What Is a Vicodin High?

An oral painkiller best used for treating mild to moderate pain, Vicodin is among the most popular prescription painkillers in the United States. Often provided after minor surgeries like wisdom tooth extraction, Vicodin is extremely effective – and extremely intoxicating.

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As an opioid pain reliever, Vicodin falls into a class of highly addictive drugs that are frequently abused in the United States. In fact, use and abuse of such prescriptions have skyrocketed over the past several years, with the rate of prescription quadrupling from 1999 to 2014. With such a problematic history of use, Vicodin and its peers are contributing to rampant opioid addiction across the country.

If you or someone you love is facing a Vicodin high addiction, an effective rehabs in Ohio program at Lumiere Healing Centers is essential.

Vicodin is the trade name for a prescription analgesic comprised of hydrocodone, a strong pain reliever, and acetaminophen, more commonly known as Tylenol. Offered in small doses for minor to moderate pain, Vicodin, like all such drugs, acts on the opioid receptors in the brain to reduce pain signals.

However, as an addictive substance, many Vicodin users take the drug recreationally rather than for its medical benefits. As the drug produces an increase in dopamine in the brain, high doses can cause a relaxed, euphoric feeling that users are eager to perpetuate. Over time, users require higher doses to feel the same effects, leading to the start of dependence.

Signs of Vicodin Addiction

Vicodin addiction is very similar to other forms of drug addiction, with users going to extreme lengths to secure adequate doses. Common signs of addiction to Vicodin include:

  • Sweating and red, flushed skin
  • Jitters, nervousness, and anxiety
  • Slurred speech and trouble communicating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • An inability to focus on important tasks
  • Apathy in previous interests or passions
  • Defensive behavior, especially when questioned about drug use
  • Drug-seeking behavior, like doctor shopping, lying, sneaking around, and skipping work, school, and family events

As addiction builds, many users find themselves desperate for higher doses. Taking more pills at a greater frequency often leads to further abuse, putting users at a high risk of overdose. Signs of overdose include:

  • Vomiting and stomach pain
  • Sweating and high body temperature
  • Weakness and confusion
  • Dark urine
  • Yellowing of the eyes and skin
  • Respiratory arrest
  • Coma or death

Vicodin High Detox

For those who are addicted to Vicodin or other opioids, a Vicodin detox is a necessary step in the process of breaking the cycle. Short for detoxification, detox is essentially a way to tame the physical components of addiction in order to reduce or eliminate cravings and help addicts to cease use.

In general, detoxing from opioid painkillers requires full cessation of use. In extreme cases, detox may utilize a tapering method, but cold turkey can be a safe option for opioids. When detox is undertaken in a rehabilitation center, patients are kept under strict supervision by doctors, nurses, and counselors. While withdrawing from Vicodin, cravings are often extremely strong, leading to relapse in situations that are not carefully controlled. Medical professionals can help patients to manage the pain of symptoms, expediting the process.

In some cases, medications can be used to mitigate the effects of Vicodin addiction. Naloxone, sold under the name Narcan, is a highly effective treatment for opioid overdose, while buprenorphine or methadone, as partial opioid agonists, can be used to stop the side effects of withdrawal from setting in by tricking the body into thinking it has access to the opioids it craves. For those who are uncomfortable using drugs throughout Vicodin detox, other treatments, like meditation, massage, or acupuncture can help patients remain focused and healthy.

Vicodin High Withdrawal

Withdrawing from Vicodin can be extremely unpleasant, causing many users who are not under proper supervision to fall back into patterns of abuse in the first few days.

Vicodin withdrawal takes about seven to 10 days, depending on the severity of addiction. However, lingering side effects can last for weeks or months. Symptoms begin to appear in approximately four hours from the last dose – the half-life of Vicodin. The most common include:

  • Psychological effects and mood changes, like irritability, anxiety, confusion, and erratic moods
  • Changes in appetite, demonstrating an increased craving for drugs and reduced hunger
  • Physical effects, like enlarged pupils, tremors, nausea and stomach cramps, sweating, excessive salivation, goosebumps and shivering, rapid breathing, and muscle cramps
  • Inability to sleep, including insomnia, restless sleeping, and extreme fatigue
  • Cold-like symptoms, like a runny nose, sweating, chills, congestion, and fever

In rare cases, patients may experience a condition known as PAWS, or post-acute withdrawal syndrome. When this occurs, patients experience withdrawal effects for one to two months as opposed to one to two weeks, making it significantly harder to quit without professional interference.

Detox from a Vicodin High Today

If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction to Vicodin, help from Lumiere Healing Centers is here for you. With the ability to provide the support you deserve throughout detox and recovery, we are able to guide you through withdrawal and beyond. Contact us at 513-909-2225 to learn more about the services we have to offer.