Studies show that consuming more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in one day can cause acute or chronic liver injury – including cirrhosis and possibly liver failure. For this reason, the Food And Drug Administration (FDA) reduced the acceptable level of acetaminophen to no more than 325 mg in hydrocodone-based medications. Prior to these new regulations, hydrocodone once contained more than double that amount. Using large amounts of hydrocodone long-term reduces an individual’s breathing rate, which in turn reduces how much oxygen their body takes in. This can cause damage to various organ systems, including the brain.
Understanding Hydrocodone Addiction
The hydrocodone in Vicodin is a synthetic opioid, which activates the same neurotransmitters as opiate drugs such as heroin. Undiagnosed or untreated mental health conditions like anxiety, https://sober-house.org/the-difference-between-alcohol-and-ethanol/ depression, and PTSD can increase your risk of addiction. Research suggests that 50% to 75% of those with substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental health condition.
Hydrocodone Symptoms And Warning Signs
You may be eager to reach your goal, but your body needs time to adjust to lower levels of opioids, and then to none at all. A step-by-step plan to lower how much opioid medicine you take will help this process go smoothly. This slow tapering also helps ease the discomfort you may feel as you stop taking opioids.
How Addictive Is Hydrocodone?
If you experience an allergic reaction to Vicodin, call your physician or 911 immediately. According to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, the effects of hydrocodone last from four to six hours. Vicodin changes your perception of pain and your emotional response to it. The substance can produce feelings of lightheadedness and euphoria, which have resulted in the widespread misuse of hydrocodone nationwide. This drug activates the same receptors in the brain as Vicodin, releasing dopamine and relieving withdrawals.
Preventing addiction when you’re prescribed an opioid
Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. Many individuals with a substance use disorder do not seek professional assistance. And the most effective way to overcome Vicodin abuse is to seek rehab for opioid addiction.
Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen
Hydrocodone is one of the most common pain medications prescribed by clinicians and one of the most abused by patients. It is a relatively potent drug for moderate-to-severe pain control in postoperative patients, patients with trauma, or patients with cancer. The combination of hydrocodone with acetaminophen is much more https://sober-home.org/10-signs-that-someone-you-know-is-using-crack/ efficacious in several randomized studies without any significant changes in adverse effects. Moreover, hydrocodone/acetaminophen has common use as an antitussive agent. But there are risks linked to opioid use — including severe constipation, nausea, dependence, misuse, opioid use disorder and accidental overdose.
- Undiagnosed or untreated mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD can increase your risk of addiction.
- These programs provide one-on-one counseling sessions, group therapy, and other activities to help you recover from addiction.
- Follow all instructions about how to manage your withdrawal symptoms.
- This can include using clonidine to reduce anxiety, agitation, muscle aches, sweating, runny nose, and cramping.
The severity of a hydrocodone addiction depends on the person’s genetics and history of drug use. Some people who abuse hydrocodone do not become addicted, while others can develop an addiction rapidly. If you find yourself having difficulty during your taper, support from others can be very helpful. If you and your healthcare professional think you have an opioid use disorder, voluntary groups such as Narcotics Anonymous are structured support groups. They are led by other people who have been dependent on addictive substances.
For example, combining Vicodin with alcohol or a benzodiazepine like Xanax can increase the chances of an overdose occurring. If it’s possible someone is overdosing on Vicodin, emergency medical help should be sought immediately. Opioids are most addictive when you take them in a way other than how they were prescribed — for example, crushing a pill so that it can be snorted or injected. This life-threatening drug misuse is even more dangerous if the pill is effective for a longer period of time.
As their tolerance grows, they need to take increasingly higher doses of the drug to achieve the desired effects. Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms occur when people quit using the opioid suddenly after prolonged use. The symptoms may include restlessness, joint pain, increased heartbeat, sleeping problems and anxiety.
Your doctor might recommend scheduling nonopioid pain relievers and using opioids only for breakthrough pain. Ask a trusted household member or other friend or family member to help you manage your medication. You might invite this person to speak with you and your doctor or pharmacist about signs of opioid overuse.
Prior to the FDA lowering acceptable levels of acetaminophen in medication, Norco had the least amount of acetaminophen. Subsequently, some addicts chose Norco over other prescription painkillers to avoid the increased risk of consuming too much acetaminophen. https://rehabliving.net/recovery-national-institute-on-drug-abuse-nida/ Currently, however, it has the highest percentage of acetaminophen of the hydrocodone variants. Other drugs may interact with acetaminophen and hydrocodone, including prescription and over-the- counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Opioids are safest when used for three or fewer days to manage serious pain, such as pain that follows surgery or a bone fracture.