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It makes life "sweet and smooth", but you can still get to work on it, and do your job just fine.
The pill is Vicodin, an unglamorous enough sounding painkiller, and you can get it from your doctor if you live in the States. And it's so big right now that rap singer Eminem has one tattooed on his arm. Indeed "Vike", as it's known, is, according to singer and actress Courtney Love herself no stranger to mind-altering substances , "the new LSD - lead singer's drug". They'll tell you it's not addictive, provided you follow your doctor's orders.
According to Laura Bradbard, from America's Food and Drug Administration, Vicodin is prescribed for moderate to severe pain, after, say, surgery.
One of the most common problems with Vicodin is that withdrawal symptoms can set in after reducing your dose even slightly or waiting a bit. One night I was with people, and someone crushed up some Vicodin pills to snort them. I wasn't interested, but they worked on me for a while.
But if you follow your doctor's instructions, the right dosage of Vicodin is, she says, harmless. Sadly, as rather publicly demonstrated by the likes of Melanie Griffith and Friends star Matthew Perry, many, many people do not follow their doctor's orders.
Perry was first prescribed Vicodin, which is closely related to heroin, after he hurt himself in a snowmobile accident. Griffith says she took the drug because of a sore neck. Both ended up in rehab.
Clearly then, Vikes are extremely addictive for some people. You hear stories about people gobbling up to 80, which can't be good. It has become such an abused drug that places like the Waismann Institute in Beverly Hills advertise special Vicodin detox programmes.
Unlike with heroin and cocaine, there isn't such a stigma attached to getting hooked on prescription drugs, however. While everyone tuts and sniffs at Robert Downey Jr's junkie antics, the plight of Griffith or Perry is cast in a rather more innocent "how did it happen to me? Griffith, uniquely, was happy to share her experience of detox with her fans on her website, describing how she "detoxed like a junkie". And Griffith and Perry are certainly not alone in their addiction to a prescription drug.
In Britain it is estimated that about a third of the adult population are now taking anti-depressants, painkillers or sleeping pills in some form. The specifics of this kind of drug abuse are understandably elusive. While Vicodin is not available in Britain unless you manage to order it over the net, or have a fancy private doctor, of course , other prescription drugs can be just as addictive.
Whether you choose an inpatient or outpatient program, you may opt to go through the process of detox and withdrawal on a residential basis, where licensed medical personnel can help you get through the process with as little pain as possible.
Once you have decided on the type of program, you will need to figure out the best length of stay. Typically, longer stays are associated with better outcomes.
Most treatment programs follow a standard program that includes:. Many people in recovery will benefit from an aftercare program that incorporates continued therapy in a group or individual setting and participation in support groups. It will also address any professional, legal, medical or financial issues that may have arisen due to your Vicodin abuse. You don't have to make these decisions alone. Treatment admissions specialists are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days per week to help guide you through this process.
Get help today at Who Answers? These Vicodin facts and statistics paint a picture of the problems of abuse in the United States:. For many teens, it is easier to steal Vicodin from their parents' medicine cabinet than it is to purchase alcohol.
If you suspect that your teen is abusing Vicodin, we can help. Call Who Answers?
Vicodin Abuse question 1 Signs and Symptoms…. For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, the DrugAbuse. Our helpline is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. Finding the perfect treatment is only one phone call away! Thinking About Getting Rehab?
Pregnant women who abuse hydrocodone, Lortab, or Vicodin are at increased risk for causing adverse outcomes in the newborn, including It will relax you, and make you happy. Cyanosis blue tint to lips and fingernails. Find Fast What Is Hydrocodone? This is especially important if you have a personal or family history of addiction. The best candidates for outpatient therapy are those who have a strong support network at home, consisting of friends and family. In , an estimated 82, emergency department visits were associated with hydrocodone use.
National Library of Medicine lists Vicodin overdose symptoms as: Hypotension low blood pressure. Cyanosis blue tint to lips and fingernails. Last updated on November 25, T Davie , FL Atlantic City , NJ AdCare Rhode Island, Portsmouth. Portsmouth , RI