If you or someone you love face the drug detox process, maybe you wonder, “How long does hydrocodone withdrawal last?” Do not count yourself alone in this, as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) affirms that hydrocodone is the most widely abused opioid drug in the U.S. More than 135 million Americans use this drug by prescription in a given year, and countless more purchase it on the streets without their doctor’s consent. So you have many people wondering the same thing with you as you face Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms in detox.
Do you need to know more about prescription drug addiction rehab? Call us today at 866.262.0531 to learn more.
What Is Hydrocodone?
Hydrocodone is a prescription narcotic painkiller, also called an opioid. You find this drug in medications like Vicodin, Lorcet, and Lortab. Even the tightest of regulations do not keep people from abusing this opioid, as its notoriety comes from its euphoric and relaxing high.
Hydrocodone leads to addiction quickly. This surprises many people who start using the drug under a doctor’s care. Even when used as prescribed, many people find themselves dependent in only a few weeks. Tolerance means you need more of the drug to feel its effects.
When you have a tolerance to the drug, many people use a higher dose or take their doses more often than prescribed. This is the downward spiral into an addiction that quickly destroys all facets of your life. Then, only through hydrocodone rehab treatment will you end your addiction and begin recovery.
Symptoms of Hydrocodone Withdrawal
Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms include many different ill feelings and side effects, such as:
- Watery eyes, sweating and runny nose
- Muscle, bone, and joint aches
- Yawning, insomnia, and restlessness
- Fever, chills, tremors, and cravings
- Irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and dilated pupils
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps
- Depression, anxiety, and agitation
One of the worst symptoms of hydrocodone withdrawal is suicidal thoughts. Between that potentially deadly symptom of withdrawal, potential health problems, and the risk of relapse, you need medical supervision throughout your detox. Through this help, you stay healthy, nourished, hydrated, and comfortable while you regain sobriety.
How Long Does Hydrocodone Withdrawal Last?
So, how long does hydrocodone withdrawal last once it begins? The answer to this question proves highly individualized, according to your personal factors and history of drug use. But opioid withdrawal usually begins within 12 hours of your final dose and ends after five to 10 days. Many factors determine how long your withdrawal lasts. These include your typical dose of hydrocodone, family history of addiction, physical health, and how you use the drug. If you suffer other addictions, such as alcoholism, that adds to the difficulty and length of your withdrawal.
Treatment for Hydrocodone Addiction
The good news is you can overcome your addiction to opioids like hydrocodone with the right help. But what does that help include? For your best and longest-lasting recovery from a hydrocodone addiction, it helps to have an array of therapies and programs. These include:
Partial Hospitalization Program
A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a form of treatment for hydrocodone addiction that involves spending some time in a hospital or other inpatient facility, but not 24/7. This can be a good option for people who need more support than they can get from an outpatient program, but who don’t need or can’t afford to stay in a residential treatment facility.
Intensive Outpatient Program
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) for hydrocodone addiction is a treatment option for people who are addicted to the drug. This type of program allows people to live at home and continue working while they receive treatment. Treatment typically includes individual and group therapy, as well as medical care.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment for hydrocodone addiction is a type of care that addresses both the addiction and any underlying mental health condition. This approach is often necessary because addiction can worsen mental health problems and vice versa. Without treatment, the cycle of addiction and mental illness can be difficult to break.
Trauma Therapy
Trauma therapy is a type of treatment that helps people who have experienced trauma heal emotionally and mentally. People who have experienced trauma often struggle with symptoms like anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Trauma therapy can help people heal these symptoms and learn to cope with their experiences.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping people overcome addiction. It can be an effective treatment for people who are struggling with addiction and want to change their lives.
Am I Addicted to Hydrocodone?
If you are worried that you are addicted to hydrocodone, seeking help can save your life. During addiction, drugs interfere with your ability to make rational and logical decisions. This can cause people to engage in risky, strange, and dangerous activities. These activities can lead to financial woe and mounting debt. Active addiction also prevents people from working and supporting their families.
Next time you wonder, “How long does hydrocodone withdrawal last,” call the addiction counselors of Crestview Recovery at 866.262.0531. Let them provide the answers and help you need for lasting recovery. You deserve a better life without opioid addiction. Give us a call today to get started.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
