Prescription drug abuse has become a major health concern in America during the past few years. More and more people are falling victim to these deadly drugs. One of the most addictive prescription drugs available is called Vicodin. Vicodin addiction affects millions of people every year and takes a very serious toll on the people who abuse it. If you or someone you know has developed an addiction to Vicodin, it may be necessary for them to undergo a Vicodin detox to get all of the harmful toxins out of their bodies. Once they successfully complete a detox, they will be ready to enter into a rehabilitation facility.
Problem
Vicodin is a very serious drug that hooks millions of users each year. It is comprised of a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is an opioid that is used primarily as a pain killer. Opioids are some of the most addictive substances known to man. Acetaminophen is a slightly less powerful pain reliever, however, when it is combined with hydrocodone, it can have very powerful side effects.
Health Effects
There are many side effects that result from taking Vicodin. The most common effects include, upset stomach, nausea, altered mental status which includes light headedness as well as dizziness. Other more severe side effects include allergic reactions, clammy skin, seizures, paranoia, hallucinations, as well as severe weakness, unconsciousness, jaundice, fatigue, bleeding, bruising, stomach back, and the list continues. Because Vicodin has a depressant effect on the central nervous system it may cause irritability as well. Long term use of Vicodin as well as abuse can severely damage the liver. The damage to the liver can even lead to an eventual need for a liver transplant to avoid death.
Addiction
When an individual uses Vicodin for a long period of time it can eventually lead to an addiction. Because it is strong acting pain reliever and can create a sense of euphoria, it does become a desired high. However, once a chemical dependency is formed, it becomes harder and harder to eventually wean off of Vicodin. This is how people develop addictions and why they are so difficult to overcome.
Symptoms Of Withdrawal
Symptoms of withdrawal can be very serious and can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, dilated pupils, nausea and vomiting. Detoxing from Vicodin should be done under medical supervision. This is due to some dangerous complications. One complication may be aspiration due to the inhaling of stomach contents after vomiting, intense vomiting and diarrhea can also cause dehydration. The biggest risk associated with detox is when someone decides to take the pain reliever again. Once the body has detoxed from the drug, the drug cannot be ingested at original doses, because the body can no longer handle it. This leads to overdose and may even lead to death. This is why it's so important to seek medically supervised detox treatment.
If you know someone who is struggling with a Vicodin addiction, you should implore them to seek medical intervention as soon as possible. If an addiction to Vicodin goes on too long it could be lethal. The person may need to go through a Vicodin detox in order to get all of the toxins out of their bodies. This kind of detox should only take place under the watch of medical professionals that can administer medication during the painful detox process.
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