Signs of Vicodin Addiction
What is Vicodin?
Vicodin is an opiate, a combination of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Hydrocodone. Vicodin is used for moderate pain relief and is often prescribed after injuries or minor surgical procedures. If you are prescribed Vicodin (or any other opiate), make sure you know the signs of vicodin addiction and get help if needed.
What Are The Signs of Vicodin Addiction?
The Signs of Vicodin addiction are very similar to signs of any other kind of addiction. Some of the classic symptoms of Vicodin addiction and other addictions are:
- Isolating
- Stealing and lying, or just overall dishonest behavior
- Abandoning friends or changing friends
- Extreme mood swings
- Depression
- Euphoria
- Anxiety
- Memory Problems
- Hallucinations
- Going through prescriptions too quickly
- Doctor Shopping
- Buying Vicodin on the street
- Drowsiness
- Seizures
- Nausea and Vomiting
Some of these signs and symptoms are behavioral, while others are more mental and physical symptoms to either taking the drug or beginning feel the effects of being in withdrawal. If a person uses Vicodin without a prescription or misuses their prescription, this is a significant cause for concern and a red flag that they may be abusing Vicodin. Examples of misusing a prescription include: going through it too quickly, obtaining prescriptions from multiple doctors, taking more than the prescribed dose)
Other Signs of Vicodin Addiction
Other signs of Vicodin addiction include constricted pupils (very small). Also, Vicodin can cause drowsiness, often causing people to ‘nod out.’
Nodding out means the person temporarily falls asleep at unusual times. When a person takes large amounts of an opiate, nodding out can occur even while a person is standing or in the middle of having a conversation. Someone who is nodding out has most likely taken a large amount of opiates, and addiction is very likely.
Many opiate users, however, do not nod out. Over time, a user develops a tolerance and will be able to use more of the drug without such extreme effects, therefore hiding it better. Someone who has been using for a while may appear relatively normal and not seem high even if they are.
Once a user develops a tolerance, they usually start using more of the drug to feel any effects at all. Eventually, they have to use the drug just to feel normal. Once a user develops a high tolerance, they often transition to something more potent, like oxycodone or heroin.
If you see signs of vicodin addiction in yourself or someone else, please get help. It can be challenging and physically painful to expderience withdrawal from opiates. Doing it in a setting with a medical professional is the safest way to do it.