Vicodin
Vicodin is the brand name for a combination of hydrocodone (a narcotic) and acetaminophen (a non-narcotic. This drug was first created in Germany in the 1920’s and it is available in several different forms, tablets, capsules and syrup. Vicodin is typically prescribed to relieve several levels of pain. But be careful, Vicodin is a highly addictive narcotic, and although this medication is prescribed by a doctor, extreme care should be taken while using it. Vicodin is considered a controlled substance and its possession, distribution and manufacturing are all overseen by the federal government.
There are several reasons why a doctor may prescribe Vicodin for you. You may have just had some serious dental work done, or have had some severe back pain, or surgery of some kind. Vicodin creates a sense of relaxation and can create a calming effect for a patient who is in mild to severe pain. If used correctly, Vicodin can be very instrumental in successful pain management.
However helpful Vicodin may be, like most medications, Vicodin has several side-effects that you might want to consider. They can include:
- Lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Dry-mouth
- Euphoria or a feeling of elatedness
- Constipation
- Difficulty breathing
- Sweating or hot flashes
- Decreased sex drive
If you have been prescribed a certain amount of Vicodin, and now you have found that you are requiring more, you may already be at a point of tolerance. This is where your body actually needs more of the medication to relieve the same amount of pain you had in the first place. In addition, if you feel an overwhelming need for the drug to be “okay”, you may already be at a point of physical dependence. Even worse, if you find that your behaviors have changed, you may be lying to your doctor or your family members about the amount of the drug you are taking, or you may be going to more than one doctor complaining of pain, in order to get more, you may now be addicted to Vicodin. This means that the drug becomes the most important thing in your life. Your family, friends and job will become second to your need for the drug. You will feel like you “need” it every day, just to function as a normal person. You are going to need help to stop taking Vicodin at this point.
The good news is, that here at Treatment4Addiction, we can help. There are several treatment centers and pain management clinics that understand how you feel. The difference between Vicodin addiction and perhaps addiction to “street drugs” is that you were prescribed this drug by a doctor because you are, or were in pain. It just got out of control. Treatment and counseling will help you find a way to manage your pain, and you won’t have to do it alone.