Hydrocodone Addiction is on the Rise

May 8, 2024

•

Understanding Hydrocodone Addiction

As the opioid crisis continues to grip the nation, the rise in hydrocodone addiction has become a significant concern. This powerful prescription painkiller, when misused, can lead to severe health consequences and a high risk of developing an addiction.

Rise in Hydrocodone Addiction

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, hydrocodone addiction is on the rise, leading to an increased need for treatment among individuals struggling with opioid addiction. The nature of addiction means that it can be incredibly challenging to overcome, often requiring professional intervention and long-term treatment.

In 2015, approximately 12.5 million Americans used hydrocodone in the past year, and 2 million were addicted to prescription painkillers. Since then, the numbers have continued to increase, highlighting the severity of the hydrocodone addiction epidemic.

Prescription Trends and Misuse

A significant contributing factor to the surge in hydrocodone addiction relates to prescription trends. In 2014, doctors wrote around 120 million hydrocodone prescriptions in the United States.

Interestingly, when hydrocodone (commonly known by the brand name Vicodin) was reclassified from a Schedule III to a Schedule II substance, there was an increase in the prescribing rate of 7 pills per patient in the US. This shift means that hydrocodone is now recognized as having a high potential for abuse, which can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Year	Hydrocodone Prescriptions	Users in the Past Year	Addicted to Prescription Painkillers
2014	120 million	N/A	N/A
2015	N/A	12.5 million	2 million

Even though these prescriptions are intended for legitimate medical use, they can easily fall into the wrong hands or be misused by the individuals they were prescribed for. Misuse can involve taking higher doses than prescribed, taking the medication more frequently than directed, or using the medication in a way not intended by the doctor, such as crushing the pills to snort or inject the contents.

Understanding these trends is crucial in confronting the rise of hydrocodone addiction, as it highlights the need for careful prescription practices, improved patient education about the risks of misuse, and effective addiction treatment strategies.

Effects of Hydrocodone Abuse

Hydrocodone abuse can result in a range of adverse effects, both in the short term and long term. These impacts can be detrimental to an individual's physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.

Short-Term Symptoms

The short-term symptoms of hydrocodone misuse are varied. Users may experience drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, and flushed skin Addiction Center. Other immediate effects can include nausea, constipation, dizziness, and vomiting American Addiction Centers.

One of the most concerning aspects of hydrocodone use is how quickly it can escalate into addiction. In as little as five days of prescribed use, the risk for developing a chronic hydrocodone addiction increases significantly Addiction Center.

Long-Term Consequences

The long-term consequences of hydrocodone misuse can be severe and potentially life-threatening. Chronic opioid therapy is associated with constipation, sleep-disordered breathing, fractures, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal dysregulation, and overdose.

Chronic use of hydrocodone and other opioids is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and heart failure NCBI. Additionally, there's an increased risk of fractures, particularly in the elderly NCBI.

Hydrocodone combined with acetaminophen can lead to acute liver injury, with acetaminophen reaching toxic levels in the body in cases of overdose or misuse, causing significant liver damage American Addiction Centers.

The rewarding opioid effects of hydrocodone, including feelings of relaxation and euphoria, contribute to its misuse and addiction potential. Hydrocodone is classified as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act due to its high potential for misuse and the development of severe dependence American Addiction Centers.

A hydrocodone overdose can result in potentially fatal symptoms, including respiratory depression, pinpoint pupils, and drowsiness American Addiction Centers. This highlights the dangers associated with hydrocodone misuse, particularly in overdose situations.

In conclusion, the effects of hydrocodone abuse, both short-term and long-term, are severe. As hydrocodone addiction is on the rise, it's crucial for individuals and communities to understand these risks, seek help when needed, and work towards prevention strategies.

Risks and Complications

The burgeoning issue of hydrocodone addiction carries with it a wide array of risks and complications. These impacts are both physical and psychological, and they often intertwine significantly, adding to the complexity of this public health crisis.

Physical Health Impacts

The impacts on physical health due to hydrocodone misuse are substantial. Chronic opioid therapy is associated with constipation, sleep-disordered breathing, and fractures, particularly in the elderly.

Moreover, chronic opiate use has been found to be associated with multiple features of sleep-disordered breathing, including central sleep apnea, ataxic breathing, hypoxemia, and carbon dioxide retention. This can lead to severe respiratory effects and difficulty breathing.

