Vicodin is a brand name for the combination drug consisting of paracetamol and hydrocodone. It is one of the most widely used drugs in the world, with 136 million prescriptions filed each year in the United States alone. The drug is used to treat moderate to severe pain and is nearly always available in tablet form.
Unfortunately, the drug is directly accredited to around 400 deaths and 42,000 hospitalisations each year due to overdosing. Changes to the vicodin formula after being briefly taken off the shelves have changed the potency levels of the drug, but it is still addictive and thousands of people enter drug rehab to rid themselves of this crippling addiction each year.
Side Effects
The side effects of vicodin vary wildly. The most common signs of an overdose are an upset stomach and a perpetual feeling of nausea. Changes in mental state and a loss of coordination are common, but none of these is directly life threatening.
Major issues stem from allergic reactions and when mixing the drug with alcohol. Some side effects include jaundice, seizures, hot flushes, a change in sex drive, and hearing loss. If any of these occur then it is vital the affected individual seeks help from a medical professional immediately.
Paracetamol has also been known to cause irreversible liver damage if the dosage is over 3000mg.
Vicodin Addiction Treatment
Treating vicodin addiction immediately is vital. Entering a drug rehab facility helps because therapists can offer 24-hour monitoring for patients. Defeating the cravings is the hardest part of dealing with a vicodin addiction, but rehab staff can use a combination of counterdrugs and counselling to help people.
Professional counsellors can try to look for the triggers that caused the original addiction. The lessons learned here can completely transform people’s lives.
