How Hydrocodone Blocks Pain

The key to hydrocodone’s pain blocking power is in its ability to bind to special opiate sensors in the brain. When hydrocodone is bound to these sensors, the pain signals cannot travel through the body and the sensation of pain is reduced or eliminated for a time. The body creates its own natural supply of pain managing chemicals, but they are not strong enough to entirely block pain following major injury or surgery.

How Hydrocodone Addiction Works

The body develops a tolerance to hydrocodone very quickly. This means that the pain blocking power of hydrocodone fades with repeated use. Users may increase their dose so that they can continue feeling the original effects of the drug. While hydrocodone is in the body, it blocks the production of the naturally occurring pain managing chemicals. This means that when the user stops taking the drug, his or her body will be left without any such chemicals. The user will feel a wide range of potentially intense withdrawal symptoms including the following:

• Extreme bone and muscle pain
• Fever or chills
• Flu-like symptoms
• Emotional distress
• Paranoia
• Constipation
• Vomiting and nausea

These symptoms will persist until the body reestablishes its natural chemical balance. This can take a few days to longer than a week depending on how long the addiction has existed and how heavy the drug use is.

Psychological Addiction to Hydrocodone

The same part of the brain that is affected by hydrocodone use also manages a variety of psychological functions such as the following:

• Emotions
• Memory
• Anxiety
• Impulse control
• The creation of habits

The brain will desperately crave the emotional relief it experiences under the influence of hydrocodone. Because these psychological functions operate on a deeper and more powerful level than rational thought, the addict will be unable to resist using the drug, even if he or she desperately wants to.

Overcoming Hydrocodone Addiction

Long-term recovery from hydrocodone addiction requires detox and the thorough rehabilitation of the mind from the emotional effects of addiction. The most effective way to accomplish this level of healing is through rehab that integrates physical and emotional addiction treatment. The best treatment options will also diagnose and treat any co-occurring psychological conditions that may be contributing to the addiction. The best programs create customized treatment plans comprised of several of the following therapeutic tools:

• Support group meetings
• Personal counseling
• Medically supervised detox
• Education about addiction
• Preparation for life after treatment

Break Free from Hydrocodone Abuse or Addiction

If you are struggling with hydrocodone addiction, call our helpline immediately. The call is free, and our specially trained counselors are standing by 24 hours a day. Hydrocodone addiction is serious. Get help and get clean before it costs you your relationships, your job, your finances and even your life.

Despite this awareness, you may have reservations about entering treatment. Anxiety about entering rehab is very common, since, for most people, rehab will be a new experience that involves venturing into the unknown. However, once you enter treatment you will find that your fears were, if not completely unfounded, at least blown out of proportion. Most importantly, hydrocodone is an extremely dangerous drug and your fears regarding rehab must not prevent you from getting the help that could very well save your life.

Common Fears and Anxieties about Hydrocodone Rehabilitation

You may feel that the treatment process won’t work for you and you will never be able to stop using hydrocodone. While it is true that hydrocodone is extremely addictive, a qualified staff at a rehab center will have a vast amount of knowledge and experience to apply to your recovery. Find a good program with a high success rate and you will have a very good chance of recovery.

You may fear that you won’t fit in with the other patients, but once in treatment you will find that you are in the company of people in situations very similar to your own. All the patients are there because they want to get off drugs, and can support and encourage each other during the recovery process. In fact, the empathy and mutual support of fellow patients is one of the major components of most successful drug rehab programs.

You may fear that, simply put, you will just plain hate rehab. It is true that rehab will be an unusual experience that will require you to make changes. You will be in an unfamiliar environment; you will have to detox from a substance to which your body has become dependent; during counseling you will need to face truths about yourself and the choices you have made that may be painful to deal with. Ultimately, you will need to form new habits and start a new life. Naturally, all of this can be scary.

Keep in mind that drug treatment programs are designed with these things in mind. The facilities are designed to be as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Medical personnel will be on hand during the detox process to monitor your safety and ease the symptoms of withdrawal as much as possible. The counselors and therapists are trained professionals experienced in the treatment of drug addiction. They are committed to your recovery, and are not there to judge. They will help you understand how you got to this point, and how to get your life back.

Hydrocodone Rehabilitation Help

If you or someone you know is suffering in the grip of hydrocodone addiction, we can help. Trained professionals are standing by who can answer any questions you have and help find the best treatment options available. Our helpline is toll free, and we are available 24 hours a day. Call us to begin your recovery.

What Happens When I Finish Hydrocodone Rehabilitation?

