Hydrocodone addiction may be difficult to overcome, but with the right support, it is possible. There are many treatment options available to help you achieve recovery and remission. alcohol awareness toolkit prevention technology transfer center pttc network Experiencing trauma, like abuse or a chaotic home environment, or exposure to stress as a child or adult may lead some people to turn to drugs as a coping mechanism.
- As a Schedule II controlled substance, Vicodin has a high risk of being misused.
- They may suffer some kind of pain or injury and have the drug prescribed by a doctor.
- Or maybe you have a feeling that your loved one is misusing opioids, even if you’re not sure.
- Once the body becomes dependent on hydrocodone to feel normal, trying to quit taking them will result in symptoms of withdrawal.
Causes of hydrocodone addiction
Long-term oxygen deprivation will also result in damage to brain structures. There is also risk of irreversible brain damage due to lack of blood flow after an overdose from hydrocodone due to respiratory failure. Chronic, heavy use of hydrocodone decreases hormone levels in the body. Some of these hormones include estrogen and testosterone, which can lead to fertility damage, making it more difficult to conceive.
What to Know About Hydrocodone Addiction
Feel-good sensations of euphoria produced by opioids are likewise introduced here; these sensations encourage people to take the drug again. Often, when people try to quit or reduce the amount of hydrocodone they’re taking, they discover how dependent their bodies have become on the painkiller. After repeated use, opioids’ action in the frontal cortex weaken the individual’s ability to control decision-making and regulate mood.
Not sure if your medication is considered an opioid?
Physicians may also provide methadone or buprenorphine during detox. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, these medications relieve drug cravings and prevent other withdrawal symptoms. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction to hydrocodone, now is the time to get help. Contact a treatment provider to find out more about available options. Even when taken at recommended doses, Vicodin can result in addiction. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of prescription painkillers because their brains have not yet fully developed.
Vicodin relaxes users and triggers a euphoric high in larger doses. Using Vicodin in any way that doesn’t match your doctor’s prescription is considered substance abuse. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. Don’t try to quit using Vicodin on your own after heavy or prolonged use. Contact your healthcare providers and tell them you want to detox from Vicodin.
How opioid use disorder occurs
The number of deaths from using heroin has gone up since more heroin now contains fentanyl. Because pure hydrocodone has a higher risk of abuse than Vicodin, Norco, and Lortab, it is generally only prescribed for severe pain. This medication is designed to treat individuals with severe, chronic pain who are opioid tolerant and have not found relief with alternate treatment options. Rehab centers use evidence-based strategies to alleviate opioid abuse.
At Narconon, withdrawal is supported with generous doses of nutrition that calm a body’s response to coming off opiates. Each person in withdrawal also receives support from the staff in the form of assists, simple processes that lift mood, increase objectivity and further calm the body. Some medicines can interact with hydrocodone and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications.
Hydrocodone can be a safe and effective way to treat severe pain, but it can be addictive. It can affect relationships, employment, biofeedback your health, and other parts of your life. Hydrocodone can be very effective, but it can also become habit-forming.
As with other drugs, Vicodin can interact with other drugs and alcohol. Taking Vicodin with other substances can lead to uncomfortable and harmful side effects. The biggest danger from detoxing from Vicodin and other pain medication takes place when someone decides to start taking the drug again.
It’s possible to become physically dependent and addicted to Vicodin, especially after long-term use. If you stop using it, you may also feel withdrawal symptoms, which is why doctors recommend tapering off the drug. Since it is an opiate-based drug, Vicodin withdrawal is similar to withdrawing from heroin, morphine, methadone, or codeine. Anyone can experience withdrawal symptoms if they have taken Vicodin over a period of time, usually several weeks or more. Although the symptoms vary by person, most people experience some withdrawal discomfort when they attempt to quit or cut down.
Hydrocodone without acetaminophen is sold under the brand name Zohydro®. Researchers say this type of preference has practical and psychological foundations. The timeline of Vicodin or any opioid withdrawal will depend on the level of can you smoke shrooms read this before you do addiction, genetics, and tolerance. It’s recommended that you undergo substance abuse treatment at a qualified treatment facility. After an intense surgery or injury, many doctors may prescribe a narcotic painkiller called Vicodin.
Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed. If you think someone you know may be struggling with an addiction to hydrocodone, there are physical and behavioral signs you can look for. If you have withdrawal symptoms, tell your healthcare team right away.
These symptoms include itching, vomiting and swelling of the face, mouth and throat. If you experience an allergic reaction to Vicodin, call your physician or 911 immediately. If you think you or someone you know has overdosed on Vicodin, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Reach out to your loved one’s healthcare professional if your answers point toward a possible addiction. The healthcare professional is an important partner if you decide it’s time to take action. Individuals with hydrocodone use disorders are at high risk of damaging opioid receptors in the brain, which affect how the brain manages responses to pain. Numerous studies have reported that individuals who have a history of long-term opioid use are much more likely to experience intense pain. After years of opioid abuse, many people have a heightened sensitivity to pain.
Abuse of Vicodin includes any type of use without a prescription or use other than directed by a doctor. Oftentimes, maintaining a full recovery requires ongoing medication-assisted therapy to prevent relapse. You may be prescribed medications — such as methadone or buprenorphine — to help you safely and effectively recover from hydrocodone addiction. If your doctor prescribes hydrocodone for you, you can take steps to avoid serious complications from hydrocodone addiction. First, though, you must understand why and how hydrocodone becomes addictive and the signs and symptoms of hydrocodone addiction.
Both substances can be dangerous in high doses, and taking too much Vicodin can lead to an overdose. Some people believe the addiction will fade if they stop drug usage altogether. However, physicians and therapists do not recommend this practice for several reasons. When quitting the use of Vicodin suddenly, the body goes through withdrawal and experiences forceful and uncomfortable side effects rather quickly. Quitting cold turkey is also not guaranteed to be successful and increases the chance of setbacks. Kelly Osbourne is one of the most well-known celebrities to share her story about her battle with Vicodin.
When someone uses another central nervous system depressant at the same time, serious effects could occur. For example, combining Vicodin with alcohol or a benzodiazepine like Xanax can increase the chances of an overdose occurring. If it’s possible someone is overdosing on Vicodin, emergency medical help should be sought immediately. In addition, women have a unique set of risk factors for opioid use disorder. Compared with men, women also are more likely to be prescribed opioid medicines, to be given higher doses and to use opioids for longer periods of time.
The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies hydrocodone as a Schedule II substance. This means that hydrocodone products such as Vicodin have a high potential for abuse and their use can result in severe physical or psychological dependence. While addiction can occur from building tolerance to the drug, individuals misusing it tend to take Vicodin to alleviate minor symptoms, such as a headache. The user begins to rely on the medication for that sense of relief and tranquilization that follows the slightest discomfort.
One of the negative complications of Vicodin abuse is liver damage or failure caused by the acetaminophen in the drug. Typical cases of liver damage involve doses of 4,000 mg or more a day of acetaminophen. The outcome for recovery is generally better when people take medications for opioid use disorder, versus not sticking with them or not taking them at all.