What is Gregory House addicted to in House M.D.?

Gregory House is addicted to Vicodin in House M.D. The prescription painkiller is central to his chronic pain management and to a major part of his character arc.

House takes Vicodin because of severe pain caused by an infarction in the quadriceps muscle of his right thigh. The injury leaves him with a permanent limp and contributes to his reliance on a cane. His medication use also creates professional, ethical, and personal conflicts throughout the series.

Vicodin is a brand name for a combination containing hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It is not the same drug as OxyContin, Percocet, or codeine, although all may be discussed in connection with prescription pain treatment. The show’s depiction of House’s dependence is a fictional character element and should not be treated as medical guidance.