Vicodin: Addiction, Abuse, and Treatments

Vicodin is a pain reliever that consists of a synthetic opioid known as hydrocodone and the main active ingredient in Tylenol. 

Vicodin is similar to heroin in the sense that they both perform the same positive effects but Vicodin is relatively safer when used according to prescription as it doesn’t have the damaging effects of heroin. 

VICODIN ABUSE.

Vicodin is a substance whose distribution, sale, and usage are controlled by the drug enforcement agencies of many countries because of its potency and high risk of addiction. Therefore any usage without a doctor’s prescription is an overdose resulting in abuse. By the way, if you need help recovering from Vicodin abuse, see this best rehab near me.

SIDE EFFECTS OF VICODIN MAY INCLUDE.

  1. Chronic addiction to the substance
  2. Severe Liver damage or failure
  3. Feelings of Euphoria or tranquillity
  4. Sensations of Dizziness
  5. Sensations of Anxiety
  6. Sensations of Constipation.
  7. Sensations of Depressed heart rates
  8. Fatigue
  9.  Depression.

RECOGNIZING AN ADDICTION.

Recognizing a Vicodin addiction is quite difficult as a lot of people who use the substance develop dependence. True addiction is therefore difficult to filter.

However, there are recorded indications of addiction and a quick test to know whether you suffer from substance dependence or substance addiction.

Below are indications of addiction to Vicodin.

  1. An obsessive compulsion to use Vicodin even when necessary.
  2. Lack of focus on anything other than the Vicodin
  3. You always have a supply of Vicodin at hand even if you are in a financial mess.
  4. Despite knowing you risk liver failure, you still indulge in its use.
  5. Financial problems resulting from the purchase of Vicodin
  6. Where finances are tight, you employ violence or resort to stealing to obtain the Vicodin.
  7. Repeated trial and failure to stop Vicodin use.
  8. You experience severe withdrawal indications once you lack or try to stop Vicodin. 

If you experience one to three of these symptoms, you may be diagnosed with a mild addiction or dependency and anything higher than five is an acute addiction that requires urgent attention. 

However, this is not an alternative for proper diagnosis. 

TREATMENT.

Treatment for a Vicodin addiction also follow the three major stages of most kinds of addictions which are:

  • Detoxification
  • Medication 
  • Therapy

DETOXIFICATION.

Detoxification is the process of easing out the dependence on the addiction by the gradual or complete stoppage of the substance and medically treating withdrawal indications that come with the stoppage. 

The detoxification process for Vicodin addiction is excruciatingly painful and as a result, many addicts desperately avoid this.

MEDICATION.

This is the process of prescribing drugs to help with the healing procedure. They include milder prescriptions like sedatives and pills to aid anxiety.

Two kinds of drugs are popularly administered to people on the road to recovery from Vicodin.

  1. Buprenorphine: This drug helps to stimulate dopamine and serotonin receptors to help with the painful detox process.
  2. Naltrexone: This drug helps to reduce Vicodin yearning as well as block the impacts of Vicodin in the event of deterioration. Naltrexone is also used to treat alcoholics.

THERAPY.

The largely widespread and efficient form of therapy for most substance addiction is cognitive behavioral therapy CBT. This is the procedure of talking things out with a therapist, assessing thoughts, and eventually working out coping methods. Other kinds of healing include; individual counseling, family counseling, joining support groups, and self-control training.

CONCLUSION.

Nonetheless the nature and harshness and years of the drug addiction, there is always a cure and Vicodin addiction is no exception. Though folks living with addiction often recover faster than those who have been living with drug addiction for a longer time, being completely cured is very much possible if you realize, accept, speak up and ask for help.