Today there is a pill for everything. Are you depressed? Take medicine to make you happy. Are you anxious or nervous? Take a pill to relax. Do you want to lose weight and suppress your appetite? You take a diet pill. If you have a condition, illness, or a symptom of any uncomfortable feeling to you, you can get a prescription or an over-the-counter medication, and it’s taken care of at that moment.
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Everyone Has Experienced Pain
We have experienced pain in one form or another. From falling on the playground as a kid or breaking a limb during a hike as an adult, we all have experienced pain. There are, though, two different kinds of pain: acute pain and chronic pain. Severe pain is when you injure yourself, and it can be corrected by seeing a doctor and getting a cast put on for a couple of months, taking some short-term pain meds until the injury is healed.
Acute pain doesn’t last very long, and chronic pain is persistent and can last for more extended periods, weeks, months, or even years. In some cases, there may be no cure, such as from an illness or disease, such as cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
In 2016, an estimated 20.4% of U.S. adults had chronic pain, and 8.0% of U.S. adults had high-impact chronic pain.
Even though chronic pain isn’t always curable, some treatments can help. Such treatments can be drug treatment, such as being prescribed pain relievers by a licensed physician. Some treatments don’t include drugs such as physical therapy, acupuncture, and surgery.
Painkillers Can Lead to Addiction
While painkillers are the quickest and easiest answer to cure pain, they can have their drawbacks. Painkillers, such as Vicodin, OxyContin, and Morphine, successfully reduce the sensitivity to hurt, but they also create a sense of euphoria feeling that some people enjoy and come to crave. People can get addicted and are at a higher risk of an overdose if they don’t take the medication as directed.
When you hear about opioid overdoses, you assume it is because of an illicit drug, heroin, or fentanyl. Still, it is just as easy to overdose on prescription opioids. Vicodin is the most frequently prescribed narcotic painkiller, and Vicodin is a combination of two painkillers: hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
A doctor usually prescribes it after surgery, a tooth removal, or any pain-induced injury, and doctors prescribe the medication for a short period until the pain lessens. While most patients have no problem taking the drug, there is a risk for misuse and risk of overdose, whether by accident or on purpose.
Are People Overdosing on Vicodin?
Just like any drug, there is a chance of overdose when taken other than directed. According to the National Drug Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), Drug overdose deaths involving prescription opioids rose from 3,442 in 1999 to 17,029 in 2017.
If you or a loved one are at risk of a Vicodin overdose, whether by accident or on purpose, there are signs you can look out for:
- Fingernail and lips seem a bluish color
- Slow, shallow breathing
- Cold, clammy skin
- Confusion or dizziness
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pinned pupils
- Weakness
You should seek medical attention right away and follow the health care provider’s direction. Do not take matters into your own hands.
Get the Much Needed Help at Allure Detox
We at Allure Detox understand that prescribed painkillers, such as Vicodin, are a very commonly prescribed and misused drug and can become addictive. If you or a loved one has become addicted and is in fear of an overdose but can’t seem to stop the medication due to dependency, we can help. We are a safe and comfortable Vicodin detox center that follows a medically-assisted approach to relieving painful opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Even if you recently started misusing Vicodin, seeking professional treatment is the best way to break free from Vicodin addiction. If you are looking for a Vicodin detox in West Palm Beach, Florida, for yourself, or for someone you care about, then you need to speak to one of our Vicodin addiction specialists at Allure Detox.