Vicodin Addiction Rehab

It may be that three million people or more suffer from an addiction to Vicodin. These include both young and old. Each year, the number of emergency room visits increase as a result of Vicodin abuse. When an addiction becomes apparent, the best solution is for the patient to enter rehab. Inpatient facilities provide a safe and supervised setting where patients can receive treatments needed to recover. Patients benefit from around-the-clock medical care from highly trained and experienced medical practitioners who are skilled at handling Vicodin rehabilitation. Vicodin addiction treatment options include detox, counseling, and aftercare. These are the main elements used to help patients work toward a successful rehab.

Vicodin rehab begins when the addict realizes their addiction is out of control. Seeking rehab is the first brave step. Many people choose not to attend rehab and try to detox on their own. It is not recommended for the obvious reasons. There are both physical and psychological issues that only rehab facilities can properly address. It becomes the work of qualified clinicians with years of experience and training. Patients, upon seeking Vicodin rehab, must first qualify for treatment. Doctors will conduct a thorough physical and mental examination to determine if there are co-occurring mental disorders. This is quite necessary if patients are to avoid future relapse.

Vicodin addiction treatment places patients in detox, which is considered by many to be the most challenging stage of rehab. Patients, to successfully start and finish rehab, require a balanced body and a mind that is open to understanding addiction and its causes. The length of time spent in detox depends on the severity of addiction, and the patient’s general health. Vicodin addiction rehab can last for 30, 60, 90 days or longer. Some people experience rehab over an entire year. The goal is to help an individual develop all the tools necessary to identify and avoid triggers that can lead to relapse. Triggers are those scenarios, events, or people that can lead to stress and anxiety. It is a known fact that stresses can lead to Vicodin addiction as well.

The best thing that anyone can do for their self or a loved one is to seek clinical treatment for Vicodin addiction. Addiction ruins lives. Relationships can be damaged beyond repair, job opportunities squandered, and finances ruined. Seek help sooner—rather than later. Vicodin withdrawal treatment saves lives. Vicodin addiction treatment works.

Vicodin is often prescribed by doctors for mild to moderate pain relief. When patients take the drug as directed by doctors, it tends to bring about feelings of relaxation and calm. The drug often helps patients work toward a full recovery from their injuries. However, Vicodin use and abuse can, and does, spiral out of control. One of the main reasons is the drug provides a feeling of euphoria and extreme relaxation. When this happens, addiction sets in and the patient eventually succumbs to withdrawal symptoms and side effects that may include drowsiness, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and a noticeable loss of appetite.

Vicodin, a painkiller, contains opiates that alter the brain’s ability to produce mood-altering or pain-relieving receptors. Abuse of pain-killing drugs causes the brain to stop its natural production of these painkillers. Thus, the body eventually becomes completely reliant on painkillers to produce euphoric feelings. As a result, Vicodin can be both psychologically and physically addictive.

Vicodin is a small white pill, and it has the ability to control one’s life. Addiction of any kind can place important things on hold, like careers and relationships of every type. The vast majority of people addicted to painkillers never started out with addiction in mind. Use can easily become abuse. Then, when the addicted individual realizes it is time to quit or seek help, they realize their addiction has taken control over every aspect of their life. If they try to quit on their own, and some do, relapse is almost assured.

Drug programs designed to treat Vicodin addiction are thorough in their attempt to provide the care, support, and chemical treatments to help patients to get back on the straight and narrow road to recovery. Professional Vicodin rehab is the best approach to addressing a painkiller addiction, and to stay sober for years to come.

Signs of Vicodin Addiction

As each person is different, so are the signs and symptoms of their addiction. Some addicts experience a short-term addiction, while others have a long-range experience. Some, maintain their mental age, while others will experience a mental decline as well.

Vicodin addiction signs that people can expect to experience include, but are not limited to, the following: feelings of euphoria, anxiety, mood swings from severe to moderate, challenges remembering things, skipping from one doctor to the next to secure a prescription, and theft. Additional Vicodin addiction signs include difficulty focusing, weakness, dizzy spells, slowed heartbeat, vomiting, moderate to severe headaches, ringing in the ears, confusion, hallucination, and constipation.

Vicodin and other painkillers are meant to treat pain; however, when mixed with other substances or after prolonged use, can cause devastating effects to mental and physical health, including addiction, overdose and death.

The long-term effects of Vicodin abuse can be fatal as well. Those suffering from Vicodin addiction may experience liver failure, problems maintaining relationships, financial woes, difficulties with school, job loss, jail, family difficulties, and eventual death if the addiction is not treated.

Addiction occurs after your body becomes tolerant and dependent on a substance. All illicit substances detrimentally affect the brain by interrupting its natural production of mood-boosting receptors. Overtime, the body will get used to the normal dosage and need more in order to feel its effects. Tolerance causes users to use more, increasing their chance of overdose or they may search for something stronger and kill themselves because their bodies are not used to the dosage. The body will also go into shock when it is not receiving the substance at all; in order to function normally, addicts will need their substance. When a body becomes tolerant and dependent on a substance, that is the first sign of addiction.

Vicodin addiction can lead to the following effects:

• Pain in the head
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Weakness
• Cold flashes
• Upset stomach
• Throwing up
• Feeling relaxed or tired
• Difficulty breathing
• Relaxed muscles
• Physical or psychological dependence
• Muscle, joint or bone pain
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Inability to stop fidgeting

Not only will Vicodin users develop an addiction, they may also develop a condition called serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome occurs when there is an accumulation of serotonin on the body due to high levels of chemicals in certain substances. Serotonin is a necessary chemical in the body that is produced to make nerve cells and the brain the function; however, too much serotonin can cause disastrous symptoms, such as diarrhea, agitation, restlessness, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, headache, heavy sweating, shivering, muscle rigidity, fever and seizures. Serotonin syndrome, as well as Vicodin addiction can be life-threatening if not treated.

Others signs of addiction include:

• Uncontrollable compulsion to regularly use the substance
• Lack the ability to cease using the substance
• Ensuring constant availability of the substance
• Finding any means necessary to obtain drugs, even if it’s illegal
• Falsely believes there are benefits of regularly using the drug
• Engaging in risky and inappropriate behavior
• Extreme weight loss or changes in appetite
• Destruction of dental health
• Impaired coordination and/or speech
• Lack of motivation
• Appears anxious, fearful or paranoid for no reason
• Hyperactivity or agitation
• Unusual smells on breath, body or clothing
• Frequently getting in trouble
• Sudden change in friends or hobbies

The Vicodin addiction signs will help users recognize when they need to seek Vicodin addiction treatment.