Substance abuse in America is often thought of as an addiction to illegal substances like cocaine or heroin. In reality, the majority of substance addiction comes from sources that are legal. These addictions can include substances like tobacco and alcohol, or even to prescription medicine that your doctor advises you to take for pain relief or to cope with anxiety.
Painkillers are a common unintended source of addiction because they help people to cope with physical suffering. The person who has been prescribed the painkillers is usually the one considered to be at risk of addiction, but in fact, bringing Vicodin into a household with those who might be suffering from emotional disorders can also lead to addiction. If this does happen, a Vicodin detox and rehabilitation program should be strongly considered in order to recover successfully.
What Is Vicodin?
Vicodin is the brand name of a drug, which in the United States has been classed as Schedule II. This means the substance is legal but is a controlled substance, so can only be used under certain circumstances. A schedule II drug means that the medical profession recognizes that the drug is useful, but has a high potential of developing a physical addiction, which can occur rapidly if the dosage is not controlled.
Vicodin is composed of two painkilling components. The first component is hydrocodone, which is an opioid. An opioid is a lab-created chemical that replicates the powerful painkilling properties of the opium plant. The second component is acetaminophen, which is a low-grade painkiller that can be bought without a doctor’s prescription and is found in over-the-counter painkiller Tylenol. Acetaminophen acts as a painkiller and boosts the effects of hydrocodone. This is why the risk of addiction is as high and requires professional help to overcome it.
Vicodin Addiction
All opiates and opioids are physically addictive. If they are used for long enough, the chemicals that are used to relieve pain will replace the normal neurochemicals produced by the body. The body develops a dependency, appetite, and craving. The body thinks it needs the drug, so the addict will look for the satisfaction the addiction gives them.
Vicodin is usually prescribed by doctors to relieve moderate to severe pain. Usually, it’s advised to take Vicodin only for short-term use, often after an injury or for recovery from major surgery.
As with many drugs, Vicodin has a plateau effect, whereas the body adjusts to the drug, it develops a tolerance for the effects. When this happens, larger amounts need to be taken to achieve the same effects. Vicodin can also produce a euphoric effect, which is an emotional sense of well-being, happiness, or joy. This combination of feeling good when combined with the physical craving in the body is what makes addiction a real risk that must be helped with professional treatment.
The best chance for successful Vicodin rehabilitation is with professional help, including detox, personal therapy, support groups, and coping strategies. Evolve Indy can help you on your road to recovery. Contact us today.