Vicodin Withdrawal and Detox
If you are struggling with Vicodin addiction, deciding to quit this drug will positively benefit your life in countless ways. But before you can reap the full benefits of recovery, you must go through the detoxification phase, a physically and mentally challenging yet critical first step. While uncomfortable at first, Vicodin detox will help your body rid itself of all traces of the drug so you can start on the path to a healthy life without the crutch of harmful substances.
If you’ve never attempted rehab care before, a medically assisted detox program is the perfect place to start. You’ll want to look for an accredited drug, alcohol and Vicodin detox center in your area, or one within a reasonable traveling distance, to start this process. The Recovery Village serves each area of the country, with detox programs in Florida, Ohio, Washington, Colorado and more states. Your Vicodin detox will be handled by a team of addiction experts, clinicians and counselors who can work to make the process as comfortable as possible so you can start recovery on the right foot. To learn more about a detox program near you for Vicodin addiction, call The Recovery Village today.
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To ease the pain of withdrawal and monitor your health, many addiction professionals and doctors recommend undergoing detox in a Vicodin withdrawal program. During detoxification, your body will naturally rid itself of toxins like drugs and alcohol, and this process will probably not be entirely pleasant. As your body weans itself off the drug, you may experience some Vicodin withdrawal symptoms. Common side effects of Vicodin withdrawal include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Muscle aches
- Teary eyes
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Mood shifts
- Jumpiness
- Hostility
- Anxiety
- Depression
With Vicodin addiction, withdrawal symptoms can set in as soon as 12 hours after the last dose. The most common short-term Vicodin withdrawal symptoms will likely be the first ones you experience in detox, the physical discomfort and initial effects of withdrawal starts won’t last forever. These short-term symptoms include:
- Dehydration
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Runny nose
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle aches and cramping
- Mood swings
- Insomnia
After the initial effects of Vicodin withdrawal wear off, some symptoms may linger, and vary depending on the individual. Vicodin addiction is not just a physical issue, it affects your mental well-being in ways you might not realize. For this reason, the unseen withdrawal symptoms are the ones that may last longer than the first few days of detox, and include:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Aggression
- Paranoia
- Mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hyperactivity
Detox is not the same for everyone, and forecasting Vicodin withdrawal timelines can be difficult. On average, it takes eight hours for Vicodin to clear from the body. For some people, detoxing from Vicodin could take days and for others, it may take weeks. Determining the timeline depends in part on how much and how often the individual used Vicodin. Those who take a higher dosage for a longer period of time may experience withdrawal symptoms longer than those who used less of the drug.
Most initial Vicodin withdrawal symptoms set in within the first 24 hours following the last dose, and some may occur only 12 hours afterward. During the first phases of detox, or days one through 3, the withdrawal symptoms will be the most intense. After day three, the individual will start feeling better and should continue to progress past day five. However, each person experiences detox differently, depending on a variety of factors. For many people in treatment, withdrawal symptoms subside after one week, but it’s not unusual for mild side effects to linger longer.
With the right treatment at an accredited rehab center, your withdrawal timeline can be managed with care from medical professionals dedicated to your recovery.
Speak to a Vicodin Intake Coordination Specialist now.
352.771.2700What to expect when I call?Seeking addiction treatment can feel overwhelming. We know the struggle, which is why we're uniquely qualified to help.
Your call is confidential, and there's no pressure to commit to treatment until you're ready. As a voluntary facility, we're here to help you heal -- on your terms. Our sole focus is getting you back to the healthy, sober life you deserve, and we are ready and waiting to answer your questions or concerns 24/7.
Speak with an Intake Coordination Specialist now.352.771.2700To avoid the unpleasantness of withdrawal, it’s best to undergo medical detox in an addiction treatment center or at a Vicodin detox center.
