How Does One Become Addicted to Hydrocodone?
A piece of important information about this painkiller is that it makes the body more sensitive and prone to pain. Opioids, like the ones found in hydrocodone, block pain. The body responds to opioids by creating more receptors. This leads to a decrease in the body’s natural painkillers, such as endorphins. When this happens, the person’s ability to feel pain increases, and when this happens, he will need a higher dose of painkillers. This is how the vicious cycle of opioid addiction works. Anyone taking hydrocodone is at risk of becoming addicted to it. The drug can cause both chemical and mental addiction. A person becomes addicted to the drug because of its ability to stop the pain. But his mind also craves the drug because of the feeling of euphoria it produces. This is the reason why opioid addiction is prevalent.
Where to Get Hydrocodone From?
It is easy to get hydrocodone. You can even buy hydrocodone without a prescription. The companies that are manufacturing and selling hydrocodone are largely unregulated. It is hard to tell whether a drug being sold by a particular company is real or just a copy. Authentic hydrocodone is dangerous, but the fake ones are even more dangerous and using them can severely compromise your health or worse kill you. You can buy hydrocodone in capsule, tablet, and even liquid form. People who are using the drug for recreational purposes either take a tablet or capsule as a whole or crush it into powder form and mix it with a beverage. Some people get addicted to the drug accidentally. They take hydrocodone originally as a painkiller then become addicted to it. But others take the drug purely for recreational purposes. In addition to other side effects, the drug can cause drowsiness and lethargy.
Signs of Hydrocodone Abuse
If you or someone you know is using hydrocodone, it’s useful to know drug abuse signs. One of the signs that a person is growing dependent on the drug is if he attempts to get a prescription from several doctors if the original doctor refuses to provide a prescription. This activity is known as doctor shopping. This is a clear sign that the patient has already developed a tolerance for the drug. Another sign is if a person finishes his prescription before it is scheduled to end. This means that the person is taking consuming more than what the doctor has prescribed. If a patient experiences withdrawal symptoms, even if it was only for a day, this means that the patient needs professional help. Physically, the patient can also experience drowsiness, lethargy, and may even develop skin rashes.
Hydrocodone Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms
Hydrocodone changes the body’s chemical and mental state. Because of this, the symptoms that come after withdrawing from the drug can be quite severe. The longer a patient has been using the drug, the more severe the symptoms can get. Before a patient decides to stop using the drug, his physical condition must be considered. The first signs of hydrocodone withdrawal include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and panic or anxiety attack. These symptoms can last for days or even for weeks. It’s also normal for a person to have seizures after withdrawing from the drug. Within the first 48 hours after withdrawal, the patient must be kept properly hydrated. This is the time when the body is trying to detoxify itself by getting rid of traces of the drug. Those who are suffering from hydrocodone addiction face a difficult road ahead. The longer a person has been addicted to a drug, the more difficult the treatment is. But recovery from hydrocodone addiction is possible. With the help of loving friends and relatives and with a good rehabilitation center, the difficulties and complications can be lessened. The support of competent and caring professionals is also needed during the rehabilitation period. One clinic that you can go to for drug addiction recovery is Elevate Recovery Center. The center has extensive experience in treating patients suffering from different kinds of substance abuse.
