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By Orlando Recovery Center
The Orlando Recovery Center Drug and Alcohol Rehab aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or… read more
About our Editorial Team
Editor Jonathan Strum
Jonathan Strum graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with a… read more
Medically Reviewed By Elizabeth Cambria, PharmD
Elizabeth Cambria, PharmD is a licensed, registered pharmacist and certified pharmacist immunizer. She is a 2004 graduate of the… read more
Updated on 02/25/22
If you are in an immediate emergency, call 911. If you are looking for more information on substance abuse treatment and it is not a medical emergency, call our 24/7 Vicodin Helpline at 407-680-1226.
Vicodin is a prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is a brand-name drug that combines the opioid hydrocodone and acetaminophen, an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Due to the opioid found in the medication, Vicodin is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. Schedule II controlled substances have a high potential for abuse and addiction despite medical uses.
Table of Contents
Vicodin Withdrawal
People who are prescribed Vicodin should use it exactly as instructed to lower the risk of dangerous side effects like addiction. According to the DEA, addiction is the continued use of a drug that causes a loss of self-control or danger to a person’s health and safety. Opioids can also cause physical dependence to develop.
Hydrocodone and other opioids work by binding to opioid receptor sites in the central nervous system. Opioids change the production, level and functionality of feel-good neurotransmitters such as dopamine. With repeated exposure to the drug, the central nervous system starts depending on the presence of hydrocodone to function normally. If someone with dependence stops taking hydrocodone suddenly, their central nervous system will struggle to readjust. This often results in uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Even if someone takes Vicodin exactly as prescribed, they can have symptoms of withdrawal when they stop using the medication. Doctors will often recommend that patients slowly taper down their Vicodin dosage rather than stopping “cold turkey,” which involves ending substance use abruptly. A slow taper helps to decrease symptoms of Vicodin withdrawal.
Vicodin Withdrawal Symptoms
Vicodin withdrawal symptoms can vary in their severity. Some people may experience mild side effects of Vicodin withdrawal, while others may have severe symptoms. Factors that play a role in the severity of Vicodin withdrawal symptoms include:
- How long someone has been using Vicodin
- The dose someone typically takes
- Whether other substances are also being used
- Underlying mental or physical health concerns
Vicodin withdrawal symptoms can occur after long-term Vicodin use is stopped. Early withdrawal symptoms can begin as early as eight hours after the last dose, with late symptoms lasting as long as four to 14 days.
Early Vicodin withdrawal symptoms include:
- Yawning
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Muscle aches and pains
- Insomnia
Late Vicodin withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Goosebumps and shivering
- Dilated pupils
- Loss of appetite
- Depression
- Cravings for the medication
Vicodin Withdrawal Home Remedies
Home remedies for Vicodin withdrawal include over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements and behavior changes. These may be helpful to decrease withdrawal symptoms, and they can be used in addition to medications prescribed by a medical professional for Vicodin detox.
Home remedies should be discussed with a licensed medical professional before starting. Common remedies include:
- Ibuprofen: This over-the-counter pain medication can help reduce muscle aches and pains that may occur during Vicodin detox.
- Imodium: This antidiarrheal is available in most drugstores and can help control diarrhea associated with Vicodin withdrawal.
- Melatonin: This herbal supplement helps with insomnia that can occur during Vicodin withdrawal.
- St. John’s Wort: This herbal supplement can reduce several symptoms of Vicodin withdrawal, such as shaking, diarrhea, insomnia and depression.
- Sleep: Improving sleep habits by starting a relaxing bedtime routine or sleeping in a cool, dark environment can help reduce insomnia caused by Vicodin withdrawal.
- Diet changes: Avoiding greasy, fried foods and sticking to a bland diet can help decrease nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps that may occur during Vicodin withdrawal. Examples of bland, easy-to-digest foods include bananas, rice, apples, crackers and toast. Decreasing the amount of caffeine used and drinking more water can help to hydrate the body and reduce anxiety and irritability.
