Which fictional drug addiction did House develop in House, M.D.?

House developed an addiction to Vicodin in House, M.D.

Vicodin is a prescription painkiller combining hydrocodone and acetaminophen. In the series, House used it to manage chronic pain caused by the infarction in his right quadriceps muscle. His reliance on the drug became one of the character’s defining medical and ethical problems.

The addiction affected House’s judgment, employment, relationships, and treatment decisions. Several storylines dealt with attempts to control or stop his use, including periods of withdrawal and hospitalization. The show portrayed Vicodin as both a source of temporary pain relief and a serious substance-use problem.

This fact is distinct from the fictional condition that caused House’s leg injury. The infarction explains the pain; Vicodin is the medication associated with his addiction. It is also distinct from other opioids sometimes mentioned in medical dramas, such as morphine or oxycodone.