Vicodin is one of the most widely prescribed painkillers and, unfortunately, one of the most frequently abused. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), approximately 7 million Americans use prescription medications for non-medical reasons. If taken properly, Vicodin is an effective treatment for pain, but because Vicodin is an opiate-based drug, misuse can become dangerous. Someone who may innocently begin taking Vicodin to treat an injury or chronic pain can quickly slide into accidental addiction and dependency.
If you or someone you love is caught in the grip of Vicodin addiction, a Vicodin rehab center can help break the addiction’s powerful hold and return your life back to you. Here’s what you can expect from a California Vicodin rehab center.
California Vicodin Rehab Centers: Detox
The first step of Vicodin rehabilitation is to enter a detoxification program. Vicodin is an opiate that’s derived from the same chemical base as heroin. Just like heroin withdrawal, Vicodin withdrawal can be painful and difficult. During the detox process, the individual will be safely monitored and treated for withdrawal symptoms as the body is rid of all the harmful toxins left behind from the opiate abuse. The intensity of Vicodin withdrawal depends on the degree of addiction. The most common Vicodin withdrawal symptoms are flu-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, aching limbs, sweating, runny nose, goose bumps and agitation.
The entire detox period will be supervised by trained medical personnel who will monitor your withdrawal and make sure you are safe and as comfortable as possible. Individuals who are severely dependent may be given detox medications to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
California Vicodin Rehab Centers: Treatment
After detox, treating the mental addiction to Vicodin can begin. Even when the addict wants to be sober, the mind will tell the addict it needs more Vicodin in order to function, so the most effective treatment for Vicodin addiction is a comprehensive approach that addresses not only the physical effects of the Vicodin addiction, but the psychological effects as well. A comprehensive approach that combines behavioral therapy, individual counseling, 12-Step support, drug testing, dual diagnosis and positive reinforcement has been shown to be the most effective way to reduce Vicodin abuse. Some California Vicodin rehabilitation centers will also introduce holistic therapies such as yoga, acupuncture and equine therapies to help you reconnect your body, mind and spirit — all areas that are damaged by addiction.
California Vicodin Rehab Centers: Residential and Sober Living
When seeking treatment for Vicodin addiction, it is often best to receive care at a residential treatment center and continue your first few months of recovery at a California sober living facility.
There are many benefits of residential treatment, but perhaps the biggest benefit is that it provides a structured environment that’s free of temptations, distraction and access to Vicodin so that the mental addiction can be broken. Residential treatment for Vicodin addiction provides round-the-clock care and support to help you focus on your recovery and teach you the skills needed to live a drug-free life. It also provides a temporary escape from the daily stresses and responsibilities of home, work, family and other relationships so you can solely focus on recovery.
Sober living is often a good follow-up to any effective California Vicodin rehabilitation center. It allows you to live in a clean, sober environment so that you can re-learn how to live a life without drugs and alcohol during the delicate first months of recovery. Sober living is often recommended for people who have just completed residential treatment and are at risk for relapsing if they return home.
If Vicodin addiction has a hold of your life or the life of a loved one, a California Vicodin rehabilitation center can finally set you free. Call one today and start the healing process.
About the author
