Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is a semi synthetic opioid generally used to treat moderate to severe pain when used medically. It is a schedule III (C-III) narcotic in the Controlled Substance Act in the United States of America meaning it has a moderate abuse potential, unlike C-II or C-I drugs which have much higher abuse potential. When used recreationally, hydrocodone produces effects very similar to morphine, heroin, and oxycodone. Intensity is slightly lower than morphine or heroin because these two drugs are generally administered intravenously. Contrary to popular belief, hydrocodone is actually a very addictive drug when misused. When used under medical settings exactly as prescibed, most users of hydrocodone do not become addicted to the drug. But many other people can go doctor shopping to obtain this drug and use it for their own recreational use. When people withdrawal from this drug whether they are addicted or just dependent(dependence just means the user's body responds negatively to the absense of the drug, but not necessarily addicted) on it, the person will be overcome by a feeling of a bad case of the flu, unless the person seeks methadone or buprenorphine replacement therapy. Withdrawal symptoms generally include, insomnia, shakes, chills, anxiety, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, restless leg syndrome, and goosebumps. Withdrawal symptoms begin shortly before the next dosing time, and continue for 72 hours, increasing in intensity, then after the 72 hour peak, the symptoms drastically recede. Usually after a week, all physical withdrawal symptoms end. Usually, an addicted person who was using the drug for recreational purposes only, will have a protracted phase of withdrawal that is only psychological which can last around 6 months. During these 6 months, the ex-user will feel compelled to use the drug again, talk about the drug a lot, and have a strong desire to use, despite the fact they have no physical withdrawal symptoms. Usually after 6 months of abstinence from hydrocodone, the user will have almost no phsychological withdrawal symptoms.