Many believe that prescription drugs are always safe, but this is not the case. Using some prescription drugs, including Vicodin, can come with serious risks, including addiction.
Understanding how Vicodin addiction can develop and recognizing the signs can be the first steps toward getting the help you need to recover. If you or someone you love struggles with Vicodin addiction and need help to heal, reach out to the caring team at Moving Mountains Recovery today to learn about your treatment options.
What is Vicodin (Hydrocodone/acetaminophen)?
Vicodin is the brand name for a prescription pain reliever that contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Vicodin is an opiate analgesic that doctors prescribe to relieve moderate pain. Because Vicodin is an opiate medication, it has a high risk of addiction.
Vicodin addiction puts people at risk of life-threatening complications, including overdose.
What is a Vicodin Addiction?
Vicodin and other opiate painkillers are widely accepted as safe to use as long as people follow specific guidelines. Generally, doctors prescribe Vicodin and other opiates for short-term use. Using Vicodin for longer than prescribed, taking it more frequently, or using higher doses than you are told to can lead to physical dependence and addiction.
Vicodin addiction is one form of opioid addiction or opioid use disorder. An addiction is the loss of control over your use of a substance. People who are addicted to Vicodin and other opioids continue to use these drugs regardless of the harm they do to their health, relationships, and safety.
What Causes a Vicodin Addiction?
Vicodin is effective at relieving pain because it blocks pain signals that travel throughout the body and brain. Some people also experience relaxation or euphoria when using Vicodin. These pleasurable effects can make people misuse Vicodin.
Some of the ways people misuse Vicodin include:
- Taking larger doses of the drug
- Taking Vicodin more often than prescribed
- Continuing to take Vicodin after their prescription period ends
- Taking Vicodin in a different form
- Mixing Vicodin and other drugs or substances
- Using Vicodin without a prescription
- Developing dependence on the drug
Regularly misusing Vicodin can lead to tolerance–meaning a person needs to use more to get the same effects. Over time, this can cause dependence. Vicodin dependence usually requires treatment, beginning with a medically-supervised drug detox program.
Risk Factors for Vicodin Abuse and Addiction
Anyone can develop a prescription opioid addiction. But certain factors increase your risk, including:
- Personal history of substance abuse
- Trauma
- Mental illness, including depression
- Family history of substance abuse or addiction
It’s important for anyone taking Vicodin to consult with their doctor and assess the risk of addiction. People with addiction risk factors must avoid opioids and explore other forms of pain management.
Do I Need Treatment for Vicodin Addiction?
Vicodin abuse and addiction cause significant physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. Knowing the signs of Vicodin addiction can help you recognize a problem and seek treatment as quickly as possible.
In the short term, Vicodin abuse can cause symptoms like:
- Shallow, slow breathing
- Irritability
- Depression
- Risky behaviors
- Low energy and motivation
- Poor judgment
- Difficulty making decisions
- Agitation
- Mood swings
Without seeking treatment to stop using, addiction may develop. Some of the signs of Vicodin addiction include:
- Experiencing intense cravings for Vicodin
- Not being able to stop using Vicodin despite harmful consequences to your health, work, or relationships
- Having to take a higher dose to get the same effects
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Vicodin
If you have these or other signs of addiction, you must seek treatment for Vicodin addiction immediately. A Vicodin rehab program can give you the support, treatment, and skills you need to overcome addiction and avoid relapse for the rest of your life.
What Happens During Vicodin Rehab?
Before beginning a Vicodin rehab program, a doctor or addiction specialist will evaluate your needs and recommend a level of care. Your treatment plan will depend on the severity of your addiction and other personal factors.
Prescription Opioid Detox
During a medically-supported opioid detox, medical and support staff will provide treatment for your withdrawal symptoms, which may include:
- Stomach cramps
- Muscle aches
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Insomnia
Medications and holistic treatments will keep you as safe and comfortable as possible as your body eliminates Vicodin and other toxins. After a complete withdrawal, you’ll begin a treatment program.
Vicodin Addiction Treatment
A Vicodin addiction treatment program combines evidence-based and holistic therapies to help people identify the roots of their addiction and recover. Treatment can occur in a hospital or inpatient setting or on an outpatient basis, depending on your needs.
Treatment plans often include:
- Individual, group, and family counseling
- Education
- Medications
- Medical and mental health care
- Holistic therapies like exercise, nutrition support, massage, and mindfulness
After treatment, people with Vicodin addiction must stay engaged in recovery by seeking support, counseling, and other forms of treatment in the community.
Vicodin Addiction Treatment Options in New Jersey
At Moving Mountains Recovery, our drug and alcohol rehab center in New Jersey offers Vicodin abuse treatment options across multiple levels of care, including:
Our approach stands out from the average Vicodin rehab center in New Jersey because we make recovery rewarding and fulfilling. While receiving individualized care to heal from addiction, clients also engage in adventure therapies, therapeutic recreation, and other hands-on activities. The goal of this type of dynamic, immersive treatment is to help you find a new life that is so full of passion that there is no room left for drugs and alcohol.
Find Treatment for Vicodin Abuse and Addiction Today
Do you need treatment for Vicodin addiction? You are not alone. Reach out to the Moving Mountains Recovery specialists now to learn about your treatment options.
(973) 315-6121
