Hydrocodone Withdrawal: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery
Hydrocodone is an opioid medication that is semi-synthetic in nature meaning that it is made partially with natural components of the poppy plant and also lab synthesized. It is most commonly combined with acetaminophen to provide lasting pain relief for moderate- to severe-pain. Unfortunately, long term use of hydrocodone can lead to physical dependence and subsequent hydrocodone withdrawal.
If you or someone you love is abusing hydrocodone, call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?) for support and assistance in finding a hydrocodone detox center that will assist you with the withdrawal process in a safe, comfortable way.
Without professional treatment, hydrocodone withdrawal can be painful, dangerous and downright uncomfortable. Since this medication is highly addictive, it’s vital that you follow exact doctor’s orders when taking this or any other prescribed medication. If you are NOT prescribed hydrocodone, you should not take it for any reason at all.
What are the Signs of Hydrocodone Addiction?
Signs and symptoms of addiction to this drug can vary greatly. Some people change drastically when they start taking this drug—they may show signs of being elusive, hiding tings, or otherwise acting irrationally. Other signs of addiction may include:
- Taking hydrocodone more frequently than you should.
- Taking hydrocodone that is not prescribed.
- Taking hydrocodone in higher doses than prescribed.
- Using hydrocodone for anything OTHER than pain.
- Using hydrocodone to deal with your emotions.
- Allowing hydrocodone to interfere with your personal relationships.
- Allowing hydrocodone use to interfere with your work, home or school obligations.
These are just some of the early signs of addiction to hydrocodone. Other signs may include getting in trouble with the law, using the drug intravenously, or struggling with health complications as a result of the use of the drug. Repeat use, when you have suffered from serious problems as a result of your drug use is a sure sign of addiction to the substance.
What is Hydrocodone Withdrawal?
As you take a drug for a prolonged period of time, you become physically dependent on it. The body chemical composition changes and as this occurs you need more and more hydrocodone in order to feel the same. If you abruptly quit taking hydrocodone, or you reduce your dose abruptly, there is a very strong chance that you will feel symptoms of withdrawal.
Withdrawal is the body’s process of saying ‘HEY, I need more of that substance.” Unfortunately, if you don’t give the body the substance, your body will continue to feel physical and psychological illness. Symptoms will progress, and even peak over a period of days or weeks depending on the severity of your addiction.
Symptoms of Hydrocodone Withdrawal
If you’re addicted to hydrocodone, and you want to quit, you should seek professional treatment immediately. Call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?) for supportive care.
Symptoms of withdrawal from hydrocodone can range from mild to moderate. If you’ve been addicted for a very long time, you’ll likely experience stronger symptoms than someone who has been using for a very short period of time. Remember that no two cases of addiction, withdrawal, or treatment are the same. You must not compare your addiction to that of another individual.
Here are the most common symptoms of withdrawal:
Body aches and upset stomach are common hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms.
- Pain and body aches
- Chills and shivering or tremors
- Bone pain and aches
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Drug seeking behavior
- Emotional upset, feeling like you cannot survive without hydrocodone
- Behavioral changes including bad attitude or becoming easily frustrated
In addition to these withdrawal symptoms, you could experience unseen symptoms such as suicidal thoughts and tendencies, increased blood pressure, and other serious conditions. This is why it’s so important to seek prompt treatment from a professional detox center in order to recover safely from hydrocodone addiction. Call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?) for help finding a detox center that will help you through hydrocodone withdrawal.
What is Detox All About?
Detox is the first step you will take towards your sobriety and healthy living free from addiction to hydrocodone. You’ll be admitted to a program of care that includes around-the-clock monitoring and medical intervention to ensure your safety and comfort during withdrawal. Detox usually occurs during a timeframe of about 7 days.
From the time you take your last dose of hydrocodone, you will generally begin to feel symptoms of withdrawal about 6-12 hours after you have dosed. At this time, you likely feel achy, or maybe a little nauseous but you aren’t struggling with full blow symptoms of withdrawal—not yet.
