Vicodin was officially introduced in the United States in 1978, although similar combinations had been around for a while before that. Teen Vicodin addiction occurs when a young person forms a dependency on this powerful prescription medication. Teens who form an addiction to any drug aren’t always outsiders, and they are not always bad kids. Drug addiction can happen to anyone, at any age. Teens are often more susceptible to drug addiction than adults simply because they’re more easily influenced by their environment and those around them. Teen Vicodin addiction can occur rapidly, and prescription drugs like Vicodin are easier to obtain than most illegal drugs.
The following information is intended to help you to understand what teen Vicodin rehab means, and to provide information about addiction and your options for teen Vicodin rehab. If you or someone you know is battling an addiction to Vicodin or any other prescription drug, and looking to ease the transition back into a healthy, sober lifestyle, we can help.
Call to discuss different forms of treatment.
Development of Teen Vicodin Addiction
“…addiction can develop unintentionally and at any age.”Prescription drugs like Vicodin are prescribed for a variety of reasons, to both young people and adults. Vicodin in particular is a commonly prescribed painkiller that is often used after surgery to relieve pain on a temporary basis. While it has specific instructions for dosage and frequency of use, addiction can develop unintentionally and at any age. According to Narconon, Vicodin is popular among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, with one in 10 high school students reporting having taken Vicodin at least once.
Teen Vicodin Treatment and Rehab
Treatment for teen Vicodin addiction begins with detoxification. This is a process in which the patient stops using the drug abruptly, or through a gradual process, in order to rid the body of the drug’s effects. Because this is the first step toward rehab and recovery, it is important to choose the proper detox setting to ensure that you have constant support and medical care as you work through the withdrawal symptoms, which may include:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Chills
- Sweating
- Irritability
These symptoms are rarely life threatening, and while they may be intense initially, they do fade as you continue to abstain from the drug. Once withdrawal symptoms fade and the physical part of the addiction is treated, rehabilitation can begin. If you or someone you know is looking for information about detox programs or wants to ease the transition back into a healthy, sober lifestyle, give us a call on to discuss treatment options.
In most cases, the programs offered by qualified, professional rehabilitation centers provide excellent resources to teens battling Vicodin addiction, including:
- Support groups
- Individual counseling
- Therapy
- Various 12-step programs
- Medical care and support
These resources are vital to helping teens work through the psychological effects of drug use. Teen rehab programs focus primarily on helping you find healthy alternatives to replace the habits you acquired while using Vicodin. Rehab also provides teens the love and support that is essential to ensuring they are successful in quitting the drug.
Why Is Teen Rehab Important?
According to Teen-Anon, Vicodin is among the most common of the prescription drugs that are abused by teens. It can be as dangerously addictive as heroin, primarily because it is easily obtained over the Internet, or from family and friends. Teens are not likely to seek help on their own, as is the case with most drug addicts, regardless of age. The addiction and the subsequent rehabilitation process can be more complicated for teens due to the natural tendency of this age group to be rebellious and open to experimentation. Receiving professional advice and treatment from qualified medical professionals, who can be found at teen drug rehab centers, is the most effective way to overcome the physical and psychological dependence you have formed to the drug.
Types of Teen Vicodin Rehab
There are two main options for those considering Vicodin rehab programs: residential or outpatient facilities. An outpatient facility can be ideal for treating a less serious or short-term addiction to Vicodin, and these programs often provide the same core care as inpatient programs, such as detox, counseling and aftercare programs. The one drawback of outpatient care is that because you are treated on an outpatient basis, meaning that you attend treatment during the day and remain at home in the evenings, you are not provided with the constant monitoring that is often key to successful recovery.
For this reason, many teens may choose an inpatient rehab center. An inpatient rehab program requires that the teen remain at the facility 24 hours per day, seven days per week until the Vicodin addiction treatment process is complete. Most inpatient teen rehabilitation programs last for at least 30 days, but may continue for up to 90 days or longer, depending on the patient and the level of addiction.
For serious teen Vicodin addictions, such as those teens with long-term addictions or a history of relapse, inpatient rehabilitation is the ideal option.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse advises that although a behavioral or pharmacological approach alone may be enough to treat some teens addicted to or dependent on Vicodin, a combined approach, utilizing detoxification, rehabilitation and aftercare to treat all aspects of the addiction, may be best.
When a teen is addicted to Vicodin, he is putting his health and future at risk. During adolescence, your brain and body are going through critical developmental stages, and drug abuse can impair this development. Teen Vicodin treatment and rehab make it possible to break the cycle of drug addiction before damage can occur, and ensure a chance at a healthy and successful life.
If you or someone you know is looking to ease the transition back into a healthy, drug-free lifestyle, call to discuss your treatment options.
