Hydrocodone is an anti cough agent. It is also prescribed as an analgesic for pain control. In the year 2006, 130 million prescriptions were written for the drug in the U.S.
The drug can be addictive. Patients experience withdrawal within 6-12 hours. Symptoms of addiction are dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and constipation. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability, nausea, muscle pain, runny nose, chills, fever and depression. The drug is easy to obtain. Most pharmacies stock hydrocodone as a cough remedy. Addicts find it difficult to get rid of the addiction because of easy access to the drug. Patients with underlying psychiatric problems like depression turn to the medication because it gives them a pleasantly drowsy feeling. Both psychiatric and medical treatment is required to cure the addiction. Treatment is usually done by cognitive behavioral therapy, psychiatric therapy, detoxification of the body so that all traces of hydrocodone is removed and medication.
