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If you are in an immediate emergency, call 911. If you are looking for more information on substance abuse treatment and it is not a medical emergency, call our 24/7 Hydrocodone Helpline at 407-680-1226.
Hydrocodone is the most commonly prescribed opioid in the United States and represents almost 11% of all opioids prescribed in Florida. Hydrocodone is an effective pain reliever, but its use is also associated with significant risks. As a Schedule II controlled substance, hydrocodone carries a high risk of abuse, addiction and dependence.
People with a hydrocodone dependence may experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop or try to detox off the substance. Thankfully, a medical detox can make the process as safe and comfortable as possible before continuing with long-term recovery.
When you take hydrocodone regularly, your body begins to expect the drug and doesn’t function regularly without it. This is referred to as physical dependence, and most people with a hydrocodone addiction are also physically dependent. When you are physically dependent on a substance, you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the substance suddenly or lower its dosage. These symptoms can be highly uncomfortable and challenging to overcome without help.
Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms vary based on the person, but symptoms may be more severe for someone who has been using hydrocodone for a long time or regularly in large doses. Some common hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms include:
Symptoms can be psychological as well as physical, and psychological symptoms can last longer than the physical withdrawal symptoms. For example, depression is a common hydrocodone withdrawal symptom. It can also be difficult for a person to feel pleasure as they experience opioid withdrawal due to the way these substances affect the brain’s reward and pleasure centers.
The hydrocodone withdrawal symptom timeline can vary based on whether you’re taking a short-acting hydrocodone product like Lortab or Vicodin or a long-acting product like Hysingla ER or Zohydro ER. However, there is a general withdrawal symptom timeline::
For people who are struggling with hydrocodone dependence, the fear of withdrawal can often be a deterrent to receiving treatment. The best option to manage withdrawal safely is a medical hydrocodone detox. During medical detox, patients have access to around-the-clock medical care and treatment, with supervision by professionals to ensure safety.
Patients in a medical hydrocodone detox may also be able to receive prescription medications for any physical or mental symptoms they’re experiencing, as medically appropriate. Unlike other substance classes, several opioids are FDA-approved for use during detox:
Although recovery is a lifelong process, the detox process itself often concludes when withdrawal symptoms stop, usually within a week of the last hydrocodone dose. Medical detox can help ease you through withdrawal, but this is only the first step of recovery. Nothing but time and patience can expedite the healing process as your body recovers from hydrocodone. Data show that at least 90 days of rehab should occur to give you the best chance of long-term recovery.
The medical detox program at the Orlando Recovery Center is designed to help you overcome your hydrocodone use disorder in an environment that supports healing. Our 93-bed facility on the banks of Lake Ellenor outside downtown Orlando is fully licensed in Florida and accredited by The Joint Commission. We are staffed with experts in hydrocodone addiction treatment, including doctors, nurses, dietitians and therapists. Our detox services are integrated with rehab so there are no gaps in care when transitioning from detox to the rest of treatment.
If you or a loved one struggles with hydrocodone, help is here. Contact the Orlando Recovery Center today and learn how we can help you quit hydrocodone.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.