrocodone.
- The more you know about hydrocodone, the better your chances are of avoiding addiction.
Hydrocodone Withdrawal Symptoms
When Vicodin is taken over a lengthy period of time, you can build up a tolerance to the medication. This means you have to take increasingly larger amounts to achieve the same effect. Knowing the possible symptoms is another reason seeking professional help can benefit recovery. If you think you or someone you know has overdosed on Vicodin, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. If you realize your pain is decreasing, let your doctor know, even if your prescription hasn’t run out. Your doctor may want to reduce your dosage gradually and have you stop taking it sooner than expected.
- It is widely prescribed and contains a mixture of hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
- Aftercare involves ongoing support and resources to maintain sobriety after initial treatment.
- There are many treatment options available to help you achieve recovery and remission.