Hydrocodone
Withdrawal 
Hydrocodone is a narcotic
that can produce a calm, euphoric state similar to heroin or morphine--and despite
such important and obvious benefits in pain relief, evidence is pointing to
chronic addiction. Pure hydrocodone is a Schedule II substance, closely controlled
with restricted use. But very few prescription drugs are pure hydrocodone. Instead,
small amounts of hydrocodone are mixed with other non-narcotic ingredients to
create medicines like Vicodin and Lortab. This means they can be classified
under Schedule III with fewer restrictions on their use and distribution.
Subject to individual tolerance,
many medical experts believe dependence or addiction can occur within one to
four weeks at higher doses of Hydrocodone. Published reports of high profile
movie stars, TV personalities and professional athletes who are recovering from
Hydrocodone addiction are grim testimony to its debilitating effects.
If a regular hydrocodone
user stops taking hydrocodone, he or she will experience hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms
within six to twelve hours but, the withdrawal symptoms are usually not life-threatening.
The intensity of hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms depend on the degree of
the addiction. For example, hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms may grow
stronger for twenty-four to seventy-two hours and then gradually decline over
a period of seven to fourteen days. The duration of hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms
varies greatly from person to person.
Hydrocodone Withdrawal
symptoms include but are not limited to:
- intense cravings for
the drug
- irritability
- nausea or vomiting
- muscle aches
- runny nose or eyes
- dilated pupils
- sweating
- diarrhea
- yawning
- fevers
- chills
- inability to sleep
- depression
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