Hydrocodone are highly addictive drugs and people easily fall victims to it. If you are searching to find more information on its withdrawal symptoms, then read on…
Hydrocodone belongs to the group of narcotic drugs under the opioid family. These drugs elicit a calm, euphoric state of mind, very similar to the high achieved with use of heroin or morphine. Doctors prescribe these drugs as pain killers for mild to moderate pain management. Hydrocodone are highly addictive drugs and is often seen as an addiction among non-chronic pain suffers.
The people who fall prey to this drug addiction are common people like you and me. Hydrocodone and oxycodone are highly addictive pain relievers. The duration of withdrawal lasts for about three weeks. There are variety of hydrocodone addiction withdrawal symptoms exhibited by the user of the drug. The severity of hydrocodone addiction withdrawal symptoms, depends upon the individual user, the degree of drug abuse and the average amount of drug consumed per day.
Symptoms
It is seen that a patient will exhibit withdrawal symptoms within 6 hours of last dose taken. The symptoms intensify and are at their peak, during the next 3-4 days. Once the peak of withdrawal symptoms is reached, the intensity begins to recede. Within three weeks, the withdrawal symptoms are completely faded.
The common hydrocodone addiction withdrawal symptoms are:
- Excessive sweating
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Yawning
- Runny nose and eyes
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Body aches
- Muscle pain
- Depression
- Body chills
- Goose bumps
- Restlessness
- Sleep depriviation
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Loss of appetite
- Strong cravings for the drug, even after the withdrawal symptoms fade
The strong cravings for the drugs make it very difficult for the patient to totally overcome the addiction. It is very important for the patient to overcome this phase successfully. A complete abstinence from the drug will cause diarrhea. This is observed mostly after the patients eats something. It may worsen after consuming coffee or caffeinated beverages.
Patients may also complain of runny nose and watery eyes. This is seen due to the reaction of autonomic nervous system. One may also find the food being tasteless or bland. Muscle pains and aches will be commonly observed, especially backache. One feels as if they are suffering from flu-like symptoms.
Apart from the physical symptoms, the patient starts suffering from psychological symptoms. The patient becomes irritable and shows heightened anxiety levels. He/she may even suffer from depression, insomnia and sleep disturbances. Other than that, they lose focus and concentration levels decrease. This is because the withdrawal process makes their mind become restless.
Treatment
Detoxification is a process that helps in moderating the physical withdrawal symptoms. The process helps in totally eliminating the addiction of the drug. It is important to gradually carry out the detoxification process as it helps in minimizing the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. This technique is called ‘tapering off’, that helps the body become accustomed to the lower doses of the drug and finally get off the drug completely. According to the severity of the drug abuse, the individual may be advised to drug rehabilitation centers. Medications like methadone may be prescribed to ease the symptoms.
Over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc. may be prescribed to reduce the fever developed during the hydrocodone addiction withdrawal symptoms. Hot baths may be given to reduce the body chills and muscle aches. Immodium is very helpful in reducing the symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and nausea.
It is very important to extend support to the convalescing individual and build his moral support. Take medical help to overcome your addiction. Patients who are on prescribed drugs, should follow all their doctor’s advice, when stopping the drug. It is very important to discuss all aspects regarding the drug with your doctor, who is prescribing it for one of your loved ones or for yourself. The basic thing is to overcome any kind of abuse or addictions, is not to let it overcome your mind and body.
