Hydrocodone Abuse

The increasing abuse of Hyrocodone by people with non-chronic pain is a real issue all over the world. It’s not happening with the inner-city youth who live in the ghettos though. The main abuse is happening in the elite sectors all over the cities and towns. Even in middle-class sections, it happens because it is so easy to come by. Painkillers of the oxycodone and Hydrocodone type are the main choice of first tome uers who soon become addicted and many evolve to abusing them.

Professionals believe in the perceived safety of the painkillers and the ease of getting it has caused every age group to be affected. All economic and ethnic groups have been involved in the abuse of Hydrocodone, making it into a “white-collar” addiction. There is a suggested profile of a likely Hydrocodone abuser based on demographics culled from DAWN data. The data suggests that she is 20-40 years old, and a white person who is dependent on the drug and suicidal. All age groups have seen hydrocodone-related deaths though.

Hydrocodone overdoses can be fatal, so seek emergency medical treatment if you feel there has been an overdose. The symptoms you will observe for an overdose include:

Bluish tinge to skin

Cold clammy skin

Extreme sleepiness

Heavy perspiration

Limp muscles

Nausea & vomiting

Slowed heartbeat or slowed breathing

In order to recognize the potential abuse of Hydrocodone it is important to have an awareness of the brand names that include it so you can be on the watch for it around your friends, family and loved ones. They can be broken down into brands that have certain base ingredients.

Hydrocodone with Acetaminophen:  Allay; Amacodone; Anexsia; Anolor Dh 5; Bancap-HC; Co-Gesic; Dolacet; Dolagesic; Dolphen; Duocet; Gesic 5; Hy-5; Hy-Phen; Hyco-Pap; Hycomed; Hycotab; Hydrocet;

Hydrocodone w/Acetaminophen; Hydrogesic; Lorcet; Lorcet 10/650; Lorcide Panseals; Lortab; Margesic; Medipain 5; Megagesic; Megamor; Norcet; Oncet; Panacet; Polygesic; Propain Hc; Ro-Codone; Rogesic #3; Senefen III; Stagesic; Tycolet; Ultragesic; Vanacet; Vapocet; Vendone; Vicodin; Vicodin ES; Zydone

Hydrocodone w/Ibuprofen; Vicoprofen

Over the last decade, Hydrocodone abuse has escalated. A main issue is the large-scale diversion of Hydrocodone. From 1994 to 1997 these diversions increased from 7 million doses estimated to over 11 million. Prescriptions written escalated from 56 million new prescriptions in 1998 to 89 million in 2000. Consumption nationwide has increased by an average 300% since 1990. Another measure of abuse of the number of hospital emergency room visits that can be attributed to Hydrocodone issues, which have increased by 500% in the same period. In 2000 alone there were 19,221 estimated visits. Another measure is the seizure by the DEA of tablets to be analyzed in the DEA laboratory system, at over 1.3 million Hydrocodone tablets in 1997. Petitions have been submitted to the DEA asking for a review of all Hydrocodone-based products’ control status.

The opiate-like effects are what cause the abuse of Hydrocodone. Chronic morphine administration attempting to have users abstain from it is supplemented with Hydrocodone’s equivalence in order to relieve the symptoms of that abstinence. Abuse is supported by the availability of widespread diversion because of its Schedule III status, causing bogus call-in prescriptions and thefts of Hydrocodone-containing products. The typical opiate user is going for the oral availability because of aversion to needle type opiates.