Vicodin is a drug medication prescribed for pain management, especially after surgery. This combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen can provide relief to the patients for up to six hours. Just like any other opioid pain relieving medication, Vicodin can be addictive and some people build up a tolerance after a long period of its consumption. This means that they take either larger doses of this drug or take it just compulsively even if there is no need for it, which eventually leads to physical dependence. When they try to stop its usage, withdrawal symptoms will make the abstinence phase worse.

Therefore, whenever it apparently seems like that you or your relative, family member or friend has developed an addiction tendency for this drug, it is necessary to seek Vicodin addiction treatment. Treating this addiction is very important for you because its regular or overconsumption is harmful to your liver and may also cause some allergic reactions. Here, we will discuss the withdrawal symptoms caused by Vicodin and how long they exist.

Vicodin Withdrawal Symptoms

Its withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of other opioid pain medications. Some of them are enlisted here:

• Individuals start to experience psychological changes such as irritation, confusion, anxiety and mood swings.
• There are some changes in appetite, for instance, reduced hunger and increased craving for the drug.
• Its users also face problems related to sleep like exhaustion, restlessness, sleeplessness and insomnia.
• Cold symptoms are frequently experienced such as runny nose, sweating, chills, fever and nasal congestion.
• Other severe symptoms include tremors, nausea, enlarged pupils, vomiting, sweating, diarrhea, excessive salivation, goosebumps, rapid breathing, cramps or muscle aches.

Average Timeline for Vicodin Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms of Vicodin usually disappear by themselves in around 7 to 10 days. However, in some cases, certain symptoms like psychological symptoms can last for weeks or even months. This is not all. Like many drug addictions, an individual may develop cravings for Vicodin even after several years of quitting it. Its half life is about 4 hours, so this drug gets out of your system after about 8 hours. Once this drug leaves your body completely, its withdrawal symptoms may start to appear.

Its withdrawal process varies from one person to another and it’s difficult to estimate the timeline for every person correctly.

Some people also experience PAWS – post acute withdrawal symptoms. This syndrome may last for weeks or months and meanwhile, the individual also suffers other kinds of withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, it makes the detox psychologically more difficult to endure and therefore, the individuals who suffer from PAWS are generally recommended for inpatient Vicodin addiction treatment to provide 24 hours treatment, support and care in order to prevent relapse.

To help patients fight the psychological withdrawal symptoms, therapies, special care and support from nurses and other staff members are required as it can radically help the detox process of patients.

Need any assistance related to drug abuse and drug addiction? Make sure that you approach an established drug treatment center where experienced and knowledgeable doctors are assigned for consultation, treatment and support.