About 3 days or 72 hours after you last dose, you will begin to feel the worst symptoms of withdrawal. These symptoms can be emotionally painful, physically painful and just all the way around uncomfortable. Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms peak at the 72 hour mark and continue for 5-25 days depending on the severity of your addiction.
Finding a Hydrocodone Detox Center
If you or a loved one is suffering from hydrocodone withdrawal, it’s important to find a professional detox center that specializes in opioid withdrawal treatment to help you get sober. Call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?) for immediate assistance in finding and choosing a detox center that’s right for your withdrawal needs.
Medical detox is the ideal first choice in treatment for minimizing hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms. Through this method of care, your comfort and safety are of highest concern. Treatment attendance at a medical detox center is focused on the following:
- Keeping the patient as comfortable as possible
- Providing medical intervention as necessary for the safety of the patient
- Offering around-the-clock monitoring and support
- Monitoring vital signs for any changes that may signify the need for immediate intervention
- Providing pharmaceutical intervention as needed to reduce withdrawal symptoms
A number of medications exist to make hydrocodone detox and the overall hydrocodone withdrawal process easier to cope with. The most common medications include:
- Methadone
- Subutex
- Suboxone
- Buprenorphine
- Naloxone
Each of these have been approved by the FDA to be used in the treatment of opioid addiction. Currently, buprenorphine based produces such as subutex are the most commonly used opiate addiction treatment drugs because they eliminate the ability for the individual to get high making the idea of “drug seeking” tend to dissipate and be less of a “need.”
Choosing a Hydrocodone Withdrawal Treatment Program
So now that you have decided to seek the help of a substance abuse program to walk you through the hydrocodone withdrawal process and get you on the path to recovery, it’s time to choose the right program for your needs.
Here are a few points to consider:
- Location
- Amenities
- Length of treatment
- Cost
- Staff to patient ratio
- Effectiveness of the program
- Long-term care options
You’ll likely spend 7 days or more in detox and then you will move on to a residential treatment setting. Inpatient hydrocodone withdrawal treatment is mostly focused on helping to curb cravings and balance your body out so that you can focus mentally on the emotional aspects of recovery and healing.
If you’re not sure where to begin or how to find a treatment program that’s right for you, call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?) and we’ll guide you through the process. While it seems daunting and difficult to navigate, with professional help on your side, hydrocodone addiction recovery can quickly become a reality in your life.
Get Help Today
Are you ready to make the change? If you or a loved one is struggling, and you’re ready to get the help that you deserve, call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?) today. Treatment is just the first step in your healing process, but it’s worth every second of effort that you put into it. A comprehensive hydrocodone treatment plan will include:
- Physical care
- Psychological care
- Medical care
- Emotional support
- 12 step recovery options
- Long-term treatment options
- Aftercare services
- Behavioral therapy
- Cognitive therapy
- Family therapy
- Personal therapy
- Group therapy
You’ll find as you go that some of these therapeutic options are more appealing than others to you specifically. This is because no two types of treatment or people being treated are the same. If you LOVE group therapy but aren’t real fond of 12 step programs, that’s “OK” go with the group therapy. Don’t be afraid to try out different treatment methods and options until you find the fit that works best for you.
Our treatment helpline will connect you with a counseling service that will demonstrate the capacity to serve you in a way that leads to ultimate healing and recovery. Call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?) and we’ll immediately connect you with a hydrocodone rehab specialist that will show you how to work treatment into your busy schedule, how to get away from drugs and alcohol, and how to find your way to freedom from addiction once and for all.
It all starts today—it all starts with one phone call that will change the way that you live the rest of your life. No more burden. No more running and chasing the addiction. No more struggling and fighting within yourself or with others—you just learn how to LIVE and be HAPPY. Call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?) to change your life today!