After rehab, it is important to continue utilizing a strong support system. You can stay in touch with your rehab center and attend events for alumni. Also, you can join an outpatient support group. However, other activities that are purely recreational in nature can also be helpful.

Consider joining a gym or a jogging group. You can also take aerobics or dancing classes. You could attend a church and become an active member. In fact, there are many ways to plug yourself into a community and make friends, and with each new friend you make, you may have found someone who can contribute to your support system. It is important to find positive activities that further your recovery, because hydrocodone addiction recovery requires a steady effort that is made possible by supportive people you can trust.

Why Should I Continue Working on Recovery after Hydrocodone Addiction Treatment?

After a hydrocodone rehab program is complete, patients leave controlled environments and constant support behind. They instantly return to ordinary life, which can be filled with triggers that may potentially lead to relapse. For example, visiting certain locations or spending time with certain people may awaken old feelings that cause drug abuse. These situations can be difficult to avoid and therefore, a consistent, quality support system is vital. Many recovered addicts have sponsors, or someone experienced to call when they are facing a trigger.

Help Finding Rehabilitation Services for Hydrocodone Addiction

Are you addicted to hydrocodone? Do you need help establishing and maintaining hydrocodone addiction recovery? If so, we can help. Just call our toll-free helpline for support, so one of our trusted counselors can answer your questions and discuss treatment options with you. We can also check your insurance information for your level of addiction treatment coverage. We are available 24 hours a day, and all calls are free and confidential, so please, don’t hesitate to contact us at anytime. We are eager and willing to help.

Noticing the Effects of Hydrocodone Addiction

A person can see the impact that hydrocodone addiction has on their friends and family, but it is difficult for an addict to divert his or her attention from seeking, acquiring and using drugs. Denial and reflection are tools that addicts use to stay under the control of hydrocodone and to avoid addressing an addiction problem. If you take the time and focus on those around you, you will see just how much your hydrocodone addiction affects others.

Hydrocodone Abuse and Addiction Affects Your Children

Addicted hydrocodone users may experience extreme moods swings. They may be abnormally happy one moment, sad the next and angry shortly thereafter. Children may become quiet and tentative around unpredictable parents. They may try to remain invisible while at home, and they may have developed this defense mechanism in response to your varying moods. Not knowing what to expect from a parent makes a child tentative, insecure and anxious. Children may also demonstrate other symptoms such as the following:

• Increased nightmares
• Bed wetting
• Stuttering speech

These are warning signs of a child that is having trouble coping with a parent’s addiction.

Hydrocodone Abuse and Addiction Affects Your Spouse

Nausea, vomiting, constipation and difficulty urinating are all common side effects of hydrocodone abuse. Your spouse may have initially expressed concerns when witnessing these behaviors by asking if you were feeling well or if you wanted to check with the doctor. When you ignore or deny the effects of your addiction, your spouse may stop asking about your physical healthy for fear that it will cause an argument or result in another lie. This disharmony that you have brought into your relationship is a direct result of your hydrocodone addiction.

Hydrocodone Abuse and Addiction Affects Your Colleagues and Employer

You may have been an important part of your professional team. People could rely on you to have a solution, get things organized and get things done, but you became less reliable and clear-headed as your hydrocodone addiction developed. Eventually your employer will have to confront you about decreased performance, increased absenteeism or physical signs of addiction. Your employer may be forced to take corrective action or dismiss you, before your addiction affects the company.

End the Effects of Hydrocodone Addiction

Your hydrocodone addiction has an effect on you and on the people in your lives. Please call our toll-free helpline to learn more about how to end addiction for yourself or your loved ones. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have or to simply listen to your concerns. We are here to help.

Hydrocodone Withdrawal Symptoms

If someone who regularly uses hydrocodone stops using, he or she will experience non-lethal withdrawal symptoms within a few hours. Withdrawal symptoms are not universal, as drugs have different effects on different individuals. The degree of addiction and how much and how often hydrocodone is used affects the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Some withdrawal symptoms are over after one or two days, while others with take longer to fade. Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms include the following:

• Dilated pupils
• Runny nose
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Powerful cravings for the drug
• Depression
• Chills
• Insomnia
• Fevers
• Diarrhea

A lot of people may be looking for home remedies to detox or recover from addiction, but only rehab professionals are equipped to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and monitor a patient’s detox process.

Overcome Hydrocodone Addiction and Ease Withdrawal Symptoms

The first step to overcoming hydrocodone addiction is medically and professionally monitored detoxification. If you would like access to recovery professionals and detox services, call our toll-free helpline. We can help you end hydrocodone addiction as comfortably and effectively as possible, and we can help you determine if your insurance will cover the costs of a detox and rehab program. Please call our toll-free helpline today.