This critical first phase of treatment can take varying amounts of time and include painful symptoms that affect you physically and mentally. During inpatient detox, medical staff will carefully monitor each client 24-hours a day to ensure their stability. Clinical teams will work to mitigate painful withdrawal symptoms as they come, and may administer approved taper medications if medically appropriate. These substances take the place of Vicodin to slowly wean the body off opioid drugs in a safe manner.
Tapering off Vicodin use can be done in several different settings using a variety of techniques. These include:
- Medically Assisted Detox: The most supportive and widely-recommended mode of detox, this level is offered at hospitals and full-service centers like The Recovery Village. Each client receives 24-hour medical care, individual counseling, nutritional support and more.
- Outpatient Detox: A step-down from medical detox in terms of support, outpatient detox can occur at a doctor’s office, medical center or local clinic. Oftentimes treatment may only be offered during business hours at this level, and is not recommended for those with severe Vicodin addiction.
- Holistic Detox: Using no taper medications and offering no clinical support, these programs use alternative therapies and herbal medicines to detoxify the body. Spiritual counseling, acupuncture and yoga may be used in holistic detox.
- Cold-Turkey Detox: While quitting cold turkey may help rid your body of the drug fastest, it may also bring about the worst withdrawal symptoms, and is not advisable for someone who has had a long history of Vicodin addiction.
- At-Home Detox: Detoxing from Vicodin is never safe to do on your own. At-home detoxing can have disastrous consequences and can end in setbacks or worse.
Vicodin withdrawal can be extremely grueling for both the body and mind. This cleansing process is not easy, but it’s a requirement for further recovery. At The Recovery Village, we understand how uncomfortable this first phase of treatment can be. That’s why we offer 24-hour monitoring, nutritional support, individual counseling and more to make your detox as bearable as possible.
In addition to counseling and clinical support, there are some medications doctors may administer to help ease the symptoms of withdrawal from Vicodin. If you undergo this process at a detox clinic or addiction treatment center like The Recovery Village, your doctor may administer taper medications as medically appropriate. These drugs ease the symptoms of withdrawal by tricking the brain into thinking you’re still using Vicodin. This enables the body to wean off Vicodin use in a safe manner. If, how and when these medications are taken will be dictated by your medical team.
It can be overwhelming to consider all the Vicodin withdrawal programs and detox centers located across the country. While there are a variety of options, not all will meet your needs. Some may offer only daytime treatment, others may not staff certified addiction specialists, and many centers cannot offer the level of care you need.
When choosing a Vicodin detox center, it’s important to consider several factors, including:
- Reviews from past and present clients
- Whether or not taper medications are used
- Whether co-occurring disorder counseling is offered
- Insurance coverage
- Estimated length of program
- Are covered by a variety of insurance plans
- Employ taper medications where clinically appropriate
- Offer co-occurring disorder care
- Provide nutritionally balanced meals
- Offer access to healing recreational amenities
- Are located across the country
Mental Health Daily. “Vicodin Withdrawal Symptoms + Duration.” Mental Health Daily, mentalhealthdaily.com/2014/08/04/vicodin-withdrawal-symptoms-duration/. Accessed 24 Jan. 2017.
Roland, James. “Symptoms of Vicodin Withdrawal.” Healthline, 8 Dec. 2016, www.healthline.com/health/symptoms-vicodin-withdrawal#Symptoms2. Accessed 24 Jan. 2017.
Have more questions about Vicodin abuse?
Read the most frequently asked questionsSpeak to a Vicodin Intake Coordination Specialist now.
352.771.2700What to expect when I call?Seeking addiction treatment can feel overwhelming. We know the struggle, which is why we're uniquely qualified to help.
Your call is confidential, and there's no pressure to commit to treatment until you're ready. As a voluntary facility, we're here to help you heal -- on your terms. Our sole focus is getting you back to the healthy, sober life you deserve, and we are ready and waiting to answer your questions or concerns 24/7.
Speak with an Intake Coordination Specialist now.352.771.2700