Vicodin Rehabilitation
Background:
Pain is one of the most debilitating sensations that one can experience. It can limit a person’s function due to the discomfort it brings. To manage pain, a doctor might teach his patients with pain management techniques and prescribe analgesics. Among these medications include the drug called Vicodin.
Vicodin’s active ingredient is the substance called hydrocodone, an opioid, and acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is a Schedule II substance due to its high abuse potential, and its combination products, such as Vicodin, are classified as Schedule III substances. Vicodin is an effective analgesic, efficiently managing post-operative pain.
The formulation of Vicodin, mixing hydrocodone with acetaminophen, has two basic reasons. The first reason is that these two drugs interact with each other via drug synergy. This means that each drug complements each other, augmenting their total effect. The second reason for this combination is to discourage the illicit use of the drug. Acetaminophen is metabolized in the liver, and high doses of this drug can lead to liver damage.
Proper Use and Dosage:
Vicodin is one of the most popular pain relievers today. It is available in doses varying from 5mg, 7.5mg, to 10mg tablets. Every one of these tablets contains 500mg of acetaminophen. They appear as white bisected tablets. The drug is used to manage moderate to severe pain.
The use of Vicodin should be done with strict responsibility, since the drug has a potential for abuse. The drug has he ability to induce euphoria, making it a target for substance abusers. If prescribed to take the drug, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter. Also, inform your doctor about other medications you are taking before you start using Vicodin. This is important to prevent hazardous health complications which may arise due to drug interaction.
It is equally important to inform your doctor about health issues such as allergies, respiratory disorders, liver or kidney disease, epilepsy, head injury or tumor, Addison’s disease, low blood pressure, and others. These conditions could be aggravated if you start using Vicodin, and therefore, other medications might be prescribed.
When taking Vicodin, keep in mind and follow you doctor’s instructions. You should not increase your dose or frequency of intake without your doctor’s knowledge. If you miss taking a dose, take it as soon as you remember and take the subsequent doses following the proper interval between each intake.
Drinking alcoholic beverages is discouraged if you are taking Vicodin. Alcohol has the ability to augment the action if Vicodin, which may lead to overdose. Also, the acetaminophen content of Vicodin, together with alcohol, may lead to liver damage.
Vicodin, like other drugs with narcotics, can cause drowsiness. For this reason, driving and operating machinery while under the influence of Vicodin is strictly discouraged.
Side Effects:
Vicodin is known to cause the following side effects:
- Dizziness, euphoria, headache, drowsiness
- Nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation
- Decreased urination, decreased libido
The following are serious adverse reactions to Vicodin. If you experience any of the following, stop taking Vicodin immediately and seek medical attention.
- Any allergic reaction
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Shallow breathing
- Lowered heart rate
- Jaundice
Vicodin Addiction and Abuse:
Like most drugs with opioids, Vicodin is abused due to its ability to induce euphoria. Manufacturers of the drug try to safeguard this possibility by adding the highly hepatotoxic drug, acetaminophen, in their preparations. However, substance abusers go around this barrier either by trying to extract the hydrocodone content of Vicodin, or totally ignoring this measure. This practice is very dangerous. Vicodin us known to cause respiratory depression in high doses like other opioids. Respiratory depression from drug overdose leading to coma and death is the leading cause of substance abuse fatalities.
Furthermore, acetaminophen can and will cause liver damage if continually taken in high doses. This happens because of the drug tolerance developed by substance abusers, therefore putting them at higher risk of permanently damaging their liver.
Another hazardous practice of drug addicts is that they tend to use substances in conjunction with each other. This might lead to drug interactions that pose serious health risks. For these reasons, addicts who want to reform should immediately seek help.
Vicodin Addiction Rehabilitation:
The very first step to rehabilitation involves the process called detoxification. It involves the systematic purging of the abused substance from the patients system. This process should be done under the guidance of medical practitioners, to ensure that a lasting rehabilitation be achieved. Addiction relapse usually occurs when the patient suffers severe withdrawal symptoms, which can happen if the process of detoxification is not done properly.
The next step to achieve a lasting rehabilitation is through effective counseling. This helps tackle the psychological aspect of the addiction, helping address underlying factors that lead to the substance abuse. If done properly, a permanent change could be achieved.
What Vicodin Addiction Rehabilitation Patients say about Malibu Horizon
The identities of the people writing these testimonials have been withheld to protect their inalienable right to privacy. The names that follow are fictional names of the author’s choosing.
"I’ve been in and out of rehabs due to my drug problem. I sought help from a lot of clinics but soon after I’ve finished with their program, I’d be back on Vicodin. When I came to Malibu Horizon, I was scared that it would be another rehab that would not be able to deliver. I’m glad they proved me wrong." –Ulysses
"I underwent surgery two years ago and I was given Vicodin for the pain. It did work well against the pain that I eventually became dependent. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life as an addict so I sought help. Malibu Horizon was recommended by a friend who used to suffer the same problem that I did and it is one of the best advices I’ve received in my life." –Hector
"I’ve been drug-free for almost a year, and still going strong. I believe this is a permanent change, thanks to Malibu Horizon." –Helen
"Malibu Horizon is the best! And I’m a reformed man because of them." -Troy