Hydrocodone is a semi synthetic opioid generally used to treat moderate to severe pain when used medically. It is a schedule III (C-III) narcotic in the Controlled Substance Act in the United States of
America meaning it has a moderate abuse potential, unlike C-II or C-I
drugs which have much higher abuse potential.
When used recreationally, hydrocodone produces effects very similar to morphine,
heroin, and oxycodone. Intensity is slightly lower than morphine or
heroin because these two
drugs are generally administered intravenously.
Contrary to popular belief, hydrocodone is actually a very addictive drug when misused. When used under medical settings exactly as prescibed, most users of hydrocodone do not become addicted to the drug. But many other
people can go doctor shopping to obtain this drug and use it for their own recreational use.
When
people withdrawal from this drug whether they are addicted or just dependent(dependence just means the user's body responds negatively to the absense of the drug, but not necessarily addicted) on it, the person will be overcome by a feeling of a
bad case of the flu, unless the person seeks methadone or buprenorphine replacement therapy. Withdrawal symptoms generally include, insomnia, shakes, chills,
anxiety, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, restless
leg syndrome, and goosebumps. Withdrawal symptoms begin shortly before the next dosing time, and continue for
72 hours, increasing in intensity, then after the
72 hour
peak, the symptoms drastically recede. Usually after a week, all physical withdrawal symptoms end. Usually, an addicted person who was using the drug for recreational purposes only, will have a protracted phase of withdrawal that is only psychological which can last around 6 months. During these 6 months, the
ex-user will feel compelled to use the drug again, talk about the drug a lot, and have a strong desire to use, despite the fact they have no physical withdrawal symptoms. Usually after 6 months of
abstinence from hydrocodone, the user will have almost no phsychological withdrawal symptoms.
I was prescribed 80 hydrocodone (10mg hydrocodone/ 650mg acetaminophen)with 3 refills to help with
post operative surgery. I used it every once in a while, for a month until I got my cast off my arm. Then a few months
later I took
one for a headache. I really liked the feeling so I just started taking
one every day, then I started taking it twice a day, and then I upped my dose. I obtained all the refills from the pharmacy without any questions.
This is the point in which I was addicted. I started stealing pills, buying them off the street, because if I didn't have them, I would be in the worst pain of my life. I did this for about a year until I was taking about
18 of these pills at a time. I thought I was dying the last time I used because I puked a river. So I went through the withdrawal which was hell.
Today I still feel a desire to use the drug, despite the fact that my liver may be
shot, and all the negative things that happened.
I can give you two
words of advice, if you are in severe pain and need this drug, use it for your pain. If you are looking to get high, DO NOT use this drug, stick to
something like
weed.
