Hydrocodone is the most frequently prescribed opioid for pain relief in the United States. Carrying a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction, it is also the most commonly misused prescription painkiller among Americans. So, if you’re struggling with hydrocodone addiction, know that you’re not alone.

Although it may feel as if overcoming hydrocodone dependence is impossible, anyone can heal from it, regardless of how long they’ve been battling it.

This article will explain the main things you should know about hydrocodone addiction—from prevention to treatment—and more.

What Is Hydrocodone?

Hydrocodone is an opioid painkiller used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is typically prescribed when weaker, over-the-counter medications cannot be used or aren’t effective enough.

As a semi-synthetic opioid, hydrocodone can be derived from two alkaloids found in the opium poppy plant: thebaine or codeine.

While pure hydrocodone is available in an extended-release formula (Zohydro® ER, Hysingla® ER, Vantrela® ER), it is most commonly prescribed as a combination drug containing acetaminophen. The hydrocodone/acetaminophen combination comes in the form of capsules and tablets.

Besides its generic version, this combined medication is also sold under brand names such as Lortab®, Norco®, and Vicodin®. Meanwhile, some common street names for hydrocodone include Hydro, Fluff, Viko, and Tab.

Hydrocodone binds to opioid receptors located in the central nervous system (CNS). It disrupts the transmission of pain signals between the body and the brain, altering the perception of pain. Besides pain relief, it also triggers dopamine release, inducing feelings of euphoria and deep relaxation that increase the addictive potential of the drug.

Side Effects of Using Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone can cause various side effects, including:

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Nausea
• Sleep disturbances
• Stomach pain
• Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
• Trouble urinating

Inform your doctor about any side effects you experience after taking hydrocodone. This drug can also cause severe, potentially life-threatening side effects like difficulty breathing, hallucinations, and allergic reactions, which may require immediate medical attention.

Furthermore, long-term use of hydrocodone increases the risk of:

• Tolerance
• Dependence
• Hydrocodone addiction
• Hydrocodone overdose
• Liver, respiratory, brain, and gastrointestinal damage
• Coma
• Death

Is Hydrocodone Addictive?

Even though it isn’t the strongest opioid, hydrocodone is addictive. Because of this, it falls under Schedule II controlled substances that can only be legally obtained by prescription. In October 2014, hydrocodone combination products like Lortab® were also moved from Schedule III to Schedule II due to their high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction.

While taking this medication as prescribed minimizes the risk of hydrocodone dependence, it doesn’t eliminate it.

Like other opioids, hydrocodone alters the brain, increasing the production of opioid receptors and decreasing that of endorphins. Due to these chemical changes that occur in the brain due to hydrocodone use, anyone taking it is exposed to the risk of becoming addicted.

The risk of developing hydrocodone dependence increases with prolonged use and abuse of this drug. As tolerance develops, it’s not uncommon for people to take increasingly larger doses of it, which constitutes hydrocodone abuse if done without a doctor’s permission.

Other common ways of abusing hydrocodone include:

• Taking hydrocodone more frequently than prescribed
• Taking the medication without a prescription
• Taking it in other ways than prescribed (e.g., crushing pills and snorting the powder)
• Mixing hydrocodone with other substances (alcohol, opioids, etc.) to enhance its effects

Hydrocodone Abuse Statistics

Here are some recent statistics that will help you better understand the extent of hydrocodone use, abuse, dependence, and overdose in the United States:

• With over 30 million prescriptions, hydrocodone/acetaminophen was the 16th most commonly prescribed medication in 2020. It was also the most frequently prescribed opioid medication that year.
• Nearly 4% of Americans above the age of 18 abuse opioids, including hydrocodone, every year.
• In 2021, hydrocodone and its products were the most commonly misused prescription painkillers in the United States among drug misusers above the age of 12. Nearly 47% of all Americans who misused these medications abused hydrocodone specifically.
• In 2022, an estimated 83,000 Americans lost their lives to an opioid overdose. Nearly 12,000 of these deaths involved natural and semi-synthetic opioids like hydrocodone.
• Between 1999 and 2021, the number of overdose deaths related to hydrocodone and other semi-synthetic and natural opioids increased almost five times, from 2,749 to 13,620.

