Vicodin is a narcotic painkiller comprised of two primary ingredients: hydrocodone and acetaminophen. While Vicodin may have initially been used to treat pain, it can become addictive, making detox a difficult process. Anyone ready to begin a Vicodin addiction detox, or help someone they love transition to a life of sobriety, should know the following three things.
1. Vicodin Withdrawal Can Begin in as Little as Six Hours
A severe Vicodin, or pain medicine, addiction might be described as using the drug multiple times per day, using a large dose each time or having a long history of use. For individuals who struggle with a severe addiction, the withdrawal experienced during a Vicodin addiction detox can begin in as little as six hours after the last dose. This may be surprising to some patients, as well as to their family members. The feelings that many patients have after not using Vicodin for several hours or even a day is the beginning of withdrawal, and the detox may initially feel similar to this.
2. Withdrawal Symptoms Peak at 72 Hours
While withdrawal symptoms can arise very quickly for patients who are just beginning a Vicodin addiction detox, they typically build, peaking in discomfort at around 72 hours. This means that the first 72 hours, or three days, tend to be the most challenging for patients who are ready to break free from their addiction to Vicodin.
During those first 72 hours, there are a number of withdrawal symptoms that patients should be familiar with and prepared for. While these symptoms are challenging, professional detox centers are ready to take action in order to reduce discomfort. This might mean offering medications to ease symptoms. The most common withdrawal symptoms present in the first 72 hours of a Vicodin detox are:
- Stomach cramping
- Tremors or restlessness
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Extreme sweating and dehydration
- Diarrhea
3. Quitting Vicodin Cold Turkey Can be Dangerous and Even Fatal
Some individuals struggling with an addiction to Vicodin want to take action, but they believe that quitting cold turkey on their own will be the most effective or simplest route. That is absolutely false, and it can be quite dangerous. In some cases, it could even be fatal.
Withdrawing from a narcotic like Vicodin can wreak havoc on the body for a few days, and it’s vital that medically trained professionals are available 24/7 to deal with any problems that arise. Dehydration, for instance, is no concern when staff have IVs and re-hydrating electrolyte beverages on hand. At home, and without proper care, that dehydration can be incredibly dangerous.
Beginning a Vicodin addiction detox is the first step to the life you deserve. Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery at 1-866-396-4129 for more information on how to begin the path to recovery in scenic South Florida.
