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Hydrocodone Addiction
Hydrocodone is a narcotic that can produce a calm, euphoric state similar to heroin or morphine--and despite such important and obvious benefits in pain relief, hydrocodone is a very physically and emotionally addictive drug. Pure hydrocodone is a Schedule II substance, closely controlled with restricted use. But very few prescription drugs are pure hydrocodone. Instead, small amounts of hydrocodone are mixed with other non-narcotic ingredients to create medicines like Vicodin and Lortab. This means they can be classified under Schedule III with fewer restrictions on their use and distribution.
Hydrocodone is structurally related to codeine and is approximately equal in strength to morphine in producing opiate-like effects. The first report that hydrocodone produced a noticeable euphoria and symptoms of addiction was published in 1923; the first report of hydrocodone addiction in the U.S. was published in 1961.
By the time that you have a Hydrocodone addiction, you have a tolerance to your original dosage and are now requiring larger doses to simulate the original effect. This is the body’s natural response to any narcotic and this effect should be a warning to you that you are becoming physically dependant.
Vicodin is a brand of hydrocodone, a powerful and addictive painkiller. Vicoden has a street value of between $2 and $4 per pill. The effects are very similar to that of other opiates that are usually prescribed to manage pain.
When someone is addicted to hydrocodone and stop using the drug, they can experience withdrawal symptoms including restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps involuntary leg movements, watery eyes, runny nose, loss of appetite, irritability, panic, nausea, chills, and sweating.
There is a difference between Hydrocodone dependence and addiction. Hydrocodone addiction occurs after continued use and the body builds up a tolerance which leads to needing larger amounts to find the same effect. Withdrawal symptoms will begin if the drug is stopped abruptly. Most people that take Hydrocodone or any other opiate for an extended period of time will become dependent on the drug to handle the emotional stresses of the day and other minor irritations. Many people use hydrocondone to self-medicate themselves rather than experience and deal with the entirety of reality.
Allay; Amacodone; Anexsia; Anolor Dh 5; Bancap-HC; Co-Gesic; Dolacet; Dolagesic; Dolphen; Duocet; Gesic 5; Hy-5; Hy-Phen; Hyco-Pap; Hycomed; Hycotab; Hydrocet; Hydrogesic; Lorcet; Lorcet 10/650; Lorcide Panseals; Lortab; Margesic; Medipain 5; Megagesic; Megamor; Norcet; Oncet; Panacet; Polygesic; Propain Hc; Ro-Codone; Rogesic #3; Senefen III; Stagesic; Tycolet; Ultragesic; Vanacet; Vapocet; Vendone; Vicodin; Vicodin ES; Zydone... remember that this is an incomplete list, but demonstrates the extent of the marketing of hydrocodone in our society. It is difficult to find anyone that hasn't been perscribed hydrocodone in a combination drug at least once in their lives.
Hydrocodone addiction is a growing crisis in the United States. While illegal drugs like cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin remain in the headlines many individuals may be surprised to know that hydrocodone addiction could lurk right behind them as one of the most widely-abused drugs of addiction. In fact, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration believes hydrocodone may be the most abused prescription drug in the country. Nationwide, its use has quadrupled in the last ten years, while emergency room visits attributed to hydrocodone abuse soared 500 percent.
Nearly half, 46.6% of patients that request a pain killer from a physician are thought to have a prescription drug abuse problem and hydrocodone is the number one prescribed drug to this population that needs professional intervention to help them handle their drug addiction problem.
If you have a Vicodin, or Lortab addiciton, you are addicted to the hydrocodone, or the opiate in the medicine. Please call 1-888-781-7060 and speak to a knowledgeable, licensed counselor who can help you find relief.
You can also join the coversation on drugs in our society by contributing to this blog: http://mcbooker.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/its-all-about-personal-responsibility
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