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January 14th, 2025

Vicodin Addiction | Signs, Symptoms and Effects

When severe pain strikes, Vicodin can be a pain-relieving hero where all other medicines have failed. However, this relief can come with serious strings attached and none more dangerous than the risk of Vicodin addiction. Vicodin has seen ever-stricter regulations placed upon it, but its addictive potential still means it should be approached with extreme care. If you or a loved one feels like Vicodin addiction has taken over, this page will help you understand what is happening and guide you toward recovery.

What is Vicodin?

Vicodin is the most common brand name for a heavy-hitting pain reliever made from a mixture of hydrocodone (a powerful opioid) and paracetamol. It is designed to tackle extreme forms of pain, such as that caused by cancer or which you experience after surgery.

Vicodin’s effectiveness comes from the way paracetamol boosts the ability of the hydrocodone to bind to your brain’s opioid receptors, dialling down your experience of pain.

While this can be a life-transforming relief, it can also create a warm, peaceful “high”, which is why Vicodin is so commonly abused. In addition to this, there is also a whole range of nasty Vicodin side effects, including:

Drowsiness
Dizziness
Nausea
Vomiting
Constipation

Because of its addictive potential, Vicodin is not available legally in the UK at all, even on prescription. Hydrocodone, the main ingredient, is classified as a Class A substance here, with strict laws surrounding its possession and supply.

What is Vicodin addiction?

Vicodin addiction is when you become so reliant on Vicodin that you can’t quit even though it is obviously harming you.

Many people’s Vicodin addiction stories start as a reasonable response to real pain. A doctor prescribes it for surgery or a painful injury and at first, it works as intended. But as the weeks pass, you may find you need a little more to get the same relief, so you start increasing your dose.

For others, it begins with taking Vicodin to get high or to sedate yourself. Again, you may soon have to start taking more Vicodin because your body has got used to it and no longer responds to smaller doses.

In either case, a day will come when missing a dose brings withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, nausea and restlessness. This means that you have become physically dependent on Vicodin, a major milestone on the path to Vicodin addiction.

When Vicodin isn’t just about pain relief anymore, emotional dependency often follows close behind. You might start using Vicodin not only to numb physical pain but also to soften the edges of stress, anxiety or even loneliness. Vicodin’s effects can create a comforting escape, and using Vicodin to cope with life’s ups and downs becomes almost automatic. At this point, you are fully addicted to Vicodin as it starts to feel essential for getting through daily life.

How to spot the symptoms of Vicodin addiction

If you or someone you know is taking Vicodin, it is essential to be aware of the signs of Vicodin addiction behaviour. Opioid addiction is often subtle, starting off as something you don’t even notice, but here are some of the most common symptoms of Vicodin addiction to look out for:

Taking more Vicodin than prescribed to feel the effects
Going to multiple doctors to keep your supply steady
Buying Vicodin illegally (the only way to get it in the UK where it is a Class-A banned substance)
Distancing yourself from concerned friends or family
Always feeling drained, foggy or forgetful
Spending well beyond your budget on Vicodin
Going through Vicodin withdrawal when you miss a dose
Continuing to use Vicodin despite these obvious issues

If you notice these kinds of Vicodin addiction behaviour, it can be a frightening realisation. But remember that spotting them now gives you the chance to make changes in your life and start fresh.

Why is Vicodine addictive for some people more than others?

It is important to understand that behind all Vicodin addiction stories is someone with a unique set of personal factors that put them at high risk of becoming addicted.

This starts with something you can’t even see: your genetics. Numerous studies have confirmed that your genetics can have a major role in your susceptibility to addiction. That is why it is common to find the children of parents with substance abuse issues develop them themselves.

Mental health plays a big role, too, as people with anxiety, depression or even a lot of stress may use Vicodin to sedate themselves and take the edge off. However, this can easily cause you to become reliant on Vicodin for long-term management of mental health issues, which is a massive aspect of Vicodin addiction.

