Treatment for Hydrocodone Addiction

What you can expect when you enter treatment for hydrocodone addiction

Knowing what to expect at each stage of hydrocodone addiction treatment can help give you the courage to reclaim your life. Hydrocodone is a Schedule II opioid narcotic that is often combined with other analgesics to boost its pain relieving effects.  Marketed under the names of Vicodin, Lortab, and Percocet, among others, hydrocodone produces a euphoric effect that is similar to heroin and highly addictive. Battling hydrocodone addiction can be difficult, because users are reluctant to face the unpleasant physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms they will experience once they stop taking the drug. Entering treatment for hydrocodone addiction gives users the best chance for long-term recovery from the devastating effects of this drug.

Hydrocodone Detox

The first step when you begin treatment for hydrocodone addiction is detoxifying from the drug. Because hydrocodone is so physically addictive, users can experience debilitating withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms include severe muscle cramps, pains, nausea, chills, and diarrhea, accompanied by intense cravings for the drug and feelings of restlessness, irritation, and insomnia. If you choose to go through medically assisted hydrocodone detox treatment, physicians can administer medications that will make your withdrawal symptoms less acute.

The medications used to treat addiction include Buprenorphine, Clonidine, and Suboxone. These drugs are effective at alleviating the symptoms of withdrawal from hydrocodone because they minimize the physical need for the drug without providing the intense euphoric effects that cause users to become psychologically addicted. However, these drugs carry their own risk of addiction, so they should only be administered by a qualified rehab treatment specialist who is well versed in avoiding addiction.

Inpatient Hydrocodone Addiction Treatment

Once you have completed detox, the next step of your treatment for hydrocodone addiction is counseling and therapy in an inpatient drug addiction rehab center. Many individuals addicted to hydrocodone also suffer from co-occurring issues such as metal health disorders, physical health issues, or additional substance abuse. The most successful inpatient rehab centers take a holistic approach that provides many different forms of hydrocodone addiction help to assist in the recovery process. Most inpatient addiction treatment programs range from 30 to 90 days to give patients adequate time to learn recovery skills that will enable them to remain drug-free on a long-term basis.

Strict attention is given to nutrition to rebuild your immune system and physical health, while exercise helps you regain endurance and resilience. Educational sessions improve your understanding of the underlying causes of your addiction, so you can avoid further occasions in the future. Individual counseling, group therapy, and family therapy treat the emotional and psychological issues that contributed to your addiction.  Behavioral therapy techniques give you coping skills to prevent future relapse into addiction. If you are one of the many individuals who ended up addicted to hydrocodone because of chronic pain, you may also receive instruction in effective pain management techniques, such as biofeedback and self-hypnosis.

Aftercare

Once you have completed your stay at an inpatient addiction rehab center, you may move to a sober living house as part of a relapse prevention plan. Remaining drug-free can be difficult once you return to familiar surroundings and situations, so a stay in this supportive, therapeutic environment may be the best choice to help you acclimate to a normal daily routine. You will undergo relapse prevention treatment to help you learn coping and recovery tools, attend twelve-step support groups where you can learn from individuals who have experience in dealing with recovery from hydrocodone addiction. During your stay, you will build a network of supportive relationships that will help you remain drug-free once you return home.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.