About Adrian Syosset Expertise I can give non-bias, answers backed up with sources on questions pertaining to substance addiction, substance abuse, legality of certain substances, short-term and long-term effects, interaction between illicit, licit, pharmaceutical and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and foods, and medicinal uses - or lack thereof - of substances and herbs.
Experience Counseled families about drug abuse, and counseled alcohol and drug addicts at a few local non-profit organizations and a methadone rehabilitation center. Spent three years practicing herbalism and homeopathic medicine in the UK. Worked for four years at a pharmacy dispensing drugs and giving (minor) medical consultation.
Education/Credentials Bachelors in molecular biology
Question Hello.
I have a friend who is addicted to vicodin. She decided to quit cold turkey yesterday. I told her that I will give up my addiction today and we can go through this together. I realize that perscription drugs can have a multitude of psychological and physical and mental effects, especially when going cold turkey. My addiciton is not drug or alcohol... Is it at all useful to make a "pact" with a friend? What else can I do?
Answer Hello Karline. To deal with this problem, we need to be clear on the drug in question and the difference between physical and psychological addiction.
The harms and effects of a drug have nothing to do with its legal status, but many people continue to believe that prescription or over-the-counter drugs are safe because they are legal and/or regulated.
Vicodin is a preparation of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It is important to understand both these chemicals before you can safely start or stop using this medication.
Hydrocodone is an opiate agonist. It works much like morphine or heroin and shares many of those drugs' psychoactive effects, side effects and withdrawal symptoms.
Acetaminophen (sold as Tylenon or Panadol) is used to relieve minor pain, aches and fever. It can cause liver damage if taken in high doses, chronically over a long period of time, mixed with alcohol or while fasting.
Vicodin can be toxic if abused, causing permanent liver damage due to the acetaminophen, especially at high doses or taken with alcohol. Combining Vicodin with alcohol, and other depressants like benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, etc) can result in unconsciousness and can be fatal.
Withdrawal symptoms (also called "dopesickness") include sweating, anxiety, agitation, nausea, vomiting, tremors, and convulsions. Without consulting a doctor, drugs should never be stopped cold turkey if used for a prolonged period of time.
There are two types of addictions, physical and psychological. When somebody is physically dependent on a drug, they cannot stop using it because of the withdrawal symptoms. They get sick and feel they have to keep using it to remain physically functional. Psychological addiction is a compulsion to use the drug despite negative consequences it is causing. Anything rewarding can be psychologically addicting, such as sex, food, the Internet or gambling, and it is possible to be physically dependent on a drug but not addicted, and vice versa.
To deal with physical dependence, have your friend taper off by taking a gradually reduced dose. This will reduce the intensity of the side effects.
Psychological dependence is harder to treat. It usually has nothing to do with the drug itself; The drug being merely a consequence of a deep rooted problem.
Making a "pact" with a friend can be helpful and motivating for both of you. It's good to let your friend know you're on her side and want the best for her. If the problem is not physical dependence, then work on trying to find out where the drug problem stemmed from. It's a good sign that your friend decided to quit on her own. If she continues to crave and seek the drug after she has tapered off, then start trying to find out why she really wants to use it. Is it to deal with depression? anxiety? If she claims it makes her feel good, ask her to think about it and be more specific. For example, "good" can mean "it takes my anxiety away" or "it makes me less agitated." If that's the case, then those are the problems that need to be addressed to deal with her psychological addiction.
