An Overview of the Signs of Vicodin Addiction
Vicodin® (
hydrocodone/APAP) is a prescription pain medication. As a narcotic, it is a highly desired drug of abuse. However, signs of Vicodin addiction may be difficult to distinguish from other problems, such as inadequate pain control or mental illness.
Common Vicodin Addiction Signs
Most healthcare providers that prescribe or dispense Vicodin watch for certain signs of addiction, such as:
- "Doctor shopping," which is seeing several different healthcare providers to obtain Vicodin prescriptions or switching from one provider to another
- Going through a Vicodin prescription too quickly
- Repeated reports of losing a prescription, having a prescription stolen, or needing a prescription early to go on vacation
- Having a specific "favorite" narcotic drug (such as Vicodin), and nothing else will do (or reporting "allergies" to all other alternatives).
Friends and family can also keep an eye out for other signs that may indicate Vicodin addiction, such as:
- Secluded behavior, often needing to spend large amounts of time alone
- Stealing, lying, or other dishonest behavior
- An unexplainable lack of money
- Changes in social circles, such as abandoning good friends and replacing them with new ones
- Unexplained changes in mood or behaviors.
There are also physical symptoms of Vicodin addiction, but these are nearly impossible to distinguish from the normal symptoms of simple Vicodin dependence, which will occur with all cases of long-term
Vicodin use, including legitimate, nonabusive Vicodin use.
Is It Vicodin Addiction or Something Else?
People whose pain is not adequately controlled often display signs that mimic
Vicodin addiction. For instance, if your prescription is not strong enough for your pain, you may display unusual changes in behavior due to the pain, or you may take your Vicodin more frequently than prescribed. If you feel your pain is not adequately controlled, please discuss this with your healthcare provider. However, many people start down the slippery slope of Vicodin addiction by using inadequate pain control as an excuse.
Mental illness can also cause symptoms that mimic signs of Vicodin addiction.
Final Thoughts on Vicodin Addiction Signs
It is often difficult to tell if a loved one has a problem with Vicodin addiction. If you suspect that a friend or family member is struggling with Vicodin addiction, please seek help. Your loved one's healthcare provider is a good place to start. It is okay for you to contact the healthcare provider to let him or her know about your concerns, although this person probably cannot discuss any of the details of your loved one's medical care with you due to confidentiality laws. Also, a local rehabilitation center can provide you with other local services or healthcare providers that may be of use in such situations.
