Vicodin Addiction Rehab at Journey Malibu
Journey Malibu recognizes the legitimacy and seriousness of Vicodin addiction, and provides all the individualized resources necessary to battle it successfully.
Your stay with us will begin, if necessary, with our safe, gentle, staff supervised detox for your Vicodin addiction, to get you started on your path to recovery.
At Journey Malibu, we are committed to getting you started comfortably on your path to recovery. We understand the challenge of recovering from a Vicodin addiction and we are aware that, for some, a desire to avoid detoxification can keep the individual from seeking treatment entirely. However, the detoxification process does not have to be a distressing one. Detoxification at Journey Malibu’s Vicodin addiction rehab is a completely safe process, especially when performed in the safe and comfortable environment we provide here at Journey Malibu. Detoxification does not have to be unpleasant in a safe and healing environment.
At Journey Malibu’s California Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center our independently affiliated physician is certified in the most advanced Subutex and Suboxone treatments available. Buprenorphine and Naloxone can be administered, if appropriate, and will ensure that your personal experience of opiate detoxification is comfortable. Finding freedom at our vicodin addiction rehab is the goal and detox is the beginning. Call us now for details on our pain-free detox protocols.
WHAT IS VICODIN?
Vicodin, otherwise known as acetaminophen and hydrocodone (or hydrocodone APAP) is a prescription medication indicated for the relief of moderate to severe pain. In the U.S. there are over 200 products containing hydrocodone; as used in Vicodin it is typically combined with acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is a mild painkiller that is added to hydrocodone to enhance its effects. However, as acetaminophen is metabolized by the liver, over time even this seemingly harmless medication can have serious taxing effects on the liver, and in cases of excessive and prolonged use, can lead to liver damage or even liver failure.
Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic narcotic analgesic (pain reliever) and antitussive (cough suppressant). Hydrocodone is also a member of the opioid family, and therefore produces potentially addictive opioid effects such as euphoria, relaxation, somnolence (sleepiness) and sedation. Even though Vicodin may have initially been prescribed for acute pain (such as that following a surgery or dental procedure), the individual using it may find that the opioid side effects are just as, or even more desirable and reinforcing than the pain relief.
The Dangers Of Vicodin Addiction
Vicodin addiction can start at any time, and be triggered in many situations, most commonly following a surgery or other medical procedure. What happens is after the surgery, patients are prescribed Vicodin because the doctor knows that the patient is going to be in pain. Since it is so effective as a painkiller, it is among the top of painkillers that are prescribed. The problem is, this medication also includes the semi-synthetic opiate hydrocodone (similar to heroin) and as such, it is very addicting. This is why it can be very hard for Vicodin addicts to simply stop taking the drug once the initial prescription has run out.
The addict may begin by taking the Vicodin as prescribed, but in time they are likely to develop a tolerance for the drug, and need to take increased dosages to achieve the same desired effects. This is where the concerns with most prescription drugs begin. If you take more then the recommend dosage or rely on a prescription medication longer than medically necessary, you are likely to develop tolerance and cravings – symptoms indicating the need for Vicodin addiction rehab.
Addiction to a drug can happen even if there are considerable negative side effects associated with using that drug. In the case of Vicodin, some of the side effects it is commonly associated with includes constipation, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, stomach pain, and difficulty urinating. (Source: Vicodin Addiction Study at National Institute of Health )
Other more serious symptoms can follow if the Vicodin addict suffers a Vicodin overdose. Symptoms of a Vicodin overdose include: Blood disorders, bluish tinge to skin, cold and clammy skin, extreme sleepiness progressing to a state of unresponsiveness or coma, general feeling of bodily discomfort, heart problems, heavy perspiration, kidney problems, limp muscles, liver failure, low blood pressure, nausea, slow heartbeat, troubled or slowed breathing, and vomiting. (Source:National Institute on Drug Addiction)
Find Help At Journey Malibu’s Vicodin Addiction Rehab
When a Vicodin user’s body becomes physically dependent upon the drug, it means he or she will need to maintain a level it in their system to feel normal. And by the time that has happened, the Vicodin addict can develop a mental or psychological addiction to the drug as well. At this point, the Vicodin addiction is at its full strength because even though the Vicodin addict may no longer physically need the drug for pain, mentally they believe they do.
Emotional Vicodin addiction is how we refer to a Vicodin addict who is taking Vicodin even when they aren’t experiencing physical pain any longer. They are now convinced that they can’t function without the drug, and they begin taking it just to feel normal. When continued use of a drug is necessary to maintain a feeling of normalcy, the addiction has progressed to a critical point, where professional help is likely to be necessary to regain normal and healthy functioning. However, it is possible to recover fulfillment, health, and happiness. The staff at our JOURNEY MALIBU Drug Treatment Facility is standing by ready to provide all the help you need.
At JOURNEY MALIBU our Drug Recovery Center is well-staffed, highly-resourced, and able to treat Vicodin addiction. But we can’t come to the Vicodin addict. They (or their loved one) must reach out to us first. After that, our highly trained staff at JOURNEY MALIBU will be more than happy to guide you or your loved one down the road to a recovery you may never have dreamed possible.
If you’re serious about your recovery, and determined to overcome your Vicodin addiction, make JOURNEY MALIBU’s Vicodin addiction rehab your destination.
Speak confidentially with one of our counselors at (877) 673-4225.