The misuse of opioids — legal, illegal, stolen or shared — is the reason 90 people die in the U.S. every day on average, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists. 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. When the body is unable to process all of the opioids in its system, breathing and heart rates can plummet. In just a few minutes, someone overdosing on hydrocodone may stop breathing, depriving their brains of oxygen (also known as hypoxia). Hydrocodone, like other opioids, works by binding to pain receptors (known specifically as mu opioid receptors) in the brain.
Hydrocodone Addiction
If you are prescribed the medication, be sure to follow the directions on the label. Taking it too much or too often can lead to overdose, dependence or addiction. Symptoms of Vicodin overdose include chest pain, bloody urine, trouble breathing, extreme drowsiness and changes in consciousness.
- Unlike natural opiates morphine and codeine, hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid.
- As her tolerance level rose, she was consuming up to 50 pills of Vicodin a day.
- Other safe choices are available to help you make a change and keep feeling well.
- Opioids are safest when used for three or fewer days to manage serious pain, such as pain that follows surgery or a bone fracture.
- They may exceed the amount of the drug the doctor is willing to prescribe and then start getting the drug illicitly.
- Symptoms of hydrocodone abuse include drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, and flushed skin.
Treating a Hydrocodone Overdose
She currently serves as a Director of adult outpatient services in a community health center. She has over 20 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, and has a clinical focus in family relations, substance abuse, and trauma. This drug activates the same receptors in the brain as Vicodin, releasing dopamine and relieving withdrawals. As well as treating addiction to Vicodin, The Recovery Village also offers individualized treatment plans to help people manage opioid addiction addictions. However, people not using Vicodin to lessen pain tend to use the drug recreationally to obtain a euphoric high.
Vicodin Withdrawal Symptoms
- Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of hydrocodone.
- Typical cases of liver damage involve doses of 4,000 mg or more a day of acetaminophen.
- Your pharmacist also might have special medication-deactivating bags for pill disposal.
- It’s those fast-acting drugs that affect our brain that causes an increase, a high increase, in dopamine that are more habit-forming.
- Treatment for prescription opioid addiction starts with a detoxification phase.
A treatment plan may include opioid agonist medications, such as methadone, to relieve withdrawal symptoms. They may also include cognitive behavioral therapy to teach strategies for living a healthier life. Because of the risk of opioid misuse, it’s often hard to get your healthcare professional to raise your dose or renew your prescription. Some opioid users who believe they need a bigger supply find illegal ways to get opioids or start using heroin. Some street drugs are laced with contaminants or much more powerful opioids such as fentanyl.
Hydrocodone can be a safe and effective way to treat severe pain, but it can be addictive. It can affect relationships, employment, vicodin addiction your health, and other parts of your life. Hydrocodone can be very effective, but it can also become habit-forming.
This can be a time for you to mention your concerns but also listen to them without judgment as they share their addiction struggles. Most importantly, remind them that addiction is a treatable disorder. Hydrocodone (also known by the brand names Vicodin, Norco, and Lortab) is a powerful prescription opioid medication that is prescribed to treat pain and suppress cough.
Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required and follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. When you call our team, you will speak to a Recovery Advocate who will answer any questions and perform a pre-assessment to determine your eligibility for treatment. If eligible, we will create https://ecosoberhouse.com/ a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. If The Recovery Village is not the right fit for you or your loved one, we will help refer you to a facility that is. Someone who is using Vicodin, especially high doses, will at first seem euphoric. Small pupils and slurred speech can also be side effects of Vicodin use.
Hydrocodone Addiction And Its Effects On The Body
If you believe you are addicted to the drug, seek professional assistance. Opioid rehab and treatment is the most effective approach to overcoming addiction. But it is possible to recover from hydrocodone addiction with proper treatment. Rehab treatment can help people overcome withdrawal symptoms and learn techniques to avoid relapse during recovery.
- Opioids are a class of drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant.
- When used correctly under a health care provider’s direction, prescription pain medicines are helpful.
- Your healthcare professional may recommend combining your taper with counseling from an alcohol and drug counselor.
- And using opioids illegally increases the risk of drug-related death.
- Never share Vicodin with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction.
- The number of deaths from using heroin has gone up since more heroin now contains fentanyl.