Vicodin Rehabilitation and Treatment

This guide was written to provide an overview of the Vicodin rehabilitation process as well as to offer helpful resources for persons recovering from Vicodin addiction.

Upon entering Vicodin addiction treatment, the individual typically has an opportunity to meet with counselors and other staff members. During this initial meeting, the individual works directly with treatment staff to develop a plan to address specific triggers, set appropriate boundaries, and learn effective coping skills. Once this treatment plan is in place, the individual goes through an initial detoxification process, which allows Vicodin to be eliminated from the body as safely as possible. With a medically managed detox, the individual is monitored by medical professionals, making the process safer and more comfortable.

Once Vicodin has been eliminated from the patient’s body, a treatment program typically consists of a combination of therapy with treatment professionals and support from other individuals recovering from addiction. Following discharge, the individual receives ongoing support, which can help with avoiding addiction triggers and preventing relapse.

According to the guidelines established by the Controlled Substances Act, Vicodin is a Schedule II substance. Although Vicodin has legitimate medical uses, rates of non-medical use are increasing worldwide. For example, Vicodin and other hydrocodone products are among the most commonly misused prescription opioids in the United States, according to the 2018 World Drug Report. As of 2016, approximately 2.5% of the U.S. population had engaged in misuse of Vicodin and other hydrocodone products within the past year.

It can be difficult to recover from Vicodin addiction because the substance binds with opioid receptors in the nervous system, triggering a rush of dopamine. It’s this rush of dopamine that causes users to feel “high” when they take Vicodin. Over time, the user develops cravings for Vicodin, making it difficult to stop using. Additionally, stopping Vicodin suddenly can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, making it even more difficult to recover from addiction.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that:

• 47.73 million individuals aged 12 and older — or 17.4% of the U.S. population — used hydrocodone products within the past year (2018).
• 5.502 million individuals aged 12 and older — 2% of the population — were past-year misusers of Vicodin in 2018.
• 148,647 individuals aged 12 and older in need of treatment enrolled in a rehabilitation program from opiate misuse.

The Vicodin addiction recovery process typically includes a short-term detoxification process, which is when the substance is eliminated from the user’s body. Vicodin has a relatively short half-life of 3.8 hours, which means about half of it is eliminated from the body in this timeframe. During this initial detoxification process, the user may experience some physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal. Most of the Vicodin should be eliminated within 24 hours, but it may take longer if the individual is a chronic user.

Following this initial detoxification process, it may take several weeks for withdrawal symptoms to cease. When symptoms last longer than two weeks, they are referred to as post-acute withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may last up to a year after the individual stops taking Vicodin. The length of the withdrawal process depends on several factors, including whether the individual was a casual or chronic user and how long the individual has been taking Vicodin.

Supportive medications may be used to relieve the symptoms of Vicodin withdrawal, making users more comfortable during the detoxification process. For individuals who experience insomnia, promethazine and temazepam may be used to induce sleep. Metoclopramide and prochlorperazine are sometimes used to control nausea and vomiting. In some users, quinine sulfate is effective for treating abdominal cramps caused by Vicodin withdrawal; it’s also possible to manage abdominal cramps and diarrhea with propantheline or loperamide. Finally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to relieve headaches and other pains.

For more information about withdrawal, read our guide on Vicodin addiction.

Methadone and buprenorphine have been approved by the FDA to treat addiction to Vicodin and other opioids. Methadone reduces cravings and helps manage withdrawal symptoms, reducing the risk of relapse. Although methadone is effective, it’s not suitable for all Vicodin users. If an individual has respiratory problems, reduced liver function, a head injury, or a history of alcohol dependence, methadone may not be the most appropriate medication for treating opioid addiction. Buprenorphine also reduces cravings; it’s indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe opioid addiction. Due to the way it works, buprenorphine should not be taken until at least eight hours after the individual’s last dose of Vicodin or another opioid. Individuals with diabetes or a history of respiratory problems may not be able to use buprenorphine.

Behavioral therapies are also used in the treatment of Vicodin addiction. Participating in these therapies gives Vicodin users the social support they need to stay sober; working with treatment professionals can also help individuals learn effective coping strategies, reducing the risk of relapse.

Within either an inpatient or outpatient setting, treatments such as detoxification services, behavioral therapies, and medication-assisted treatments are offered for varying lengths of time.

Inpatient treatment involves living full-time (including overnight) at a treatment facility for a set period of time. Outpatient treatment involves scheduled appointments at a facility in which you are free to come and go. Within each category, there are several distinctions.

When searching for a Vicodin rehabilitation facility, it’s important to look for a program featuring a medically managed detoxification period. Medical supervision can make the initial detoxification period safer and more comfortable for the user, increasing the likelihood that he or she will complete treatment.

It is also important to look for a Vicodin rehabilitation facility that offers social support and behavioral therapy programs for its participants. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and 12-step facilitation therapy are commonly used in the treatment of Vicodin addiction. While participating in these therapies, the individual will have opportunities to develop better coping skills, receive treatment for co-occurring disorders, and identify potential triggers that may increase the risk of relapse. Building a strong social support network can also help users avoid returning to the habits that led them to develop a Vicodin addiction in the first place.

Our directory of rehab programs includes a comprehensive list of available treatment centers and programs as provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In the directory, you will find tools to filter the programs by setting, price, and location.