Hydrocodone Addiction Signs and Symptoms

There’s no denying that hydrocodone addiction can wreak havoc on your mental, physical, financial, and social well-being.

Whether you’ve been struggling with it for several weeks or multiple years, the good news is that it can be treated. Recovery from hydrocodone dependence, however, is only possible if you recognize your drug use has become problematic.

On that note, let’s explore the symptoms and signs of hydrocodone abuse and addiction.

Hydrocodone Addiction Physical Symptoms

Suffering from opioid withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing hydrocodone use is a classic sign of hydrocodone dependence. These symptoms can be psychological or physical and typically begin within the first 12 hours after the last dose.

Therefore, if you or someone you love experiences nausea, muscle cramps, or flu-like symptoms shortly after quitting your medication, seek medical help for hydrocodone dependence. This is the most effective way to reduce the risk of relapse and maximize the chances of making a lasting recovery.

Some other physical symptoms of hydrocodone abuse and addiction include:

• Breathing difficulties
• Constipation
• Decreased heart rate
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Seizures
• Slurred speech
• Weight changes

More often than not, people addicted to hydrocodone will also experience psychological symptoms. These may include difficulty sleeping, mood swings, anxiety, and depression.

Hydrocodone Addiction Behavioral Symptoms

Besides physical and psychological symptoms, hydrocodone addiction can also be recognized by certain behaviors. These include:

• Feeling unable to control drug use
• Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Becoming more withdrawn from friends and family
• Lying about hydrocodone use or attempting to hide it
• Experiencing financial troubles due to hydrocodone use
• Spending a lot of time on obtaining and using hydrocodone
• Abusing hydrocodone (for example, taking it for non-medical purposes)
• Taking hydrocodone despite the negative consequences that come with it
• Failing to meet professional obligations and decreased work performance
• Continuing to take hydrocodone after the medical issue has been resolved
• Trying to obtain hydrocodone in any possible way, including doctor shopping, forging prescriptions, pretending to have health problems, stealing, etc.

Hydrocodone Addiction vs. Hydrocodone Dependence

Hydrocodone addiction isn’t the same as hydrocodone dependence, even though these terms are often used interchangeably.

The main difference between them is that hydrocodone dependence refers to being physically dependent on this drug, whereas hydrocodone addiction is marked by not only physical but more so psychological signs.

As such, some people may be dependent on hydrocodone without being addicted to it, though hydrocodone dependence may eventually develop into an addiction.

If you notice you’ve built up tolerance to hydrocodone or experience withdrawal symptoms after quitting it, it’s likely you’ve become dependent on it. Seeking professional help can help you overcome hydrocodone dependence safely and effectively.

Hydrocodone Addiction Causes And Risk Factors

Neurobiological changes that occur in the brain as a result of opioid use are the fundamental cause of hydrocodone addiction.

Since hydrocodone stimulates the production of opioid receptors, its use over time leads to tolerance, which indicates a physical dependence on the drug. Once you build up tolerance to the drug, you’ll no longer feel the drug’s effects without increasing the dosage. This can quickly lead to hydrocodone abuse, which increases the risk of addiction.

If hydrocodone dependence is left untreated, it can eventually develop into an addiction, marked by an inability to control hydrocodone use.

Even though anyone taking this drug risks becoming addicted to it, certain factors can make you more susceptible to opioid addiction.

Besides opioid abuse, other risk factors for hydrocodone addiction include:

• Having a personal or family history of substance abuse
• Using hydrocodone for a prolonged time
• Being exposed to hydrocodone or other drugs at an early age
• Being able to access hydrocodone easily

Hydrocodone Withdrawal Symptoms

If you discontinue hydrocodone use after developing a dependence on this drug, you’ll inevitably experience hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms. The onset of these symptoms largely depends on the type of hydrocodone you take.

Withdrawal from extended-release hydrocodone will usually begin within the first 24 hours after taking the last dose, whereas withdrawal from short-acting hydrocodone should begin within 6–12 hours after quitting the drug.