What Happens after Hydrocodone Rehabilitation?

After hydrocodone rehab you will probably feel nervous about what lies ahead, but after a few weeks you will see that getting clean is the best thing you ever did. After rehab you will have an easier time making new friends, and you will be able to achieve more in all areas of your life. You will be more motivated to do well in your career field and may have an easier time getting a promotion. You will also be able to renew relationships that suffered during your hydrocodone addiction. When you are hiding an addiction you may be defensive and cut loved ones off, but now that you are clean you can start honest and open relationships with your loved ones.

How to Avoid Hydrocodone Relapse

The first step to avoiding heroin relapse is to leave hydrocodone abusers behind and find new friends that have a positive influence on you. Making new friends will be easier now that you are free from hydrocodone, and it will be fun to meet new people and share experiences with them. Other helpful strategies to avoid relapse include using techniques you learned in rehab to relieve stress and avoid hydrocodone abuse and keeping an open line of communication with loved ones and recovery professionals.

Need Hydrocodone Addiction Help?

If you need help to end hydrocodone addiction and find an enjoyable life after rehab, we are here for you. We want to talk with you about addiction treatment options and help you find the best one for you. Our toll-free helpline is available 24 hours a day, and we will tell you if your health insurance will pay for your hydrocodone rehab. Call us today, and learn what hydrocodone rehab is and how it can help you.

Effects of a Hydrocodone High

The risk and potentially fatal result of addiction notwithstanding, getting high frequently can have damaging and sometimes unalterable effects. The brain is particularly at risk, as hydrocodone affects brain chemistry, resulting in the high. In the most severe cases, the brain can be so altered or damaged that it stops producing necessary chemicals or carrying out necessary functions. Additionally, people on a hydrocodone high are not themselves, meaning that their judgment, perception and general temperament will all be altered. In this state, they may do harm to themselves or others. While they might be enjoying things in their own mind, the world around them sees the true picture – one of self-destruction and pain. For users hoping to mask physical or emotional pain, a hydrocodone high will only provide false relief. Once the high is lost, the pain will return. Only treatment and recovery can truly free a person from these problems and save them from the dangers of addiction.

Hydrocodone Addiction Help

Once the body adapts to the presence of a drug and the high it creates, a person can feel trapped. Maybe you have the desire to quit, but honestly feel like you can’t. You’re not alone. Millions of people have felt the way you feel now, but you don’t have to remain a slave to a drug high. With addiction treatment and rehab you can beat addiction and go on enjoying life in ways that lift your spirits without destroying your body.

Call our 24 hour, toll-free helpline today to find out how to get the help you need. We’ll answer your questions and walk with you through the steps to recovery. You aren’t alone and you don’t have to hide from the reality of life any longer. Clear the fog and start to live more clearly. Call today.

Causes of Hydrocodone Addiction

Hydrocodone produces a calming and euphoric state that is beneficial for chronic pain sufferers, but this treatment for chronic pain can also be an introduction to chronic addiction. As a tolerance to the effects of the drugis developed, higher doses will be needed to attain previous highs. It is through these increases that dependence develops. As dosage increases so do the withdrawal symptoms. Hydrocodone dependence can developafter only a few weeks of use.Being able to identify the signs and symptoms of a hydrocodone addiction can aid in problem awareness. Prescription medication addictionscan be difficult to identify, but, unless a problem is realized, necessary help will rarely be sought.

Signs and Signals of Hydrocodone Addiction

Prescription drug users may believe that their slight variances away from prescription instructions are inconsequential, but you cannot take chances when it comes to addiction. The first signs of dependence are behavioral, and if you or someone that you are close with is participating in the following behaviors, addiction may be present:

• Taking larger amounts of hydrocodone to achieve the same feelings that smaller dosages once supplied
• Visiting multiple doctors to procure additional prescriptions
• Hiding use through lies and secrecy
• Avoiding friends or situations that are not involved in drug use
• Experiencing unexplained financial difficulties
• Having trouble at work

Not all signs of addiction are behavioral. Other indicators of hydrocodone abuse or addiction include the following:

• Increased anxiety and paranoia
• Poor focus
• Apathetic or drowsy behavior
• Narrow pupils
• Difficulty urinating
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting

Ending Hydrocodone Abuse or Addiction

There are many ways to become addicted to prescription drugs, but there is only one way out. Ending hydrocodone addiction involves getting professional help. Call our 24 hour toll-free helpline to get the answers you need about addiction recovery options. We are here to guide you towards effective solutions or to simply listen to your concerns. Please call now.

