Signs of Hydrocodone Addiction

If you are wondering if your friend or family member has an addiction to hydrocodone, there are certain signs and symptoms to look for. They will exhibit intense cravings for it and are continuously thinking about taking more of the drug. When they stop using it, they will experience unpleasant physical reactions. You may also notice the following signs and symptoms:

• “Doctor shopping” (visiting multiple doctors to obtain more than one prescription)
• Going through their prescriptions too quickly
• Doing uncharacteristic things to obtain the drug, like stealing
• Lying and displaying dishonest behavior
• A lack of money that can not be explained
• Secluding and isolating oneself from other people
• Suddenly replacing old friends with new ones
• Unexplained changes in mood and behavior

An individual addicted to hydrocodone will also exhibit physical symptoms, such as:

• Sweating
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Loss of concentration
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness

Having an Intervention

People addicted to drugs such as hydrocodone do not realize the severity of their problem. The only thing that matters in their lives is getting more of the drug, at whatever the cost. They do not consider how the addiction is ruining their lives and the lives of their loved ones. The purpose of an intervention is to help the addict see the physical and mental destruction that addiction creates and to persuade him or her to seek help. The goal of an intervention is to empower addicts to find a breakthrough in their seemingly hopeless situation.

Here are some helpful tips for having an intervention:

• Invite only supportive people. If some people have resentment issues with the addict, the intervention may become more accusatory and condemning than focused on advocating that person’s recovery.
• Remain calm throughout the intervention even if the discussion gets heated and the addict is defensive.

Prepare for resistance. Maintain a reasonable attitude and a firm, yet calm tone of voice.

• Insist that you are confident in the person’s full recovery and that you will support him or her in the process.
• Be prepared with specific examples about how that person’s drug use has negatively affected you and others.
• Research treatment options so that if the person agrees to enter treatment, you have some choices readily available.

If your friend or family member is addicted to hydrocodone, please do not turn a blind eye to the situation. Intervention could truly be a matter of life and death.

Treatment for Hydrocodone Addiction

The first phase of addiction treatment is known as detox. At a rehab facility, the patient will be weaned off the drug under the care and watchful of eye of professionals so that the withdrawal symptoms can be supervised and managed. Detox usually takes about seven days. Next, the focus will be moved to the psychological effects of addiction. The addict will learn about the nature of addiction and be taught new ways to respond to the world without drugs.

Hydrocodone Intervention Help

Please call our toll free number at (877) 259-5634 for more information on treatment for hydrocodone addiction. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you may have about hydrocodone abuse, treatment, and intervention. We want to help you find the recovery solutions you’re looking for. Life is too important to waste on addiction. Call us today.

Pure hydrocodone is rarely prescribed in the United States and is classified as a Schedule II drug. When prescribed, hydrocodone is combined with one or more of the following: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or antihistamine, depending on what it is intended to treat. The exact proportions of each of the combined drugs also vary, but no one should take more than 40 mg of hydrocodone on a daily basis.

Side Effects of Hydrocodone Use

Exactly how the drug acts on the brain is not fully understood, but it appears to act on both peripheral and central portions of the brain. Most side effects associated with monitored hydrocodone seem to be relieved when a person is not active but can include:

• Dizziness and drowsiness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Euphoria
• Lightheadedness and confusion

Indicators of Hydrocodone Addiction

People who use a prescribed hydrocodone product can easily become tolerant to its benefits and increase the dosage without medical recommendation. Increase dosages not only increase the potential side effects but also can lead a person toward addiction.

In its prescribed state, a person abusing hydrocodone and in need of hydrocodone treatment is subject to the addiction symptoms of both hydrocodone and acetaminophen, including:

• Respiratory distress: With high enough doses, a person’s circulatory system may collapse, followed by cardiac arrest.
• Because of the acetaminophen in the prescribed drug, abuse can lead to kidney damage, hypoglycemia (drop in blood sugar) and thrombocytopenia (decrease in platelets).
• Excessive abuse of acetaminophen can lead to liver toxicity, which if untreated, can cause death.

