Vicodin is a prescription pain medication that contains the opioid hydrocodone combined with acetaminophen. It is the most frequently prescribed pain reliever in the United States. Due to its effects on the brain, hydrocodone addiction is possible. Addiction to hydrocodone is a serious problem in the United States, with 2.3% of the population misusing the drug in 2017. Hydrocodone addiction, along with addiction to other opioid drugs, has become a national crisis that needs to be addressed.

One of the factors that will improve the opioid epidemic is to provide people with opioid use disorders the proper treatment options to overcome their addiction. A person with a Vicodin use disorder has many treatment options available to them that will help treat their disorder and provide rehabilitation to allow them to function in everyday life without the use of the drug.

How Long Does it Take to Get Addicted to Vicodin?

How long it takes to get addicted to Vicodin — or its addictive ingredient hydrocodone — depends on the person who is taking it. A person may become addicted to Vicodin when they use it in high amounts or use it more often than prescribed. Even at prescription levels, Vicodin can have abusive potential, so it should always be taken with caution.

There are certain people who will be more susceptible to a Vicodin addiction when taking the drug. A person’s susceptibility depends on their genetics, family history, personal history of drug use and if they also have a mental illness.

Opioid Trends in Florida 

There is an opioid epidemic occurring in the United States and one of the states most affected by it is Florida. Florida ranks 17th among all states for the highest rate of drug overdose deaths, with most of those deaths due to opioids. Florida consistently has drug overdose rates that are higher than average in the United States.

Hydrocodone addiction is a serious problem in the United States, with 2.3% of the population misusing the drug in 2017. The abuse of Vicodin is thought to be attributed to its availability, due to the high level of prescriptions that are written for it each year. Despite a year to year decrease in dispensing (-8.69%), hydrocodone was still the most prescribed drug in Florida in 2018.

Florida’s Response to the Epidemic

In response to opioid abuse in Florida, the state has developed several opioid laws to monitor opioid prescriptions and control how many opioids are prescribed each year. The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) requires reporting on opioid prescriptions and the Pill Mill Law on Opioid Prescribing and Utilization regulates opioid prescriptions. Despite the success of these changes, the Florida opioid overdose death rate continues to increase. On July 1, 2018, Governor Rick Scott signed into law new requirements for healthcare providers to further limit the prescription of opioids. Under the new law, physicians are only allowed to prescribe opioids for three days.

Treating Addiction to Vicodin

Vicodin or hydrocodone addiction can be treated in a variety of different ways. The focus of treatment at first is to have the person undergo detox from the drug to get it completely out of their system. Following detox, they can focus on what caused their addiction in the first place and how to avoid Vicodin use in the future.

Vicodin Addiction Treatment Options

How to beat Vicodin addiction will vary depending on the individual and their specific situation. During Vicodin rehab, a person will receive detox treatment along with therapy and cognitive support to overcome their addiction. Vicodin addiction treatment options include:

  • Medical Detox

    Medically monitored detox involves slowly weaning off Vicodin by tapering its use. This is done under the supervision of a medical professional who may provide medications to ease withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox usually takes place in an inpatient setting so that the medical staff can provide 24-hour care while a person goes through the detox process.

  • Inpatient Treatment

    Inpatient treatment, also known as residential rehab, involves staying at a facility during the detox and recovery process. This will involve professional medical help with the withdrawal symptoms (medical detox) along with therapy to address the underlying causes that lead to the person misusing Vicodin. During residential treatment, clients live at a treatment facility full time.

  • Outpatient Treatment

    Outpatient drug treatment involves regular visits to a therapist or counselor who will monitor the person’s progress and keep them on the road to recovery. People choosing outpatient therapy for drug addiction may also receive medical help through the detox process but will not have the 24-hour surveillance and access to care that an inpatient detox program does.

Types of Drug Addiction Therapy

Drug addiction therapy can come in many forms. A person who has a Vicodin use disorder should explore therapy options and determine which ones will work best for them and their situation. Speaking with treatment centers about the therapies they offer will aide in the decision to begin treatment. Some of the therapies offered for hydrocodone addiction include:

  • Group Therapy

    Group therapy for drug addiction can help give a person support during their recovery. Group sessions help the person to know they are not the only one dealing with a substance use disorder and allows them to learn from the experience of others. Regular participation in group therapy has been linked to decreased rates of relapse.

  • Behavioral Therapy

    Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps a person with a Vicodin use disorder to understand how their thoughts and beliefs relate to problematic behaviors that influence their addiction.

  • Individual Therapy

    Individual therapy for Vicodin addiction is aimed at determining the underlying causes that lead the person developing a Vicodin use disorder. They will also work through triggers that make them want to use Vicodin and develop coping strategies for them to use moving forward.

  • Family Therapy

    Sometimes, a person with a Vicodin use disorder may have broken ties with their family or treated them poorly during their addition. Family therapy can help to reconcile these relationships and give the person the support system they need to be successful in their rehab.

Duration of Vicodin Rehab

How long drug rehab takes varies greatly between individuals. It will depend on how long the detox process takes and what additional methods are used to help the person cope with withdrawal symptoms. This can depend on how much Vicodin the individual has been using and for how long.

Once a person has successfully stopped taking Vicodin, their hydrocodone rehab treatment will continue with maintenance treatment. This usually involves multiple treatment strategies, including therapy and cognitive support. In general, the whole process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year or more.

Life After Drug Rehab

After rehab, a person will enter back to normal life with a new set of tools to help them control their cravings and adjust to life without the use of Vicodin. Many times, patients will see a physician or counselor regularly. Some people will also participate in group therapy sessions or 12-step groups to help them stay focused on their recovery and learn from the experiences of others.

Why is Drug Rehab Important?

Rehab improves recovery by providing the support a person needs to overcome their Vicodin use disorder and prevent relapse into Vicodin use. Comprehensive treatment plans that combine medications, therapy, and cognitive support to improve outcomes for individuals with Vicodin addictions.

How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost?

How much drug rehab costs depends on what treatment options a person chooses to use, which treatment center they choose to go to, how long the rehab takes and whether or not treatment is covered by their insurance. The average cost of drug rehab varies greatly. It is best to contact treatment centers to discuss their rates with them. They can also help you check if your insurance will cover the costs.

Drug rehab costs, no matter how much they end up being, are worth it to ensure that a person will safely and effectively recover from their substance use disorder and maintain their sobriety.

Does Insurance Cover Rehab?

In some cases, health insurance will cover rehab. If rehab is included in your personal health insurance plan, some or all of your rehab costs may be covered. Additional programs that can assist with rehab costs include:

Finding Vicodin Addiction Treatment

When a person is considering which Vicodin treatment center is the right fit for them, there are many factors to think about, including location, the types of treatments offered, success rates, duration of treatment, the staff to patient ratio and cost of treatment. Vicodin rehab centers The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides a tool to search for opioid addiction treatment centers by state.

Our Drug Detox and Inpatient Rehab Center

The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health

4905 Lantana Rd
Lake Worth, FL 33463

561-340-7269

Contact The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health to speak with a representative about how professional addiction treatment can address a Vicodin addiction. Take the first step toward a healthier future, call today.

Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.