Vicodin Addiction Treatment

Vicodin is one of the most well-known prescription drugs that is commonly misused. Although healthcare providers are beginning to crack down on prescriptions and monitor use more closely, Vicodin is still widely used to treat severe or chronic pain, making people more susceptible to Vicodin & substance addiction.

Painkillers are not meant for long-term use. Over time your body begins building up a tolerance to Vicodin, and you have to take more and more to feel the same level of relief. Eventually, you may continue feeling pain even when taking high doses. By this point, you most likely have already developed a Vicodin addiction and may have trouble stopping use.

Trying to quit and detox your body on your own can be dangerous as well as uncomfortable. Entering a clinical detox program at a facility like New Start Recovery can help you safely and more comfortably undergo the detox process to continue with your recovery.

Understanding Vicodin Addiction

Vicodin is a combination of the drugs hydrocodone, which is an opioid and therefore potentially highly addictive, and acetaminophen, which you may know by the brand name of Tylenol. These drugs work in combination to provide pain relief, but in addition to hydrocodone having addictive properties, acetaminophen can lead to liver damage if taken in high dosages. You may not realize the damage you are doing to your body because you can’t necessarily see or feel it immediately, but it will catch up with you in time.

Short-term side effects of Vicodin can include pain relief and euphoria, nausea, constipation, confusion, drowsiness, and slow breathing. A significant risk with Vicodin addiction is that too much can slow your breathing and heart rate to dangerous and potentially fatal levels.

How Addictive is Vicodin?

Since Vicodin contains hydrocodone, an opioid, it falls into the category of being potentially highly addictive. Even when used exactly as directed, it can still lead to addiction simply due to the nature of the drug. This is why it is critical to monitor your use and pay attention to signs of addiction. If you feel that either the Vicodin is not working as it should, or you are becoming addicted, talking to your doctor is essential. They may recommend a detox program to help curb the effects and wean you off of it.

Spotlight on Vicodin Addiction Statistics

Vicodin addiction is more prevalent than you may realize. According to a report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in 2010, about one in 12 high school seniors reported using Vicodin for nonmedical use, and around 20 percent of people aged 12 and older (approximately 52 million Americans) use prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes at some point in their life.

Another study in 2010 found that “of about 700 patients who consistently took opioids for a year or longer, more than one-quarter were dependent on the drugs.” Dependency can lead to addiction.

What are the Causes of Vicodin Addiction?

Addiction can occur when pain is not adequately managed, and people try to correct this on their own by simply taking more Vicodin or taking it more often. Since Vicodin is an opioid, it changes how your brain functions and perceives pleasure and pain. You may get hooked on the euphoria Vicodin can bring about, and other natural stimulants may pale in comparison. Some people start misusing Vicodin even if they don’t have pain simply for this euphoric high.

However, there is hope and help available, and Vicodin addiction does not have to plague your future. No matter how much you are taking or how long you have been taking it, a clinical detox program can help you rid your body of these toxins and begin the healing and recovery process. Contact New Start Recovery today by calling [Direct] to learn more about detox treatment and how it can be the first step in long-term recovery.

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