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The opiate painkiller Vicodin, formulated from acetaminophen and the codeine derivative hydrocodone, has been prescribed for moderate to severe pain since the late 1970s. Its 2014 reclassification as a Schedule II drug highlighted increasing concerns about its addiction potential. (Vicodin had previously been categorized as a Schedule III drug, considered a lower addiction risk than most hydrocodone products.)
The safest way to avoid developing Vicodin addiction is, of course, to take the drug strictly according to prescription. It’s hard to predict how susceptible any one person will be, though, so anyone whose doctor recommends Vicodin should be aware of possible risks. Especially if there is any personal or family history of chemical addiction.
Anyone who has been taking a Vicodin prescription and develops the following symptoms may already be addicted:
In addition, any of the following behaviors (or even frequent temptations to engage in them) are signs of trouble:
If you notice these symptoms in yourself or anyone else, talk to (or suggest the other party talk to) the prescribing doctor immediately. If the symptoms are frequent or increasing, consult a detox specialist as well.
Once Vicodin addiction is diagnosed, the next step is to check into a detox center for treatment. Attempting to go it alone is never advisable: while opiate withdrawal is rarely life-threatening in itself, it can trigger dangerous behavior, including suicide attempts.
To ensure good care and minimize any possible problems in detox treatment:
Although a professional detox center will do everything possible to keep you comfortable, there’s no way to make withdrawal completely painless, even in medication-assisted treatment. Ask the average patient just completing detox if they know how long it took, and the answer will likely be, “It felt like forever!”
Objectively speaking, how long Vicodin withdrawal lasts can be affected by a person’s overall physical condition, the length of time they had the addiction, and how much Vicodin they were taking regularly. Psychology and state of mind can be additional factors. (People who expect a miserable experience will probably get one: those who focus on “it’ll be over soon” often recover faster.)
The most typical timeline, though, goes like this:
If less fortunate, a recovering Vicodin addict may develop post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), or protracted withdrawal. A person with PAWS will experience intense psychological cravings, and often physical symptoms, on a frequent basis for six months or more. Someone with this problem will need extra counseling and support to avoid relapse.
Even those who escape full-blown PAWS typically have an uphill battle learning to live long-term without Vicodin. You’re at extra risk for relapse if:
So have an active relapse prevention plan before you ever leave the detox center. And don’t get overconfident even if you don’t see yourself in any of the above points. “It won’t happen to me” thinking is at least as dangerous after being addicted as before.
Some hints for enjoying life long-term without opiates:
Ultimately, a more important question than “How long does Vicodin withdrawal last?” is “What do I want from life after Vicodin?” Just getting the physical system clean of opiates isn’t “cure” enough: if a person has no greater purpose in life than minimizing pain, there’s no real reason not to return to addiction as soon as life gets tough.
Some 27 million people worldwide suffer from addiction to opiates, including Vicodin. Fewer than one in ten get effective treatment. As many as 118,000 people a year die from the effects of opiate addiction. Many of these started with a legitimate prescription, or with otherwise seeking a solution to a legitimate problem.
Just as with finding lasting solutions to any problem, recovery from Vicodin addiction doesn’t come from a “quick fix” and quick return to business as usual. It comes from knowing one’s own values and purpose. It comes from being willing to work hard for what matters. It comes from tackling problems proactively.
And, frequently, it comes from setting aside easy, pop-a-pill “solutions” and making major life changes.
For related information on detoxing from Vicodin and other opiates, and for general information on opiate addiction, see the following articles:
Addiction to Oxycodone, Hydrocodone and Other Opiates: Warning Signs, Effects and Stats
Prescription Opiate Detox: What to Expect From Withdrawal and Recovery
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