Hydrocodone Addiction

Hydrocodone addiction continues to grow as a problem in America, as sales of the drug has increased nearly 400% over the past decade. Hydrocodone is a combination antitussive and analgesic. It is an opiate that is used to treat mild to moderate pain and to reduce coughing. It is the active ingredient in many painkillers including Vicodin, Tussionex, Lorcet, and Lortab, and it can be taken in tablets, caplets, or syrups.

The effects of Hydrocodone on a user are very similar to the effects of morphine. 15mg of Hydrocodone is equal to 10mg of morphine, while 5mg of Hydrocodone are equal to 30mg of Codeine. Once taken, the medication alters the user's subjective perception of pain, allowing them to acknowledge the pain without being bothered by it. Along with pain relief, Hydrocodone creates a feeling of euphoria, followed by a feeling of relaxation and contentment by increasing the brain's production of Dopamine. These beneficial aspects of the drug are what lead many to Hydrocodone addiction.

Treating Hydrocodone Addiction

Many doctors have begun to look for new methods in treating hydrocodone addiction. With painkiller related deaths occurring all over the United States and success rates of traditional detox centers consistently hovering around 10%, many feel that a drastic change in therapeutic approach is necessary.

Rapid Detox centers employ Accelerated Neuro-Regulation , a treatment that rids the brain's opiate receptors of the drug while the patient is under a non-surgical anesthesia. The treatment is used to eliminate the body's craving for the drug, while enabling the patient to avoid the physical pain attributed to withdrawal. Rapid Detox and ANR clinics have reported success rates of nearly 64% in the treatment of a variety of opiate addictions, including hydrocodone abuse.