Hydrocodone is a pain reliever usually administered to treat moderate to severe pain. Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid medication, unlike natural opiates, morphine and codeine. Doctors may prescribe hydrocodone to manage short-term pain after dental surgery or pain caused by an injury.
Regular use of hydrocodone (as with other opioid medications) can become habit-forming due to the addictive nature of opioids. Trying to stop taking hydrocodone once the body has become dependent on it to feel normal will result in withdrawal symptoms. Individuals who are addicted to hydrocodone should seek treatment for their addiction through detox and rehab.
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In the United Kingdom, hydrocodone is classified as a class-A controlled substance (the most restrictive), with severe penalties for illicit possession and distribution. Several combination formulations in the United Kingdom (for example, paracetamol) are not legally available.
Long-acting hydrocodone is available on its own; however, it is most commonly supplied in conjunction with paracetamol or ibuprofen. It is widely used in tablet form or oral solution, either alone or in combination, and is less frequently found as a component in nasal sprays and suppositories.
Hydrocodone street names can be used to openly discuss the drug without attracting the attention of law enforcement, parents, or other non-medical users. Slang phrases or short brand name variants are commonly used to reference hydrocodone on the streets. Noro, Vicodin, and Lortab are some of the more common brand names.
Other regularly used street names do not use the marketed brand name. They are as follows:
Hydrocodone binds to receptors in the brain, like many opiates, to block the reuptake of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This affects the pleasure pathway, causing the user to feel good. Tolerance develops with repeated usage, and dependence can develop quickly.
Addiction is a condition of the brain’s reward system in which a person feels compelled to participate in rewarding behaviour repeatedly, regardless of the negative consequences. The longer we use hydrocodone, the more our brains adapt to it, affecting the production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which are responsible for good feelings and sensations. Furthermore, when the quantities of such chemicals in the system are reduced as a result of the behaviour not being engaged in, this has substantial negative psychological consequences.
It might be challenging to recognise the indications of opioid addiction because most people with a Hydrocodone addiction start by misusing a prescription given to them by their doctor. Prescription painkillers misuse means taking pills more frequently than prescribed, taking them after the time limit has passed, and using them in ways other than intended (such as snorting or injecting them).
Addiction is classified into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. Hydrocodone addiction can be identified by consuming more than intended and prioritising drug use over personal or professional obligations. As a person’s tolerance to the effects of Hydrocodone grows, they will require higher doses to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Hydrocodone dependency develops when a person’s system adjusts to the presence of particular quantities of a chemical (in this case, hydrocodone) and comes to rely on those levels for normal functioning. When someone becomes addicted, the abrupt lack of the substance – for example, if they quit taking hydrocodone – can cause irregular brain and body functioning, as well as the emergence of various unpleasant and potentially deadly symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms could be classified as withdrawal syndrome.
Even though addiction and dependence are commonly confused and closely related phenomena, one can develop without the other.
Why one person develops an addiction while another in comparable circumstances does is not based on a specific set of factors or triggers. According to studies, there are far too many parts of our lives, and our reactions to them determine whether or not we become addicted. However, genetics and an individual’s environment are recognised to have a role in developing any type of addiction.
The stigma of addiction and the fear of being labelled as an addict play a significant role in the disease‘s progression. The recurrent recreational use of hydrocodone and regular ingestion of the drug for medical reasons are the two leading causes of hydrocodone addiction. Someone who begins taking hydrocodone for medicinal reasons may go on to abuse and misuse the drug recreationally, maybe as a way to cope with withdrawal symptoms after becoming addicted.
People who metabolise hydrocodone slowly or experience more euphoria than an average person are more prone to become addicted to it. Chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and other physical and mental health problems are major risk factors.
People who are more likely to participate in risky behaviour, are extroverted to the point of bragging, are incredibly introverted, have trouble regulating their behaviour, or have a strong need to fit in are all more likely to develop a hydrocodone addiction than the ordinary person.
Mental health conditions with a genetic component are also strong markers of the chance of developing a hydrocodone addiction.
A history of substance abuse, easy access to hydrocodone, involvement in a peer group where hydrocodone abuse is frequent, and having a partner who abuses hydrocodone are all documented risk factors for addiction to hydrocodone.
Addicts generally take extraordinary measures to conceal their condition because of the stigma associated with addiction and substance abuse. Recognising addiction in someone close to you can be challenging.
Nonetheless, the following are some of the most common signs of addiction:
If someone addicted to hydrocodone or other opioids stops taking the drug, they may experience various withdrawal symptoms. The following are some of the most common withdrawal symptoms:
Hydrocodone, like any opioid, is a dangerous substance. Chronic use can lead to addiction, dependency, and the risk of overdose, which can be fatal. Hydrocodone use can also raise the likelihood of an accident, dangerous sexual behaviour, criminal conduct with possibly lifetime consequences, hostility leading to violence, and developing blood-borne infections like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.
