HYDROCODONE ABUSE

Hydrocodone abuse is a growing crisis in the United States. While illegal drugs like cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin remain in the headlines many individuals may be surprised to know that hydrocodone abuse could lurk right behind them as one of the most widely-abused drugs of abuse. In fact, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration believes hydrocodone may be the most abused prescription drug in the country. Nationwide, its use has quadrupled in the last ten years, while emergency room visits attributed to hydrocodone abuse soared 500 percent.

Hydrocodone is a narcotic that can produce a calm, euphoric state similar to heroin or morphine--and despite such important and obvious benefits in pain relief, evidence is pointing to chronic abuse. Pure hydrocodone is a Schedule II substance, closely controlled with restricted use. But very few prescription drugs are pure hydrocodone. Instead, small amounts of hydrocodone are mixed with other non-narcotic ingredients to create medicines like Vicodin and Lortab. This means they can be classified under Schedule III with fewer restrictions on their use and distribution.

Vicodin, Lortab--and more than 200 other products that contain hydrocodone--are regulated by state and federal law. But they are not controlled as closely as other powerful painkillers. The lack of regulation makes them vulnerable to widespread abuse and addiction through forged prescriptions, theft, over-prescription, and "doctor shopping." Hydrocodone pills have been sold for $2 to $10 per tablet and $20 to $40 per 8 oz bottle on the street.

Subject to individual tolerance, many medical experts believe dependence or abuse can occur within one to four weeks at higher doses of Hydrocodone. Published reports of high profile movie stars, TV personalities and professional athletes who are recovering from Hydrocodone abuse are grim testimony to its debilitating effects.

Hydrocodone is structurally related to codeine and is approximately equal in strength to morphine in producing opiate-like effects. The first report that hydrocodone produced a noticeable euphoria and symptoms of abuse was published in 1923; the first report of hydrocodone abuse in the U.S. was published in 1961.

Every age group has been affected by the relative ease of hydrocodone availability and the perceived safety of these products by professionals. Sometimes seen as a "white-collar" abuse, hydrocodone abuse has increased among all ethnic and economic groups. DAWN data demographics suggest that the most likely hydrocodone abuser is a 20-40 year old, white, female, who uses the drug because she is dependent or trying to commit suicide. However, hydrocodone-related deaths have been reported from every age grouping.

• Examples of how severe Hydrocodone abuse has become:
  • An estimated 7 million dosage units were diverted in 1994 and over 11 million in 1997.
  • In 1998 there were over 56 million new prescriptions written for hydrocodone products and by 2000 there were over 89 million.
  • From 1990 the average consumption nationwide has increased by 300%. In the same period there has been a 500% increase in the number of Emergency
  • Department visits attributed to hydrocodone abuse with 19,221 visits estimated in 2000.
  • In 1997, there were over 1.3 million hydrocodone tablets seized and analyzed by the DEA laboratory system.
    

W hen an individual with a drug or alcohol abuse problem has made a conscious decision to stop abusing drugs or alcohol, but has been unsuccessful in all attempts to do so on their own, it may become necessary to solicit help from a drug treatment or alcohol treatment professional. The importance of choosing the appropriate type of treatment for a individuals specific situation should not be under estimated.

T he initial step of choosing a treatment program should ensure that the most effective treatment method is selected which best fit the individuals specific treatment needs. If an incorrect evaluation is made when selecting a treatment modality the individual chances for failure increase significantly.

D rug treatment and alcohol treatment should address the specific needs of each individual. There are varying degrees of abuse. Some individuals may have a history of many prior attempts to end their abuse patterns and failed. For those who fall into this category, in patient residential treatment may prove fruitful. Research studies show that in patient treatment is the most successful modality for individuals with multiple unsuccessful attempts at sobriety through out patient treatment .

O n the other hand, a individual may only have a recent history of abuse and wishes to correct the situation, but may encounter difficulty in doing so on their own. For such an individual out patient treatment or counseling would most likely be the appropriate initial approach in addressing their situation.

I ndividuals with years of heavy drug or alcohol abuse may have a more difficult time when it comes to ending their abuse patterns. The difficulty may lie in fact that their lifestyle has consisted of drug or alcohol use for such an extended period of time that it may be difficult to imagine themselves living without substances. This type of individual may greatly benefit from attending a long term inpatient drug ang alcohol rehabilitation program. This type of treatment generally involves a peroid of three to six months so as to provide the individual with an extensive change of environment as well as care twenty-four hours a day. Research has proven that this may be the most successful type of treatment for those who have a history of heavy substance abuse spanning over many years.

As you can see, it is important that you make an educated decision when choosing a drug treatment or alcohol treatment method. For many recovery has become a revolving door of treatment center after treatment center. This need not be the case. Drug & alcohol recovery is possible. You can do it and we can help! Contact us for a free confidential consultation and referral. We have over thirty years experience specializing in drug treatment and alcohol treatment. Get on the road to recovery today! Our referral network consists of over 3,000 of the best drug treatment and alcohol treatment centers in the United States. Drug Abuse Treatment.org is part of a non-profit social betterment organization. All referral services are free of charge. Call Today!

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