Vicodin is a very strong drug that treats pain. It is prescribed as a painkiller following surgery or when a person is injured. The drug is extremely addictive, which is why it is prescribed carefully. People do become addicted and seek after the drug in other ways than prescribed. Addiction and dependence are serious and need attention from trained professionals to help treat them so a person can heal their mind and body.
Impact of Vicodin
The effects of Vicodin differ depending on the individual’s circumstances. Most people experience some of the following effects:
- Mood swings
- Sleepiness
- Fear
- Euphoria followed by depression
Other effects may impact a person’s mind and body. Mental health can be impacted long term by use of Vicodin but some people may take it because it helps numb the effects of mental illness. Tolerance can keep a person locked into using it regardless of their desire to quit. This means the person likely needs help to quit for good.
Long Term Effects
People may like the initial effects of Vicodin use but they ignore the ramifications on their health and life. The body will crave the drug when it is in the system long enough, causing a serious change of how the brain responds to this ‘reward’ being in the system. Some challenges a person may face long term from use of Vicodin may include:
- Stealing, lying, or cheating to get the drug or not get caught
- Breaking the law or getting into legal trouble to get the drug
- Going on the black market to purchase illegal amounts of the drug to fuel their addiction
- Mental health changes
- Difficulty handling anxiety or stress
Seeking Help
The treatment of Vicodin addiction requires detox to get the drug out of the system. If the person has co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions, those will need to be treated also. There may be concurrent drug and alcohol use or more than one drug being used at one time. Careful monitoring is needed to prevent the person from experiencing painful, perhaps lethal, health issues from withdrawal. Medication and other things may be provided to help mitigate cravings for the drug while in detox, as well. Most recovery programs require in-house stays to treat the person, then help them recover with outpatient treatment. Opiate addiction is difficult to treat, but not impossible to overcome with the help and support of a loving community and treatment providers who understand your needs. Staying sober and clean is another challenge on the other side of addiction rehab but you can do it with the help of those who understand what you need and are able to provide you with support for the days and weeks ahead.
Oceanfront provides detox, inpatient, and outpatient rehab for your recovery needs. Our treatment team is top notch, serving you when you need it most. We are located in beautiful Laguna Beach. Call us to find out how we can help you navigate addiction recovery: 877-279-1777
