Hydrocodone Addiction: Risks, Effects & Treatment Options

Key Takeaways

• Hydrocodone is an opioid that alters pain perception by affecting the brain’s opioid receptors and is found in drugs like Vicodin, Norco, and Lortab.
• Common side effects of hydrocodone include dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, and constipation, with more severe effects like slowed breathing and irregular heartbeat.
• Hydrocodone is highly addictive and classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, with risks of tolerance, physical dependence, and addiction even when taken as prescribed.
• Addiction develops when hydrocodone activates the brain’s reward system, creating compulsive urges to seek the drug due to dopamine release and euphoric effects.
• The risk of addiction increases with personal or family history of substance use, misuse of the drug, and concurrent use with other substances like alcohol.
• Long-term use of hydrocodone can lead to physical dependence and addiction, with severe consequences such as continued use despite negative impacts on life.
• Overdose signs include pinpoint pupils, slow or labored breathing, blue lips or fingernails, and loss of consciousness, requiring immediate administration of naloxone and emergency help.
• Detecting hydrocodone dependence involves recognizing tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and reliance on the drug for normal functioning.
• Signs of addiction include using more hydrocodone than prescribed, doctor shopping, mood swings, and continued use despite adverse consequences.
• Treatment for hydrocodone addiction typically involves a combination of rehab, medication, therapy, and long-term support programs like Narcotics Anonymous to manage the chronic nature of the disease.

What Is Hydrocodone?

Hydrocodone, an opioid, eases pain by affecting the brain’s opioid receptors. It alters how the body senses and perceives pain. Hydrocodone is a generic name, and it’s found in prescription drugs like Vicodin, Norco and Lortab. These brand-name drugs also contain acetaminophen alongside hydrocodone.

Opioids like hydrocodone, often called narcotics, affect the central nervous system. Besides pain relief, taking hydrocodone can lead to effects like drowsiness, relaxation or reduced anxiety. 

What Are the Side Effects of Hydrocodone?

Common side effects encompass:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Itching
• Sleep problems

These side effects are generally mild and frequent with hydrocodone use. 

More severe side effects can include: 

• Slowed breathing
• Irregular heartbeat
• Severe allergic reactions
• Urine retention
• Bowel obstruction

Many of these side effects result from hydrocodone slowing down the individual’s central nervous system, including their respiratory system. An overdose can lead to a coma or even death.

What Is Hydrocodone Addiction?

Hydrocodone is highly addictive and is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. Addiction ranks among the most dangerous consequences of hydrocodone use. Tolerance and physical dependence are other risks associated with hydrocodone. 

Tolerance means that with prolonged use, even when prescribed, your body adapts, necessitating larger doses for the same effect. Tolerance can also lead to physical dependence. If you’re physically dependent on hydrocodone, you might not yet have developed an addiction, but quitting suddenly results in withdrawal symptoms.

Can You Get Addicted to Hydrocodone Even When Taking It as Prescribed?

Yes, you can. As many as one in four individuals using prescription opioids like hydrocodone develop opioid use disorders. While following your doctor’s instructions lowers the risk, it never eliminates it. 

How Does Hydrocodone Addiction Happen?

Hydrocodone binds to mu-opioid receptors in your central nervous system when consumed, triggering your brain’s reward system. This not only relieves pain but also induces positive feelings, like euphoria, due to the surge of dopamine, a feel-good brain chemical. Your brain’s pleasure and reward centers activate, creating a compulsive urge to seek hydrocodone (or similar drugs). This leads to addiction, where drug cravings are beyond your control.

How Long Does It Take to Develop an Addiction to Hydrocodone? 

The duration to develop hydrocodone addiction varies among individuals. Addiction is defined as continued substance use despite negative consequences, such as relationship or sleep problems. Some factors can increase the risk, including personal or family history of substance use, prescription or non-prescription use and concurrent use with other substances like alcohol.

Abusing hydrocodone by crushing pills and snorting them for a faster, more potent high also escalates the risk of addiction.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Hydrocodone?

Hydrocodone, like other opioids, profoundly affects the individual’s brain. It binds to opioid receptors, altering pain perception and communication. Prolonged exposure to opioids increases the likelihood of long-term effects. 

Long-term use can lead to physical dependence, where the body struggles to function without opioids. Addiction, a severe long-term effect, compels continued drug use despite adverse consequences.

What Are the Signs of Hydrocodone Overdose?

Spotting a hydrocodone overdose shares similarities with recognizing other opioid overdoses. Key symptoms of a hydrocodone overdose include:

• Pinpoint pupils 
• Snoring or gurgling sounds
• Fatigue
• Confusion and dizziness
• Lips and fingernails turning blue
• Cold, clammy skin
• Muscle spasms
• Low blood pressure
• Breathing problems like slow or labored breathing, shallow breathing or no breathing at all
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures

It’s essential to note that acetaminophen, commonly paired with hydrocodone in brand-name drugs like Vicodin and Norco, can lead to liver toxicity. 

Drug overdoses can be fatal. If you suspect an overdose, administer naloxone (Narcan) if available and call 911 immediately. Don’t hesitate to seek help, and if you can’t access a phone, reach out to Web Poison Control for online assistance.

What Does Hydrocodone Addiction Treatment Look Like?

Hydrocodone addiction treatment typically involves a combination of medical detox, behavioral therapy, and support groups.

The process begins with detoxification under medical supervision to manage withdrawal symptoms safely. Following detox, patients engage in individual and group therapy sessions, which focus on understanding the root causes of addiction and developing coping strategies. Medications like buprenorphine or methadone may be prescribed to ease cravings and reduce the risk of relapse. Ongoing support through counseling, 12-step programs, and aftercare planning is essential for maintaining long-term recovery.

Help for Hydrocodone Addiction

Many people make the mistake of trying to quit hydrocodone on their own, but addiction is a complex issue that needs comprehensive help. To beat hydrocodone addiction, it usually involves going to a rehab center, taking medication, getting therapy and planning for long-term recovery.

Addiction is considered a chronic disease, so the goal of hydrocodone treatment is to equip patients with tools and resources for recovery, even if they’re not entirely “cured.” In Indiana, hydrocodone treatment options include inpatient and outpatient programs, along with medically supervised detox. Following treatment, patients can continue daily life while participating in local support groups or programs like Narcotics Anonymous.