[ChihuahuaMomma]

I have a friend that says that she is addicted to vicodin... Is this possible? I've taken it after surgery and it never helped me, so why is it that she is addicted to them? :eek:

[Clough]

I did find the following from Vicodin Addiction, Vicodin Addiction Treatment, Vicodin Withdrawal

At least that may be one source for you. Hopefully, others will come along and add their own advice also. So, I would advise taking the information below with a "grain of salt" until you get some further information on this thread and also from some real professionals with whom you can meet and speak with in person.

Vicodin Addiction

Vicodin addiction is an extremely powerful disease that affects the lives of many Americans each year; however, with proper treatment vicodin addiction can be overcome. In recent years prescription drug abuse and addiction has been on the rise but denial around the issue of addiction also continues to persist. Vicodin addiction is the obsessive-compulsive misuse of a mood-altering drug. In this sense, misuse means using the drug without the authorization of a medical profession, or using the drug when it is no longer needed as prescribed. Vicodin addiction can have devastating effects on a person's mind and body.

Prescription drug addiction, and vicodin addiction in particular, is very problematic since originally the drugs were prescribed by a doctor. In many cases people who have become addicted to vicodin are in denial that they have a problem and they rationalize their use by saying things like, "I'm taking it for the pain", or "the doctor said I could take a few extra". Vicodin produces a euphoric feeling, relaxing both the physical body and the mind, as well as relieving pain. Vicodin addiction is extremely common among prescription drug users, most likely because it is readily prescribed for many different types of pain problems.

Some prescription drug users do not intend to get hooked on the medicine, but when their prescription runs out they begin to obsess about how they are going to obtain more and more of the drug. Vicodin addicts find that they cannot longer function normally without the drug and that even though the pain is gone, vicodin produces an effect in them that they feel they cannot live without. People suffering from vicodin addiction start looking to outside sources for more prescriptions and are willing to go to great lengths to get more drugs.

Vicodin addiction is often seen a less serious condition than addiction to illicit street drugs or alcohol. This is because vicodin is prescribed by a physician and also because vicodin is not seen as causing the same negative problems as other drugs. This misconception often leads vicodin addicts and their loved ones to believe that they do not need to seek treatment.

All mind altering substances affect the way that the brain functions, and in the case of vicodin, the brain stops producing chemicals like endorphins. Because the brain has stopped producing these essential chemicals, the body feels that it is unable to function without the use of the drug. A person who suffers from vicodin addiction has become dependent upon the drug and will go into withdrawal and cravings if he/she cannot acquire anymore.

Vicodin addiction affects the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of a person's life. In addition, vicodin addiction can tear apart families, ruin relationships and leave lives in shambles without proper vicodin rehab. Many people who are addicted to vicodin want to stop but find that they are unable to live without the drug. By understanding the devious nature of vicodin addiction, helping yourself or someone you love is a much easier task.

Freedom from vicodin addiction is possible. Seeking drug abuse treatment is the best course of action for anyone who has a problem with drugs or alcohol. During the initial phase of vicodin addiction treatment, the addict will undergo the detoxification process, to cleanse the physical body of the drug and make the person ready for further treatment. The treatment program will give the addict tools and resources to live without the use of vicodin.

[ChihuahuaMomma]

1. Stop stalking my posts... lol... you know I'm just kidding... you're always helpful..

2. WOW, I really didn't know that it was that serious or that there were that many people that suffered from it.

3. Thank you for the links and posted information.

[Clough]

There is also the following search that you might want to try.

Vicodin Addiction - Google Search

[ChihuahuaMomma]

I will do that, thank you.

[Clough]

1. Stop stalking my posts...lol...you know I'm just kidding...you're always helpful..

2. WOW, I really didn't know that it was that serious or that there were that many people that suffered from it.

3. Thank you for the links and posted information.

Stalking? Gosh! I guess that I'll just go hide myself now! :(

Of course, you know that the best thing that you could be doing with finding information with anybody about this subject is someone whom you know for sure is a professional in this area, such as a physician or pharmacist and maybe certain others in like professions. And, that you can speak with them personally about it. Not just in some sort of electronic communication like we are right now without really knowing the qualifications of the person with whom you are communicating.

Correct?

We can get all of the information that we want from the Internet. But, the bottom line is, it is best to be hearing information about these sort of medical things from "the horses mouth" so to speak.

[ChihuahuaMomma]

This is true...

I will ask my doctor when I go see him in Jan... hope he doesn't think I'm talking about myself.

[Clough]

This is true...

I will ask my doctor when I go see him in Jan....hope he doesn't think I'm talking about myself.

Yeah, I know what you mean. We hear it here a lot!

"Well, Doc...well, you see, I've got this friend...um...and, well... you know, she...now I want you to know that I'm not describing anything about myself, okay?...Okay? It's just that this friend of mine, well she... uh" :) :p

[ChihuahuaMomma]

LOL... I know... And I HAVE used that method before too... some things are just too embarrassing to ask your doctor at a certain age..

[N0help4u]

She is most likely taking high dosages and possibly taking them with other drugs.
I have a lot of friends and neighbors that are addicted to whatever all they can get their hands on and vicodin is one of the things they take with abusing other 'scripts, alcohol, weed, crack and other things.
Also one of my best friends that died was an alcoholic and heroin addict. I was taking Tylenol with codeine from the dentist and it didn't do a thing for me and I rarely take medicines so you would think it would have hit me harder. He took one for some pain and it put him to sleep for the night. So a lot has to do with your own bodies tolence/immuness to certain drugs.

[ChihuahuaMomma]

It wasn't just pain from the dentist, I had five teeth pulled...

And I know that is the only thing that she is abusing, she drinks maybe once a month that's it... Thank you though.

[lovelesspa]

It's really easy for anyone to become dependent on any drug. Everyone has different reasons for the use of drugs, medical or just to get high, as well as different tolerances, what affects her, doesn't work for you. All drugs have the capacity to produce physical as well as psycological dependence, addiction is considered any behavior motivated by emotions ranging from craving to compulsion with continued use in spite of bad consequences and it eventually leads to loss of control. Physical addiction is when your body gets dependent on a substance, if you don't get it or enough of it, the outcome is you experience withdrawal. Physchological addiction is when the craving for a drug is phychological or emotional, the person is overcome with desire to get the drug of choice at any cost. At any rate, she can be addicted and it's serious, so if there's any way to reach her, try and make her understand how dangerous this drug is.