The Signs and Side Effects of Vicodin Abuse
The Signs and Side Effects of Vicodin Abuse
Vicodin is a commonly prescribed and used painkiller. It is a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It can be highly addictive and damaging to the body. Often people who become addicted to this drug have been prescribed it. They become dependent on it. It can be difficult to notice the signs of addiction.
Signs of Abuse
A person who is using Vicodin and has become dependent upon it may exhibit physical, psychological, and behavioral signs. Physical signs are usually due to the depressant nature of the drug. They include headaches, constipation, weakness, dizziness, problems focusing, itching, slow heartbeat, constricted pupils, and nausea.
Harder to detect signs include those that are psychological or affect the mood. These include anxiety issues, mood swings, confusion and hallucinations. You may notice, however, some behavioral changes. A person may become almost obsessed with the drug and getting more. They may steal to get money to afford to buy more Vicodin. They may start seeing various doctors in an attempt to get multiple prescriptions.
photo Emuishere Pelicula via Flickr
The biggest issue with knowing if someone is addicted to Vicodin is that it can be easy to hide the signs. If you aren’t with someone all the time, you may not notice subtle changes or even witness certain behaviors. In addition, it is very easy for someone to cover up physical signs as a symptom of whatever problem they suffered from that caused the Vicodin use in the first place. It can be very difficult to tell someone you care about to stop using medication that he or she thinks is helping. That is often what happens with Vicodin. It is legal and something the doctor gave them so they don’t even realize they have a problem or could become addicted.
Side Effects
The side effects of Vicodin abuse can be serious. This medication is not intended for long-term use. While hydrocodone is a depressant and will affect the body negatively over time, acetaminophen is nothing to ignore. Long-term use and abuse of it can lead to serious liver damage and jaundice. In time, there could even be liver failure. Another physical concern is urinary system issues.
Too often, Vicodin leads to social side effects before the physical ones begin to show. Those addicted may be unable to work any longer due to issues with focusing and the overall effects of the drug. They may push away friends, family, and loved ones. If they are stealing to fund their habit, they could face jail time. They may struggle with financial issues and be unable to attend social functions.
In the most severe cases, Vicodin can cost a person their life. Comas and death are often a result of an addiction that is left untreated. This was just a brief look at the side effects a person may experience due to Vicodin addiction, to learn more you can do research into the effects of hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
Author: Lolita Di
photo ijmaki via pixabay
