Hydrocodone Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms

Hydrocodone is a synthetic opiate derived from codeine and thebaine, which are both naturally found in opium. Hydrocodone is mainly used as a pain killer and as a cough suppressant. Because it is an opiate, its users can become addicted and may use the medication long after the initial illness that warranted its use. The withdrawal effects of hydrocodone will vary greatly on the amount taken and the length of use.

Physical Effects

The National Institutes of Health divide the effects of withdrawal into early stages and late stages. The physical effects during the early stages may include agitation, muscle aches, increased tearing, insomnia, runny nose, sweating and yawning. As the withdrawal moves toward the latter end, the physical effects may change and may include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, dilated pupils, goose bumps, nausea and vomiting. The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale also asks health professionals to make note of changes in heart rate, perspiration, tremors and joint spasm.

Mood

The revised fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists the primary mood associated with opiate withdrawal as dysphoria. Someone going through hydrocodone withdrawal may experience dysphoria in different ways based on personal coping skills. These variations may include general depression, anxiety, irritability and a general state of restlessness. As opiates produce an exaggerated sense of well being and euphoria, an equally opposite effect can be expected from removing the drug that created the false state of mood.

Duration of Withdrawal

Although many people who experience hydrocodone withdrawal may describe the event as devastating, the physiological effects are rarely life threatening. Dr. Patrick O'Connor at the Merck Online Medical Library states that withdrawal may begin within four hours after the last dose and the withdrawal will usually peak within 48 to 72 hours. Different types of opiates have a different length of withdrawal. Hydrocodone is on the shorter end of the spectrum, with the person coming to a nearly full recover within 7 days. Withdrawals from long-acting opiates such as Methadone and Buprenorphine may take weeks or even months to fully recover from the effects.

Limiting Abuse

The physical effects of hydrocodone withdrawal are the same as other short-acting opiates such as morphine, heroin, or codeine, but may potentially be less severe because of the other medications added specifically to hydrocodone. As an attempt to limit abuse and overuse, U.S. pharmaceutical companies add non-opioid analgesics such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen that have a lower limit for toxicity. 10 mg of hydrocodone will usually come with 650 mg of acetaminophen. As the toxic limit for acetaminophen is 4,000 mg per day, users are theoretically less likely to abuse the drug compared to single ingredient opiates like Oxycodone.

References

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition Text Revision: Criteria for Opiate Withdrawal
• The Merck Manual Online Medical Library: Opiate Withdrawal
• The National Institutes of Health:Opiate Withdrawal
• The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale