Is Hydrocodone Bad for You?

When you’re being treated for chronic or severe pain, your doctor may consider adding hydrocodone to your treatment plan. While hydrocodone is not harmful in and of itself, its potential for abuse is something your doctor considers when prescribing it. In answering the question, “Is hydrocodone bad for you?” your doctor will likely consider your age, medical history, and risk factors for substance abuse before offering you hydrocodone. Beaches Recovery can guide you through high-risk situations and provide individuals with the addiction treatment they need to heal.

When Is Hydrocodone Used?

Hydrocodone is an opiate often sold under the brand names Vicodin, Lorcet, or Lortab. It’s usually prescribed as a pain reliever after surgery or major injury when other, less powerful analgesics fail to control pain. It may also be used for purposes other than pain control, as in certain prescription cough medicines.

When Is Hydrocodone Bad For You?

In deciding whether hydrocodone is bad for you, it’s important to understand how hydrocodone affects your body. Opiates like hydrocodone act on various places throughout the nervous system, including:

The spinal cord, which acts as the brain’s messenger for painful sensations. Opiates reduce painful sensations and help to relieve even severe pain.

The limbic system, aka the pleasure center of the brain. Feelings of relaxation, contentment, and happiness are regulated in this part of the brain.

The brainstem, which regulates automatic bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Unfortunately, hydrocodone isn’t selective and acts on all of these places throughout the body at once. When pain is relieved, and feelings of happiness are induced, it makes it more tempting to continue taking hydrocodone long after the pain is gone. It’s no wonder that among prescription drug abuse, hydrocodone addiction is so prevalent.

So, Is Hydrocodone Bad for You? It Depends.

When used as prescribed while under a doctor’s care, hydrocodone can effectively control pain with minimal risk and side effects. If hydrocodone is used “off label,” taking it more often or in larger doses than prescribed, however, your risk of dependence skyrockets. Yet, individuals can still develop an addiction to prescriptions like hydrocodone even though they follow their doctor’s instructions. The drug is very potent and for some individuals, their body and brain chemistry may be highly susceptible to developing a dependency or addiction. This can be due to genetic factors, which means it’s always important to give your doctor a complete family history and be aware of it yourself. Addiction can also develop due to environmental factors and psychological issues that can arise. For example, a substance use disorder can arise when an individual experiences a mood disorder like depression or anxiety.

When Use Turns To Abuse

If you’ve found yourself continuing to take hydrocodone even in the absence of pain, it may signal a problem. The good news? Help is available. If you’re concerned that seeking help will mean rehab in a dreary hospital-like setting, you’ll be happy to know that you have options. Addiction treatment has changed drastically over the last few decades. At facilities like Beaches Recovery, clients are treated with respect and provided with all the comforts and amenities they need to overcome the disease of addiction.

Throughout all our addiction treatment programs, clients can take advantage of therapies like:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Experiential therapy
• Yoga therapy
• Nutrition therapy

These and many more make our location near Jacksonville, Florida’s sunny beaches the best destination to recover and start on the path to sobriety. Our spacious facilities include beach-accessible homes, and residents are provided with transportation to all activities and therapies so they can focus on healing.

If your answer to the question, “Is hydrocodone bad for you?” is “yes,” call Beaches Recovery at 866.605.0532, or contact us online to find the hope, help, and healing you deserve.