What fictional drug addiction does Dr. House struggle with in House M.D.?

Dr. House struggles with Vicodin addiction in House M.D.

Vicodin is a prescription painkiller containing hydrocodone and acetaminophen. In the series, House uses it to manage chronic pain associated with an infarction in his right quadriceps muscle, which leaves him with a permanent limp. His use gradually develops into an addiction that affects his judgment, relationships, and employment.

House's dependence is a continuing character conflict rather than a single episode detail. He sometimes enters treatment or tries to stop using the drug, but relapses and withdrawal repeatedly influence the story. The show also explores the consequences of combining exceptional medical ability with impaired behavior.

Morphine and OxyContin are also opioid-related drugs, which makes them plausible distractors, but Vicodin is the specific medication associated with House's addiction. Aspirin is a pain reliever but is not the drug depicted as the source of his dependence.