Which fictional drug addiction does House struggle with throughout House M.D.?

House struggles with Vicodin addiction throughout House M.D. Vicodin is a prescription combination of hydrocodone and paracetamol, and the character uses it to manage chronic pain caused by an infarction in his right thigh muscle.

The drug initially functions as a recurring character detail and a source of conflict with colleagues. Over time, the series makes dependence and withdrawal central to several storylines, including House's treatment at Mayfield Psychiatric Hospital during the sixth season.

House's use is sometimes described loosely as an addiction to painkillers, but Vicodin is the specific drug repeatedly identified in the series. The show also depicts consequences involving deception, hallucinations, professional discipline, and health risks, while making clear that pain treatment and substance dependence are separate medical issues.