Hydrocodone Rehab

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What is Hydrocodone Addiction?

addiction

An addiction to Hydrocodone is bad for your health and well-being. Treatment can help!

Hydrocodone is an opiate based painkiller that is highly addictive and has a wide potential for abuse and misuse, but what is Hydrocodone addiction and why does it occur?

People become addicted to Hydrocodone for a number of reasons including misuse, being prescribed the drug for legitimate purposes, and even for being given the drug as a way of escaping negative thoughts. The means by which a user starts taking Hydrocodone often have little to do with the subsequent addiction that sets in. In fact, in determining what Hydrocodone addiction is, many first look to what it is that makes the drug so addictive in the first place.

Why is Hydrocodone Addictive?

Hydrocodone actually causes physical changes within the brain that result in a physical desire and cravings to use the drug. Before too long, people who take Hydrocodone realize that there is nothing more important in their lives than taking this drug—hence Hydrocodone addiction has set in and overcoming the addiction will likely be challenging at best.

Hydrocodone is an opiate derivative that is used to treat mild to moderate and sometimes severe pain. The drug is synthesized in a medical laboratory setting but this doesn’t necessarily make it safe. Hydrocodone is addictive because of the changes that it causes within the brain and the subsequent withdrawal symptoms that a user will experience when he or she attempts to quit.

But, What is Hydrocodone Addiction?

Hydrocodone addiction can be defined as:

“an instoppable desire to use Hydrocodone despite the known consequences and negative effects that taking Hydrocodone has on the body, one’s emotions, one’s relationships and one’s life in general.”

Taking Hydrocodone on a regular basis, for a prolonged period of time will most often lead to an addiction. The addiction is marked by a number of characteristics including:

  • Desire to use more Hydrocodone despite the problems that arise from such use
  • Uncontrollable cravings for Hydrocodone
  • Chasing Hydrocodone and always being on the lookout for more drugs
  • Suffering from troubles financially, in relationships or otherwise as a result of Hydrocodone use
  • Taking Hydrocodone to feel “better” or to get “high”
  • Taking Hydrocodone for reasons other than prescribed
  • Taking Hydrocodone without a prescription
  • Taking more Hydrocodone than was prescribed or than you normally do
  • Running out of prescription medication before you should

What to Do About Hydrocodone Addiction

Now that the question, “What is Hydrocodone addiction?” has been answered, and you understand the typical signs of Hydrocodone addiction, what next?

There are a number of potential methods of treatment or help that are available to assist you or someone you love in overcoming Hydrocodone addiction. Of course the best help for Hydrocodone addiction is to not become addicted in the first place but this isn’t always possible—if you’ve been prescribed Hydrocodone for treatment of pain or if you are already addicted and need help, consider the following methods of treatment for Hydrocodone addiction:

  • Residential treatment that provides around-the-clock monitoring, medical intervention, therapy and support to help you overcome your addiction and get your life back on track.
  • Outpatient treatment that provides limited monitoring and supportive care in a safe, clean environment in which you can focus your time on healing and recovery.
  • Therapy such as behavioral therapy that will help you to change the behaviors and thought processes that led to the Hydrocodone addiction and may assist you in long term recovery.
  • Counseling to help ease any pain or suffering that has resulted from emotional trauma or similar life events that may be at the root cause of the Hydrocodone addiction.
  • Long term care that includes a rounded approach to recovery providing access to counseling, therapy, support and medical intervention for complete recovery from Hydrocodone addiction.
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