More and more doctors are prescribing various medications to offer pain relief to those that experience chronic and severe pain. As a result, Vicodin is becoming one of the prescription medications that many people are finding themselves abusing or becoming addicted to.

Vicodin is a strong painkiller and is a combination of acetaminophen (an ingredient commonly found in headache relief medication such as Tylenol) and a strong opioid, hydrocodone. Hydrocodone is a narcotic that works to minimize the pain you feel and provides a feeling of relaxation and euphoria. Vicodin is a drug that many people can easily become addicted to and has many short and long-term effects. This addiction can be treated professionally and effectively at an inpatient Vicodin rehab center.

Possible Signs and Side Effects of Vicodin Addiction

There can be a number of possible signs and symptoms of Vicodin addiction that might cause you to take a closer look at a loved one to see if they need some help. As is the case with many different medications, the more of the drug one takes, the more frequently one feels that he needs to take it in order to achieve the desired effect. As the user comes down off the medication and it starts to wear off, he might feel depressed, irritable, anxious and even paranoid.

There are also physical signs that can be observed such as vomiting, constipation, severe mood swings, dizziness and other physical signs. Individuals who suffer from Vicodin addiction may also have an obsession with trying to find ways to get more of the drug. All of these symptoms show signs that a person needs help in trying to stop their addiction and it may be help that only an inpatient Vicodin rehab center can provide.

What to Expect with Regards to Treatment

When you or a loved one has decided to seek help, there are going to be a number of steps for you to complete as part of your treatment. The most effective treatment you will find is going to involve some type of inpatient stay at a rehab center in order to get the right help. You will typically experience the following as part of your treatment:

• Detox – Detox may be the most difficult and yet crucial part in your recovery process as you work to get the drug out of your system. In order for proper detox to occur there is a need for trained and experienced medical personnel to be on hand to make sure that the process is handled correctly and safely. Withdrawal from Vicodin can be severe for some people, with symptoms like vomiting, nausea, anger, moments of confusion, insomnia, sweating, hot flashes and other unpleasant issues arising. When handled at a proper facility, the detox and withdrawal can be taken care of safely and you can be monitored along the way and provided with controlled relief of the symptoms with proper medication. The detox time varies from person to person and can take anywhere from a single day to several days depending on the individual in question.
• Physical and Psychological Support – There is going to be a great deal of support needed in order to guide the patient through this difficult time. After detox there is generally a period of intensive counseling, both in a group setting with other patients and on an individual basis in order for the fears and potential causes of an addiction to be addressed. Strategies can then be developed to help the person deal with life and any possible situations that may cause a relapse. There is also often a physical treatment aspect to the counseling, depending on the rehab center, where the patient can be taught varying physical training strategies to help them feel better and deal with their addiction.