Long term, residential treatment services, ranging from medical stabilization, residential treatment, outpatient to sober living.
Long term, residential treatment services, ranging from medical stabilization, residential treatment, outpatient to sober living.
Vicodin is an opioid painkiller that a doctor prescribes for the relief of moderate to severe pain. It works on the central nervous system as a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen to effectively relieve pain. However, it contains an opioid, hydrocodone, with the potential for large abuse liability.
Vicodin is an opioid analgesic that combines hydrocodone, a type of opioid, with acetaminophen, a non-opioid pain reliever. It comes as a tablet but is also available in liquid form. Some common brand names are Vicodin, Vicodin ES, and Vicodin HP.
Addiction to Vicodin manifests in numerous physical and behavioral signs. Examples include drowsiness, constipation, and respiratory depression physically; compulsive drug-seeking behavior, general neglect of responsibilities due to drug use, and continued use in spite of known adverse consequences behaviorally. Dependence develops when the body adjusts to the drug and larger quantities are required for the same effect. Defined tolerance means that a higher dose of the amount taken originally is required to cause the exact effect after continual use.
Vicodin abuse has various side effects on the body, some of which include short-term and long-term effects. It leads to short-term effects such as feelings of euphoria, dizziness, and reduced judgment. Long-term abuse results in severe liver damage from acetaminophen, respiratory problems, and assurance of overdoser risk. Psychological effects on the user include mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
Current statistics dictate that Vicodin abuse is at an all-time high. Recent statistics show that millions of Americans abuse pain relievers, and most of these pain relievers are opioids, Vicodin included. This creates very serious health risks, with thousands of cases of overdose-related death occurring every year caused by opioid abuse.
Treatments for a Vicodin addiction are multifaceted: detoxification, counseling, and behavioral therapies; medications, such as methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, may be needed to relieve withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Professional help and supporting systems specific to the inpatient and outpatient programs like Brazos Recovery are critical in recovery.
While Vicodin is one of the strongest painkillers, it is also highly addictive and easily abused. The key to coping with this problem lies in being able to recognize the signs of addiction, understanding how it can have serious affects on health, and knowing the available treatment options. Professional help and support give hope to a person who has a Vicodin addiction to recover and be healthy again.
