Risks and Dangers of Vicodin Addiction

Risks and Dangers of Vicodin Addiction
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The Prevalence of Addiction

Prescription drug addiction to medications such as Vicodin, OxyContin and other painkillers is one of the fastest growing substance abuse problems in the United States.

The situation is especially dire among our nation’s youth. More and more teenagers are obtaining Vicodin either online or from the medicine cabinets of friends and family members. Regardless of the source, there are several considerable risks associated with Vicodin abuse.

Risks and Dangers of Vicodin Dependency

Side effects -There are a variety of serious side effects associated with long-term Vicodin addiction, including: damage to the liver, severe mood swings, depression and a variety of withdrawal symptoms when the individual stops taking the drug.

Dependence – The opiate based drug Vicodin (also known by its generic name, “Hydrocodone”) is a highly addictive substance. Even those individuals who take the drug as prescribed by a doctor run the risk of developing a dependence on it.

Tolerance – One of the more insidious aspects of Vicodin addiction is how quickly individuals will develop a tolerance to the drug. That means the longer an individual takes Vicodin, the more of the drug it takes to achieve the desired euphoric effect. As a result, individuals will fall deeper and deeper into the cycle of addiction as time goes on.

Overdose – Like any illicit drug, Vicodin can be deadly if too much of it is consumed. Every year, hospital emergency rooms admit individuals who have overdosed on Hydrocodone -many of whom never recover. Many people simply do not understand their limits, or the power of Vicodin. In fact, many addiction experts compare the nature of Vicodin dependence to Heroin addiction.

Loss of self-control – Individuals who engage in OxyContin abuse are prone to serious lapses in self-control. The individual will, simply put, do anything and everything they can to obtain more of the drug. This puts them at risk for a variety of criminal and unethical behaviors, including:

  • Stealing money and material items from friends and loved ones in order to support their habit
  • Stealing drugs from the medicine cabinets of friends and loved ones
  • “Doctor shopping” -Going to different physicians and lying about medical conditions in order to obtain more Vicodin.
  • Forging prescriptions to fraudulently receive more Hydrocodone.
  • Breaking and entering into pharmacies.

Getting Help for Vicodin Abuse

Any individual who is currently addicted to Vicodin is urged to seek professional help in the form of drug rehab.

Both residential and outpatient drug rehab facilities treat the psychological and physical aspects of Vicodin addiction, and know how to turn around even those situations which seem hopeless.

Michael’s House helps treat individuals who have seen their lives spiral out of control as a result of Vicodin addiction. The caring professionals at Michael’s House help their patients overcome the physical addiction to the drug as well as develop strategies for success.

Contact Michael’s House today at 1-877-345-8494 for more information.