Vicodin Addiction & Treatment
Vicodin comes in three hydrocodone dosage levels: 5 mg, 7.5 mg, and 10 mg, and it has somewhere between 300 to 325 mg of acetaminophen in each tablet. Doctors usually prescribe Vicodin for pain management every four to six hours. There is a high potential for Vicodin addiction to develop in patients, even when they are taking the medication under professional treatment oversight, so it has been named a Schedule II controlled substance, needing to be prescribed by a licensed doctor.
What Is Vicodin?
Vicodin is a narcotic prescription painkiller consisting of two medications: hydrocodone, a synthetic opioid drug, and Acetaminophen, the active ingredient found in Tylenol. Vicodin is in the class of prescription opioids and is a pain reliever that is given to relieve moderate to severe acute or chronic pain.
Vicodin Effects
Some common effects of Vicodin use include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Slow thinking
- Impaired reaction time
- Feeling calm
- Relaxation
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Slowed breathing and heart rate
Some people may experience more serious effects of Vicodin use, like muscle pain or aches, nausea, and vomiting, or serious symptoms of anxiety or depression. Some medications can interact with Vicodin causing serotonin syndrome. Developing a drug addiction is also an effect of using this medication for a long time or due to Vicodin abuse.
Signs of Vicodin Abuse and Addiction
Common signs to look out for if you do not want to develop Vicodin problems or addiction include:
- Feeling withdrawal symptoms when you miss a dose or try to quit
- Continuing to use Vicodin even when it causes problems in your life or puts you in danger
- Taking Vicodin when you do not need it (opioid abuse) or using larger amounts of the prescription painkiller than the doctor intended
- Needing to take more than you have been prescribed to feel the effects of Vicodin (developing a tolerance)
- Experiencing cravings for Vicodin and spending a lot of time thinking about your next dose
If you are experiencing these symptoms of Vicodin addiction, looking into drug abuse treatment programs may be a good idea, especially if you cannot quit alone.
Vicodin Withdrawal Symptoms
Common Vicodin withdrawal symptoms include:
- Muscle aches and cramps
- Confusion
- Restlessness and anxiety
- Insomnia
- Flu-like symptoms (fever, shivering, tremors)
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Rapid breathing
- Strong drug cravings
Vicodin withdrawals can be serious enough to require an opioid withdrawal management plan through a medication-assisted treatment program in a recovery center for drug addiction and abuse. You will be given prescription medications to help counteract the pain, discomfort, cravings, and other withdrawal symptoms as you slowly taper off your drug use over a period of weeks or months. This type of addiction treatment program will ensure you do not suffer the effects of Vicodin withdrawal, eliminating trauma and pain that can be a barrier that causes some people to avoid treating opioid addiction.
Long Term Side Effects of Vicodin Abuse
One of the worst long-term effects of Vicodin use disorder is the liver damage it causes. Even when used as prescribed there is a risk, but when a person abuses Vicodin they will likely begin to increase the dosage, thereby increasing the damage. Other serious side effects of Vicodin abuse are:
- Prescription drug addiction
- Overdose death
- Cardiovascular damage
- Kidney problems
- Gastrointestinal problems like chronic constipation
- Slowed respiratory reflexes causing lung problems and respiratory infection
Vicodin Addiction Treatment
At The Detox Center of Los Angeles, we offer a personalized residential treatment program for each of our patients that is tailored to best suit your needs as an individual. Our treatment center is comfortable and 100% sober, offering you a safe place to come for your medical detox, medication-assisted treatment, and inpatient drug rehab. We have credentialed and experienced medical professionals, therapists, and holistic treatment providers on staff, with round-the-clock care for anybody who needs it.
You will move in full-time, away from old habits and routines, learning healthier behaviors and actions through treatments like:
- Individual addiction therapy
- 40-47 hours/week of group therapy
- Family therapy
- Interpersonal psychotherapy
- Psychoeducation
- Case management services
- Experiential therapy
- Art therapy
- Yoga therapy
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
- Breathwork
- Exercise and physical fitness programs
- Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental illness with addictions like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, or bipolar disorder
- Behavioral health treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and cognitive restructuring groups
- Aftercare, recovery, and life skills training, with connections to outpatient rehab, 12-step programs (Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, etc), and sober living homes
Along with Vicodin addiction treatment at The Detox Center of Los Angeles, we also treat substance use disorders including meth addiction, cocaine addiction, marijuana addiction, synthetic marijuana addiction, opioid use disorders like heroin addiction, codeine addiction, and other opiate addiction.
We also offer connections to nearby outpatient rehab centers that provide care like a custom partial hospitalization program, an in-person or online intensive outpatient program, and other outpatient programs designed to help you transition back to everyday life after completing your residential treatment.
At The Detox Center of Los Angeles, we foster a welcoming and accepting culture, providing comfortable amenities, healthy food, and a fully tailored integrated therapy program that will help you move into long-term recovery as a healthier and more confident person. Please contact us today for insurance verification or to learn more about our substance use disorder treatment programs.
