Vicodin addiction is a growing problem and more people addicted to this drug are showing up at treatment centers in recent years. For many people vicodin is their preferred drug. People who become addicted to their prescription pain medication are frequently in denial about having a problem.
This prescription medication is an opiate drug and is very addicting when abused. Help options are available if you know what to seek. Long term use of opiate drugs such as this can cause both mental and physical addiction. Mental addiction causes the brain to think differently, you lose interest in things that were once important. Physical addiction can be building up a tolerance to the drug so it takes more to get the same effects. In my opinion this is the onset of vicodin addiction.
Addiction to this prescription medication can have serious affects on a person’s body, mind, and emotions. People who get addicted to this drug can end up losing their families and all their important relationships. When someone becomes addicted to this drug, they do not believe that they have a problem.
They believe that they do not have an addiction at all and they think they can stop taking it any time they choose. However the reality is very different. They are not able to stop using the drug. Even when they say they can stop any time they want, the reality is they are going to require help to do it. They will usually have to start by entering a detoxification program.
Detox is the process of getting the drug out of their body safely. It is one of the first steps required before the person can start to get better. Once the body no longer has the toxic substance in it and the worst of the withdrawal is over, the person has to be ready to start the next part of the hydrocodone addiction help treatment program.
Keep in mind that this is an extremely addicting prescription drug that contains hydrocodone. It is very common that those people who become addicted to it do not think they have a problem. They are in denial. It may take the entire family working together to make them understand that they are addicted. Addiction help must start with the person who is abusing the drug. Unless they admit they really have a problem with being addicted to the drug, it will be very hard to get them to seek treatment.
Most people are prescribed this drug to get rid of pain after an injury or surgery. Sometimes it’s abused and can become addictive very quickly, leading to many problems. In worse case scenarios a person can end up in jail. No one starts out to be an addict but it does happen.
Getting through vicodin withdrawal
Withdrawal from vicodin symptoms can be very hard, and most addicts continue to take the drug to keep from feeling sick from withdrawl. It has been my experiencing that a lot of addicts including myself are terrified of this.
There are many different help options to treat an addiction to vicodin, including inpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment can be for as little as 14 days or from 6 to 2 years. Outpatient treatment cost less than inpatient and is mostly used for someone that has a good support system and can’t take time off from work.
Short term residential treatment is for 3 to 4 weeks. One option is a medical detox, where a patient is under anesthesia and given medication to make withdrawing from the drug easier. Methadone treatment is another option, methadone is a long acting synthetic opiate given over a period of time, daily or three times a week with take homes. Methadone can help make the process of withdrawal from vicodin easier to handle so the patient is able to function somewhat normal and keep a job. Counseling as well as going to meetings, like NA can be useful.
A person should not stop taking this or any opiate without the help of a doctor. Check what type of help options are available for your addiction.
My name is Art. I help people to recover.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been a vicodin addict for over 5 years since breast cancer. Just started a new job in Texas so missing work is not an option. I also have no insurance so all expenses would need to be on an income based sliding scale of some sort. My husband is ready to leave me and I scared to death of detox and loosing my 20+ year marriage. Please help! I need confidential treatment in my area and don’t know who to call for help.
Hi there thanks for your comment. I am glad you are try to stop using. Here is a place that may be able to help you.
You can even call the toll-free number provided by the Department of Health and Human Services that heads the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). By calling on 1-800-662 for help, you can get access to 24-hour treatment referral service through which you can find the most suitable State or Government funded free drug rehab near you.
Good luck
Hi. I live on Ohio. I have no insurance. I take two vkcodin a day…which my not seem like alot, bit its enough to worry me. What can I do? Im a nurse in school, I have a great doc for depression and anxiety, and don’t want him or anyone else to know. Please help.
Hi Char thanks for sharing
I am not really sure how long you have been taking them but you should be ok if you just stopped taking them but if you are really worried about it cut a few in half and reduce a half pill a day until down to nothing. Or you could just take one pill a day for a few days and then just eliminate the last one. However you decide do it you are going to be ok and you will not have to tell anyone unless you want too.
Good luck