A blatant indicator of addiction to hydrocodone is when a person extracts the pure form of hydrocodone from the water-soluble acetaminophen.

Get Help for Hydrocodone Addiction

Hydrocodone recovery and addiction requires proper medical supervision and support services. If you or someone you know is addicted to hydrocodone, call our toll free number today at (877) 259-5634. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about hydrocodone addiction treatment. We are here to help.

As a result, there are many hydrocodone compounds on the market today, including Vicodin and Lortab which are probably the most recognizable. While these compounds are known to provide relief for moderate to severe pain and as a cough suppressant, a person using them should be aware of the potential side effects and abuse indicators.

Side Effects of Hydrocodone Use

Most side effects associated with monitored hydrocodone use are mild and often require no treatment (also Hydrocodone Withdrawl), including:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Constipation
• Dizziness, lightheadedness
• Sweating
• Drowsiness
• Constipation

Indicators of Hydrocodone Addiction

The primary reason that a person becomes addicted to hydrocodone is that the person’s body becomes tolerant to the current dosage, which then requires the person to increase the dosage to achieve the same initial effects.
It is relatively easy for a person to acquire hydrocodone products. First, they are relatively inexpensive. Next, they are rather easy to obtain, through semi-legal “doctor shopping” strategies, Internet purchases and illegal means. Also, the rules associated with the categorization of hydrocodone are not as stringent, so it is possible to phone or fax a prescription to a pharmacy potentially without a rigid review.

So if a person is behaving in a manner that supports their craving and is experiencing side effects for an extended period of time, these are good indicators that they may be addicted to hydrocodone.

Hydrocodone Overdose

Hydrocodone abuse and overdose is not a reaction to a single ingredient as all hydrocodone products are combined with other active ingredients. So a person is at risk not only from the overdose symptoms of the hydrocodone but also from the other active and combined ingredients. These symptoms may include:

• Cold, clammy skin
• A slow heart rate or low blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing that, if untreated, could lead to cardiac arrest
• Extreme drowsiness that, if untreated, could lead to a coma

Hydrocodone Treatment

The overdose symptoms presented clearly describe the need for immediate treatment for a person experiencing an overdose. Such treatment would require emergency medical personnel who provide strategies to counteract the overdose effects.

With the overdose managed, the addict would require ongoing supportive care treatment and rehabilitation treatment to respond to the physiological, emotional, mental, physical and psychological contributors to the addiction.

Get Help for Hydrocodone Addiction

Recovering from hydrocodone with proper medical supervision and support services is possible. If you or someone you know is addicted to hydrocodone, call our toll free number today at (877) 259-5634. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about hydrocodone addiction treatment. We are here to help.

Hydrocodone Addiction and Withdrawal

One of the most obvious indicators of hydrocodone addiction is a person’s focused efforts to obtain the medication through whatever means. In addition, a person who is constantly craving hydrocodone is clearly addicted.

Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms can vary in intensity and may include:

• Sweating and shivering
• Anxiety and insomnia
• Shakiness
• Nausea and diarrhea
• Perceived increased pain

Hydrocodone Treatment Options

Hydrocodone use is increasing each year. The reasons for this increase may be because it is perceived to be safe to use because it is a prescribed medication, it is easy to obtain the medication through legal and illegal methods, and because people easily become tolerant to a dosage level and require more.

Because a person addicted to hydrocodone is often significantly impacted by mood changes, diminished mental capabilities, and extreme lethargy, that person may not seek the rehabilitation treatment they require.

Typically, the first step in the recovery process is detox during which a qualified health professional assists the person in reducing the withdrawal symptoms and removing the chemical dependency from the body.

After prescription detox, a structured rehabilitation program is most recommended as it will provide the medical, psychological, social and even nutritional support to address the many needs the recovery addict has. Upon successful completion of a rehabilitation program, it is highly recommended that a person continues treatment through group and individual counseling.

