Some possible effects of long-term Vicodin use include liver damage and failure, bowel obstruction, respiratory issues, hypersensitivity to pain, hormone imbalance, and mental health struggles. To get help for a Vicodin addiction you can start by speaking to your doctor or an addiction specialist to determine next steps towards recovery. The best way to treat a Vicodin addiction is by speaking with a doctor or addiction specialist to create a personalized plan for detox and recovery.

You may take this drug with or without food. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Hydrocodone works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain. To lessen the risk, take the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time. It may slightly increase the risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.

What else should I know about hydrocodone/acetaminophen?

While less common, the most serious side effects of hydrocodone/acetaminophen are described below, along with what to do if they happen. There may be other side effects of hydrocodone/acetaminophen that are not listed here. The most common side effects of hydrocodone/acetaminophen are listed below. Hydrocodone/acetaminophen is a combination medicine that is commonly taken for severe pain. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Focusing on supporting drug-affected mothers and their infants, she combines medical expertise with empathy to empower her patients and educate them on healthy lifestyles.

CBT also helps people learn healthier coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and communication tools.5 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reverse an opioid overdose if administered quickly enough.14 It comes in the form of an injectable and a nasal spray.16 If a person ingests too much of an opioid drug, it can interrupt the body’s ability to breathe, leading to brain damage or death.16 If you suspect someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, call immediately.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may be useful to help with symptoms of withdrawal and opioid cravings. Tramadol is an opioid-like pain medication but has additional effects that make it different from most opioids. Many other pain medications can be used as alternatives to Vicodin, including other medications that also include hydrocodone or other opioids.

Our advisory council brings together leaders in behavioral health, technology, and business. You may report side effects to the FDA at FDA-1088. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients.

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Hydrocodone can be a safe and effective way to treat severe pain, but it can be addictive. Also consider support groups during and after recovery. People with substance use disorders should be screened for depression and other mental health issues.

Despite his addiction, he maintains a successful medical career, demonstrating exceptional diagnostic skills and leading a team of diagnosticians at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. However, underlying signs might include isolating behavior, lying, manipulating situations to maintain access to their substance of choice, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms. In reality, addiction often leads to job loss, strained relationships, and a decline in overall health. Portrays a complex and fascinating character, but it doesn’t paint a fully realistic picture of addiction. The coverage of addiction treatment by insurance can vary depending on the type of insurance plan, specific policy details, and the individual’s needs and circumstances. Addiction treatment is the process of helping individuals address substance use disorders or behavioral addictions by treating physical, psychological, and social factors.

His addiction becomes a constant battle, impacting his relationships and threatening his career. Yet, beneath the surface, House’s Vicodin dependence wreaks havoc on his personal life. This unorthodox approach, fueled by a Vicodin-induced determination, leads to a life-saving treatment.

If you take a hydrocodone combination product regularly during your pregnancy, your baby may experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms after birth. Hydrocodone combination products may harm or cause death to other people who take your medication, especially children.Keep hydrocodone combination products in a safe place so that no one else can take it accidentally or on purpose. To manage the pain, House takes Vicodin every day, and as a result has developed an addiction to the drug. If you or someone you know is suffering from a Vicodin addiction, contact a treatment center today to find out what help is available and begin the road to recovery. Many people also opt to take medications like suboxone, naltrexone, or Clonidine to help ease withdrawals and reduce cravings.

Other Medical Problems

Stopping too quickly may cause serious side effects. Talk with your health care provider if you have any concerns. Hydrocodone/acetaminophen can affect your alertness or coordination. Taking too much acetaminophen can be harmful. It can be found in many medicines that you can buy over-the-counter (OTC). Hydrocodone/acetaminophen contains acetaminophen.

Additionally, opioid-dependent newborns may suffer from neonatal abstinence syndrome if their mothers misuse Vicodin during pregnancy. Long-term addiction can result in many social and financial consequences. Combining Vicodin with other substances increases the chances of a fatal overdose. Chronic abuse of Vicodin can also lead to liver damage due to the acetaminophen content and oxygen deficiency in body tissues. Overdose is characterized by symptoms such as severe drowsiness, slow breathing, or coma, which can be fatal.

