People who abuse the drug recreationally may buy it illegally or steal it since it’s available only by prescription, or they may try to doctor shop or create false symptoms in hopes of getting a prescription. Vicodin is a particularly dangerous drug because it not only contains an opioid component, but acetaminophen is also dangerous. It includes hydrocodone, which is the actual opioid component, as well as paracetamol, which is also known as acetaminophen. This helps you manage all the withdrawal symptoms discussed on this page so you are not in any danger or discomfort. At Recovery Lighthouse, Vicodin addiction treatment begins with a medical detox phase, where our doctors and nurses look after you while all the Vicodin leaves your body. In either case, a day will come when missing a dose brings withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, nausea and restlessness.
Stopping Vicodin after prolonged misuse can result in a range of withdrawal symptoms. Vicodin abuse takes a toll on nearly every aspect of a person’s life, from physical health to emotional well-being and relationships. Addressing these contributors—especially underlying mental health concerns—often forms a core part of effective Vicodin addiction treatment. Among those who abuse prescription opioids like Vicodin, 4%–6% will eventually use heroin. If you struggle with a Vicodin addiction, recovery is possible with treatment and support.
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It’s possible that an opioid addiction can form from taking Vicodin. With these recreational users, since there is no medical need to take the drug, the tolerance level is aimed toward achieving a certain level of euphoria. Doing this allows the Vicodin to permeate the system in a short time compared to being swallowed, but it also puts individuals at a higher risk of harm and powerful side effects. In addition to medical support and counseling, patients may also enjoy alternative therapy options to ease their journey toward recovery. Products containing acetaminophen are widespread and often available over-the-counter, including Tylenol and cough, cold and flu treatments.
These symptoms can start as early as 12 hours after the last dose and typically last about a week. The maximum recommended dose of acetaminophen is 3 grams (3000 milligrams) in 24 hours. If you are unsure whether a product contains acetaminophen, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Because Vicodin already contains acetaminophen, combining it with other acetaminophen-containing products is extremely dangerous and toxic to your liver.
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Treatment
- Because Vicodin already contains acetaminophen, combining it with other acetaminophen-containing products is extremely dangerous and toxic to your liver.
- According to Tompkins et al. (2015) in “Assessment of Alcohol-Induced Dose Dumping with a Hydrocodone Bitartrate Extended-Release Tablet,” even at 40% alcohol concentration, adverse effects increased, highlighting the dangers of combining opioids with alcohol.
- To support someone with a Vicodin addiction, recognize the need for help and engage in open conversations while utilizing available resources.
- Finally, our complete treatment programme provides aftercare, which is like your long-term safety net.
- Some people try to overcome opioid addiction on their own, and for the most part, these efforts fail.
This is what is known as dependence or physical dependence, and if left unchecked, the negative consequences from dependence can lead to a diagnosable addiction. Vicodin is in the top 15 prescribed medications in the US and is typically used to treat moderate to severe pain, as well as chronic pain conditions. There is also a risk due to the presence of acetaminophen. When the opioid receptor sites are affected by hydrocodone, it can slow down central nervous system’s functionality. Vicodin isn’t dangerous solely because of the potential for addiction and dependence. Along with addiction, a dependence to Vicodin can form as well.
Vicodin addiction detox and treatment
This means that if you stop using these drugs suddenly, you go through withdrawal. You can also can you smoke shrooms read this before you do become addicted if you experiment with Vicodin recreationally, and in some cases, people may try to substitute Vicodin for another drug, and they end up addicted to it. Vicodin addiction can start when you’re prescribed it by a doctor, and you get the euphoric high from it accidentally. When you take Vicodin and other opioids, they bind to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. That’s why it’s become so tough for doctors and people who truly suffer from pain in states like Colorado. Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.
“Acetaminophen and hydrocodone Pill Images.” Accessed August 19, 2023. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. She is passionate about providing genuine information to encourage and guide healing in all aspects of life.