Get Help for Hydrocodone Addiction

If you need assistance in getting started in finding the right treatment program for you, call our toll free number today at (877) 259-5634. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about hydrocodone addiction treatment. We are here to help.

Hydrocodone is given in correlation with other ingredients, so it is important to look up all the other ingredients in order to better understand your medication. Hydrocodone may be habit-forming, so it is important to only take what your doctor prescribes. Make sure to keep it stored away from children and people with a history of drug abuse to ensure the safety of everyone. Keep the medication in the bottle it originally came in, clearly labeled so there is no confusion.  If one becomes addicted, it is comforting to know that Hydrocodone treatment is readily available.

Hydrocodone Dependency

Hydrocodone is a highly dependent drug. Often, hydrocodone addictions happen accidentally by patients unknowingly abusing their prescription medication. When used for a prolonged amount of time, the body becomes used to the amount of drugs administered. When this happens, the user has to take more to receive the initial effects. This is a dangerous thing to do because when a user does not take the medication, withdrawal symptoms will occur. When taking this drug, the patient needs to do exactly as the doctor says to stay clear of addiction. It is important to talk to your doctor before getting off of hydrocodone to ensure that withdrawal symptoms do not occur.

How to Use Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone can come in various forms. It may come as a tablet, a capsule, syrup, a solution (clear liquid), an extended-release (long-acting) capsule, and an extended-release (long-acting) suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. The extended-release forms are usually taken every 12 hours, while everything else is taken every four to six hours as needed. It is important to follow the directions the doctor provides on the label. Do not crush or chew the extended-release capsule because that would release too much hydrocodone into the bloodstream all at once. The extended-release suspension is not to be mixed with any other form of liquids. When taking it in the syrup, solution, or extended-release suspension, do not measure with a household teaspoon because it is not medically accurate. Make sure you used a properly marked measuring device to ensure you do no take more than prescribed.

Hydrocodone Side Effects

Hydrocodone may cause side effects. If the following symptoms are sever and do not go away, contact your doctor:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Fuzzy thinking
• Anxiety
• Abnormally happy or abnormally sad mood
• Dry throat
• Difficulty urinating
• Rash
• Itching
• Narrowing of the pupils

Some of the effects are more serious. If these side effects occur, contact your doctor immediately:

• Chest tightness
• Slow or irregular breathing

Hydrocodone Help

If you or a loved one is addicted to hydrocodone, it is important to seek help from Hydrocodone. Hydrocodone is a highly dependent drug. Once addicted, the effects are devastating. Many lose their jobs, dreams and ambitions. But, there is hope. If you are interested in receiving information on hydrocodone rehab or detox, please call our toll free number at (877) 259-5634.

Hydrocodone is given in correlation with other ingredients, so it is important to look up all the other ingredients in order to better understand your medication. Hydrocodone may be habit-forming, so it is important to only take what your doctor prescribes. Make sure to keep it stored away from children and people with a history of drug abuse to ensure the safety of everyone. Keep the medication in the bottle it originally came in, clearly labeled so there is no confusion.

Hydrocodone Brand Names

Hydrocodone is mixed with other medications, and is known by many different brand names. Many of the medications are very similar, but may differ in concentration. Some of the brand names/ trade names include:

• Vicodin
• Lorcet
• Lortab
• Anexsia
• Hycodan
• Vicoprofen
• Tramadol
• Zydone
• Tylox
• Tussionex
• Hycomine

Hydrocodone Street Names

It is important to recognize the street names for medications that can be easily abused. These street names originate from whichever brand name the hydrocodone came from.

• Vikes
• Viko
• Hydro
• Norco

Hydrocodone Help

If you or a loved one is addicted to hydrocodone, it is important to seek hydrocodone help. Hydrocodone is a highly dependent drug. Once addicted, the effects are devastating. Many lose their jobs, dreams and ambitions. But, there is hope. If you are interested in receiving information on hydrocodone detox or rehab, please call our toll free number at (877) 259-5634.