Additionally, chronic opioid therapy is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and heart failure.

Hydrocodone and acetaminophen combinations can cause acute liver injury, with acetaminophen reaching toxic levels in the body in cases of overdose or misuse, ultimately leading to significant liver damage [3].

Mixing hydrocodone with alcohol or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants can be extremely dangerous, as it can lead to organ damage. Polysubstance use, particularly combining opioids and alcohol, can result in unpredictable and stronger effects than using either substance alone [3].

Psychological Effects

Hydrocodone addiction also has significant psychological impacts. Opioids are highly addictive, largely because they trigger powerful reward centers in the brain, leading people to continue using them despite causing harm.

People who take opioids are at risk of opioid use disorder, and addiction can develop even after short-term use, potentially leading to life-threatening overdoses [4].

After only five days of taking opioid medicine, the likelihood of still taking opioids a year later increases. Tolerance can develop, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. Individuals who build up tolerance may feel the need to increase doses, leading to cravings and withdrawal symptoms if doses are not escalated.

Furthermore, women have unique risk factors for opioid use disorder. They are more likely than men to be prescribed opioids for longer periods, at higher doses, and are more likely to have long-term pain, contributing to a higher risk of dependence on prescription pain relievers.

Treatment Approaches

Combatting the rise in hydrocodone addiction necessitates a multi-faceted approach, combining effective medication options with therapy and emotional support.

Medication Options

Medications play a critical role in treating Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), including hydrocodone addiction. According to SAMHSA, buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone are commonly used to treat OUD. These medications are designed to normalize brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects of opioids, relieve cravings, and normalize body functions without the negative effects of the abused substance.

Medication	Purpose
Buprenorphine	Normalizes brain chemistry
Methadone	Blocks euphoric effects
Naltrexone	Relieves cravings

These medications are considered safe for long-term use, potentially even for a lifetime. However, it's crucial to consult a doctor before discontinuing the use of these medications to avoid potential withdrawal symptoms or a relapse.

Therapy and Support

Alongside medication, therapy and support are integral elements in treating hydrocodone addiction. As SAMHSA highlights, research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can effectively treat substance use disorders and sustain recovery.

Therapeutic approaches may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps individuals understand and change thought patterns leading to harmful behaviors, and contingency management, which encourages sobriety through incentives.

Support groups can provide a community for those in recovery, offering a space for sharing experiences and receiving mutual encouragement. Family and friends can also play a significant role in providing emotional support, helping to reduce feelings of isolation and increase motivation during the recovery journey.

Treatment for hydrocodone addiction is most successful when it is individualized and includes a combination of medication, therapy, and support. These resources can empower individuals to overcome addiction, reclaim their lives, and contribute to the broader effort to curb the escalating trend of hydrocodone misuse.

Preventing Hydrocodone Misuse

Preventing hydrocodone misuse is an important component of addressing the increasing problem of hydrocodone addiction. This section will discuss key strategies in this effort, including safe storage practices for medications and strategies to reverse overdose.

Safe Storage Practices

Proper storage of medications is a crucial step in preventing the misuse of hydrocodone. It is recommended that medications be stored in a secure location out of reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion, overdose, or adverse reactions. This can also deter unauthorized access by other individuals who may be inclined to misuse these drugs.

Specifically for hydrocodone, which is often combined with acetaminophen, misuse can lead to toxic levels of acetaminophen in the body, ultimately causing significant liver damage. Therefore, emphasizing safe and responsible storage is a vital part of the prevention strategy.

Overdose Reversal Strategies

Overdose reversal strategies are a critical component in mitigating the harm caused by hydrocodone misuse. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several medications for this purpose, including naloxone and nalmefene. These medicines are used to prevent opioid overdose (SAMHSA) and are considered essential by the World Health Organization for a functioning health care system.

Using these medications can save lives, particularly when hydrocodone is misused in combination with alcohol or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants. This combination can lead to severe respiratory effects, difficulty in breathing, and organ damage.

It's important to note that while these strategies can prevent overdose and mitigate harm, they are not a substitute for comprehensive treatment. Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can effectively treat substance use disorders, including hydrocodone addiction, and can help sustain recovery.

Preventing hydrocodone misuse is a complex task that requires a multifaceted approach. By combining safe storage practices, overdose reversal strategies, and comprehensive treatment, we can make significant strides in addressing the rising problem of hydrocodone addiction.