When it comes to caring for a Vicodin addiction, there are many different options to choose from. In fact, a person’s preferences, habits and opinions are key to developing an effective addiction program, and as a result, therapists often ask their patients to provide input during the planning stages of addiction care. One decision Vicodin addicts must make, quite early on, involves the setting for care. In essence, they’ll need to decide if they want to obtain care in a controlled, 24/7, inpatient setting, or whether an outpatient setting might be best. This article may help in that decision-making process, as it will outline who might best obtain care in an inpatient program.

Complicated Recovery

While anyone who is struggling with an addiction is likely to face difficulties on the road to sobriety, there are some people who have very difficult challenges to overcome, and they might need more intensive help as a result. For example, according to research presented to the American Public Health Association, people addicted to Vicodin, and drugs like it, are likely to have risk factors for a complicated recovery. Researchers found that 83 percent of those addicted people studied were likely to abuse multiple drugs, 45 percent had mental health issues in addition to addiction and 62 percent had been through an addiction treatment program in the past.

People with issues like this certainly can recover from their addiction issues, but they might need a little more help as the process moves forward. They might need intensive therapies to help them understand their mental illness as well as their addictions, for example, or they might need medical monitoring as they attempt to withdraw from multiple drugs of abuse. This kind of comprehensive and around-the-clock care is best provided in an inpatient program for addiction.

Relapse Risk

People who are addicted to Vicodin may face the temptation to use the drug around every corner. Even logging onto the computer can be troublesome, as a study in the journal Current Psychiatry Reports found that running a search on “Vicodin” in a major search engine brings back screens full of websites willing to sell the drugs without a prescription. In this study, a search like this returned pages that were 40 to 50 percent filled with sale sites. It’s all too easy to give in, when the environment makes it so easy.

Some people can overcome the temptation to use by:

• Focusing on the positive parts of their lives
• Leaning on sober friends
• Talking with their supportive families
• Attending support group meetings when times are tough

There are some people, however, who haven’t developed these robust relapse-prevention tools. For them, the urge to relapse is quickly followed by an actual relapse. They may not live in safe communities, have good relationships or live a life that’s protective. These people might also benefit from an inpatient program. Here, they can step away from their homes and develop needed skills, before they attempt to live in the communities that foster their addictions.

At Axis, we offer both inpatient and outpatient programs that can help people with a Vicodin addiction. If you’re not sure which option is right for you, perhaps one of our counselors could explain the differences in detail and help you to make an informed choice. A call to our counselors is free and confidential. Please contact us today.