Abusing Vicodin over a substantial amount of time can cause bad side effects and can greatly disrupt your life. Therefore, the best option to overcome Vicodin abuse is to seek treatment at a prescription drug addiction rehab center.

What is Vicodin exactly? It’s an opioid painkiller that’s a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. While hydrocodone is an addictive substance, taking more acetaminophen than recommended can cause liver damage. Vicodin is highly effective for pain management but dangerously addictive. This drug works by blocking pain receptions in the brain, producing feelings of relief and relaxation. However, tolerance can quickly develop, causing individuals to use more of the drug for similar results.

If you or a loved one is experiencing negative health issues or problems at work and home due to Vicodin abuse, a Vicodin drug rehab may be right for you. Bayview Recovery is Washington’s premier drug rehab and wellness center. Our facility helps countless individuals overcome their addictions. Our staff understands the nature of addiction. Therefore, we strive to provide comprehensive and compassionate care.

Get the professional support you need to get better by calling us today at 855.478.3650.

3 Signs of Vicodin Addiction

1. Tolerance

Disregarding a doctor’s instructions for using prescription medication can be potentially dangerous. Whether you are over-using or stopping altogether without consulting your healthcare provider, it can lead to dependence. Vicodin often produces uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, and quitting may be exceptionally challenging if you continue to use more of the drug to avoid withdrawal. 

If you repeatedly run out of prescriptions before your refill date and suffer through physical and mental withdrawal symptoms, a prescription drug addiction rehab may be the option for you. Prescription drug rehab enables you to detox in a safe and comfortable environment.

After the detox process is completed and you are stable, a series of addiction treatments and therapies can help you identify how the problem started. In addition, you’ll learn how to prevent it from happening again. Although it’s not impossible to quit a vicious addiction cycle on your own, seeking professional support and treatment can greatly increase your recovery chances.

Typical withdrawal symptoms aren’t easy to handle. These include:

• Intense cravings
• Severe sweating
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Agitation
• Aches and pain
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

2. Mood, Behavioral, and Physical Changes

As Vicodin is a central nervous system depressant, it can cause many changes in the brain. An opioid such as Vicodin can cause interference with the brain’s impulse control, inability to produce natural dopamine, damage to the brain’s frontal lobe, and pain sensitivity.

While Vicodin has many great medicinal benefits, interfering with the brain’s executive functions by abusing the drug can cause many negative health consequences. The following physical, behavioral, and mood changes can occur from Vicodin abuse: 

• Anxiety (mood)
• Severe mood swings (mood)
• Memory issues (behavioral)
• Social isolation (behavioral)
• Nodding off (physical)
• Severe itchiness (physical)

While each person will experience a unique set of symptoms, any long-lasting changes can diminish physical and mental health. Seeking treatment can restore hope so that you can regain control of your life. 

3. Self-Medicating

Unfortunately, drug abuse can occur from an unaddressed mental health condition causing painful thoughts or feelings. Self-medicating is the act of using a drug or alcohol to manage symptoms of a mental health disorder. Over time, drug abuse and mental health disorders interplay their symptoms.

If you are using Vicodin to manage a mental condition like depression, withdrawal symptoms from Vicodin could make it worse. Prescription drug addiction rehab could address both issues in a dual diagnosis program to increase your recovery chances and prevent relapse. 

Learn More About Bayview Recovery

Our services strive to offer varying levels of care, enabling all clients to access an effective program that’s right for them. If you recognize any of the signs listed above in your Vicodin use, our program could be right for you. Throughout the recovery process, we are here for you.

You deserve a healthy life, and we want to help you achieve it at Bayview Recovery. Call 855.478.3650 now to speak with an addiction treatment specialist to get started.