Vicodin is one of the most common pain relievers prescribed by physicians. When taken as prescribed, Vicodin can promote relaxation and calm to the patient, thus enabling him to fully recover from his condition or injury. However, like most drugs, Vicodin can lead to some side effects which include drowsiness, weak breathing, weakness, unusual fatigue, vomiting, decreased appetite, and constipation. It also can cause extreme relaxation and a feeling of euphoria. This effect makes Vicodin one of the commonly abused prescription drugs.
Vicodin can be both physically and psychologically addictive. Continued use for several weeks can already cause mild addiction, much more so if this addiction is pursued to greater amounts. The addiction can take over your life. Like other powerful addictions, vicodin addiction can cause a powerful craving to take the drug and might even supersede the need for food and water. You can learn more about this on prescription drug quiz.
People who get addicted to Vicodin will find themselves slowly craving more amounts to achieve the desired effect. They end up taking the drug at increasing doses regularly despite family, legal or health problems. Vicodin addiction can lead to overdose, and overdose effects of this drug can be fatal. Overdose symptoms range from slow breathing, dizziness, vomiting, weakness, and confusion to loss of consciousness, extreme tiredness and severe respiratory depression and coma. It can even lead to death.
Stopping the addiction can lead to difficult withdrawal symptoms such as physical bone and muscle pain, restlessness, insomnia, vomiting, involuntary leg movements, diarrhea, loss of appetite, irritability, nausea, sweating, chills and cold flashes. These withdrawal symptoms depend on the degree of addiction and may grow stronger for the first 24 to 48 hours.
However, hope is always there. Thanks to addiction treatment centers that can provide experiencedl interventionists, treatment, counseling and a support group to help Vicodin addicts get rid of their addiction.