Vicodin Addiction Symptoms

Watch out for these Vicodin addiction symptoms!

Vicodin is a narcotic which is prescribed for patients with acute or chronic pain. Perhaps you've been prescribed Vicodin by your dentist following a root canal or tooth extraction. Usually, the physician prescribes a limited number of pills to relieve the pain until healing of the tissues occurs. Sometimes, your physician may prescribe Vicodin for a chronic condition, such as arthritis. However, prescriptions for Vicodin to relieve chronic pain are usually strictly monitored, in order to prevent addiction.

While very effective for use in either short-term, acute pain, such as that you experience with a dental extraction, and chronic pain, the danger of becoming addicted is more often associated with long term use. When you take Vicodin for just a few days, as prescribed, the pain abates and you no longer need or desire the medication.

The problem arises in cases of long term use. When your doctor prescribes Vicodin for daily pain management, it's important that you adhere to the amount prescribed. Some people begin to 'self-prescribe' by taking more than called for in the doctor's instructions.

Because Vicodin is an opiate, you're courting addiction by taking such risks. This drug is intended to manage the pain, but some people decide that the prescribed dosage is no longer doing the job and begin to take more. Ironically, Vicodin addiction symptoms can become worse than the condition you suffer!

With increased dosages and continued use, you'll notice some of the following common Vicodin addiction symptoms. You may feel dizzy at times, develop skin rashes and suffer from nausea and constipation. If you have such symptoms, chances are that you are now addicted.

If you experience these initial symptoms of Vicodin addiction, it's time to have a chat with your doctor! Physicians are well aware of the dangers of Vicodin addiction. Just explain that you began taking additional doses because the prescribed dose wasn't doing the job. They will help you to safely reduce the dosage and perhaps prescribe a different medication.

Without correction, additional Vicodin addiction symptoms make you feel even worse. You may often feel confused, with instances of irregular heartbeat. With severe Vicodin abuse, hallucinations may occur.

You don't want to simply stop your medication altogether. You'll then probably experience withdrawal symptoms, such as pain in the bones and muscles, insomnia, vomiting and diarrhea.

Although Vicodin is a useful and effective agent for certain conditions, it's unwise to use it any longer than necessary. Just because your prescription says, 'Take twice daily as needed', does not mean that you must. If you don't need it, don't take it. You may have days when you must take it twice, while on other days you'll do fine with only one or even none.

If you start to feel that the prescribed dose is not adequate, give your doctor a call. Vicodin addiction is bad news!