Treatment for Hydrocodone Addiction

Hyrocodone has been used by millions of people to get relief from pain associated with injury or illness. For these individuals, it can be a way to lead a normal life while surviving with pain. But for some others, hydrocodone become a serious addiction. The various side effects and life threatening conditions are being overlooked by the euphoria and ecstasy hydrocodone offers.

What is hydrocodone?

Hydrocodone is the semi synthetic opioid derivative that joins the long list of drugs that have caused addiction and serious ailments. This powerful pain killer is a Schedule II drug and has been prescribed for 130 millions American patients in the year 2006 alone, a figure that looks alarming, which could be the reason behind the large number of addiction cases due to hydrocodone. Hydrocodone is derived from two naturally occurring opiates - codeine and thebaine which is responsible for the analgesic and antitussive properties that relieves moderate to severe pain to treat coughs. Apart from this, it is also prepared with the combination of non-opioid compounds like paracetamol and ibuprofen.

How is the drug consumed?

Lortab, Lorcet and Vicodin are the prescribed forms of hydrocodone and it is usually taken orally in tablet form containing the drug acetaminophen. Apart from the pills, the drug is also found in capsule or liquid form.

Signs of hydrocodone addiction

Since hydrocodone is a prescription pain killer, not everyone who consumes it become addicted. On continuous usage of the drug to alleviate pain, one becomes physically dependent on it, thus leading to serious addiction. Few of the signs of hydrocodone addiction are

1. Prolonged use of the drug even after the pain for which it was prescribed, ceases.

2. Sudden onset of serious behavioral changes such as mood swings, agitation and anxiety.

3. Developing a secretive or deceitful behavior to obtain the drug no matter what the situation demands.

4. Keeping away from friends and family and staying aloof.

5. Physical withdrawal symptoms like feeling dizzy, nauseous, night sweats and insomnia are common signs of hydrocodone drug addiction.

If these signs are not treated or cared for immediately, it might lead to serious ailments like heavy perspiration, weakened heartbeat, difficulty in breathing, stomach spasms, seizures and even coma.

Treatment for hydrocodone addiction

Since hydrocodone addiction is because of opioid properties, treatment must first deal with the withdrawal symptoms associated with it. Once the symptoms are cured, rehabilitation centers must take necessary measures to curb the drug cravings, and thereby establish a long lasting cure without any chance of relapse of the addiction. Few of the treatment methods are dealt below

Hydrocodone detoxification process - Detoxification is the process of removing traces of the problem causing drug from the body. This is the first step in the long process of drug addiction treatments which involve great determination and focus. Since detoxification involves the manifestation of various withdrawal symptoms, one should seek professional supervision before undergoing the process. Some of the symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sweating, aches and pains are associated with the detox program.

Detox programs also involve in using weaker opiates that would mimic the hydrocodone properties, and thereby help in withdrawing the drug addiction. Drugs like methadone or buprenorphine are administered in a gradation of lower doses until the patient is completely relieved of his addiction for hydrocodone.

During the detox program, medicines are administered to treat the individual withdrawal symptoms such as analgesics and anti-nauseous medicines.

Waismann method is yet another effective treatment method which involves sedating the patient thereby lessening the physical and emotional stress caused by the treatment procedure. This method helps correcting the chemical disparity, psychological unrest and thereby controls the cravings. This method maintains one of the high rates of success in helping cure the addiction caused by hydrocodones.

Since hydrocodone drug addiction involves psychological and behavioral disorder, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is being recommended for prompt treatment. This kind of therapy helps the patients to recognize the triggers responsible for the addiction, and helps combat them accordingly. Also, by maintaining a positive setting around, the process of returning back to normalcy can be made easy.

Apart from all these treatment methods, the best way to curb addiction is, having loving and comforting family/friends to inflict positive thoughts and thereby aid in the recovery process.