One experiences withdrawal symptoms after abstaining from hydrocodone. However, the duration of these symptoms varies for each individual. Read on to acquaint yourself in this regard.
Hydrocodone is a drug belonging to the opium family. It is considered to be effective in managing and alleviating pain. It can only be obtained through a doctor’s prescription. It relieves the sensation of pain by blocking the pain receptors in the brain. This pain killer causes an addiction, similar to other opium narcotics, amongst the users. It also induces a feeling of relaxation and joy. The ‘high’ experienced after taking this drug is similar to the ecstatic feeling that one experiences after abusing heroin. This often leads to an addiction and abuse of the drug. Giving up may be difficult, owing to the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Also, the duration of withdrawal differs for each individual.
Hydrocodone Withdrawal Duration and Timeline
» As mentioned above, hydrocodone is responsible for the feeling of elation. However, this feeling is maximum only when the person takes the prescribed drug for the very first time.
» After every use, the ‘high’ feeling begins to diminish. It is almost impossible to experience the same feeling of joy and exhilaration again.
» As a result, people attempt to recreate the feeling by increasing the dosage or frequency. This does nothing to make the body and mind feel better.
» On the contrary, the body increases its tolerance for the drug. Meaning, you will need an additional amount of drug to experience the same level of ‘high’.
» Needless to say, the increased amounts of this drug or any drug for that matter, are extremely dangerous to our body. Hence, the users are advised to give up the drug or at least not exceed the prescribed limit of consumption.
» However, as soon as the person gives up, the body craves for its usual dose of drug. This is an indication of the onset of withdrawal symptoms.
The nature and intensity of the withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle pain
- Runny nose or eyes
- Dilated pupils
- Excessive sweating
- Diarrhea
- Yawning
- Fever
- Chills
- Insomnia
- Depression
The symptoms surface within 6 to 24 hours of abstinence from the drug. The intensity of the symptoms continues to increase for 72 hours after which it begins to subside. Within 7 to 14 days, there is a drastic reduction in the withdrawal symptoms.
Treatment for Hydrocodone Withdrawal Symptoms
» After 6 to 12 months of continuous use, the person begins to get addicted to the drug. Usually, it has been observed that people who give up the addiction abruptly experience the worst symptoms.
» Hence, physicians often recommend to cut down on the dosage gradually. It is advisable to reduce the dosage of the drug over a period of weeks so that you experience minimum symptoms.
» The treatment is mainly targeted at individual symptoms hence differs for each individual. The symptoms can be controlled with ibuprofen and acetaminophen that are OTC drugs.
» Ample fluid intake may provide some relief by reducing nausea and vomiting. Withdrawal treatment is also available at rehabs where a person can avail various therapies, like group therapy, etc. However, one must always consult a physician before seeking any treatment option for hydrocodone withdrawal.
To avoid the possible problems of addiction, it is strongly recommended that you stick to the prescribed limit of the drug. Procuring this prescription drug illegally can also prove to be hazardous to your health.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
