Hydrocodone Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline and Detox Treatment Options
Hydrocodone is a drug commonly prescribed for various conditions. However, it also has a high potential for problematic use. Many people begin taking the drug for pain management under the supervision of a physician. Over time, some people may develop a tolerance and be more likely to take more than they normally would to experience the same effects. This is called problematic substance use, and if continued, can lead to addiction.
When someone becomes addicted to hydrocodone, they will be physically and psychologically dependent on the substance. This can lead to hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms when they discontinue use.
If you think you may be addicted to hydrocodone and want to get help, it’s useful to know what to expect. Read on to learn about common hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms, the withdrawal and detox timeline and possible treatment options.
What Are the Symptoms of Hydrocodone Withdrawal?
If you have a dependency to hydrocodone, you will likely experience hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug. These symptoms are caused by your body and brain reacting to the lack of it. You’ll experience these symptoms any time the drug’s effects wear off or it has been a while since your last dose.
If you want to stop taking hydrocodone, you should not do this abruptly. Instead, you should talk to a medical professional about how to stop taking the drug safely and minimize withdrawal symptoms.
Some common hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms include:
- Vomiting, nausea, or general feelings of sickness
- Cold or flu-like symptoms, such as a runny nose and muscle or joint aches
- Fever, including chills and goosebumps
- Digestive problems, including diarrhea
- Mood changes or swings are common, as are feelings of depression
- Sleep problems, including difficulty falling asleep or feeling extremely fatigued
- Anxiety and feeling on-edge, nervous or having trouble relaxing
- Cravings and intense desire for hydrocodone, and difficulty thinking of anything else
- Headaches are a common withdrawal symptom and can exacerbate other symptoms
- Sweating more than usual
These are just some of the hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms you may experience.
It’s important to remember that not everyone will experience all these symptoms. Some people may experience minimal withdrawal symptoms from hydrocodone, while others may experience intense physical effects.
Often, it depends on how long you’ve been taking the drug and how much you’ve been taking. People with severe addiction and a strong psychological dependency may find withdrawal more challenging.
What Causes Hydrocodone Withdrawal?
Withdrawing from prescription opioids can be dangerous, and it should always be done under the supervision of a physician or health care provider. Hydrocodone withdrawal is caused by your body and brain struggling to adjust when you lower your dose or stop taking hydrocodone abruptly. This is because the body and brain become dependent on the drug to function.
A person will normally develop a tolerance after taking hydrocodone for a long period of time, and they’ll feel the need to increase their dose to obtain the same effects. Increasing the dose, however, can allow the dependency to grow.
At this point, the person may experience cravings for the drug and notice withdrawal symptoms when a dose is taken later than usual. Withdrawal symptoms are quickly relieved when the person takes the drug again. Repeating this cycle reinforces the dependency and strengthens the hold hydrocodone has on them.
To understand withdrawal, it’s important to understand why a substance has potential for addiction. Prescription opioids are highly addictive because of the way they affect the brain, relieve pain, and create pleasant feelings.
When someone takes hydrocodone, they may experience pain relief as well as feelings of calm and even euphoria. This sends signals to the brain that this is a desirable drug and as such, the brain begins to crave more of it.
This is because hydrocodone binds to the opioid receptors in the body and brain and affects dopamine levels. Once the drug leaves the person’s system, their body will begin to fight back and struggle to adjust without the level of dopamine it’s accustomed to.
This is just the physical side of hydrocodone withdrawal. Problematic substance use can also lead to withdrawal symptoms relating to psychological dependency.
Physical and psychological hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms are very different. Physical withdrawal is your body’s response to a chemical change relating to the consumption of the drug. When people stop taking a drug, they go through a physical detoxification process, whether by choice or not.
This is a stage in which the body reacts to functioning without the chemicals related to the drug. Detoxification is a relatively quick part of the recovery process.
Although the withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable, the psychological side of substance use disorder can be much more difficult to recover from. When someone develops a dependence on an opioid, they’re not only developing physical tolerance and dependence, but also developing a psychological habit that’s not much different from any other deeply ingrained habit, such as cigarette smoking.
The psychological bond someone can have with a substance is created through a series of learned behaviors. These behaviors can often be difficult to alter, and a person with a substance use disorder may experience withdrawal symptoms related to these behaviors for much longer. Someone in recovery often requires counseling to develop skills to deal with them.
Other Hydrocodone Withdrawal Symptoms
As hydrocodone binds to opioid receptors, it can alter many areas of your brain and body. This is why withdrawal is often more severe than with non-opioid drugs.
Hydrocodone affects physiological processes, such as breathing, body temperature, and heart rate. When the drug is taken away, the body and brain work harder to recover, which may result in high blood pressure, increased heart rate and breathing difficulties.