All at-home remedies should be reviewed for possible interactions with prescription medications and medical conditions. Vicodin detox should be done slowly and with the help of a medical professional to decrease the risk and severity of withdrawal symptoms. The safest way to detox from Vicodin is with a medically supervised detox program under the care of licensed professionals.
Vicodin Detox
People typically must complete a detox process before beginning addiction treatment at a rehab facility. During Vicodin detox, the body eliminates the drug from its system. Many people opt to go through Vicodin detox in a professional medical setting. Some treatment centers, including Orlando Recovery Center, include a medical detox as part of their rehab services.
Medical detox provides around-the-clock medical care to help manage withdrawal symptoms, which creates a better chance of long-term recovery. The detox process is individualized based on the needs of the person struggling with addiction and can vary in length.
Medical professionals develop a detailed, individualized detox plan after initial intake and evaluation. Appropriate treatments and medical monitoring for comfort and safety are included in the detox plan based on the patient’s needs. Detox from opioids like Vicodin often involves medication-assisted treatment to help manage withdrawal symptoms. When detox is complete, patients may transition into an inpatient or outpatient rehab program.
Vicodin Withdrawal Medications
Certain prescription medications may be used during an opioid detox program. Some medications can help prevent or reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, while others can help prevent relapse. Medications that might be used as part of a Vicodin detox program can include:
- Methadone: It is available as part of a medication-assisted detox program to prevent opioid withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.
- Buprenorphine: It can manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings during detox and can be used as long-term maintenance treatment in some cases.
- Clonidine: The medication is used to reduce symptoms like anxiety, agitation and muscle aches.
- Naltrexone: It can reduce the risk of relapse.
- Lofexidine: It is a non-opioid medication intended to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Along with administering medications for opioid withdrawal, doctors and nurses will monitor the patient’s vitals. Medical detox provides a high level of care, and it can be an effective way to reduce the risk of relapse and overdose.
Vicodin Detox Timeline
Although everyone’s detox experience will be unique, Vicodin detox typically follows a general timeline:
- Within 24 hours: Most people experience Vicodin withdrawal symptoms within the first 24 hours after they use the last dose of the drug. These early symptoms may be mild and feel like having a cold or the flu.
- The first three days: During the first three days, many people will go through peak symptoms of Vicodin withdrawal. These symptoms can include abdominal cramping, muscle aches and pains, insomnia, anxiety, depression, nausea or vomiting.
- Within one week: For most people who go through Vicodin detox, symptoms will start to dissipate within a week. At this point, addiction treatment can begin.
Vicodin Addiction Treatment in Orlando, Florida
If you or someone you love is struggling with Vicodin addiction or dependence, the Orlando Recovery Center can help. Our licensed and accredited facility offers a full continuum of care provided by a multidisciplinary team of addiction experts and medical professionals. Utilizing a full continuum of care, we can help you throughout the entire recovery process — from intake and medical detox to long-term aftercare.
Treatment programs and services available at the Orlando Recovery Center include:
- Medical detox
- Inpatient/residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient services
- Outpatient care
- Aftercare services
- Teletherapy programs
- Individual and group therapy
- Family and couples counseling
- Nutritional counseling and dietary planning
- Life skills training
- Fitness therapy
- Case management
We also offer a wide variety of amenities that clients can enjoy during their rehab stay, such as:
- A swimming pool
- Fully equipped exercise gym
- Basketball and sand volleyball courts
- Yoga, art and life-skills therapy options
- Designated smoking areas
- Lakefront views
- Off-site field trips
If you’re ready to begin the process of Vicodin addiction recovery, help is available at the Orlando Recovery Center. Contact us today to learn more about detox programs and addiction treatment services that can work well for your situation.
Get Help at the Orlando Recovery Center
Addiction can be challenging to overcome, especially without professional help. The Orlando Recovery Center provides comprehensive rehab programs that can help you achieve long-term recovery.
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The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.