The duration of these symptoms depends on the extent of your opioid use, your body composition, and other factors. While most people no longer struggle with discomfort within a week or two after hydrocodone discontinuation, others continue battling depression, cravings, insomnia, and other psychological symptoms for several more weeks, months, or even years.

The most common physical and psychological symptoms of hydrocodone withdrawal are:

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Body aches
• Chills
• Cravings
• Decreased ability to focus
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Dilated pupils
• Elevated blood pressure
• Goosebumps
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Mood swings
• Runny nose
• Sweating
• Vomiting

While the intensity of these symptoms may range from mild to severe, it’s never recommended to quit hydrocodone “cold turkey” or without medical supervision. Otherwise, you may be at a heightened risk of relapse, overdose, and death.

Risks of Hydrocodone Overdose

Hydrocodone overdose is a life-threatening emergency that happens when you take a larger amount of the drug than your body can handle. Since this can happen by accident, it’s vital to track your hydrocodone intake to ensure you don’t accidentally take an extra dose.

Mixing hydrocodone with other substances can also increase the risk of an opioid overdose. For this reason, you should never combine hydrocodone with:

• Alcohol
• Other opioids
• Benzodiazepines
• Marijuana
• Muscle relaxants
• Antihistamines

Relapse is a major risk factor for a hydrocodone overdose, as not taking the drug reduces your tolerance to it. This means that if you relapse, even your usual dose can be strong enough to cause an overdose. If you don’t receive timely medical help, a hydrocodone overdose can be fatal.

If you or someone you know displays the following signs of a hydrocodone overdose, call 911 immediately:

• Discolored lips or fingernails
• Shallow, slow, or stopped breathing
• Constricted pupils
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Unresponsiveness
• Drowsiness

How to Prevent Hydrocodone Addiction

Since hydrocodone addiction stems from chemical brain imbalances, the only way to prevent it is not to take this medication in the first place. Before resorting to hydrocodone, you should discuss alternative treatment options with your doctor.

If your condition cannot be treated with less addictive medications, you can minimize the risk of becoming dependent on hydrocodone by:

• Following your doctor’s instructions. Always take hydrocodone as prescribed, and refrain from increasing the dosage without your doctor’s approval.
• Working closely with your doctor. Tell your doctor about any side effects you experience while taking hydrocodone. If you’re taking any other medications, including herbal supplements, inform your doctor about them to ensure they can be safely taken with opioids.
• Storing your medication safely. Make sure you keep hydrocodone out of reach of children and pets.

ANR Treatment for Hydrocodone Dependence

If you’re looking to overcome hydrocodone dependence safely, quickly, and effectively, look no further—Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) ticks all of these boxes. 

Accelerated Neuro-Regulation is a groundbreaking hydrocodone dependence treatment that tackles the underlying causes of opioid dependence rather than just treating its symptoms. 

This innovative treatment has a very high success rate because, unlike other methods, it restores the brain to its pre-dependence state. In doing so, the ANR treatment eliminates cravings and other withdrawal symptoms, negating the risk of relapse.

Most importantly, ANR is very safe, even for those with complex medical conditions. Not only is the treatment tailored to suit every patient’s individual needs and medical history, but it is also carried out by board-certified medical professionals in an ICU setting of an accredited hospital.

Better yet, the hospital stay for ANR patients lasts only 36 hours on average. No matter how long you’ve been struggling with hydrocodone dependence, this treatment can help you overcome it within a matter of days!

For more information, contact us today and book a free, 100% confidential consultation.

Key Takeaways

If you or someone you love struggles with hydrocodone dependence, remember that seeking medical help is key to safely and successfully recovering from it.

Now, let’s reiterate the key points we covered today:

• Hydrocodone is a derivative of codeine or thebaine commonly prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain.
• Some tell-tale signs of hydrocodone addiction include experiencing withdrawal symptoms after quitting the drug, lying about opioid use, and becoming isolated from loved ones.
• By repairing the damage opioids cause to the brain, the ANR treatment can help you heal from hydrocodone dependence within days and forget about the fear of relapse.

Hydrocodone Addiction FAQ