Vicodin Addiction

Vicodin is a pharmaceutical drug which is a combination of two pain relievers; hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Otherwise known as Tylenol). The combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen is known by many different brand names including Vicodin, Vicodin HP, and Vicodin ES, Lortab, Anexsia, Zydone, Lorcet and Norco. Vicodin is prescribed in clinical settings to treat moderate to severe pain, usually associated with cancer, surgery, or serious injury. Vicodin is one of the most commonly used pain relievers in the world and has also become one of the most abused pharmaceutical drugs. Vicodin is chemically similar to heroin, and affects the same areas of the brain and nervous system to block the perception of pain. Vicodin also increases dopamine in the brain, which produces an intense euphoria or what is known as a "high".

Because of the effect that Vicodin has on the body, the risk of both physical and psychological dependence to the drug is extremely high. Abuse is so common, that Vicodin and other prescription narcotics constitute the most-abused group of prescription drugs in the U.S. Dependence is similar to that of illegal street opiates and Vicodin users may experience withdrawal symptoms after as few as 5-7 days of continuous use. Even if someone is taking Vicodin that has been prescribed to them for pain, it is important to know the warning signs of Vicodin addiction.

Here are some telltale signs that an individual has become dependent to the drug and should seek help to get off of it:

• Feeling physically ill, including bone and muscle pain, insomnia, night sweats, etc., when the persone runs out of or stops taking Vicodin
• Requiring a larger dose of Vicodin to achieve the desired effect
• Taking Vicodin in larger amounts than prescribed
• Vicodin use is affecting relationships with family or loved ones and is causing problems in the workplace.
• Juggling doctors to get more prescriptions or buying Vicodin on the street to maintain a large enough quantity to support one's habit

Vicodin overdose is an extremely common occurrence, as individuals who abuse the drug can sometimes take more of the drug than their body can sufficiently process. Vicodin overdose can happen to people who abuse it illegally as well as in people who have been prescribed the medication by their doctor. Overdoses can occur for a variety of reasons and under different circumstances. For example, an individual may take accidentally take too much Vicodin because they are not feeling the pain relief effects from their normal dose. Or, an overdose olso often occurs in people addicted to Vicodin who quickly take a high dose to avoid withdrawal symptoms, and unintentionally take too much of the drug.

The hydrocodone element in Vicodin alone can cause an overdose. Hydrocodone is the opioid component of the drug and is known to cause severe respiratory depression and other severe side-effects including heart attack, heart failure, pulmonary failure, jaundice, kidney or liver failure, amnesia, blackouts, seizures, and coma. When combining Vicodin with other substances or medications such as cocaine, alcohol, amphetamines, benzodiazapines, methylphenidate, barbiturates, and other medications the risk of overdose is much higher.

The acetaminophen element in Vicodin can also on its own put the user at risk of overdose. According to FDA statistics, 56% of acetaminophen overdoses occur when over-the counter acetaminophen is taken with prescription pain relievers like Vicodin, which also include acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is metabolized primarily by the liver, so it has to process the drug all by itself. There is a risk of fatal overdose caused by hepatotoxicity, which is a toxic level of acetaminophen in the liver. The risk of overdose and liver damage is especially high when mixed with alcohol and other substances. Mixing acetaminophen and alcohol not only causes serious liver damage, but can also seriously damage the kidneys, liver and stomach lining.

The signs and symptoms of a Vicodin overdose are similar to that of a heroin overdose. The individual will become very sleepy and may struggle to stay conscious. The most dangerous adverse reaction of Vicodin overdose is that breathing can slow down tremendously and possibly stop. A telltale sign of Vicodin overdose is extremely small pupils. If you suspect that someone may be experiencing a Vicodin overdose, professional medical help should be called upon immediately because it could be fatal. In an emergency room setting individuals will be given oxygen as needed to and may be administered a common antidote for Vicodin overdose known as naloxone. Additional action may need to be taken because of the acetaminophen component of the drug. Vicodin overdose can be fatal or result in permanent brain damage if treatment is delayed and a large amount of the drug has been taken, so it is important that individuals get help immediately if it is suspected that they have overdosed.

