What is Vicodin Withdrawal?
Vicodin is a pain reliever that can change an individual’s emotional response towards pain and the perception of pain. It is a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone that causes feelings of euphoria and light headedness by reducing reactions to the pain. People who try to break through the addiction face vicodin withdrawal as their mind and body cannot cope with a sudden absence of the drug.
Vicodin Image Source Wikipedia
Vicodin Withdrawal Symptoms
- Mood swing
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Appetite changes
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Shivering
- Rapid breathing
- Muscle ache
- Cramps
- Enlarged pupils
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Salivation
- Diarrhea
- Exhaustion
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Nasal congestion
Assessment
People who are addicted to the use of the medication can be assessed on the following criteria:
- Dosage and frequency in which the drug is consumed
- Time for which the drug has been consumed
- Medical background of the patient
- Toxins that affect the brain and body
- Underlying psychological reasons for the abuse and addiction
- Method of intake of the drug as well as the substances consumed along with it
Treatment
- Naloxone can be as it stops the brain from absorbing opioid medication
- Lower the use of the medication gradually and not instantly
- Complementary therapies such as meditation, massage and acupuncture
- Use of partial opioid agonists makes the body feel that it is still getting opiates
Prevention
- Avoid use of the medication unless it has been prescribed
- If prescribed consume as per the recommended intake
- Visible pattern of dependency might lead to prescribing of alternative medicine
Vicodin Withdrawal Timeline
The half-life of the drug is 4 hours. Therefore, it takes eight hours for the drug to leave the system completely. However, the time for detox depends on the individual as well as the dosage and frequency in which the medication was used. The withdrawal symptoms are most crucial during the first 12 to 48 hours and they may continue to be observed even after the detoxification process has been completed.