Peer pressure and lack of social support also increase the risk of addiction. It’s important to note the difference between a hydrocodone addiction and physical dependence on the drug. Hydrocodone works by https://ecosoberhouse.com/ attaching to specific opioid receptors in the brain and blocking pain signals.
Support for Vicodin addiction
It can affect relationships, employment, your health, and other parts of your life. If you find yourself taking hydrocodone for longer than prescribed or taking it in larger doses despite any negative consequences, you may have an addiction. Your doctor may have you reduce your use slowly rather than stopping it suddenly. Vicodin is a combination of acetaminophen (an over-the-counter analgesic) and hydrocodone (an opioid). While experts are unsure how acetaminophen works, hydrocodone works by activating mu-opioid receptors. Vicodin can be a dangerous medication alone, but combining it with other drugs or alcohol can make it even more dangerous.
Can Vicodin addiction be cured?
Paracetamol, the other active ingredient in Vicodin, works by inhibiting the production of certain chemicals (prostaglandins) in the brain that cause pain and inflammation. While weaker than hydrocodone, it complements the opioid’s effects by enhancing pain relief and, in some cases, reducing fever. Using Vicodin in any way that doesn’t match your doctor’s prescription is considered substance abuse. Don’t try to quit using Vicodin on your own after heavy or prolonged use.
Types of Vicodin Addiction Treatment
Once the body becomes dependent on hydrocodone to feel normal, trying to quit will result in symptoms of hydrocodone withdrawal. To mitigate withdrawal, individuals should treat their vicodin addiction hydrocodone addiction through detox and rehab. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
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Symptoms of hydrocodone abuse include drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, and flushed skin. This article will cover what hydrocodone is, how it’s used, the effects it can cause, and how you or your loved one can get treatment for hydrocodone addiction. Hydrocodone addiction may be difficult to overcome, but with the right support, it is possible. There are many treatment options available to help you achieve recovery and remission. Addiction is characterized by an inability to stop using a drug, despite harmful consequences to your life and overall health.
- The combination of Vicodin and alcohol is particularly dangerous because both substances can damage the liver.
- If you’re wondering whether you’re addicted to hydrocodone, you’re not alone.
- If you need help quitting Vicodin or another opiate-based drug, discuss your options with your doctor.
Vicodin Addiction Causes, Addiction Signs, Symptoms & Side Effects
In some cases, they steal opioids or purchase them Alcohol Use Disorder 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. But it is possible to recover from hydrocodone addiction with proper treatment. Rehab treatment can help people overcome withdrawal symptoms and learn techniques to avoid relapse during recovery. Outpatient treatment is less intensive than inpatient; you live at home while attending therapy and counseling at a treatment center.
Hydrocodone Addiction and Recovery Facts
A treatment plan may include opioid agonist medications, such as methadone, to relieve withdrawal symptoms. They may also include cognitive behavioral therapy to teach strategies for living a healthier life. The drug is the active ingredient in many popular opioid brands, including Lortab, Lorcet and Vicodin. It is often combined with acetaminophen in medications prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain. The common signs and symptoms used to diagnose someone with an (i.e., opioid use disorder hydrocodone addiction) are listed below.
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Contact your healthcare providers and tell them you want to detox from Vicodin. They can recommend one of several regimens used to help with the detoxification process. The opioid antagonist Narcan (naloxone) can block the effects of opioids and reverse an overdose. Your doctor may recommend keeping it on hand if you are at risk of a Vicodin overdose. The withdrawal process reduces your tolerance for the drug, so if you return to taking Vicodin at the level you previously took it, you have a high risk of overdose.
When used correctly and for only a short period, hydrocodone is usually safe and effective. As well as treating addiction to Vicodin, The Recovery Village also offers individualized treatment plans to help people manage opioid addiction addictions. However, people not using Vicodin to lessen pain tend to use the drug recreationally to obtain a euphoric high. 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. When prescribed by a medical professional, the drug comes as a tablet or an oral liquid.
Hydrocodone addiction recovery
Detox programs at inpatient hospitals give you access to medical doctors and nurses around the clock. Once you withdraw from Vicodin, it’s important to enter a substance abuse treatment program. Vicodin is an opioid medication that is highly effective at treating most pain conditions. As with any medication, there is a risk of experiencing some side effects and with opioids a risk of addiction. Vicodin is a prescription painkiller that doctors use to treat acute or chronic pain.