Vicodin rehab treatment: What to expect?

Change is one of the greatest gifts of addiction recovery. Read more about the road to transformation and the tools used to achieve it in this guide.

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Change Is Possible With Treatment

Are you struggling with Vicodin?

You are not alone. In fact, Vicodin addiction treatment programs are designed to help you escape a compulsive cycle of drug abuse. Vicodin addiction often manifests as a loss of control and significant changes in personality and behavior. To these ends, treatment programs teach you how to function in everyday life without using Vicodin.

We review what you can expect during and after Vicodin treatment here. Plus, we’ve included a section just for loved ones planning to visit a friend or a family member in treatment. Finally, we invite your questions and feedback at the end.
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It’s never too late to ask for help.
Don’t let Vicodin control your life!
Find help ASAP.
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Why Does Vicodin Become Addictive?

Vicodin is commonly prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. It is the brand name of a prescription painkiller made from a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter analgesic and hydrocodone is an opioid drug, a man-made synthetic version of opiates.

Hydrocodone can be addictive if used regularly. This is because it floods the brain with euphoric feelings of extreme well-being. The human brain is programmed to remember and repeat pleasurable experiences. But when we take Vicodin again and again, the reward center of the brain essentially re-wires itself to experience pleasure only with Vicodin. In other words, we not only become physically hooked on the experience, we become psychologically hooked.

How can you treat Vicodin addiction? If you or a loved one is struggling with a Vicodin addiction, you may need to consider Vicodin rehab treatment. Professional intervention can help you address the physical and emotional sources of the problem. And you can benefit from being in a safe, controlled environment. What does rehab look like?

Starting Treatment: What Should You Expect?

Most addiction treatment programs focus on establishing trust, honesty with people who are facing a drug problem. So, you can expect treatment to require taking a look at what is really happening. The key to change is accepting reality.

To do this, you need to get to the bottom of your feelings, thoughts, and beliefs that drive addiction. So, you can expect treatment to include many sessions of daily talk therapy and group work.

In fact, a high quality recovery program will not only help you look at your situation realistically; they will teach you healthy coping techniques, as well.

The range of specific types of interventions addressed in treatment depends on your specific case and needs, while still following general principles of treatment.  It can be difficult to know exactly what to expect during Vicodin rehab treatment, since the specifics of treatment are usually decided based upon a person’s individual needs. However, the majority of Vicodin rehab treatment programs do offer many of the same basic services, which are listed below.

STAGE 1: Drug Screening and Addiction Assessment

The first step when entering a Vicodin rehab treatment program is undergoing an initial drug screening and assessment. These evaluations are used to determine the extent of a person’s addiction, diagnose any underlying mental or physical health problems, and create a customized treatment plan. For example, if co-occurring psychiatric disorders or medical conditions are present, then your recovery program will help you address these issues either directly or with referrals to appropriate treatment professionals.

STAGE 2: Medical Detox

Vicodin withdrawal is often very uncomfortable, with symptoms such as intense cravings, agitation, runny nose, pain, and insomnia. Individuals with moderate to severe addictions may benefit from medical detox. During medical detox, health professionals will monitor people as they go through withdrawal and help them be more comfortable throughout the process.

STAGE 3: Psychological Treatments & Educational Sessions

Psychological treatments are typically the fundamental methods of any reputable Vicodin rehab treatment. This includes individual behavior therapy, self-help group therapy, and family counseling. However, throughout Vicodin rehab treatment, you also be required to attend addiction education sessions and workshops. These are used to help you learn about the science behind addiction as well as methods to overcome it.

STAGE 4: Supportive services

Vicodin rehab programs offer a variety of supportive services that you can take advantage of during and after their treatment. For instance, you may be able to get help with paying for treatment, finding a place to live, finding employment, transportation issues, and child care.

Finishing Vicodin Treatment: What Comes Next?

It’s natural for people in recovery to wonder what to expect after Vicodin rehab treatment. Counselors and addiction specialists can help you start your new life right by helping create an exit plan. This is a written plan that lists goals you want to work toward after treatment, as well as the steps needed to reach these goals. An exit plan gives recovering individuals something to focus on after treatment.

Addiction aftercare will also usually start after Vicodin rehab treatment. Depending on a person’s needs, this usually involves attending outpatient therapy sessions on a daily or weekly basis. This continuing therapy will help you maintain their drug-free lifestyle and cope with the new challenges that come with it. Those who need a little additional support along the road to recovery can take advantage of other options such as:

  • Ongoing, step-down residential care
  • Recovery coaching
  • Rehab alumni group meetings
  • Sober living or housing
  • Teletherapy or weekly phone check-ins

Family Visits In Rehab

Visiting someone in Vicodin rehab treatment is a great way to support them during their journey. During your visit, you will be able to chat with them and find out how they are progressing. You may also be able to participate in family counseling and group therapy sessions.

If you want to know exactly what to expect when visiting someone in Vicodin rehab treatment, it’s best to contact the particular facility that your loved one is in. Most facilities only allow visitations on weekends, and most visits only last for a few hours. You will also most likely be asked to dress appropriately and leave certain personal items, such as cell phones, at home or in your car.

Leaving Treatment Early

Like any other medical program, you can leave Vicodin rehab treatment before completion. However, for the majority of people, it’s best to stay and finish the recommended course of treatment. Finishing treatment allows you to absorb as much knowledge as you can about the mental and physical aspects of addiction and obtain the necessary resources to resist the temptation of the drug. Those who complete a rehab treatment program are generally much less likely to relapse and have more successful recoveries overall.

Vicodin Rehab Treatment Expectations

Finding a treatment solution for you or your loved one isn’t always easy, but it’s very possible. Addiction specialists will be able to create an individualized treatment plan based on your needs or your loved one’s needs. But you may have some questions about what else you can expect.

If you have any additional questions about Vicodin rehab treatment, expectations for treatment, or addiction treatment in general, feel free to leave them below. We’ll help give you a personal response in a timely manner, and/or refer you to other organizations that can help.

Reference Sources: Medline Plus: Opiate and opioid withdrawal
NIH: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction
NIH: Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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