If you think that you or someone close to you is addicted to Hydrocodone or one of its generics like Lortab, Lorcet, Norco and Vicodin, contact us today for immediate treatment.
This article hopes to familiarize you with Hydrocodone, a little of its history and the dangers of addiction to it. We’ll also cover what you can begin to do to get on the road to recovery from Hydrocodone addiction should you need help.
What is Hydrocodone?
Hydrocodone is an opioid drug with similar effects to that of Morphine and is used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain as well as a cough suppressant.
Created in Germany in the 1920’s, due to the fact that so many people were becoming addicted to pain-killing drugs, it was hoped that Hydrocodone would be less toxic, easier to digest and have less potential for addiction.
A study was done, headed by Dr Nathan Eddy of the University of Michigan, found that instead of the drug being safer, Hydrocodone indeed was just as highly addictive. However, his findings were ignored and Hydrocodone flourished on the market.
Today, it is believed that an addiction to Hydrocodone can be achieved after a mere 1 – 4 week period of normal use.
The drug is manufactured and sold under various generic brand names, such as Lortab, Lorcet, Norco and Vicodin.
Signs and Symptoms of Hydrocodone Addiction
An individual who suffers from an addiction to Hydrocodone will experience intense mental obsession and physical cravings, withdrawal symptoms are most uncomfortable and best managed in a clinical detox rehab.
Signs of hydrocodone addiction include going through your prescribed dosages too quickly, using the drug to cope mentally or emotionally with stress, being unable to stop using the drug without withdrawal symptoms, going through extremes to get your hands on the drug and visiting various doctors to get more prescriptions.
Other symptoms include being dishonest and engaging in unlawful behaviour such as stealing to obtain more hydrocodone or other drugs that can offset withdrawals, having financial problems as a result of the drugs or as a secondary consequence of not being able to work due to the addiction and isolation oneself from society and social interaction.
When the drug is not available, several withdrawal symptoms may be felt, including muscle and skeletal pain, irritation, sleeplessness, diarrhoea, nausea and involuntary bodily movements / muscular contractions.
Hydrocodone Addiction Treatment
The best way to treat any narcotic addiction is by residing in a rehabilitation centre, that can offer an initial detoxification phase.
The length of stay will be judged by the severity of the addiction suffered and treatment will include a supervised medical Hydrocodonedetoxification as well as various individual counselling and group therapy methods which will help in educating the recovering addict about their addiction and how to take responsibility for it.
Once this has been completed, attending Secondary Care treatment may be necessary to minimise the chance of a relapse – at high risk in the early stages of recovery, this will serve as a continuation of the Primary Care treatment process.
For those who want to continue on the path of ongoing recovery, Tertiary Care is a cost effective means of extending rehabilitation by staying in a sober living environment while you re-integrate back into work / home life maintaining a drug-free lifestyle.
If you or a loved one is addicted to Hydrocodone, please call us now and our trained addiction treatment consultants will gladly assist in finding the best possible treatment available.