Gifts & Glam

The agency approved the medication against the advice of its scientific advisory board, which voted 11-2 to deny Zohydro’s approval. The addition of acetaminophen is thought to lower hydrocodone’s risk of abuse, causing many to question the FDA’s decision to approve Zohydro. Combining hydrocodone with other drugs can exacerbate the effects of the drug. For example, mixing hydrocodone and weed can lead to respiratory distress or coma, while mixing hydrocodone and Xanax can depress breathing and induce sleepiness. Other medications on the market also contain a combination of acetaminophen with another opioid, such as Norco and Percocet, but the contents of Vicodin are distinct from those two medications.

Hydrocodone Misuse and Addiction: Signs and Symptoms

Learn more about Vicodin, what it’s used for, its effects, and what the risks of addiction and abuse are if you start using it. Always be sure to take only the prescribed amount of Vicodin and to space each dosage properly. If the proper Vicodin dosage is taken, Vicodin is safe and liver damage or failure will most likely not occur. With repeated use over time, higher doses of Vicodin are needed to achieve the same pain-relieving or pleasurable effects, a phenomenon known as tolerance.

What Is Hydrocodone?

These therapies also help people avoid triggers and find ways to enjoy a drug-free life. Co-occurring condition management is a vital aspect of treating Vicodin addiction, as it often overlaps with Alcoholics Anonymous mental health disorders like depression or anxiety. This dual-diagnosis approach treats the addiction while managing any co-existing mental health issues simultaneously. Addressing these underlying issues holistically increases the likelihood of a successful, long-term recovery and reduces the risk of relapse.

What to Know About Hydrocodone Addiction

• The symptoms may include restlessness, joint pain, increased heartbeat, sleeping problems and anxiety.
• Taking it too much or too often can lead to overdose, dependence or addiction.
• This could lead to choking and pneumonia in some cases, according to American Nurse Today.
• Long-term use of any opioid, such as hydrocodone, can result in serious health effects.
• Our results demonstrate that relying solely on rehabilitation and other treatment programs is not enough to combat the prescription drug problem in the United States.
• Depression is a mental health disorder that requires counseling and therapy.

Outpatient treatment programs typically require you to attend a treatment center for 10 to 12 hours a week. These programs provide one-on-one counseling sessions, group therapy, and other activities to help you recover from addiction. Many people find that they have to take more to experience the desired effects, which may lead to physical dependence and potentially addiction. It’s possible to become physically dependent and addicted to Vicodin, especially after long-term use.

With these recreational users, since there is no medical need to take the drug, the tolerance level is aimed toward achieving a certain level of euphoria. When prescribed by a medical professional, the drug comes as a tablet or an oral liquid. These symptoms include itching, vomiting and swelling of the face, mouth and throat. If you experience an allergic reaction to Vicodin, call your physician or 911 immediately. But more severe effects, such as depression and addiction, can linger for a lifetime. According to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, the effects of hydrocodone last from four to six hours.

What Are the Long-Term Effects Associated with Hydrocodone Addiction?

The first step in treating Vicodin addiction is usually detox, where the body is cleared of the drug, physical dependence disrupted, and the body’s healing initiated. The Vicodin detox process should be medically supervised as withdrawal symptoms can be severe and potentially dangerous. Medications like methadone or buprenorphine may also be used to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

The U.S. is the world’s largest consumer of prescription painkillers, and this staggering increase in availability has helped to promote widespread abuse of these medications. Treatment for prescription opioid addiction starts with a detoxification phase. During detox, addiction experts assist you in dealing with painful withdrawal symptoms until hydrocodone is cleared from your system. This involves using Vicodin for non-medical reasons, primarily to experience euphoria or “high” that results from the drug’s potent effects on the brain’s reward system. Not everyone who takes hydrocodone will develop a substance use disorder. At The Recovery Village, patients can work one-on-one with a treatment team to determine the best route of action to assist them the most efficiently.

• It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
• If you experience severe pain or a serious cough, your doctor may prescribe hydrocodone.
• If symptoms continue for longer than two weeks, talk to your doctor.
• Many forms of hydrocodone also have about 325 mg (milligrams) of acetaminophen in each tablet.
• You may feel you need to take increasingly higher doses to achieve the same effects you felt when you first started the medication.

Hydrocodone Addiction Statistics

A long-term addiction that involves high doses of hydrocodone may involve a longer recovery period than addiction from short-term use. Opioids interfere with pain signals heading to the brain to change your perception of pain as well as your emotional reaction to it. When used correctly and for only a short period, hydrocodone is usually safe and effective. Some people develop a dependence (having withdrawals and tolerance to Vicodin) to their prescription and don’t realize it until they stop taking it. Dependence can lead to addiction, which is marked by the compulsive urge to use despite negative consequences. One of the negative complications of Vicodin abuse is liver damage or failure caused by the acetaminophen in the drug.

Hydrocodone is intended to pass through your gastrointestinal system. When you snort hydrocodone, you’re interfering with how it’s supposed to enter your is vicodin addictive system. They contain fillers or acetaminophen that irritates your throat, lungs, and nose.