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Hydrocodone Withdrawal

hydrocodone

Withdrawal symptoms for hydrocodone parallel those for other opioids (an opioid is a derivative of opium). Exactly which symptoms appear are related to the extent of the addiction, the ‘depth’, the duration of use, and how quickly the drug is removed. Some symptoms can be reduced or eliminated if the established dose is decreased slowly, over several days to weeks.

Withdrawal symptoms

Within 12 to 24 of the start of abstinence, withdrawal symptoms will appear. Generally symptoms peak after 2 – 3 days and then decrease.

The order is variable. For instance, diarrhea may depend on what someone has eaten recently. Symptoms can be lessened to a large degree if the drug is tapered off instead of stopped completely. The usual method (for those who have become dependent under medical care) is to reduce the daily dosage by 25% every two days. This works for hydrocodone taken orally (as opposed to injectable heroin, for instance) because the drug has a longer half-life and milder side-effects when it is discontinued.

Physical symptoms

Flu-like symptoms
Commonly, addicts will describe hydrocodone withdrawal as similar to a bad bout of the flu. Some add, because of the muscle aches and pains, “Like the flu if you got beat up the night before…”
Excessive yawning
One of the hallmarks of opioid withdrawal, it is a spontaneous event not associated with being tired or boredom.
Sweating and/or chills
This reflects trouble with temperature regulation in the body when the drug is removed.

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Runny nose and watery eyes
A reaction of the autonomic nervous system.
Diarrhea or loose stools
More common than nausea (which may occur) it is made worse by drinking coffee or caffeinated beverages.
Loss of appetite/stomach cramps
Food may taste bland and unappealing, or this may be a reaction to nausea and diarrhea.
Muscle aches or pains
Although even otherwise healthy people experience this, those that were taking the drug some actual medical, pain related condition are likely to see the condition temporarily worsen. Back pain is common.

Physical symptoms will largely disappear after a week.

Psychological symptoms

Anxiety and irritability
Either about whether or not quitting will be successful or a reflection of craving when withdrawal is unintended.
Depression
Sometimes from a realization of how hard it will be to ‘shake’ the drug, but also due to the fatigue and the ‘feeling sick’ that comes with the physical symptoms.
Insomnia and sleep disturbances
Inability to sleep deeply or get restful sleep. Partly physical, partly mental.
Cravings
Feelings of craving and an inability to think of other things besides the drug and the withdrawal process. This presents as a lack of concentration and loss of focus. This can add to anxiety about how life will be without the drug.

While most acute psychological symptoms will parallel the physical symptoms, a long-term desire to return to use extends withdrawal over months, years, or even a lifetime. Recovering addicts will describe happening upon some trigger – a situation that is otherwise insignificant – that brings cravings back and reawakens drug seeking behaviors. This chronic psychological ‘withdrawal’ makes identification of underlying problems important. The reasons drug use started in the first place cannot be ignored without danger of the cycle repeating.

photo by Paul Bodea

 

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