Hydrocodone Addiction (Lortab, Norco, Vicodin)

Hydrocodone
COMMON BRAND(S): Vicodin®, Norco®, Zohydro®, and others
GENERIC NAME(S): Hydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone

When you go through illness, surgery or other conditions that leave you in deep and debilitating pain, doctors have ways to bring you comfort and relief. Such treatments may include electrical stimulation, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and prescription pain relievers. Some conditions requiring extensive pain treatment includes shingles, HIV, cancer, arthritis, cramping, broken bones and the deep discomfort that comes from surgery recovery. One of the most recommended prescription medications for the relief of pain is called Hydrocodone. Dosage and length of use depend on the severity of the pain and potential side effects.

What is Hydrocodone?

Hydrocodone is a prescription pain reliever that treats moderate to severe pain. Opioids are pain relievers under the classification of hydrocodone medications also branded as narcotics. Hydrocodone should only be taken as prescribed by your doctor, avoiding all alcohol while being treated.

Side Effects from Hydrocodone Use

Liver conditions while on Hydrocodone will result in dark urine. Other side effects may include persistent vomiting and continual nausea, abdominal and stomach distress, extreme fatigue and jaundice of the skin and eyes. If taken as prescribed, Hydrocodone will provide short-term pain relief but can become habit-forming with dangerous side effects. Other common short-term side effects reported from the use of Hydrocodone include:

  • Agranulocytosis
  • Apnea
  • Anxiety
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Dizziness
  • Sweating
  • Dysphoria
  • Skin Rashes
  • Mental disruption
  • Sedation
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Loss of appetite

Long-term side effects can lead to an addiction to Hydrocodone along with respiratory distress, urinary retention, itchiness, coma, hearing loss and sometimes fatality and death. Many individuals in pain increase their dosage without medical authorization to feel better, not considering the negative consequences and risk of overdose. Any ill side effects should be reported to your physician immediately or go to your local hospital emergency room.

What Medications are Similar to Hydrocodone?

There are other pain relievers in the same class as Hydrocodone containing the combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. Such medications are:

  • Vicodin which is one of the Opioids for the relief of moderate to severe pain. This is also a habit-forming addictive narcotic if abused and misused.
  • Lorcet pain relief medication is another narcotic for moderate to severe pain and discomfort by binding opioid receptors of the spinal cord and in the brain.
  • Lortab, as with the others is an opioid narcotic for the relief of reasonable to severe pain and discomfort. All of these Opioids are at risk of becoming addictive if not used strictly as prescribed.

The Risks of Hydrocodone Becoming Addictive

Hydrocodone is not always used as prescribed and some recreational individuals abuse the medication for the euphoric state it provides. Hydrocodone is a narcotic that can easily be mistreated. This opiate medication works within the brain and central nervous system and leads to a need for more to feel better and happy. This grows into a dependency of the Hydrocodone. The brain is altered because of the presence of the pain killer while the body also ceases to produce natural body painkillers known as endorphins since it now relies on the opiate.

A chemical dependency of the drug redefines what the body considers as aches, soreness, and swelling, requiring more of the opioid to operate. Hydrocodone does not only create a physical but also a psychological dependency for the body to work according to the needs of the addict. Tolerance of the body continues to escalate while on Hydrocodone and leads to additional doses and addiction. Most doctors monitor its use in patients to ensure this does not happen, but some individuals are crafty in ways to acquire more of the drug without medical supervision.

Hydrocodone Addiction Signs

If you know someone that is using the Hydrocodone with the possibility of addictive behavior, there are signs and symptoms that the medication is being abused. Overuse and overdose of Hydrocodone can be life-threatening and fatal, needing immediate medical attention. Be aware of such warning signs as:

 

  • An increase in dosage unauthorized by the doctor
  • Mixing the Hydrocodone with other drugs like cocaine and heroin
  • Focus and obsession with getting more of the Opioids
  • Taking the medication for fun without prescription
  • Visiting multiple doctors to obtain additional prescriptions for Hydrocodone
  • An overabundant craving for the drug without regard to negative consequences
  • Withdrawing from family due to the focus on getting more of the drugs
  • Sudden difficulties with work or school
  • Has strained relationships with friends
  • Discontinues normal activities of interest
  • Signs of taking the medication inappropriately such as crushing them to get a quicker “high.”
  • Shows medical signs like sweating, the chills, stomach pain, skin jaundice or any other sudden medical issues

 

When Hydrocodone suddenly becomes habit-forming and addictive, it is challenging to quit taking it and may need medical and therapeutic intervention to find relief of any pain and addictive behavior. Take all symptoms and indications of abuse severe and seek the help you need for yourself or that of a loved one at risk for an addiction to Hydrocodone.

