Hydrocodone is habit forming. It is possible to become physically and psychologically dependent on this prescription pain killer. Symptoms of overdose include bluish tinge to skin, heavy perspiration, heart problems, kidney problems, liver failure, troubled breathing, coma, even death. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe.
Overview of Hydrocodone – From the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Hydrocodone is an antitussive (cough suppressant) and analgesic agent for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. Studies indicate that hydrocodone is as effective, or more effective, than codeine for cough suppression and nearly equipotent to morphine for pain relief.
Hydrocodone is the most frequently prescribed opiate in the United States with nearly 130 million prescriptions for hydrocodone-containing products dispensed in 2006. There are several hundred brand name and generic hydrocodone products marketed. All are combination products and the most frequently prescribed combination is hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Vicodin®, Lortab®, Lorcet®).
Hydrocodone diversion and abuse has been escalating in recent years. In 2006, hydrocodone was the most frequently encountered opioid pharmaceutical in drug evidence submitted to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) with 25,136 exhibits; the System to Retrieve Investigational Drug Evidence (STRIDE) analyzed 654 exhibits in 2006. In the 2005 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) combination products were associated with more emergency room visits than any other pharmaceutical opioid with an estimated 51,225 emergency room visits. Poison control data, medical examiners’ reports, and treatment center data all indicate that the abuse of hydrocodone is associated with significant public health risks, including a substantial number of deaths.
Hydrocodone Addiction Detox and Treatment
The widespread abuse of Hydrocodone and other prescription drugs has stimulated extensive efforts to develop treatment and detox programs for this type of drug abuse. Medically-managed detox has proven to be a safe and effective treatment for people who are addicted to opiate drugs, including prescription painkillers like Hydrocodone. Patients are given medication such as Suboxone or Subutex (both medicines contain Buprenorphine hydrochloride) which work to reduce the symptoms of opiate dependence. Subutex and Suboxone are the first narcotic drugs available under the Drug Abuse Treatment Act (DATA) of 2000 for the treatment of opiate dependence that can be prescribed in a doctor’s office. In addition to medications and detox treatment, behavioral interventions, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, can be effective in decreasing drug use by patients in treatment for OxyContin abuse. Providing the optimal combination of treatment services for each individual is critical to successful withdrawal and treatment outcome.
Pat Moore Foundation’s drug & alcohol detox and alcohol & drug addiction treatment programs are licensed and certified by The State of California. We provide non-medical and medically managed detoxification (using Suboxone, Subutex, and Buprenorphine when appropriate) and primary residential treatment. Our individual homes are on a unique co-ed campus where we offer gender specific treatment. We are located in Costa Mesa, in Orange County, Southern California, close to Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, and only an hour’s drive from Los Angeles and San Diego. To speak with a counselor, please call us 24-hours at (888) 426-6086 or if you’d like us to contact you.
Note: All medical services are administered by medical professionals, which are facilitated and operated solely under the jurisdiction of a separate medical corporation.