Symptoms of Addiction to Vicodin

Vicodin is a narcotic medication that is prescribed as a painkiller. Because Vicodin is an opiate like heroin, people can develop a strong emotional and physical dependence to the drug. In fact, the drug's mood-changing effect can keep abusers in denial of the severe problem of their addiction.

Function

• Vicodin is a combination of hydrocodone (synthetic codeine) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). These work together to treat moderate to moderately severe pain due to illness or injury.

Potential

• Vicodin can cause a person to feel dizzy and nauseous and to have heart irregularities. The user may have a sense of euphoria or a numbness and forgetfulness, which he welcomes as he easily becomes addicted.

Symptoms

• A Vicodin addict can have skin problems--such as hives, facial swelling, rashes-- hallucinations, confusion and vision problems. The user will eventually lose control of bodily functions, lapse into a coma, and die from severe addiction, in some cases.

Vicodin Consumption

• The body of a Vicodin addict builds a tolerance to the medication and he will begin to increase the number of pills taken daily. An addict may take more than 100 pills a day, which puts his mental and physical health in danger.

Warning

• An in-tune family member will notice differences in the Vicodin abuser, such as unexplained mood changes and odd behavior, including seclusion. Lying, stealing, abandoning relationships, constant lack of money and making new, questionable friends are all warning signs of an addiction.