Other hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Cramps often felt in the abdomen due to the impact opiate drugs have on the bowels
- Suicidal thoughts may occur during withdrawal, likely because of dopamine withdrawal, which can also cause depression
- Difficulties finding pleasure in anything. This is due to the brain associating feelings of pleasure with hydrocodone. It can take some time for the chemicals in the brain to rebalance and to begin feeling pleasure in other experiences again
- Irregular heart rate can occur because the heart is affected by hydrocodone. Palpitations may also occur, which can be very distressing during withdrawal
Have you experienced hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms? If you have, help is available. Get in touch by email or call (855) 430-9439.
How Long Does Hydrocodone Withdrawal Take?
The time hydrocodone withdrawal takes can vary for each person. It can also vary depending on the type of hydrocodone that’s taken. Most products containing hydrocodone are in immediate-release form, but others are extended-release.
Immediate release means the effects of the drug will be felt for around 4-6 hours. Extended-release means effects may be felt for up to approximately 12 hours.
Therefore, the withdrawal will begin later for those taking extended-release hydrocodone. However, after the initial withdrawal onset, the hydrocodone withdrawal timeline remains the same.
Some people may experience the timeline differently, but there is a general timeline relating to withdrawal that will be relatable for most people in recovery.
Hydrocodone withdrawal usually begins within 6-12 hours after the last dose. The peak of withdrawal typically starts at around 72 hours, although the timing can vary significantly. Some people may experience peak withdrawal for a week, while others may experience symptoms for up to a month. This withdrawal timeline is a loose one, but it gives you an idea of what to expect.
Withdrawal can be moderate or severe depending on many factors, such as how long the person has been taking the drug and the dose. Furthermore, this timeline only relates to the physiological withdrawal relating to opioids. Psychological hydrocodone withdrawal can last for more than a month.
Many people need ongoing therapy for some time to address the psychological impact of their substance use issues.
Relapse and Withdrawal
The withdrawal timeline will be affected in the case of relapse. Relapsing means taking a substance again while detoxing or after detoxing. Many people relapse to relieve withdrawal symptoms. Although this certainly provides symptom relief, it also resets the detox timeline and means the person will need to begin detoxing again.
Relapsing can be extremely dangerous because it increases the chances of overdosing on opioids. When someone relapses, they often believe they have the same tolerance for the drug that they had before they began detoxing.
This is not the case, however, since tolerance quickly drops during the detoxing phase. This means taking the same amount as previously can be too much for the person’s body to handle, which can be fatal.
The best way to avoid relapsing is to detox under the supervision of medical professionals and have a good support network.
How to Safely Manage a Hydrocodone Detox
As already mentioned, detoxing from hydrocodone can be risky for several reasons, and anyone wrestling with substance use disorder should not undertake it without the right support. Many people can feel the urge to go “cold turkey” when they make the decision to stop using, but this is rarely successful and can be life-threatening.
Opioid detox should be supervised and undertaken in a safe environment. Get in touch to find out more.
Many people require a medicated detox to safely withdraw from hydrocodone. Because of the way opioids affect the brain and body, it’s important to have professionals monitoring the process and providing medication and support as needed.
Physicians normally recommend a tapering approach, in which the person slowly reduces the dose under supervision. They will then prescribe medication to help the person in recovery deal with withdrawal symptoms and assist their body in adjusting to the chemical changes.
Medical detox is the most comfortable way for people to clear their bodies of hydrocodone. During the process, medical professionals will monitor vital signs and ensure the person is safe throughout withdrawal. Most detox programs usually take about a week. During this time, a range of options may be discussed which can include lifestyle changes as well as prescription medications to reduce symptoms.
After the initial detox, many people will need to continue treatment to avoid relapse. Detoxification from a substance is simply the first step to recovery. Addiction is complex, and recovery is equally complex, if not more so.
For that reason, a holistic approach — treating the whole person, not just the disorder — is often needed to help people in recovery avoid a substance and move forward. This can mean meeting with medical professionals regularly to discuss substance use issues, attending therapy sessions, and rebuilding relationships with loved ones.
When undertaking a medical detox, an individualized treatment plan is developed for the person in recovery to give them the best chance of success. Relapse rates are high among those with opioid use disorders, so utilizing all available support options is recommended.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Realizing your hydrocodone use is problematic is the first step to recovery. If your use of the drug is creating difficulties in your life, and if you’re experiencing hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms, it’s a good idea to seek help. Detoxing safely under the supervision of medical professionals is recommended for those with opioid dependency.
We offer a range of treatment programs and individualized support to help you on the road to recovery. If you want to learn more about our services, don’t hesitate to get in touch by email or call (855) 430-9439.
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