Vicodin Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms

People who experience temporary or chronic pain often benefit from pain medications such as Vicodin. Too often, what started as a way to assist in pain relief turns into a full-blown addiction.  he sooner a person receives treatment for Vicodin addiction, the better, but many put it off out of a fear of experiencing Vicodin addiction withdrawal symptoms. The U.S. government recognized the seriousness of opioid abuse and began a program in 2015 designed to help reduce opioid misuse and overdoses. A professional treatment program can help alleviate these symptoms and make recovery easier than the individual might expect. 

What Is Vicodin?

Vicodin is a prescription opioid, which places it in the category of drugs that are a high risk for addiction. It is a prescription drug used to treat temporary and chronic pain. It is a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen and relieves pain for up to six hours per dosage. Vicodin is commonly prescribed on a short-term basis for patients who have undergone surgery or are healing from temporary injuries. Some people who have chronic, ongoing pain use Vicodin to help alleviate their symptoms.  

When Vicodin enters the bloodstream, it affects the receptors in the brain that control feelings of pain and pleasure, resulting in a person experiencing pain relief and a feeling of sedation. After a period of use, the body develops a dependence on it that causes the brain receptors to no longer naturally produce dopamine and serotonin. 

When a person who is addicted to Vicodin stops taking it, their bodies react with Vicodin addiction withdrawal symptoms. They can be so severe and uncomfortable that people commonly return to using the drug in order to alleviate them. This makes professional treatment for Vicodin addiction a necessity in order to navigate the withdrawal process and get relief from the withdrawal symptoms.

What Are Vicodin Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms?

Vicodin addiction withdrawal symptoms very from person to person. The severity of the symptoms and how long they last can depend on how long the addiction has gone on, how much of the drug is normally consumed, and a person’s physical and mental health. Common physical withdrawal symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Shaking
• Loss of appetite
• Blurry vision
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Insomnia 

Some withdrawal symptoms are more psychological in nature and can include anxiety, depression, irritability, and moodiness. 

Some people experience more several Vicodin addiction withdrawal symptoms that can require medical attention. These can include:

• Slowed heart rate
• Shallow breathing
• Losing consciousness
• Seizures
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eye color)

How Long Do Vicodin Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms Last?

Withdrawal symptoms can begin as shortly as a few hours after the last time a person took Vicodin. The timeline for withdrawal symptoms averages seven to ten days but varies by person. There may be lingering effects, particularly physical ones, but most people report that the withdrawal symptoms either end or are greatly reduced during the seven-to-ten day period. 

For some people, the withdrawal symptoms may last for a longer period of time. Psychological symptoms are the type most commonly felt for a good deal of time, including depression, anxiety, and moodiness. These can continue for several weeks or months. 

How Post-Residential Care Helps With Vicodin Addiction

While the majority of Vicodin addiction withdrawal symptoms end after a few weeks for most people, many of them still feel an urge to use the drug for a long time after initial withdrawal symptoms end. These urges can even surface months after completing initial recovery treatment. This makes receiving extended treatment important in order to address this risk. While detox and residential care provide the jumping-off point for recovery from Vicodin addiction, transitioning to an aftercare program, like a sober living home, helps keep a person focused on recovery. The longer a person remains in some type of treatment program, the less likely they are to relapse.

For this reason, many individuals choose to attend non-residential programs to keep their recovery in focus. These programs can include outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization treatment options. Depending on the program, they can last from a few weeks to several months, with required attendance ranging from a couple of days to five days a week. 

Sober living housing also provides a valuable way for people to transition back into living at home. Sober living houses provide a place for several individuals who are all in recovery from substance use disorders to live together and provide crucial support and encouragement. They usually have access to continued outpatient treatment like individual therapy, group therapy, and holistic treatment.

If the desire to use Vicodin again resurfaces during outpatient treatment, the person has access to professionals trained to help them fight their urges. They learn to cope with any lingering withdrawal symptoms, including physical and emotional kinds, and resist the urge to relapse. 

Treatment For Vicodin Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms in Los Angeles

If you or someone you love needs treatment for Vicodin addiction, we can help. Our program provides sober living housing for men who need help overcoming the hurdles of staying sober while preparing to transition back to their home lives after treatment concludes. We offer life coaching to ensure our clients return home with not only their sobriety but the life skills they need to enjoy success in living independently, working, and school goals. Contact Miracle House Foundation today and start your life over. Call us at 866-727-3457.