Vicodin Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term

vicodin addiction

People who take opioids are at risk of opioid use disorder, often called opioid addiction. But it’s impossible to tell who could become dependent and misuse opioids. Do not let the stigma of addiction keep you from seeking lifesaving treatment. The public perception of addiction is changing, and more people understand that it is a disease and not a choice. Seeking medical assistance for a substance use disorder can help you avoid a lifetime of health problems.

vicodin addiction

Find Treatment for Hydrocodone Addiction

vicodin addiction

Use these resources to find help for yourself, a friend, or a family member. In other cases, items of value may be missing out of a home or business or the homes of family members. It may be very hard for a family to understand that https://ecosoberhouse.com/ someone they have known and loved for 30 years has suddenly changed so much but that is the nature of addiction. Others start abusing the drug from the beginning – snorting, injecting or ingesting more than would be recommended.

Vicodin Abuse

  • You may need weeks, months or even longer to slowly and safely lower your dose and stop taking your opioid medicine.
  • Hydrocodone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
  • Some of these hormones include estrogen and testosterone, which can lead to fertility damage, making it more difficult to conceive.
  • Often, when people try to quit or reduce the amount of hydrocodone they’re taking, they discover how dependent their bodies have become on the painkiller.

Illegal drugs taken without a prescription may include substances that could be deadly. These drugs also may contain opioids that are much more powerful than medicines prescribed by a healthcare professional, such as fentanyl and carfentanil. People who use opioids illegally often turn to heroin and street fentanyl. Hydrocodone is a prescription opioid, typically prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. Unlike natural opiates morphine and codeine, hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid. Generally, doctors may decide to write a hydrocodone (brand name Vicodin®) prescription to treat short-term pain following dental surgery or for injury-related pain.

What is the most important information I should know about Vicodin withdrawal?

The outcome for recovery is generally better when people take medications for opioid use disorder, versus not sticking with them or not taking them at all. Hydrocodone addiction may be difficult to overcome, but with the right support, it is possible. There are many treatment options available to help you achieve recovery and remission. Addiction is characterized by an inability to stop using a drug, despite harmful consequences to your life and overall health. Many people with addiction take more hydrocodone than prescribed and may become hyper-focused on using the drug.

Phone, Video, or Live-Chat Support

Many people mix hydrocodone and alcohol to achieve pleasurable effects. The popularity and potency of hydrocodone has caused many Americans to become addicted to the drug. Taking hydrocodone in high doses or using it illicitly can lead to opioid addiction. If you have withdrawal symptoms, tell your healthcare team right away. Follow all instructions about how to manage your withdrawal symptoms.

vicodin addiction

Understanding Hydrocodone Addiction

The combination of hydrocodone with acetaminophen is much more efficacious in several randomized studies without any significant changes in adverse effects. Moreover, hydrocodone/acetaminophen vicodin addiction has common use as an antitussive agent. Your healthcare professional may recommend that you have naloxone available to lower your risk of an overdose.

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