Vicodin is a prescription medication which is given to prevent pain. It is also one of the most commonly abused prescription medications at the moment. Vicodin is a more refined version of opium, and can also be used to create heroin. Vicodin can be used to successfully manage a persons pain, but it is very addictive. There are a number of withdrawal symptoms when stopping, which can be as bad as the pain in the first place.

Vicodin is normally taken in pill form when it is prescribed, however when Vicodin is abused it can be crushed up and then snorted similar to cocaine.

If Vicodin is used for a long period of time then the effects of Vicodin can create long term damage. The first side effects a person may experience are constipation, changes in heart rate, dizziness and sickness. As a person gets addicted to Vicodin the side effects can get worse and result in blurry vision, severe confusion and hallucinations.

The side effects of Vicodin include:
- Lightheadedness
- Sedation
- Constipation
- Sickness
- Respiratory Problem
- Dizziness

Anyone trying to give up their Vicodin addiction may experience the following withdrawal symptoms:

- muscle pain
- sickness
- pain in muscles and bones
- cold flushes
- goose bumps
- panic
- chills
- sweating
- involuntary movement of limbs
- watery eyes and running nose

Sometimes people may continue taking Vicodin for longer than they actually need, because they think that if they stop taking Vicodin then the pain will come back. The fear of being without this precious drug is more than enough to encourage people to continue taking it. As often is the case with an addiction to prescription drug, the abuser may also start to think that they need to take higher doses of Vicodin in order to reduce the same amount of pain.

There are also some people that start by taking Vicodin and then switch to a stronger medication such as oxycontin because they find that Vicodin just isn’t giving them the high that they once had.

Vicodin addiction is quite widespread, in 1999 2.6 million people are thought to be taking this drug even though there is no medical reason to do so. Vicodin is one of the most commonly abused prescription drugs.

Vicodin addiction is a major problem which can affect every aspect of your life, it can cause damage to your social and professional life. It’s not possible to overcome any addictions by yourself, you need professional assistance, you should check yourself into a professional Vicodin rehab center so that you can get the most help and support. You will also need the support of your friends and family.