Attempting to quit cold turkey can have adverse affects on an individual as withdrawal symptoms can tend to be severe and therefore should be supervised by a medical professional in a detox center. Weaning oneself off of the drug is more successful and counteracts the potential of going into relapse. It also decreases the possibility of an individual having a seizure or going into convulsions.

The duration of hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms varies greatly from person to person and also are dependent upon the severity of addiction. Vicodin (hydrocodone) withdrawal is both a mental and physical process where the mind is telling the body it cannot function without it.

Many of the withdrawal symptoms affect both the mind and the body. Given that the withdrawal is so uncomfortable, it is actually the fear of withdrawal that keeps the opiate addict stuck in addiction. They have experienced the pain of withdrawal and they know how miserable it is, so they will do anything they can in order to avoid it. Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Intense cravings for the drug
• Irritability
• Panic
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Involuntary leg movements
• Bone pain
• Muscle aches
• Runny nose or eyes
• Dilated pupils
• Cold sweats
• Diarrhea
• Yawning
• Fevers
• Chills
• Inability to sleep
• Depression

In addition to the physical addiction to hydrocodone, some social issues may surface. These include problems in personal relationships, employment difficulties, financial troubles and legal problems. In addition, psychological difficulties commonly occur.

Hydrocodone Overview

Hydrocodone is a narcotic that can produce a calm, euphoric state similar to heroin or morphine. It is most commonly used to assist those who are recovering from surgery or are enduring chronic/severe pain. However, very few prescription drugs are pure hydrocodone. Instead, small amounts of hydrocodone are mixed with other non-narcotic ingredients to create medicines like Vicodin and Lortab. Nonetheless, it is still one of the most abused drugs on the market.

Why addiction?

One of the reasons Vicodin is so problematic for individuals is because they develop a tolerance to the drug and need more and more of it in order to fulfill their craving and obtain the same euphoric effects. Subject to individual tolerance, many medical experts believe dependence or addiction can occur within one to four weeks at higher doses of hydrocodone. The more Vicodin an individual takes, the worse the withdrawal symptoms are.

Hydrocodone withdrawal may be passed to a newborn infant from a pregnant woman or nursing mother using this medication. Physical harm and organ damage may occur to the child. The acetaminophen component in compound capsules enhances the narcotic effects of the hydrocodone component.

Treatment for Hydrocodone Addiction and Withdrawal Symptoms

When hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms reach intolerable levels, the drug abuser is more inclined to admit that drug treatment is needed. Acceptance of the drug abuse should immediately be supported by family and friends. Drug detoxification at residential treatment centers is the first step.

Like noted above, Vicodin withdrawal symptoms are severe, similar to opiate withdrawal from heroin, and lead to further use of the drug that will relieve them. Remember that Vicodin addiction tends to be a lower priority than pain management for the patient, so the problem with this drug addiction lies in long-term recovery. Residential drug treatment is not always necessary. For many, outpatient drug treatment will suffice. In either case, drug treatment is necessary to make Vicodin addiction a higher priority.

Hydrocodone Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with a hydrocodone addiction, we can help. Please call our toll free number at (877) 259-5634. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your questions on hydrocodone treatment and addiction.

There are several withdrawal symptoms which may occur as a result of detox. These are not life-threatening conditions; however, they can cause discomfort and even relapse.

Vicodin Withdrawal Symptoms

Common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Sleepless and restlessness
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Nausea, lack of appetite
• Mood swings
• Chills and sweats

Those with a potentially serious problem, which is dependent upon the length of time used and the individual, will benefit more from a residential detox facility where successful treatment programs are administered and monitored by healthcare professionals.

Medication Detox Help

Detoxification from Vicodin (hydrocodone) generally takes three to five days, but can run longer if the individual has been involved with a particularly long and intense addiction to the drug. Some Vicodin detox involves medication.

Vicodin detox can cause severe withdrawal symptoms that bring about discomfort and potential relapse. In order to help the individual succeed, some programs feature synthetic opiates such as methadone, buprenorphine or the drug Suboxone which allows the individual to engage in detox while at home.

