Vicodin Side Effects, Signs, & Symptoms

Short-term effects of Vicodin abuse include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Slowed breathing
• Impaired judgement
• Loss of consciousness
• Drowsiness

The longer you abuse Vicodin, the more health problems this may cause. Because slowed breathing is a short-term effect of the drug, this slowed breathing could lead to organ oxygen deprivation, organ damage, and possible organ failure over an extended period of time.
Long-term effects of Vicodin abuse include:

• Addiction
• Liver problems
• Jaundice
• Increased sensitivity to pain
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability
• Mood changes
• Memory problems
• Seizures
• Blurred vision

• Seizure
• Unconsciousness
• Coma
• Slowed breathing
• Slowed heart rate
• Confusion
• Sweating
• Liver failure
• Jaundice
• Cold or clammy skin
• Blue fingers and lips
• Vomiting

Vicodin overdose is a serious medical emergency. If you notice any of these signs in another person, call 911 immediately.

Some of the most common interactions include:

• Vicodin and Alcohol – Drinking while taking Vicodin can be extremely dangerous to a person’s liver health because both alcohol and acetaminophen, one of the main ingredients in Vicodin, are both metabolized through the liver. Each drug can cause liver injury and liver failure when abused alone; when used in tandem, the consequences on the liver could turn deadly.
• Vicodin and Adderall – There is little research on combining Adderall and Vicodin, although their effects oppose each other as Adderall is meant to encourage focus and Vicodin can cause drowsiness and inability to concentrate. Ask your doctor before combining these two medications.

In order to determine the severity of a Vicodin addiction, seek the help of a mental health professional who adheres to the standards set in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This body of information, which is updated once every few years, is the authority on mental illness in America. Professionals use it to diagnose and better understand substance use disorders and other psychiatric problems.

The latest version of the DSM lists 11 criteria to define opioid use disorder (such as level of use, tolerance, uncontrollable cravings, and others). Severity of addiction is based on how many of those criteria a person meets. The current severity breakdown is as follows:

• Mild addiction – 2–3 criteria met
• Moderate addiction – 4–5 criteria met
• Severe addiction – 6+ criteria met

Because there is a right and wrong way to go about staging an intervention, you may benefit from the help of a professional interventionist. This person has lots of experience helping families and friends communicate with one another and reach the common goal of getting a loved one to the best rehab center for their needs.