Treatment and Rehab for Hydrocodone Addiction

While being treated for a Hydrocodone addiction, it is important to
realize it is not only a physical but mental problem that needs to be
addressed. The drug can have devastating effects on the brain. Treatment
options will involve a detoxification program, therapy, and counseling.
The object of the whole process is to address the reasons that led to
the overuse of Hydrocodone through education and techniques on how to
live a drug-free life.

Treatment options vary and usually begin with detoxification to get
your life back on track and rid the body of harmful toxins related to
the use of Hydrocodone. When going through detox, you will be under
medical supervision due to possible Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms of withdrawal from Hydrocodone can differ according to the
severity of the addiction and may be physical or emotional indications
such as:

  • Restlessness and agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • Social isolation as previously mentioned
  • Headaches
  • Loss of appetite
  • Sweats or chills
  • Rapid heart palpitations
  • Poor concentration
  • Muscle tension
  • Depression
  • Tightness of the chest
  • Tremors or shakes
  • Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Coma or grand mal seizures
  • Strokes
  • Heart attacks
  • Delirium tremens (DTs)
  • Hallucinations

Going through a detox program as part of the treatment and rehab
process is the most challenging aspect in healing from addiction,
including the habit-forming Hydrocodone. The method of detox typically
involves tapering the use of the addictive drug and slowly reducing its
intake. Sometimes medical therapy is necessary as a way to ease the
severity of the symptoms and stop the abuse.

All treatment plans include a detox program, whether it is done
within rehab or going to a special detox facility before the
rehabilitation center. Detox addresses the physical effects of the drug
while a rehabilitation program progresses with therapy and counseling to
instill other values and a life without drugs. You may engage in
self-esteem classes, techniques on how to live without drugs, family
therapy and support groups along with behavior modification. Treatment
and Rehabilitation Options include:

  • Inpatient Hydrocodone rehab that provides fully
    monitored and structured treatment geared around the individual’s needs
    and severity of the addiction. Care is both medical and psychological
    and involves cognitive strategies for a long-term drug-free life, help
    to reduce and rid your cravings and a full recovery from withdrawal.
    Inpatient rehab centers ensure a life without the addictive drug while
    removing all possibilities for a relapse. You are educated with coping
    techniques to manage your health, stresses in life, finances and other
    tensions along with a return to work or school. You will have to work
    through any underlying issues such as depression and anxiety that led
    you to a life of addictive drugs like Hydrocodone to cope. You must
    realize the impact that this drug has caused you in your day-to-day
    life. The next step is to focus on techniques geared toward living a
    Hydrocodone-free lifestyle once returning to your home and society.
    Inpatient care also includes regular therapy and counseling sessions,
    individually, in groups and often with family. The rehab is geared
    towards preparing you for life after addiction.
  • Outpatient rehabilitation begins with a
    detoxification process followed by structured outpatient therapy and
    counseling sessions. Such meetings will be on specified days weekly at a
    medical or clinical facility to meet with qualified addiction
    professionals. Outpatient rehab can be a substitute choice to replace an
    inpatient treatment facility or as an aftercare treatment beyond
    intensive healing in a facility to stay clean, drug-free and avoid
    relapse. Outpatient allows you to carry on with regular day-to-day
    activities like school, work, hobbies, and other fun behaviors while
    still attending schedule meetings until you and your professional decide
    you are no longer in danger of returning to a life with drug
    dependency. For long-term success, it is important to involve family and
    close friends to have a good support system. Outpatient also involves
    therapy to build up your self-esteem, giving you the will to succeed for
    you. Some behavior modification methods in outpatient follow the same
    curriculum as an inpatient through some cognitive therapy to recognize
    and acknowledge your addiction, avoid all situations that can lead you
    down the darkened path and how to cope with difficulties without
    returning to drug and substance abuse.
  • Sober living facilities are not just for those with
    alcohol addictions but are geared to help individuals with a drug
    addiction problem. Sober living facilities allow you to live your normal
    life with work, school, and other activities while returning to the
    center at day’s end. How long you engage in a sober living facility
    depends on your particular healing progress and the chance for a
    relapse.
  • Aftercare after rehab treatment for Hydrocodone
    addiction helps the abuser to live a life after drugs. There is a
    multitude of options for aftercare treatment aside from outpatient care,
    which is as intensive as the inpatient option. Options for aftercare
    include private and group counseling sessions at least once a week as
    determined by your addiction professional along with support groups. You
    may need to meet with your psychiatrist at least monthly or every
    couple of months, depending on your progress. An additional option may
    include having a mentor that you can turn to during difficult times for
    reinforcement. Most often your rehab treatment facility will provide you
    with a 24-hour helpline to call in times of weakness.

Life can be difficult for the healthiest of souls. Never lose hope if
you seem to have a relapse; call your doctor and get yourself
backtrack. Allow your loved ones to engage in your life and help you to a
happier existence. Just remember, when taking drugs such as Hydrocodone
for the relief of substantial and severe pain, take only as directed
without the fear of becoming addicted to a substance that can cause you
more harm than good when misused.

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