Hydrocodone Addiction Treatment

About Hydrocodone Addiction

Hydrocodone is the most common semi-synthetic opioid prescription in the United States, intended to help patients manage moderate to chronic pain, most often due to surgery. Since it is such a popular medication, many people underestimate how dangerous it is. However, it is still highly addictive, and a user can develop a dependence to the substance even with a legitimate prescription.

When taken illegally for recreational use, hydrocodone produces a pleasurable high that overwhelms the user’s senses. This means that it can override other feelings like sadness and pain, making abuse more likely as some people may begin to rely on the drug to cope with stress or other negative feelings.

Due to how hydrocodone abuse alters a person’s brain, it is an extremely difficult drug to quit using, and with long-term use, overdose is highly likely. Thankfully, all hope is not lost when addiction takes hold. With the help of a qualified and reputable rehab facility, a life…recovered is possible. If you or someone you know is currently struggling with a hydrocodone addiction, call Brookdale now at 855-575-1292 for immediate assistance.

What is Hydrocodone?

Developed in the 1920s as an alternative to another opioid called codeine, hydrocodone was intended to be a safer option for treating pain and coughs. The pain it was meant to address was moderate to severe, and the hope was that the drug would become a valuable tool for patients after major surgery.

As the century progressed, it continued to be accepted as the less addictive option for pain relief, despite reports in the 1960s warning that it was quite harmful and addictive. As a result of ignoring these reports, hydrocodone is now considered a key component in the United States opioid crisis.

Hydrocodone can be prescribed as a tablet or a liquid, although the tablet form is the most popular option. It comes as a white, oval-shaped tablet, with the milligram dosage written on the tablet. This amount can vary between 10 mg to 120 mg of pure hydrocodone.

When used illicitly, the drug is valued for its ability to produce a powerful high when taken in large quantities. Its capsule may be crushed into a powder so that it can be snorted or dissolved in water for IV use. These two methods are popular among recreational users because the euphoric high produced from the substance goes into effect much sooner.

Common Nicknames for Hydrocodone

Since the recreational use of hydrocodone is illegal, drug dealers and users have developed a list of different names to refer to the drug for making transactions. This list is ever evolving, and its purpose is to help draw less suspicion from authorities or anyone the user may want to hide their addiction from.

Some of the most common street names for hydrocodone include:

How Addictive is Hydrocodone?

Even when taken with a legitimate prescription, hydrocodone users can easily develop a dependency due to its potency. The chance of this happening sharply increases when it is misused.

This is common among synthetic opioids, and like many others, it is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This status means that the drug has some medical use but should be handled with caution since it presents a high risk for addiction.

When taken, hydrocodone prompts the body to release a large wave of naturally occurring endorphins while simultaneously blocking the transporters that are responsible for regulating them. The most recognized of these chemicals is called dopamine, and it is what triggers the euphoric high that sought from hydrocodone users. This occurs because the amount of dopamine being released is more than the body can manage without being overwhelmed.

Over time and with habitual use, the body adapts to the heightened amounts of dopamine in its system so it can continue functioning with them present. When this happens, the body learns to depend on the chemical and loses its ability to function without it. At this stage, it is said that a person has developed a dependence, and if they try to quit hydrocodone, they will experience withdrawal symptoms when the substance is removed from the body.

This process locks users into a cycle of habitual use in an effort to maintain the high and avoid withdrawal, leaving them addicted. While it may feel impossible for an addict to quit hydrocodone and find recovery, with the help of a qualified drug and alcohol treatment center, there is hope for an addiction-free life.

Symptoms of Hydrocodone Addiction

To better understand hydrocodone and recognize when it is being abused, it is useful to learn the symptoms that come with its use. While the intended effects are pain and cough relief or pleasant highs for medical and recreational use respectively, there are a large number of additional side effects that users may not be aware of. These impact an abuser physically and psychologically and range from causing minor discomfort to potentially doing permanent damage if hydrocodone is used for a long period of time.

When abusing hydrocodone, an individual should expect to experience:

In particularly severe cases related to overdose, an individual could also enter a coma or have fatal consequences, even in early stages of use.

A person that is addicted to hydrocodone may also change their behavior to hide or feed their cravings. These can be valuable tells for friends and family members in the case that the individual has managed to hide their other symptoms.

Behavioral changes to watch out for that may signal an addiction include:

Additional Information About Hydrocodone

A hydrocodone addiction can develop in anyone who is taking the drug, even if they are only using it as part of a legitimate medical prescription. Once that addiction forms, it may be hard for others to spot, including their doctor, since the individual may go to great lengths to keep it hidden while still seeking out more of the drug.

The reason for hiding it can vary, but the most common reasons are related to embarrassment, shame, or simply a desire to continue using the drug. This is why it is important to know the signs of hydrocodone abuse and its addictive risks.

Since some people may believe it is impossible for someone they know, or even themselves, to develop an addiction, it is also valuable to learn statistics related to the drug to better understand its prevalence and impact on society. A few of these particularly worth noting are that:

• Hydrocodone is the most frequently prescribed opioid, with more than 80 million prescriptions given out each year

• In 2015, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that at least 11.5 million Americans misused hydrocodone

• In 2016, this number jumped to 12.5 million

• A 2016 study on high schoolers found that .8% of eighth graders, 1.7% of tenth graders, and 2.9% of twelfth graders used hydrocodone for recreational use in the last year

• According to the CDC, hydrocodone is one of the top three drugs for opioid overdose deaths

Hydrocodone Addiction Therapy and Treatment

Due to the potency of hydrocodone, it is an extremely difficult and potentially dangerous drug for someone to stop using on their own. As such, it is imperative to seek the professional help of a qualified rehab facility. There, the individual can find the help they need to overcome their addiction in a manner that is as effective and as safe as possible.

Rehab centers offer a variety of programs to accommodate a range of addictions and disorders. The most effective of these treatment processes involves inpatient care, where a patient remains onsite for an established timeframe for treatment. Often, a person’s environment can influence their behavior and disease of addiction, making it difficult to overcome their substance use disorder. Therefore, it is crucial to remove the individual from their normal environment, so they may have the best chance toward ongoing sobriety.

When appropriate, treatment typically begins with detoxification, a process in which all harmful and addictive substances are removed from the individual’s system. While under the supervision of licensed medical professionals, detox symptoms and other medical concerns can be properly managed, mitigating side effects of pain, discomfort and potentially dangerous adverse effects. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms can pose as life threatening, thus it is never recommended to attempt detox without the proper medical supervision. While detoxification is an essential step in the treatment process, it is merely the initial starting point toward a life…recovered.

Once a patient has successfully completed detox, they can begin to transition into residential care. During this stage of treatment, clinicians will work closely with the patient to create an individualized care plan, addressing their specific needs. Every person that walks into treatment is unique, struggling in different ways. What may help one patient, may not be beneficial for someone else. In residential treatment, a patient can expect to participate in a multitude of therapeutic modalities including group therapy, recreational therapy, family education, holistic treatment, relapse prevention, 12-step integration, as well as many other patient-specific treatments.

Getting Help for Hydrocodone Addiction Today

If you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction to hydrocodone, don’t wait any longer. We aren’t saying that it will be easy but getting the treatment you need is most definitely worth it.

At Brookdale, we specialize in the treatment of various substance use disorders and can offer you essential tools needed for ongoing success and recovery. Before you leave us, you will know that you are never alone in this process, always having a place of support to rely on.

Call Brookdale today at 855-575-1292 to begin the admissions process.