Norco Withdrawal Symptoms

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Have you been taking the painkiller Norco and think you are addicted to it? Norco is a prescription opioid medication that can be addictive even when taken at the recommended dosage, which is why patients who are on this medication should be carefully monitored by their physician. This powerful drug is prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain and is also used as a cough suppressant. It is a potent pain reliever that contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen. You may be experiencing Norco withdrawal symptoms if you have become addicted to the drug and stopped taking it.

If a patient builds up a tolerance to Norco, the pain-relieving effects of the drug will be diminished. The patient will have to take more than the recommended dosage to get the same effects as before, and this can also lead to addiction or experiencing an overdose. Norco binds to opioid receptors in the brain and increases the level of dopamine, which diminishes the perception of pain, and creates feelings of well-being. The brain will adjust to the chemical effects of the medication and the patient will feel “off” when the medicine is stopped. Some common effects of Norco are:

• Calm, relaxation, diminished perception of pain, headache, nightmares
• Drowsiness, fatigue, anxiety, dizziness, bowel obstruction, trouble urinating
• Slow or irregular heartbeat, breathing problems, nausea, vomiting

Once an individual becomes addicted to Norco they should never stop taking the drug abruptly because that can cause permanent health problems. The addict should seek a medically supervised detox at a drug treatment center where they will be safely weaned off of the drug. The patient will be monitored 24/7 throughout the detox procedure and any adverse reactions to withdrawal will be immediately addressed by the medical team at the rehab treatment center.

How long does it take to detox from Norco? There are specific factors that will determine how long and severe the Norco withdrawal symptoms will be. Some of these factors include:

• How long the patient was taking the medication
• The dosage was taken
• Physical and psychological status of the patient
• The way the drug was taken: orally, injected or snorted
• If Norco was taken with other drugs or alcohol

Norco withdrawal symptoms usually appear somewhere between the first 24 hours after taking the last dose of the drug. The Norco withdrawal symptoms usually peak, and are most severe, in the first week. Norco withdrawal symptoms will gradually diminish, but they can last from a few weeks to two months. Medications can be administered by the medical team to give the patient Norco withdrawal relief.

It is very difficult for an individual to stop using opioid drugs on their own, and the safest, most effective way to get off of these drugs is at a drug treatment center where the staff is knowledgeable and experienced in opioid addiction and recovery. Norco withdrawal symptoms require medical observation because if left untreated they can become a health risk and cause irreversible health complications. Some of the Norco withdrawal symptoms that the patient may experience are:

• Anxiety, mood swings, irritability, depression,
• Fever, sweating, muscle and joint pain, shaking and cold flashes, exhaustion, insomnia
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, drowsiness, stomach, bone and muscle pains, backaches
• Drug cravings, loss of appetite, sweating, muscle spasms
• Respiratory depression, dehydration, increased heart rate

Psychological and emotional post-acute Norco withdrawal symptoms can occur after the initial withdrawal phase has ended. These symptoms can include a lack of motivation, depression, and difficulty with cognitive tasks, anxiety, and drug cravings.

It is important that the patient receive psychological and behavioral counseling, and relapse prevention strategies while he is at the drug treatment center. He should also continue his recovery process with aftercare programs once he has left the rehab facility so that he has the support to remain focused on his sobriety.

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.