If you choose not to take advantage of the maintenance medications like methadone or buprenorphine, you may be prescribed medication to treat each symptom you experience individually. That, combined with lots of rest, organic meals prepared especially to ease your discomfort and the support of counselors help keep you on track until you get through the hard part.

What Detox Does Not Treat

While detox plays a vital role in helping the individual overcome Vicodin (hydrocodone) addiction, it is important to understand the things that detoxification does NOT treat.  Hydrocodone addiction is a chronic medical condition for which there is no cure. Detox is one step in the journey but people must understand that it does not help with the following:

• Overcoming the psychological component of addiction. The biggest battle in overcoming addiction is held in the mind. Vicodin detox helps the individual overcome their physical addiction to the drug so that they can continue on into counseling and therapy that treats the impact the drug has on one’s behavior.
• Removal of the desire to use Vicodin. Neither detox nor drug rehab in general helps the individual stop wanting to use Vicodin. Rather, these procedures help stabilize the individual physically (during detox) and teach them the behaviors required to make better decisions about the drug use moving forward.

Hydrocodone Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with a hydrocodone addiction, we can help. Please call our toll free number at (877) 259-5634. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your questions on hydrocodone treatment and addiction.

Celebrity Death from Vicodin

The actor Heath Ledger died from an accidental overdose of six different drugs (a mix of painkillers and sedatives) leading doctors to warn of the dangers of mixing prescription drugs. The 28-year-old film star died “of acute intoxication” from the combination of two strong painkillers, two anti-anxiety medicines and two sleeping aids, which means that his death was sudden. According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in New York, “All the drugs that were found in Heath’s system are sedatives, and when taken together, they slow down your respiratory system and eventually stop your breathing.”
In layman’s terms, the drugs that were found in Heath’s system are the following:
• Oxycodone: Percocet
• Hydrocodone: Codeine
• Diazepam: Valium (anti-anxiety)
• Temazepam: Restoral (a sleeping aid)
• Alprazolam: Xanax (anti-anxiety)
• Doxylamine: an over the counter antihistamine
So why did Heath die? According to medical professionals, he did not die of chronic drug abuse. He was clearly being treated for something and the way that he used the prescription drugs collided in a tragic result.

Trademark, Vicodin, in Popular Culture

Hydrocodone is possibly known best by the trademark name Vicodin. Like Quaalude and Valium in the 1970s, Vicodin has become not just a drug but a symbol, and its presence in a lyric or a screenplay can be seen as a comment on the obsessions of the early twenty-first century. Some of the places where the brand name has appeared in popular culture include:

• In the television series House, Gregory House (played by Hugh Laurie) is a brilliant but difficult doctor who takes massive amounts of Vicodin to manage chronic pain.
• In the short-lived, controversial television series The Book of Daniel, Aidan Quinn plays an Episcopal priest who is hooked on Vicodin.
• The song “Company” by Third Eye Blind features the lyric “Mix it up with Vicodin, Cause anything’s better than this.”
• In the Jack’s Mannequin song, “Last Straw,” singer Andrew McMahon laments “I stayed home, took a Vicodin.”
• The metal-core band Atreyu has a song called “Five Vicodin Chased with a Shot of Clarity.”
• Terra Naomi, the singer-songwriter, recorded a “Vicodin Song” which includes the lyric “I’ve got Vicodin, do you want to come over?”
• Several songs by Eminem mention Vicodin.
• In the song “Feel Good Hit of the Summer” by Queens of the Stone Age, the phrase “Nicotine, Valium, Vicodin, marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol. Cocaine…” is repeated over the song.
• The song “Diary of a San Fernando Sexx Star” by Butch Walker has the lyric “So you popped a Vicodin and ran away from everyone, and everything you thought you knew.”
• Bill Engvall has a joke called “Vicodinland” which is an amusing account of his time on Vicodin after his hernia.
• In the television series Six Feet Under, Ruth’s sister, Sarah, experiences withdrawal symptoms while trying to break her Vicodin addiction.
• During Season 2 of the television series Rescue Me, Franco gets hooked on Vicodin.
• ECW wrestlers Rob Van Dam and Sabu were both arrested for possession of the drug without a prescription.
• In Chuck Palanuik’s “Invisible Monsters,” Vicodin is mentioned throughout the novel with multiple characters addicted to the drug.
• Actor Matthew Perry (of Friends fame) voluntarily checked himself into a drug rehabilitation facility after he admitted to the press that he had been addicted to Vicodin for several years.
• Comedian George Carlin checked himself into a rehabilitation facility in 2004 after he became addicted to Vicodin.
• Several Alkaline Trio songs make reference to Vicodin.

