Vicodin (a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone) is a sort of opioid agent which is often prescribed for pain. Also called narcotics, opioid agents are derived from opium a kind of substance that acts on the central nervous system to change the way the body responds to painful stimuli. Some opioid drugs also contain codeine, oxycodone, morphine, heroin and may other opioid agents.

vicodin addiction treatment

Those taking the opioid drugs for more than a few weeks can develop tolerance to the medication and will have to increase the dose to relieve pain.  The same is with Vicodin. If it is taken for a period time, you will develop dependency on it. Once you become dependent, withdrawal symptoms will occur if you stop taking the drug abruptly.

What are the symptoms?

As you stop taking the drug all of sudden, you will experience some symptoms. The symptoms will start appearing from the same day or from the second day.

According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) that says the symptoms will start showing within twelve hour of last dose, these are some of the most common side effects that withdrawal can have.

  • sweating
  • yawning
  • anxiety
  • running nose
  • watery eyes
  • agitation
  • muscle ache
  • and insomnia

The best way to do this, stop taking the opioid drug like vicodin is quitting in phases with the help of vicodin addiction treatment so the symptoms can be avoided.

The right medication is very effective in managing the symptoms. Vicodin is replaced with other drugs like buprenorphine or methadone which act fast and has milder side effects. They are given in lower doses and are weaned off slowly and gradually to keep withdrawal symptoms from being as intense as they can be when Vicodin is stopped suddenly.

You may go for alternative therapies such as acupuncture, hypnosis or meditation which will help ease the withdrawal symptoms. There are also herbal remedies for narcotic withdrawal such as kava, valerian or passion flower. They can help ease the insomnia and anxiety but there are a very few studies on how effective they are and how quick they act.

But the best way is to stop the narcotic addiction under experienced medical professionals. Drug addiction centers like Clear Sky Treatment Centers offer a wide range of vicodin addiction treatments which are tailored to suit the specific needs of each individual addicted.