How Addictive is Hydrocodone?
Find out How Addictive is Hydrocodone and Other Facts about This Drug
How addictive is hydrocodone? This is a quite common question, and it's a good question. That's because it gets directly to the biggest issue with this drug: the hydrocodone opioid is extremely addictive. In fact, the painkiller hydrocodone is one of the most addictive painkillers on the market.
What Is Hydrocodone?
Hydrocodone is a form of pain medication or painkiller. It is an opioid. This means that it is derived from opium, which comes from the resin of poppy plants found in Asia. Opioids are also called narcotics.
Most of the time, hydrocodone treats severe acute or chronic pain. You may see hydrocodone under the brand names Norco, Lortab, or Vicodin. Often, acetaminophen is mixed with hydrocodone when it is prescribed as a medication.
How addictive is hydrocodone? It is highly addictive, and after taking it for only a few weeks, an individual can become addicted. This is essential to understand if you are ever prescribed painkillers made from hydrocodone by a healthcare professional.
Why Is the Painkiller Hydrocodone so Addictive?
When someone asks, "how addictive is hydrocodone?" the answer is simple: it's extremely addictive. But why is it addictive?
First of all, the initial appeal of hydrocodone is that it provides a sensation of euphoria or bliss when taken. Naturally, it also gets rid of pain as that's what it's prescribed for.
These benefits often lead individuals to begin taking higher doses of hydrocodone, despite the fact that their doctor has not prescribed them. As dependence sets in, individuals will often need to obtain another prescription or more pain pills from another source.
Dependence can also lead to tolerance. This occurs when the individual needs to take an increasingly larger amount of hydrocodone in order to achieve the same high or just to feel normal. Again, this often causes the individual to seek out more of the prescription hydrocodone. When a doctor will not give it to them, some people may end up attempting to lie or steal in order to get more of the drug or buy hydrocodone on the black market.
What Are the Signs of Hydrocodone Addiction?
Recognizing a hydrocodone addiction can be difficult, especially if you're scrutinizing yourself in order to determine whether or not a substance abuse problem may exist. Similarly, it can be difficult to determine whether or not your close friend or family member is struggling as most individuals who have addiction problems have learned to hide them well.
With that being said, there are still some notorious signs of addiction to hydrocodone that you can look out for. Here they are:
- Frequent requests for hydrocodone refills
- "Doctor shopping" or visiting numerous doctors to obtain numerous hydrocodone prescriptions
- Drowsiness or sleeping problems
- A lack of interest in old hobbies
- Loss of old friends
- Withdrawal from activities and socializing in general
- Lying or stealing
- Irritability and agitation
Contact Drug Rehab Charleston SC for More Information
Are you searching for an answer to a hydrocodone opioid addiction? If so, we have resources that can help you. Anyone can become addicted to the painkiller hydrocodone, and we understand how difficult the struggle can be.
Drug Rehab Charleston SC can help you no matter what your current situation is. Let us help you find a drug treatment center that will fit your needs, answer your questions about how addictive is hydrocodone, and offer any other information you need about substance abuse and addiction. Call us at (877) 804-1531 to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives today.