The drug hydrocodone is a type of narcotic that is often used to help with severe pain. It sends messages from the brain to the body that a person is feeling good and blocks the pain receptors. In the right setting and with the supervision of a doctor, it can be a very powerful painkiller to help a person recover from an injury. Hydrocodone should only be used for a few days, and the dose should be carefully monitored. It should never be used for more than one week, as that is when the risk of addiction to hydrocodone increases.
In the past few decades years, there have been many reports of high-profile individuals, including celebrities fighting hydrocodone addictions. However, there are many people out there that keep their addiction private as well for a very long time. Even if obtained illegally, hydrocodone is one of the most affordable types of narcotics. As a result, a person does not have to spend as much on it as they do other forms of addiction. This is why it is often referred to as an addiction for the working class.
Recent studies show that very young teenagers and young adults have a high rate of addiction to hydrocodone as well. Females are more likely to be addicted to it, and the average age group is from 20 to 40 years of age. The risk of death continues to increase when a person uses it due to the higher dose the body craves. In the past few years, emergency room visits for hydrocodone overdose have increased by an unbelievable 500%.
Today hydrocodone addiction is more of a problem than it has been in the past. Studies show that this has become an addiction that people often try to hide as well. This makes it harder to find out how many people are actually suffering from such a problem. It has been identified as a large enough issue to educate the public as well as medical professionals about it. However, the FDA believes this could be one of the most commonly abused prescribed drugs out there.
There are legal repercussions for those that abuse the use of hydrocodone. It is classified as a Schedule II substance. People obtain it illegally on a variety of levels. They may see many doctors without disclosing truthful information so they can get multiple prescriptions. Buying it illegally from other people is common as well. With a hydrocodone addiction, a person will need a larger dose over the course of time than in the past. As a result, they go to various lengths to be able to obtain what they need.
There are many signs that a person may be addicted to hydrocodone. They include excessive thirst, yellowish skin or coloring around the eyes, swelling of the face and hands, breathing problems, muscle spasms, ringing in the ears, decreased concentration, anxiety, and easy bruising. There are some great treatment programs out there for hydrocodone addiction. The detox process is very brutal to do alone, so it should only be done under the supervision of experts that are trained to deal with it.
