Question re: potential addiction from one a day vicodin

[frinj]

I have been having back pain regularly for a couple months and my doctor prescribed Vicodin (5/500).  I'm usually fine until evening,and then take one around 5pm.  About once a week, I might be fine without anything.  About once a week, the pain might be worse and I'll take 1 1/2.

What I'm wondering is whether taking this amount of vicodin this regularly will lead to tolerance or addiction.  

[Red931]

It actually depends on the person. Even at the low dosage that you are on, and you are taking it when you have pain as described there is a possibilty that you could become dependent on the medication. If you are taking it as directed and you are in pain you can develop a dependency not an addiction, there is a difference.

Your doctor should have talked this over with you when he prescribed the medication but most don't bother to.

Should you develop a dependency your doctor will wean you off the drug to avoid any symptoms of withdrawl.

I hope this helped.

[nick30]

do you take it when you don't need it? when you really don't need it? there's your answer.
even vicoden leads to dependance and addiction when abused. if u don't need it, DONT TAKE IT

[NoMoMeth4me]

Now I am no expert by any means, but I would find it highly doubtful that you would be considered addicted to this small amount of vicodin. I'm sure others on here will know better than me. I don't personally view this as addiction as you are using this med to help try and control your back pain. I used to think I was addicted to Methadone but I'm a chronic pain patient using the med for pain control and not for pleasure and I now view it as dependent rather than addiction. I hope this makes sense to you?
I hope you find some long term pain relief soon! I know from experience how hard it is to live with debiltating pain.
Take care.
Brian.