Vicodin is the trade name for a drug that contains strong narcotic painkiller hydrocodone and a much milder, non-steroidal pain reliever acetaminophen. A central nervous system depressant, the drug relieves pain by blocking the pain receptors in the brain and causing its users to experience euphoria and relaxation.
Owing to its pain relieving and euphoria-causing properties, Vicodin is often subject to abuse and addiction. The hydrocodone component in Vicodin makes it potentially addictive. Hydrocodone is an opioid that works by binding to opioid receptors located in the brain, spinal cord and other areas of the body. Once bound to these receptors, it blocks pain signals from reaching the brain. Opioids also interact with other brain chemicals like endorphins and create feelings of euphoria and sedation.
While on one hand, Vicodin use gives relief from pain, on the other hand, it also produces a variety of side effects, including the following:
Lightheadedness
Dizziness
Anxiety
Nausea
Vomiting
Upset stomach
Drowsiness
Slow heart rate
Respiratory suppression
Constipation
Headache
Mood changes
Blurred vision
Ringing in the ears
Dry mouth
Difficulty urinating
When used too much or too often, its users can develop drug dependency characterized by intense drug cravings and drug tolerance characterized by the need to consume more quantity of the drug to achieve the same effects as before.
About Vicodin addiction
Addiction to Vicodin and other opioid pain relievers has become a major public health problem in recent years. In 2016, hydrocodone products, including Vicodin, Lortab, Norco, Zohydro ER and generic hydrocodone were the most commonly misused subtype of prescription pain relievers. As per statistics, an estimated 6.9 million people in the U.S. (aged 12 or above) misused these products in the past year.
Opioids like Vicodin are extremely dangerous when abused and there has been a surge in overdose fatalities in recent years. Of particular concern is that the effects of Vicodin abuse and the misuse of other opioids may be fueling an epidemic of heroin addiction. Addicts often turn to heroin as a less expensive alternative to Vicodin and other prescription opioids.
When someone abuses Vicodin, he/she increases the potential adverse effects of taking hydrocodone. Hydrocodone is produced clandestinely and is widely available for purchase on the internet. However, those struggling with Vicodin addiction seek to obtain it from legitimate sources through a practice known as “doctor shopping.” While the practice of doctor shopping has become widespread, physicians have also contributed to the problem by overprescribing pain relievers like Vicodin.
Following are some of the signs and symptoms of Vicodin addiction:
Slow/shallow breathing
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Sweating
Confusion
Constipation
Seizures
Stomach/abdominal pain
Extreme tiredness
Slow heartbeat
Yellowing eyes/skin
Dark urine
Loss of consciousness
Considering the critical dangers associated with the effects of Vicodin abuse, the need for effective Vicodin addiction treatment is greater than ever.
Treatment for Vicodin addiction
When someone tries to quit an opioid medication like Vicodin, he/she is more likely to experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Following are some of the withdrawal effects of Vicodin abuse:
Nausea and vomiting
Anxiety
Depression
Restlessness
Bone and muscle pain
Diarrhea
Chills and fever
Drug cravings
A comprehensive treatment for Vicodin addiction combines medically supervised Vicodin detox treatment with intense behavioral therapies. While detox helps remove toxic drugs from the system, therapies or counseling sessions help address any underlying psychological issues that may be causing the addiction and also teach patients the necessary life skills to cope with stress and identify trigger situation
Why choose us?
At Texas, we use the most effective treatment modalities available to help our patients overcome Vicodin addiction. Treatment at our state-of-the-art facilities combines medically-supervised detox with treatment options, including individual, group and family therapy; cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), neurofeedback and experiential therapies like yoga, meditation and expressive arts therapy.
Vicodin addiction treatment at our facilities usually begins with a medically-assisted detox program. Detox – short for “detoxification – is the process by which patients stop using a drug so that their bodies can again function normally without it. This may produce a variety of painful, potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Accordingly, the detoxification treatment is conducted under the supervision of doctors who can manage these symptoms. When indicated, experts prescribe medications to ease the patient’s symptoms throughout the process.
Patients then continue the recovery process in residential treatment (RTC) or with a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or an intensive outpatient program (IOP). Treatment generally lasts between 30 and 90 days depending on the patient’s needs.
Following are some of the treatment modalities offered at our facilities:
- Individual and process group therapy
- Stress and anger management groups
- Mindfulness training
- Relapse prevention
- Psychoanalytic therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Schema treatment
- Narrative treatment
- Biopsychosocial assessment
- Life skills education
- Couples therapy
- Experiential outings
- Continuing care program
At Vicodin treatment in Texas, we recognize that every patient is a unique individual requiring a specific treatment approach. This is why at the time of admission, our patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation, allowing our doctors and clinicians to identify anything that may be causing or contributing to their addiction. Once the experts gather this information, they design a treatment program tailored to meet the patients’ needs so that they may achieve a full, lasting recovery at the earliest possible.
For more information on our top-notch addiction treatment programs or to locate the finest Vicodin detox centers near you, call our 24/7 helpline and speak with our admissions team. We will be happy to answer any queries that you may have about Vicodin addiction treatment at Texas. You can even chat online with our representatives for further assistance.