Other dangerous side effects of hydrocodone consumption include:
While hydrocodone withdrawal is not commonly thought to be lethal, it can lead to extreme despair and suicidal thoughts. Once dependence has formed, a person suffering from a hydrocodone addiction may feel compelled to make tremendous efforts to obtain hydrocodone to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Such behaviour could result in severe consequences, including criminal charges.
Abuse causes long-term health concerns such as breathing problems, liver damage, coma, and death. Some patients are also dealing with psychological issues such as depression and anxiety. Some negative consequences become irreversible if treatment is not provided early on.
Long-term hydrocodone misuse has a negative impact on the brain and body. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain and impacts the pleasure pathway by flooding the nucleus accumbens with neurotransmitters as an opioid agonist.
Dependence develops when the brain changes to recognise hydrocodone as part of its usual functions. The user experiences withdrawal symptoms without the drug, prompting them to seek it out. It can lead to mental health issues like anxiety, unpredictable behaviour, and sadness.
There is a multitude of symptoms and indicators that can appear when a person overdoses on hydrocodone. The following are some of the more common signs and symptoms of a hydrocodone overdose:
Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a medication that can be used to reverse an overdose. Many people may have Narcan on hand, either with a prescription or in their medicine cabinet, because they care for someone known to abuse opiates like heroin or opioids like hydrocodone. Only the worst side effects of an opioid overdose can be reversed with Narcan. It is best to seek immediate medical assistance if you are experiencing signs of a hydrocodone overdose. It does not “cure” the overdose, and additional medical attention is required.
Substance misuse may coexist with other mental diseases. People suffering from mental problems may use substance abuse to escape or self-medicate. Substance misuse, particularly when addiction is present, can result in various mental health issues.
The co-occurrence of a substance addiction with a mental health disorder is referred to as dual diagnosis. If an individual seeking addiction treatment has a dual diagnosis, specialist care will involve treatment and care for both mental health and addiction-related disorders.
Don’t go through the process of recovery alone. Treatment providers can answer your questions. Get in touch with one today.
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If you know someone struggling to stop using hydrocodone, the best thing you can do for them is refer them to a competent specialist. Call us on 0800 999 1083 for confidential help and to discuss treatment options.
Rehabilitation can begin after you are no longer under the effect of drugs. The first stage of treatment is to get rid of any traces of hydrocodone from your body (detox). Although hydrocodone withdrawal is rarely life-threatening, the safest detox method is to go to a medically supervised detox centre. Doctors will utilise medications and the tapering technique to help patients cope with the withdrawal symptoms.
You’ll go to therapy after detox, where therapists and drug counsellors can help you figure out why you started abusing Hydrocodone in the first place.
Although there is no “miracle cure” treatment for hydrocodone addiction, a variety of drugs are used to help deal with:
Enrolling as an inpatient for comprehensive treatment is recommended. This is a full-time rehabilitation programme in which you reside in a therapeutic community for the duration of your treatment. Specialists are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to ensure you’re safe and getting the help you need. You must, however, enter a rehab facility, which primarily benefits from keeping you away from triggers and former habit-related sites and settings.
If you are unable to commit to a full-time inpatient rehabilitation programme for any reason, an outpatient programme may be an option. You’ll have access to the same treatments as an inpatient option, but you’ll be free to return home and resume your everyday life outside treatment hours.
Therapy is at the centre of all addiction treatment because it is the only way to uncover and address the underlying psychological causes of addiction and provide the addict with relapse prevention mechanisms. Therapy can be delivered in various locations, including residential rehab (rehab) and multiple models and structures, such as group and one-on-one outpatient therapy sessions.
The following is a list of several types of therapy used to help treat Hydrocodone addiction:
CBT is a sort of therapy that tries to assist patients in changing their negative thought patterns. It is predicated on the notion that negative thinking and acquired behavioural habits are linked to psychological problems. CBT is a solution-based strategy for patients who desire to improve their established behaviours.
Traditional 12-step programmes are extensively utilised and regarded as one of the most effective treatments for alcoholism. The programme was created in the 1930s for those who needed to get clean in order to avoid going to prison. Drugs and alcohol have similar pharmacological effects, and the 12-step approach has become widespread worldwide as a treatment technique for addiction therapy. Addicts who use a combination of group therapy and self-acceptance, as well as surrendering to a higher power and following the 12 rules, can find meaning in their life.
BACP accredited psychotherapist with 16 years experience working in mental health specialising in psychodynamic person-centred therapies treating those with a range of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, OCD and Addiction.
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