Duration of the Symptoms of Hydrocodone Withdrawal
Nobody begins to use hydrocodone with the idea that they will become addicted. Unfortunately, this is often times the end result. This holds true among people who started using hydrocodone for medical reasons, as well as those who decided to do so illegally.
By the time you realize you have a problem it may be too late to turn back. At this point, the only thing you can do is face the withdrawal process head on. During detoxification, you will deal with many uncomfortable and painful situations.
You must confront the symptoms of hydrocodone withdrawal, which begin 12-24 hours after drug usage.
While not always the case, most people go through three phases of hydrocodone withdrawal.
You should expect phase one symptoms to kick in roughly 12 to 24 hours after your last use. Around the two or three day mark the side effects will peak. By the time the five day mark comes around, you will begin to move past phase one.
During this time, some of the most common symptoms include:
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramps
Phase two typically lasts two to three weeks. It is during this time that your body will continue to rid itself of all substances. The symptoms of withdrawal during phase two are less serious, but can include:
- Leg cramps
- Chills
- Goosebumps
- Dilated pupils
The third phase of hydrocodone withdrawal will last the longest, with many people dealing with this for as long as two to three months. Fortunately, this is also the least severe of the phases. During this time, you will deal more with psychological symptoms than physical. These include:
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
Note: you should expect to experience intense cravings along the way as your mind and body gets used to living without the substance.
Are you worried about staying the course? Due to the severity of symptoms during phase one of hydrocodone withdrawal, it may be in your best interest to seek professional help. A rehab facility can help you tackle each and every symptom head on, doing whatever it takes to deal with the pain and discomfort. Additionally, your medical team can keep you on the right track for the first few months, making sure you don’t relapse and slip back into your old way of abuse and addiction.
No two people with a hydrocodone addiction are the same, however, the timeline and many of the symptoms remain the same form one person to the next. Before you go through withdrawal, it is good to know what you will be faced with along the way.