Hydrocodone Withdrawal and Detox
Hydrocodone — commonly known by the brand names Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab, Vicoprofen and Hycomine — is one of the most prescribed drugs in the United States. The opioid is commonly used for chronic pain relief, but many patients with a prescription misuse hydrocodone to achieve a rapid, euphoric high similar to heroin. Additionally, some people develop an opioid addiction from hydrocodone and begin using other drugs. Due to its dependence-forming potential, hydrocodone is a contributor to the country’s opioid epidemic.
Hydrocodone interacts with opioid receptors in the brain, altering how a person’s body reacts to and manages pain. You or a loved one could become addicted to hydrocodone just from a doctor’s prescription. After consistent use, people can develop a tolerance for the drug’s effects and may need a higher dosage to achieve the same tranquil feeling. Signs that someone could be addicted to hydrocodone include:
- Carrying pills around in public
- Hiding pills in the car or home
- Being secretive about taking the drug
- Seeing multiple doctors and making frequent doctor visits
- Exaggerating pain or injury
- Mood changes and angry outbursts
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Disinterest in hobbies or other activities
- Difficulty concentrating
It is important to seek medical treatment if you or a loved one is addicted to hydrocodone. The Recovery Village can help people suffering from substance use disorder begin a better way of life.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia
- Shaking
- Irritability
- Excessive sweating
- Watery eyes and runny nose
- Anxiety
- Aching
- Stomach aches and diarrhea
- High blood pressure
- Increased heartbeat
Safely managing these symptoms is an important part of the withdrawal process. With assistance from a team of medical professionals, you can overcome hydrocodone withdrawal side effects and continue living without opioids.
The timeline for hydrocodone withdrawal varies depending on how long the drug remains in the body, which is based on a number of factors, including:
- Age
- Height
- Body weight
- Genetics
- Effectiveness of the kidney and liver
- Metabolism
- Frequency of use and dosage
Psychological symptoms — such as anxiety, irritability and mood swings — can last for a month or more, even after physical withdrawal symptoms end. The risk of recurring use is still present, and it is important during this stage to continue receiving medical treatment in a professional rehab facility.
Even after hydrocodone withdrawal ends, opioid addiction is a lifelong struggle. However, with the help of The Recovery Village, you or your loved one can work through withdrawal symptoms and learn coping mechanisms to help live life beyond addiction.
- Clonidine – Manages some withdrawal symptoms, including muscle aches, anxiety and cramping
- Buprenorphine – Can shorten the detox process
- Naltrexone – Mitigates hydrocodone cravings and prevent recurring use
These or similar detox medications should only be administered by a trained professional, as they deem needed. Self-medication during the detox process is dangerous and can lead to injuries or death.
Removing hydrocodone from the body is an important part of the drug rehabilitation process. While detox can be uncomfortable, completing the step is vital to living without hydrocodone addiction.
Seeking addiction treatment can feel overwhelming. We know the struggle, which is why we're uniquely qualified to help.
Your call is confidential, and there's no pressure to commit to treatment until you're ready. As a voluntary facility, we're here to help you heal -- on your terms. Our sole focus is getting you back to the healthy, sober life you deserve, and we are ready and waiting to answer your questions or concerns 24/7.
Speak with an Intake Coordination Specialist now.352.771.2700Hydrocodone has a half life of four to six hours, which means the drug often remains in the body for less than 24 hours. Withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating and vomiting can begin within six hours since the last dosage, and it is important to be under the guide of a medically supervised detox program when they start. Withdrawal symptoms often continue long after the last traces of opioids leave a person’s body. The initial phase of withdrawal, which includes many common physical symptoms, can last anywhere from seven to 10 days. Some psychological symptoms can continue for weeks after the last use of hydrocodone.
Withdrawal can be tough, but outlasting the symptoms is worth it in the end. The Recovery Village has a dedicated team of professionals ready to help you or a loved one begin hydrocodone detoxification and addiction recovery.
American Addiction Centers. “Can Heroin, Benzo or Alcohol Withdrawal Cause Death?”American Addiction Centers, americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/risk-of-death/. Accessed 20 Jan. 2017.
CDC. “Deaths and Severe Adverse Events Associated with Anesthesia-Assisted Rapid Opioid Detoxification — New York City, 2012.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Sept. 2013, www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6238a1.htm. Accessed 20 Jan. 2017.
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See more topicsSeeking addiction treatment can feel overwhelming. We know the struggle, which is why we're uniquely qualified to help.
Your call is confidential, and there's no pressure to commit to treatment until you're ready. As a voluntary facility, we're here to help you heal -- on your terms. Our sole focus is getting you back to the healthy, sober life you deserve, and we are ready and waiting to answer your questions or concerns 24/7.
Speak with an Intake Coordination Specialist now.352.771.2700