Vicodin Abuse & Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, Statistics, & More

These risks increase even more if you mix it with other substances, take more than you’re prescribed, or use it without a prescription. This not only reduces pain but also releases dopamine, which creates feelings of pleasure and relaxation. These numbers show just how widespread the issue is—and why treatment and harm-reduction strategies are more important than ever. Some people start using larger doses or taking it more often than prescribed. It works by changing how your brain and nervous system perceive pain, making it an effective tool for short-term pain management when you use it as prescribed.

Mental Health and Loneliness

• Hydrocodone is an opioid analgesic, making Vicodin effective in treating moderate to severe pain, but also giving it the potential for addiction.
• For people already living with mental health conditions, hydrocodone misuse can make symptoms worse by intensifying mood swings or increasing instability.
• When used recreationally, people may use other routes of administration, including snorting or smoking Vicodin.
• Vicodin addiction accounts for nearly half of the number, with two million individuals who are physically or psychologically dependent on the medication.
• Your doctor may also give naloxone to treat an overdose.
• Hydrocodone is the most prescribed opioid in the United States; however, it is also misused for its opioid euphoric effects and has a high potential for hydrocodone addiction.1
• Taking hydrocodone/acetaminophen can worsen breathing problems or lead to death.

Withdrawal from opioids is often described as moderate to severe flu-like symptoms. Vicodin withdrawal symptoms can appear as aetna momentum program quickly as 6-12 hours after the last dose, peak in severity between hours, and last for days or weeks. The body may then react by exhibiting uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. A Vicodin addiction includes physical and psychological dependence, which can manifest in a wide variety of behaviors.

This prescription opioid not only alleviates pain but also induces an increased sense of well-being by triggering dopamine release. It is treated as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction and can only be obtained by prescription. The therapeutic goal of the ANR treatment is encoded in its name; this treatment re-regulates the neurochemical imbalance resulting in the brain due to opioid use. ANR has helped close to 25,000 patients worldwide turn their lives around and overcome opioid dependence.

Individuals may engage in risky behaviors due to alterations in the brain’s reward system caused by the drug. These physiological effects are compounded by the High-functioning alcoholic risk of respiratory depression, especially when Vicodin is combined with other substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines. The most immediate and life-threatening risk is Vicodin overdose. The Recovery Village provides comprehensive treatment options tailored to the individual’s needs, supporting a path to recovery.

• Medications like naloxone can reverse an overdose, underscoring the need for medical supervision during this vulnerable period.
• One of the most critical physical symptoms is oxygen deficiency in body tissues.
• Not everyone will experience the same effects.
• The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your health care professional.
• Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, liver disease, or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet.

Hydrocodone addiction occurs when a person experiences the euphoric effects of hydrocodone and wants to use it more often to achieve those effects. Like hydrocodone, it is sometimes combined with other drugs such as acetaminophen. Oxycodone is another type of opioid that is used for pain medication. Norco is another brand name for a drug that is a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. As with many other prescription medicines, Vicodin can have side effects even when used as intended and directed by a doctor. The hydrocodone in this combination medicine is an opioid.

The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Hydrocodone is a Schedule II drug, meaning, it has a high potential for misuse that can lead to psychological and physical dependence.3 Other Schedule II drugs include cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone (OxyContin), Adderall, Ritalin, and fentanyl.3 They guide our mission as accomplished individuals dedicated to improving the landscape of addiction recovery and mental wellness. Our mission is to help everyone find the best path to recovery through the most comprehensive, helpful network of treatment providers worldwide. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

If you realize your pain is decreasing, let your doctor know, even if your prescription hasn’t run out. Symptoms of hydrocodone addiction may vary from person to person. This means your body needs more of the drug to feel the same lsd what to know effects. Taking hydrocodone for a long time can build a tolerance to the drug. These drugs connect to proteins in the brain and spinal cord called opioid receptors.