Vicodin Addiction

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Vicodin Addiction

Needless to say that Vicodin addiction is a crisis growing up in the United States. While you may see that illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine may be the talk in the headlines, you miss the fact that Vicodin addiction is a real problem as

concerning as the illegal drugs are. That said, the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration believes that Vicodin could be the most abused drug in the whole country. Let’s see this shocking statistics to illustrate what I’m saying, in the last ten years alone, the use of Vicodin has increased four times! But this is not all, emergency rooms are reporting now an increase of 500 percent from visits of those abusing from Vicodin!

While Vicodin can produce calm, even an euphoric state just like heroin or morphine, it is a narcotic which even though I will offer an incredible solution to pain relief, the truth is that Vicodin addiction is becoming a serious addiction problem. Lets review Vicodin in its pure content, pure hydrocodone, the narcotic present in Vicodin, is a schedule II substance which is closely controlled with restricted use.  Now very few prescription drugs are made of pure hydrocodone, usually they are made with a percentage of hydrocodone mixed with other narcotics to make prescription drugs like Vicodin and Lortab. This basically permit them as schedule III whit few restriction and limitations of its use and distribution.

One thing to consider here is the fact that like Vicodin, there are about 200 other prescription drugs based on hydrocodone which is regulated by state and federal law, but not closely regulated like powerful painkiller on the market. This means the high cases of abuse and severe addiction of this drug. You can find Vicodin tablets easily for $2 to $10 and 8oz bottles for $20 to $40.

Medical experts had confirm that addiction or dependency of Vicodin can occur from one to four weeks of consuming high doses, of course this is subject to individual experiences but it is an average.

Structurally talking, Vicodin is almost related to codeine and equal in strength to morphine when producing effects like opiate does. The very first report of Vicodin addiction was known to be around 1961 in the U.S.

I would like to give you some interesting data regarding Vicodin addiction. The ease of acquisition and the presumed idea of safety of use of Vicodin has affected all ages and ethnic groups. Statistics shows that it is most  likely to find Vicodin addiction abusers between the ages of 20-40 old, white, female using the drug as dependency or because she wants to commit suicide. But deaths from Vicodin addiction has been recorded to be affected by all ages and ethnic groups of both sex.

Now lets see some examples of some severe Vicodin addictions:

An estimated 7 million dosage units were diverted in 1994 and over 11 million in 1997. In 1998 there were over 56 million new prescriptions written for hydrocodone products like Vicodin and by 2000 there were over 89 million. From 1990 the average consumption nationwide has increased by 300%. In the same period there has been a 500% increase in the number of Emergency Department visits attributed to Vicodin abuse with 19,221 visits estimated in 2000.
In 1997, there were over 1.3 million Vicodin tablets seized and analyzed by the DEA laboratory system.

Vicodin addiction has many side effects, Vicodin has been compared to morphine as a pain killer, however now its known that a dose of 15mg of Vicodin is equivalent to 10mg of morphine. Some of Vicodin side effects are as follow:

addiction
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives)
anxiety
blood in stool or vomit
bruising
cold, clammy skin
constipation
decreased appetite
decreased mental and physical performance
decreased sex drive
difficulty breathing
difficulty urinating
dizziness
drowsiness
dry throat
diarrhea
difficulty swallowing or breathing
dry mouth
emotional dependence
exaggerated feeling of depression
extreme calm (sedation)
exaggerated sense of well-being or fear
gas
headache
hoarseness
indigestion
itching
lightheadedness
mental clouding
mood changes
nausea
muscle twitches
rash
restlessness
ringing in the ears
sedation
seizures
severe weakness or dizziness
shortness of breath
slow, weak breathing
sluggishness
tightness in chest
stomach cramps
stomach pain
sweating
swelling of hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, tongue, or ankles
tiredness
unconsciousness
unusual fatigue
vomiting
yellowing of the skin or eyes

please have in mind that these side effects are not limited. If you ever experience any of the above effects please get yourself checked with a doctor to take the appropriate care. Vicodin addiction can be overcome and it can stop ruining your life. I hope this information has been of any help to you or a love one, good luck.

Al Castillo

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