Is Vicodin Dangerous?
Due to its high potential for abuse, Vicodin can be dangerous. Hydrocodone abuse is a serious problem in the United States, with 2.3% of the population misusing the drug in 2017. That percentage amounts to 12% of people who use hydrocodone misusing it. It is also a serious problem in Florida, accounting for 2.6% of drug occurrences and 6.3% of opioid occurrences reported in the first half of 2017.
Due to its effects on the central nervous system and the slowing of a person’s respiratory rate, it also has a great risk of overdosing. Taking too much Vicodin or taking it too often without letting it clear from the system can have serious effects, including death. Opioid overdoses, including hydrocodone overdoses, accounted for 4.4% of the 63,600 drug overdose deaths in 2016. In Florida, 357 people died from a hydrocodone overdose in 2017.
Vicodin is often used with other substances, which can be very dangerous. Vicodin can have negative interactions with many other types of drugs. When using more than one type of drug, it can be difficult to judge how much is too much. Of the 357 people who died from hydrocodone overdose in 2017, 308 of them had other drugs in their system at the time of death.
Vicodin Interactions:
There are several drugs that should be avoided while taking Vicodin due to adverse interactions. Vicodin should never be taken with alcohol, as it is also a CNS depressant and can amplify these effects, making it easier to overdose. Similarly, Vicodin should not be mixed with benzodiazepines or weed.
The use of Vicodin and other drugs that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), should be avoided. These drugs are commonly used to treat depression and other mental health issues.
Vicodin use is commonly combined with other addictive drugs when used recreationally. While some of them have no known interactions, such as Adderall and Vicodin, combining drugs without medical supervision can be dangerous. Many overdoses involve the use of more than one drug at a time.
See Related: How Long After Taking Acetaminophen Can I Drink
Vicodin Addiction:
As noted by its DEA drug classification, Vicodin has a high potential for abuse due to hydrocodone as an ingredient. Hydrocodone addiction occurs when a person experiences the euphoric effects of hydrocodone and wants to use it more often to achieve those effects. A person who uses a drug for the euphoric effects, rather than the prescribed pain-relieving effects or a person who craves the drug for these effects may be addicted to hydrocodone.
Vicodin addiction can occur even when taken as prescribed. To avoid addiction, a person should use the lowest dose possible for the shortest duration to manage their pain. Vicodin addiction is a serious problem that can have long-term consequences. A person who has a Vicodin use disorder should seek medical attention to get help in overcoming their disorder.