
Medically Reviewed By: Benjamin Caleb Williams RN, BA, CEN
Written By: Gary Bowers
Article Updated: 01/24/2021
For all the dangers and widespread abuse, recovery from hydrocodone addiction or dependency is always possible! Hydrocodone detox centers are an important part of the recovery process. Providing the right medical care during detox is only a piece of the puzzle; hydrocodone detox centers will also provide access to continuing addiction treatments and therapies which can improve the outcome and outlook following successful detox. The journey begins here.
In This Article:
It’s never too late to seek help for addiction to hydrocodone. Hydrocodone-containing prescriptions are the most commonly prescribed opioid drugs in America and are a significant contributor to the growing number of drug overdose deaths. The euphoric effects caused by hydrocodone make it extremely susceptible to abuse. Hydrocodone also works less effectively when used over long periods of time as tolerance develops which means more of the drug is required to produce the original effect. All of these factors converge to create an environment where quitting the drug can be difficult and dangerous.
Professional support would be recommended in most cases of hydrocodone abuse. Hydrocodone is a powerful drug, and the threat of relapse is very real. Additionally, prolonged use of hydrocodone can result in dysfunction in the cardiovascular, endocrine, renal, and gastrointestinal systems. Hydrocodone detox centers have the capability to address the many facets of hydrocodone abuse which can dramatically improve the chances of complete recovery.
Specifically, hydrocodone detox centers would be recommended in the following scenarios:
The physical symptoms of hydrocodone detox (withdrawal) can last for up to 10 days. During this time, the risk of relapse is very high without medical intervention. Many people who attempt to quit hydrocodone will often continue using it to simply avoid the pain of withdrawal. By treating hydrocodone detox appropriately, both medically and psychologically, the risk of relapse is reduced.
In addition to playing a role in preventing relapse, hydrocodone detox centers would be recommended for anyone with pre-existing conditions or other health concerns. Though very rare, withdrawal from opioids like hydrocodone can be deadly, and the overall health of a person can increase these risks.
Pre-existing physical health conditions that could complicate the detox process would include:
It’s common for people going through hydrocodone detox to experience severe psychological distress as well. Some of this distress can be attributed to the brain repairing the damage done through prolonged drug exposure. Hydrocodone use alters brain chemistry, and that includes the ability to regulate pain and experience pleasure. Other mental health symptoms may be purely psychological; fear of quitting, mental obsession, the sudden lack of hydrocodone as a coping mechanism, or other negative reasoning can result in relapse. Hydrocone detox centers will have both the medical and psychiatric staff on hand to treat all aspects of detox.
Mental health concerns that would typically require the care of professional staff would include:
The risks of NOT seeking the help of a professional detox center is high. By increasing safety, and decreasing the pain and discomfort of detox, the professionals at a hydrocodone detox center can help by establishing a firm footing upon which lasting recovery can be built.
The main goals of the intake process are to gather information on the patient, stabilize their condition, and initiate treatment as soon as possible. Let’s take a look at each of these goals in more detail:
Staff will also conduct an interview to assess the extent of drug use. This includes information on hydrocodone use, as well as other drugs. This would be to determine the possibility of other drug interactions but to anticipate withdrawal symptoms. Addictions to other drugs can complicate the detoxification process. This information allows the staff to create a personalized plan for treating all aspects of the disease.
Withdrawal symptoms from hydrocodone detox are unavoidable, but they are treatable. Although hydrocodone detox isn’t typically fatal or dangerous, medical monitoring will be critical to ensure that all symptoms are treated and the risk of worsening symptoms is mitigated. Besides maintaining safety, proper management of the detoxification process plays an important role in preventing relapse.
Medical monitoring by the staff at a professional detox would focus on recognizing both physical and mental symptoms of withdrawal, and implementing or re-evaluating treatment as necessary. The most dangerous symptoms will be monitored closely. Those symptoms are:
Other physical symptoms that would be monitored and treated would include:
Hydrocodone detox center staff will also monitor all aspects of one’s mental health. Common psychological symptoms of hydrocodone detox include:
Hydrocodone detox can be treated safely and effectively. With medical monitoring and intervention, these symptoms can be addressed before they become problematic or dangerous. In most cases, the physical symptoms of hydrocodone withdrawal will subside within 7-10 days.
Hydrocodone Withdrawal TimelineMedical therapy is a common form of treatment for hydrocodone withdrawal. The exact medications prescribed can depend on the person and the severity of their symptoms. Here are some of the more frequently-prescribed medications and their uses:
Hydrocodone Detox Centers will provide access to therapy in a variety of forms. Non-medical therapy, also known as “Talk Therapy”, is an essential element of recovery. Talk therapy can address the needs of someone during detox when emotions are high, and lifestyle changes can sometimes unfold quickly. Talk therapy can also continue to provide lasting benefits well into the future. Talk therapy is of extra value because it’s benefits are frequently experienced by those who aren’t directly receiving therapy.
Here are some common forms of therapy offered during detox:
Group therapy is a valuable tool in breaking down the barriers that can often be present in addiction. Group therapy will be lead by a professional therapist. Group therapy may be more or less structured depending on the topic, but will always provide a break from the isolation, and offer a chance to rebuild social skills. It’s quite common for those who have abused hydrocodone to face stigma and a lack of understanding around addiction, and group therapy can play a major role in addressing those issues.
The stress of addiction can ravage families, and while the family dynamic may change from person to person, most people who enter a hydrocodone detox center will have family on “the outside”. Family therapy offers a chance to work through the many issues that hydrocodone abuse can cause. Whether it’s focused on reducing stressors in relationships that could lead to drug-seeking behavior, or repairing relationships that have been marred by drug abuse, family therapy is a tool that can help address many factors relating to addiction.
Hydrocodone can continue to maintain a powerful mental grip on people, even well after the drug has been removed from the system. There is also a long list of external factors that can lead to relapse. Relapse prevention therapy will seek to educate around the topics that can help prevent relapses such as risk reduction, self-regulation, support groups, and lifestyle changes.
Complete detoxification from hydrocodone is just the beginning. Ongoing treatment in a residential treatment center is often recommended. Residential hydrocodone treatment centers offer 24/7 care in a structured, ‘recovery community’ setting that will feature a variety of intensive therapies designed to treat addiction and the underlying causes of addiction.
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