Personality-wise, if you are a naturally impulsive or risk-taking person, you may be more likely to experiment with Vicodin. Similarly, if you grew up around a lot of drug use, then taking Vicodin without a prescription or to get high may seem “normal”. Both situations can greatly increase your chances of Vicodin addiction.

What are the dangers of Vicodin addiction?

Vicodin addiction can claw its way into every corner of your life. Here are some of the most serious health and personal dangers that everyone taking Vicodin needs to be aware of:

Vicodin overdose

With Vicodin, it is easy to go from just enough” to way too much as your body craves stronger doses than it is able to process. Vicodin overdose can slow your breathing to dangerous levels, put you in a coma and even lead to life-threatening situations that need immediate help.

Physical health effects

Long-term Vicodin use can harm the liver, leading to a number of serious issues, cause massage kidney damage, increase respiratory issues, and generally leave you in a bad state of physical health.

Mental health damage

Vicodin can offer temporary relief, but in the long run, it often worsens anxiety, depression and other mental and emotional challenges. This creates a cycle where you up your Vicodin intake to cope, which only enflames the underlying issues.

Personal impacts

Vicodin addiction doesn’t leave much room for anything else. It can wedge its way between you and the people you love, your job and your everyday life, turning everything into one big waiting game for the next dose. Vicodin is also a Class-A drug in the UK, and you could go to prison for up to five years for possession and fourteen years for supply.

How is Vicodin addiction treated?

At Recovery Lighthouse, Vicodin addiction treatment begins with a medical detox phase, where our doctors and nurses look after you while all the Vicodin leaves your body. This helps you manage all the withdrawal symptoms discussed on this page so you are not in any danger or discomfort.

Next, opioid rehab introduces you to individual therapy, group sessions and holistic healing activities, all aimed at reshaping how you cope with life’s challenges. This gets to the root of the underlying causes of Vicodin addiction so you can resolve them systematically.

Finally, our complete treatment programme provides aftercare, which is like your long-term safety net. With a plan to prevent relapse and ongoing support, you’ll have a solid foundation to keep moving forward without Vicodin.

Get help for Vicodin addiction today

Vicodin addiction may have taken a whole lot out of you, but today’s a great day to start getting it all back. Recovery Lighthouse is ready with a proven recovery plan and a team that is here for you. Don’t wait another day – reach out to us now, and let’s make the journey back to a Vicodin-free life together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vicodin known by any other names?

Yes, Vicodin has a few different names it goes by. In addition to “Vicodin,” it is also referred to by other brand names like Lorcet and Lortab and by its generic name, “hydrocodone and acetaminophen.” Sometimes, people shorten it to “hydro” or “Vikes” when talking about it casually but regardless of what it’s called, Vicodin is still a strong and dangerous drug.

Is it dangerous to mix Vicodin and alcohol?

Yes, mixing Vicodin and alcohol is incredibly dangerous. Both are depressants, meaning they slow down your central nervous system – breathing and heart rate included. Together, they amplify each other’s effects, which can lead to dangerously respiratory depression, extreme drowsiness, unconsciousness and death.

Can Vicodin be fatal?

Yes, Vicodin can be fatal, especially in high doses or when misused. Taking too much can slow your breathing to dangerous levels, and if that happens, the results can be life-threatening. Vicodin overdose risks increase when it’s combined with other substances, so it’s crucial to take it as prescribed and never abuse it recreationally.

(Click here to see works cited)

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Cassidy, Theresa A et al. “Patterns of abuse and routes of administration for immediate-release hydrocodone combination products.” Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety vol. 26,9 (2017): 1071-1082. doi:10.1002/pds.4249. Accessed 28 October 2024.
UK Rehab. “Vicodin Addiction | Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/prescription-drug-addiction/opioid/vicodin/. Accessed 28 October 2024.
WebMD. “Vicodin Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.” WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-3459/vicodin-oral/details. Accessed 28 October 2024.