Hydrocodone Addiction is a dangerous and life-threatening condition that can result in death if left untreated. The drug most commonly known as Hydrocodone is an opioid painkiller, meaning it has similar effects to heroin and other opiates. When used correctly, hydrocodone can be an effective pain reliever, but it can also have serious side effects when combined with alcohol or other drugs.
Hydrocodone works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This causes a release of dopamine, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure. When you take hydrocodone regularly, your body becomes tolerant to it—meaning it takes more and more hydrocodone for you to feel good or get high. This tolerance can lead to physical dependence on the drug and withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it.
If you think someone you love may be addicted to hydrocodone (or any other prescription opioid), there are resources available that can help them get into treatment and stay free from addiction.
What Are the Symptoms of Hydrocodone Addiction?
Symptoms of hydrocodone addiction vary depending on the length of time you’ve been abusing the drug, but they may include:
- Stomach pain or upset stomach
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting or feeling faint
- Drowsiness or trouble waking up
Why is Hydrocodone Addiction Dangerous?
To begin with, hydrocodone is a schedule II drug, which means that it has a high potential for abuse and severe psychological or physical dependence. It’s also highly addictive because it affects the brain in similar ways to other opioids like heroin and oxycodone—and it has the same long-term effects on your body as these drugs.
Hydrocodone can be abused through taking higher doses than prescribed or by crushing tablets and snorting them or injecting them into your veins. You can also become dependent on painkillers if you take them for longer than two weeks or at high doses; this means that you’ll need to keep taking more throughout your life in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, anxiety and depression.
In addition to being highly addictive and potentially dangerous for your health, hydrocodone use may lead to criminal charges if you’re caught buying it illegally from an online dealer or doctor shopping (going from one doctor to another looking for prescriptions). The penalties for purchasing illegal drugs can include jail time and fines—and this doesn’t even include the cost of addiction treatment!
Hydrocodone is also very fast-acting: It takes only a few minutes to start working and can provide relief from pain for up to six hours. That means if you’re taking it for pain management, you’ll need to take it multiple times per day just to keep the pain at bay.
And because hydrocodone relieves pain so effectively, many people who are taking it for legitimate reasons become addicted—not because they want to get high, but because they need their daily dose just so they can function normally.
If you suspect that you or someone you love might have a hydrocodone addiction problem—or if you’re concerned about how much hydrocodone is in your system at any given moment—call for help.