Hydrocodone Addiction Treatment
Hydrocodone is the most prescribed painkiller in America today. It plays a role in the nation’s current opioid epidemic. Hydrocodone is the generic name of a prescription pain medication (opioid) used to relieve pain and coughing. Though hydrocodone may have benefits for pain relief, it is also known to be very addictive, even when medically prescribed.
Even if a person is taking the prescription hydrocodone following a major surgery, coughing or for chronic pain, there is still a possibility for addiction to hydrocodone. Hydrocodone produces a euphoric high for the individual abusing the drug. It attaches to the opioid receptors in the brain and will eventually lead to an addiction. Those who abuse prescription pain medication are at an extremely high risk for drug overdose. With the recent drug epidemic there are tens of thousands of lives lost to opioid based drugs. If you or someone you know is struggling with hydrocodone addiction the time to seek help is now.
Hydrocodone Defined
Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid that is the opiate codeine that has been chemically manipulated. This opioid prescription medication is used for suppressing coughs and managing pain. A brand name for hydrocodone that may be familiar is “Vicodin”.
Hydrocodone was developed in the 1920’s by a German pharmaceutical company. In that same decade, American scientists were also experimenting with hydrocodone. They were seeking to replace a different highly addictive opioid based cough medication. The scientists saw hydrocodone as the best alternative because it managed coughing as it reduced pain. It took over 30 years to read reports of how likely it is to become addicted to the pain medication, regardless of the press, hydrocodone grew in popularity.
Common Hydrocodone Brand Names
There are a number of different brand-name medications that contain hydrocodone and hydrocodone mixes, they include:
Vicodin
Lortab
Norco
Lorcet
Xodol
Zolvit
Panacet
Vicoprofen
Hydrocodone is also referred to by street names or slang terms, including:
Tabs
Perks
Vics
Vicos
Vikes
Hydros
357s
Doctors prescribe hydrocodone to manage severe pain or suppress coughs. Patients who receive hydrocodone often have a persistent cough, chronic pain or may have recently undergone surgery.
Most prescriptions for the above brand-name medications are to manage severe pain or suppressing a persistent cough. Other uses for hydrocodone are for pain relief following surgery and for chronic, long-lasting pain. The only way to legally obtain hydrocodone is through a written prescription from a medical doctor.
Hydrocodone has a high level for addiction. Even those that start with a medical concern can develop into a full blown opioid addiction. Many prescriptions that even doctors prescribed are continued longer than needed because of the addiction in the patient to the opioid.
Hydrocodone Addiction
Hydrocodone has a high potential of addiction and abuse, and is considered a highly addictive opioid drug. It produces a anti-depressive, calming, and euphoric effect on the user, and this is what makes people crave the drug. It is even possible to become addicted to the drug when prescribed under the care of a medical doctor.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, hydrocodone is labeled as a Schedule II controlled substance. These are rated dependant on how addictive the drug is, and how dangerous; hydrocodone does presents a high risk, but it also has legitimate medical uses, so it’s Schedule II.
Hydrocodone Overdose
If you or a loved one is abusing hydrocodone, you are greatly at risk for overdose. When addiction occurs, tolerance to the drug happens quickly- tolerance leads to taking much more of the drug to experience the high. Taking too much hydrocodone at once can lead to a drug overdose or possibly death.
Symptoms of hydrocodone overdose include:
Loss of consciousness
Difficulty breathing or no breathing
Fingernails or lips turning blue
Weak pulse
Low blood pressure
Coma
Nausea and vomiting
Hydrocodone Addiction Stats
In America, hydrocodone is the most frequently prescribed opioid with 83.6 million prescriptions filled in 2017
In 2011, approximately 100,000 emergency room visits in America involved hydrocodone combination products
Yes, hydrocodone is addictive. But the good news is there are many options available to treat hydrocodone. There is hope to living a successful life again free of alcohol and drugs.
Hydrocodone Addiction Treatment at The Best Treatment Center
Withdrawal symptoms from a hydrocodone addiction can be extremely uncomfortable, it is important to receive around the clock medical and therapeutic care. In order to be successful in recovery, a proper addiction treatment program is needed. Treatment should start with a medically supervised detoxification process and a suggested continuation for 30 day to six month long treatment program should follow.
Recovery is a lifelong commitment and at The Best Treatment Center we provide each and every guest with the tools needed in order to be successful in their recovery journey. Each customized treatment program has tailored therapy for each individual guest.
After the physical dependence is broken, there are still many other issues guests must work through in order to get to the core of their addiction. We take pride in providing our guests with the tools they need in order to properly integrate back into society successfully and to continue in the lifelong journey of recovery.
At The Best Treatment Center, we believe in treating the entirety of the individual- mind, body, and spirit. We focus on restoring hope in the lives of our guests. We have a comfortable, safe, and serene setting so guests only have to worry about their recovery from addiction. We want our guests to relax during their stay and have comfort knowing they are making the best decision for their life by choosing to stop abusing alcohol and drugs.