Is Vicodin addictive?

Whenever there is talk about painkillers, there is talk about addiction and dependency to the medications. It is important to differentiate between addiction and dependency. They are technically the same, but there are also differences that are mostly social in nature. For example, if you start acting shifty, switching doctors in order to get your medication, or even falsifying the prescriptions, then it becomes an addiction and not just dependency to the medication. When we are talking about Vicodin, it has garnered a lot of public attention due to its portrayal in the media. For example, the rapper Eminem has often mentioned his addiction to Vicodin in his songs, and House M.D. also battles with Vicodin addiction for the majority of the series.

These are all reasons why the question of addiction is often asked when Vicodin is in question.In order to better understand the question of dependency and Vicodin we need to explain a thing or two about this painkiller. Namely, Vicodin is in fact a compound drug which is comprised of two medications: hydrocodone and paracetamol (acetaminophen). Hydrocodone is an opioid, a semi-synthetic opioid that is derived synthetically out of naturally-occurring opiates such as codeine and thebaine. The second medication in Vicodin is paracetamol, also an analgesic but which has no connection to opiates and which is less potent than hydrocodone. It is included in Vicodin both to potentiate the analgesic properties of hydrocodone, but also to deter people from overusing Vicodin.The potential for dependency to Vicodin comes from hydrocodone.

Namely, as all opiates and opioids, hydrocodone as well acts on the central nervous system and thus can also produce a feeling of euphoria. Also, it can alleviate mood and get rid of anxiety. When you combine these side effects of Vicodin with the relief of pain that they produce, it is obvious why people become dependent to the drug.However, it also has to be noted that this dependency and especially addiction can be avoided by using Vicodin exactly as prescribed.

Any changes to the regimen that you make on your own, especially continuing to take Vicodin once your doctor has advised you to cease using it, increase the risk of developing dependency. If dependency occurs, it is very harmful for the health to cease using Vicodin suddenly, as withdrawal symptoms might occur. It is then necessary to gradually discontinue the medication and your doctor can be of invaluable help here.
In conclusion, it is possible to develop dependency and addiction to Vicodin, but this is highly unlikely if you use Vicodin as it was prescribed to you and if you take all the measures of precaution when taking it.