Start your recovery process and contact us today. 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. Such treatment plans can include inpatient, outpatient, intensive inpatient or partial hospitalization programs.
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What are the Causes of Vicodin Addiction?
Cravings are an undeniable sign of dependence or Vicodin addiction withdrawal symptoms. Acute withdrawal symptoms can last for up to two weeks, depending on the severity of the addiction and abuse. The risk of overdose is heightened when the substance is abused with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other opioids. Vicodin is a combination drug that contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen, and overdose is possible because of not only the opioid component of the drug but also the acetaminophen. Moreover, combining opioids with alcohol can lead to severe side effects, such as difficulty breathing, and put you at a heightened risk of a potentially fatal overdose. By re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system, ANR restores your brain to its pre-dependence state, eliminating withdrawal symptoms and negating the risk of relapse.
Vicodin Addiction Physical Symptoms
Vicodin also became very popular within Hollywood, giving individuals more incentive to try the drug since they knew celebrities utilized it. Verify your insurance today – treatment could be more affordable than you think. This is the best time of year to begin treatment. Drug dealers and abusers use slang terms for Vicodin to stay under the radar.
During this process, doctors will decrease the amount of Vicodin taken weekly to ease the body off the drug. Her friends and parents quickly noticed her symptoms — notably drowsiness and nodding off. Osbourne wrote in her book Fierce that her Vicodin addiction started with a prescription. Fortunately, many members of the Hollywood elite came forward with their struggles to warn others regarding the dangers of Vicodin addiction.
Vicodin Abuse & Addiction
To combat possible overprescription, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed guidelines about when it is appropriate for doctors to prescribe opioids. At first, the addictive potential of opioids like Vicodin was not clearly understood. These include Vicodin overprescribing and the drug’s powerful effects on the brain. When quitting the use of Vicodin suddenly, the body goes through withdrawal and experiences forceful and uncomfortable side effects rather quickly. Most people believe they can ease themselves off the drug on their own, but this is not the safest way to clear the body of Vicodin. When an addiction to Vicodin forms, it is highly recommended to seek help from an accredited facility or work with a medical professional.
Understanding Vicodin addiction—and why it turns dangerous fast
That mix lowers pain, but it also slows breathing and triggers powerful reward signals in the brain. In today’s counterfeit-pill era, even a single non-prescribed tablet can be far stronger than expected. In addition to being the founding and chief medical director at The Recovery Village, he is also the medical director at The Recovery Village Ridgefield and at The Recovery Village Palmer Lake. Cost shouldn’t be a barrier to receiving help with a Vicodin addiction.
- Most people who complete a rehab program for opioid addiction will often need ongoing support to aid recovery, such as additional therapy, support groups, and 12-step programs.
- According to the DEA article titled “Hydrocodone,” The 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that 6.9 million people in the U.S., aged 12 and older, misused hydrocodone in the past year compared to 7.2 million in 2015.
- Vicodin’s side effects in the long term can also include addiction.
- However, some Vicodin-specific factors can increase the likelihood of an addiction forming.
Vicodin addiction withdrawal symptoms include restlessness and irritability, excessive worry, persistent muscle pain, and difficulty sleeping. The causes of Vicodin addiction are primarily due to the drug’s potent opioid component, hydrocodone, which has a high potential for abuse and dependency. The signs and symptoms of Vicodin addiction include increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and physical health decline.
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In cases of allergic reactions, seizures, breathing problems, and other severe side effects, call 911 immediately. If you experience any side effects while taking Vicodin, including those not mentioned above, inform your doctor. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
These persistent changes in neural circuitry, combined with disrupted stress system function, underlie the development of tolerance, withdrawal, and addiction. This leads to both acute rewarding effects and long-term neuroadaptations, including upregulation of the KOP-r/dynorphin system and modifications in opioid peptide signaling. Over time, the brain becomes reliant on the drug to produce dopamine, leading to tolerance and dependence. Treatment for Vicodin addiction involves a combination of medical and behavioral therapies.