• Vicodin
• Lortab
• Lorcet

While these drugs can offer effective treatment for pain, hydrocodone has the potential to be dangerous. This is especially true when hydrocodone is used for non-medical reasons outside of the care of a physician. Hydrocodone is widely abused, and the dangers of prescription drug use are frequently underestimated. When misused hydrocodone can have severe consequences.

How Is Hydrocodone Abused?

Hydrocodone produces euphoric effects in users, especially when it is crushed and snorted or melted in water and injected. Many users experience feelings of satisfaction and a warm, numbing sensation throughout their bodies. These sorts of feelings can be alluring for recreational or personal reasons. Some people will use hydrocodone as a way to escape from their problems or to dull an emotion or memory of an experience. Some people may use it to deal with a mental health issue. For others, especially younger users, hydrocodone abuse may be a result of peer pressure. Regardless of why someone is abusing hydrocodone, the drug can have serious consequences and side effects.

Why Is Recreational Hydrocodone Use a Problem?

Hydrocodone is intended to be used in small doses for a short amount of time. It can cause side effects such as the following:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Lightheadedness
• Constipation
• Severe vomiting

If overdose occurs, which is a great risk of recreational hydrocodone use, respiratory depression, coma, seizures, heart attack and sometimes even death can occur. Because most formulations of hydrocodone contain acetaminophen, too much of it can destroy your liver. Even if you think that your hydrocodone use is minimal, tolerance, physical dependence and addiction can form quickly. When this happens, even if you want to stop taking the drug you cannot because of painful withdrawal symptoms. Recreational hydrocodone use can have other consequences as well such as the results of poor or dangerous choices made while under the influence of the drug or damages to your financial stability or relationships. If you are abusing hydrocodone, you need to get help. It is crucial to address hydrocodone abuse as soon as it is recognized and to also address the underlying causes that might perpetuate it.

Do You Need Hydrocodone Abuse Help?

Are you using hydrocodone recreationally, or have you become addicted to hydrocodone? Please let us help you. Our trained counselors are here to answer your questions and get you the solutions you need for you hydrocodone problem. Our toll-free helpline is available 24 hours a day, so please call now.

Relapse begins in the mind. At first, you may let your guard down, believing that – having gotten sober – drug abuse is no longer a threat. No longer getting the necessary attention, thoughts of hydrocodone use can slip in once again, unnoticed. You may look back to the few, pleasurable benefits obtained from hydrocodone – the chance to escape mentally, a release from pain, stress relief.

The next step towards relapse is exhibited through behaviors. Those closest to you will be able to see these changes in behavior. If these changes are brought to the attention of someone about to relapse, chances are, denial will be another clear indication that help is needed. Relapse is a process that can end in a return of drug abuse. This devastating turn of events can be difficult to recover from – but recovery is possible.

How to Prevent Hydrocodone Relapse

First, realize that everyone who has suffered from addiction is susceptible to relapse. Also, realize that preventing relapse will be a constant, on-going struggle. Some days will be better than others. Many areas of your life will need to change in order to prevent recurring abuse. Your attitude and thinking process should reflect your new view on hydrocodone abuse. Remind yourself, addiction is harmful to you and those you love; you’re not yourself when controlled by addiction. You’ll also need to change your behavior and lifestyle, avoiding relapse triggers. Relapse triggers often include people, places or events that remind you or entice you to use hydrocodone.

Relapse prevention techniques are taught in rehab centers and, if at any time you feel at risk for relapse, don’t hesitate to reenter rehab therapies. And, most importantly, gather a support system – your friends, family, loved ones, and recovering peers – who can encourage and inspire you to continue sobriety. Turn your focus toward other activities like hobbies and keeping your body healthy. Reward yourself for staying sober in ways that don’t work against your recovery.

How to Recover from Hydrocodone Relapse

You can’t let one setbackbe the deciding factor for your life. Going back to treatment can be helpful. Explore inpatient, outpatient, and aftercare options. Simply telling someone who can keep you accountable – a friend, family member, loved one, counselor, recovering peer – will give you a huge incentive to stop a relapse dead in its tracks. Use this as a learning experience. Speak with your counselor or sponsor about getting back into treatments. Don’t beat yourself up. Continue to fight for your sobriety.

Hydrocodone Relapse Help

If you’re feeling pressure to begin using again, or if think you may be becoming addicted for the first time, call our toll-free helpline. We keep our phone lines open 24 hours a day, so you can get information about addiction and treatment options any time. When you call, ask about how your insurance may help pay for rehab.