Hydrocodone Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with a hydrocodone addiction, we can help. Please call our toll free number at (877) 259-5634. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your questions on hydrocodone treatment and addiction.

Hydrocodone is a prescription medication used in cases of extreme pain, for instance after surgery or recovery from an accident of sorts. It is abused for its opiate-like effects. It is equivalent to morphine but helps in the withdrawal symptoms of chronic morphine administration.

Signs of Hydrocodone Overdose

Users who become dependent on hydrocodone will begin to show a lack of:

• Enjoyment
• Drive
• Emotional response
• Libido
• Work performance
• Social engagement

And the increase of:

• Fear of running out of hydrocodone
• Opiate tolerance
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Use to forestall withdrawal
• Use despite of consequences
• Shakes, sweatiness, nausea
• Periods without abstinence

How Does Hydrocodone Overdose Occur?

A hydrocodone overdose happens when you consume more hydrocodone than your body can safely handle. An overdose of hydrocodone can be fatal. Hydrocodone is found in multiple prescription drugs including Lortab, Lorcet and Vicodin. If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency treatment immediately.

Symptoms of a hydrocodone overdose include:

• Bluish tinge to skin, fingernails and lips
• Cold clammy skin
• Extreme sleepiness
• Heavy perspiration
• Limp muscles
• Nausea and vomiting
• Slowed heartbeat
• Slow and labored breathing
• Pinpoint pupils
• Spasms of the stomach and/or intestinal tract
• Low blood pressure
• Drowsiness
• Seizures
• Dizziness
• Coma
• Sweating

A severe hydrocodone overdose may include cardiac arrest, circulatory collapse, and/or death. A lethal overdose due to liver poisoning (hepatotoxicity) can occur when metabolized with alcohol in the liver.

In Case of a Hydrocodone Overdose

The first thing that will likely occur is that you will become extremely sleepy. Depending on how much you take, this can range from struggling to stay awake to being completely unconscious — family members may shake you very hard without waking you up.

The most dangerous complication of this type of overdose is the effect on your breathing. A hydrocodone overdose can cause your breathing to slow down, become shallower, and possibly stop, depending on how much medication you have taken.

If someone looked at your eyes, they would likely see that your pupils were extremely small. Doctors call this “pinpoint pupils” — this sign is often used to help identify a hydrocodone overdose.

If you arrive in the emergency room it is likely that someone found you unconscious or extremely drowsy. The health care team will give you oxygen to help you breathe better.

If your breathing is so poor that doctors believe serious danger to your health exists, they will likely give you medicine to rapidly reverse all of your symptoms. The antidote used for this type of overdose is naloxone (Narcan). However, doctors may not rush to use it. The medicine can have very severe and unpleasant side effects. As long as your breathing is acceptable, no long-term damage will occur. The health care team may just closely monitor you.

Other hydrocodone treatments include activated charcoal with a laxative to try to soak up the drug that is still left in your stomach or intestines.

Additional therapies may be needed if you took the hydrocodone with other drugs such as Tylenol or aspirin.

Hydrocodone Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with a hydrocodone addiction, we can help. Please call our toll free number at (877) 259-5634. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your questions on hydrocodone treatment and addiction.