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Types of Addictions & Addiction Treatments

Hydrocodone (Vicodin) Addiction & Treatment

A weak opiate derived from codeine and typically combined with acetaminophen, hydrocodone is legally prescribed for pain relief. It is an antitussive (cough suppressant) and analgesic agent used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, and is found to be nearly equal to morphine for pain relief. It is the most frequently prescribed opiate in the United States with several hundred brand name and generic hydrocodone products marketed. Hydrocone is usually ingested in pill form, however can also be dissolved in water and injected. As a narcotic, it is very habit forming.

Brand and Generic forms of Hydrocodone are:  
Vicodin, Vicodin ES, Vicodin HP, Anexsia, Dicodid, Dolacet, Hycodan, Lorcet, Lorcet HD, Lorcet Plus, Lortab, Norco, Zydone and more

Street terms for Hydrocone are:
Vikes, Hydro, Norco

Effects of Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is abused for its opiate effects. An analgesic and antitussive agent structurally similar to codeine, its effects are more similar to morphine. Hydrocodone goes beyond pain relief to create feelings of extreme euphoria and puts users at high risk to become addicted.

Lasting/Long-Term Effects
Over time the body develops a tolerance to hydrocodone effects making it necessary to ingest higher quantities to achieve the same initial effects. Use of hydrocodone also causes the brain to slow and in some cases cease to produce endorphins, resulting in severe pain without hydrocodone use. Because hydrocodone is almost always combined with acetaminophen, users are at risk for liver toxicity, nausea, headaches and more. Users also can become addicted and dependent on hydrocodone.

Detox/Rehab
Hydrocodone detox can cause withdrawal symptoms including but not limited to muscle and joint pain, heart palpitations, nausea, hypertension, fever and insomnia. Because of the severity of the withdrawal symptoms it is critical that the addict seek detox in a medically-supervised facility. It is also important that the addict follow-up detox with intensive inpatient rehabilitation treatment. For more information on medically-supervised detox and/or to seek inpatient rehabilitation treatment, call us now at 1-877-548-4794.