One of the reasons it is so hard to stop taking Vicodin is because of the intense withdrawal symptoms that occur as a result of abrupt cessation of use. Just like heroin, many individuals who become hooked on Vicodin have to figure out how to take the drug every day just to feel normal. Vicodin withdrawal can occur when someone has been prescribed the drug or when someone is abusing the drug has developed a tolerance and dependence to it. People who become hooked on Vicodin commonly need to take more and more Vicodin to achieve the same high. And if they stop using the drug, either because they decided to quit or because they ran out and weren't able to get more, they start to feel Vicodin withdrawal symptoms. As stated earlier, even people who are legitimately prescribed Vicodin for pain management can easily become addicted to it, and Vicodin withdrawal symptoms are very discomforting and painful, similar to that of heroin or morphine withdrawal symptoms.

Vicodin withdrawal symptoms are similar to other narcotic opiates including heroin and morphine. The duration and severity of Vicodin withdrawal symptoms can vary, depending on the dosage amount and duration of time that the person has been using Vicodin. Vicodin withdrawal normally begins within several hours of the last dose and withdrawal symptoms may increasde over the next several days. These withdrawal symptoms will then gradually go away within a couple of weeks. The symptoms of Vicodin withdrawal are extremely unconfortable and punishing, and can cause complications with other health issues. This is why it is always best to receive help and supervision by medical professionals and staff at a long-term inpatient drug treatment and rehab facility.

The following are typical Vicodin withdrawal symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Intense pain in the body
• Excessive sweating
• Tremors
• Anxiety
• Muscle cramps with spasms
• Insomnia
• Body chills
• Paranoia
• Goose bumps
• Agitated and aggressive behavior
• Hyperactivity
• Increased heart rate
• Dilated pupils
• Depression
• Runny nose and eye
• Loss of appetite

While Vicodin withdrawal can be difficult, it can be overcome smoothly if an individual seeks help at a professional drug detox facility or drug rehab. A drug detox will remove any remnants of Vicodin from the body, and drug treatment staff and medical professionals can make Vicodin withdrawal a much safer and smoother process. Being in a drug rehab setting also makes it less likely that the individual will relapse back into use of the drug, as there will be a sufficient support system available at the facility and there won't be any Vicodin around, another important factor which can make recovery easier.

Aside from the risks associated with Vicodin addiction,overdose and withdrawal, Vicodin is a very dangerous drug when mis-used and abused. The most serious side-effects can occur when mixing Vicodin with benzodiazapines, alcohol, cocaine, methylphenidate, barbiturates, amphetamines and numerous other medications. When vicodin is mixed with other substances, negative reactions can occur such as, heart attack, heart failure, respiratory distress, heart attack,liver or kidney failure, jaundice, heart attack, amnesia, blackouts, seizures and coma.

Addiction to prescription drugs including Vicodin is a serious problem that affects millions of people. In 2010, approximately 16 million Americans reported using a prescription drug for nonmedical purposes in the past year. Approximately 7 million Americans reported doing so in the past month, 5.1 million of which abused narcotic pain relievers such as Vicodin specifically. Another 2010 study reported that 8.0% of 12th graders, 7.7% of 10th graders, and 2.7% of 8th graders had abused Vicodin at least once during the year before being surveyed. This points to a problem that spans all age groups, ethnicities and backgrounds.

Individuals struggling with Vicodin addiction will most likely not be able to kick the habit on their own. Luckily, there are many effective drug rehab program available to treat Vicodin addiction. While it won't be easy to beat Vicodin addiction, drug rehab programs which treat long-term addiction problems can make recovering from Vicodin addiction possible. Individuals can find the proper medical help and guidance at a drug rehab center, where drug treatment professionals are are ready to do whatever it takes to help the person through the withdrawal process and overcome Vicodin addiction.