Hydrocodone Detox
Hydrocodone is a psychoactive drug, meaning that it changes the brain’s chemistry and disrupts its normal functioning. The brain tries to compensate for the drug’s disruptive effects, making adjustments and attempting to function normally despite the drug’s presence.
When the drug use stops or drastically reduces, the brain must adjust. If the brain is forced to do so abruptly (i.e., without a taper) this causes withdrawal symptoms.
The process of hydrocodone detox can be an uncomfortable experience. Fortunately, this process can be medically assisted to minimize the impact on the brain and body to reduce or eliminate the discomfort.
How long does it take to detox from hydrocodone? As mentioned, the process depends upon individual factors, but generally, it takes six to seven half-lives for the drug to be completely detoxified from the body. However, the withdrawal symptoms can continue well beyond that range.
- Detoxing At Home
When making the decision to attempt hydrocodone detox at home, individuals should do so in conjunction with their physician or an addiction professional and should be clear about the extent of their drug use. People attempting at-home detox should also involve loved ones in the process and ensure they’re aware of signs indicative of a medical emergency.
People tend to overestimate their ability to stop their drug use on their own, even if they failed attempts to do so in the past. Detoxing from hydrocodone at home may not provide the best opportunity for success, as the hydrocodone cravings may be overwhelming.
At the minimum, people who plan to detox at home should have certain supporting factors in place:
– Consultation with and agreement from their doctor
– A short period of drug use at lower doses
– A stable and supportive home environment
– Not be living alone and the people at home should be aware of the detox situation
– They should be highly motivated to recover
– A safe, drug-free home, away from negative influences such as dealers or drug users
– A set plan of action for treatment and recovery after detoxing
It should be noted that detox does not constitute treatment for hydrocodone addiction. Recovery from drug use takes much more than simply abstaining from drug use. A return to good health and lasting recovery requires addressing the reasons behind the substance use, whatever they might be. This requirement is the main purpose of addiction treatment programs.
- Medically-Assisted Detox
Medically-assisted detox is the use of proper medical support and supervision — with or without the use of supportive medications — to help people get through detox and withdrawal safely, comfortably and with minimal shock to their body.
Medically-assisted detox provides the option of using opioid replacement therapy to prevent or reduce withdrawal. It also provides:
– A safe place to detox away from distractions, temptations and triggers
– Immediate help if any complications arise
– Proper non-opioid management of side effects, such as insomnia, high blood pressure or diarrhea
– The ability to connect with other motivated people who are detoxing
– The ability to connect with counselors and begin working out an individualized plan of success for long-term recovery
– Access to proper information and facts straight from the professionals, rather than casual advice from the street or the internet
The fear of withdrawal symptoms or the inability to resist the cravings to use again are major barriers to recovery. Medical detox directly addresses these problems and gives the individual a strong opportunity to succeed.
Some of the medications used in medical detox include Suboxone, Methadone, and Naltrexone.
- Tapering Off Hydrocodone
People using hydrocodone should consult a medical professional to find out how to taper off hydrocodone when the drug is no longer needed or desired. Many people have difficulty self-tapering off hydrocodone or any other addictive substance because these drugs are addictive precisely because they are difficult for people to control using.
People who find themselves unable to taper themselves off of hydrocodone should consider seeking help at a professional detox center. Substance use is progressive and rarely ends well if left untreated. Tapering is challenging, but trying to taper while struggling with addiction and withdrawal symptoms is even more challenging. It is highly beneficial to let medical professionals assist with the tapering process.
How Long Does Hydrocodone Stay In Your System?
Hydrocodone is available in both immediate-release and extended-release formulations. It is primarily metabolized by the liver into its active metabolite, hydromorphone. Hydrocodone and its metabolites are excreted through urine.
Hydrocodone is a short-acting opioid and the time required to eliminate half of the drug (i.e. the half-life) ranges between 4-12 hours. The half-life for the immediate-release formulation of hydrocodone is four hours, whereas that of the extended-release formulations ranges between 7-12 hours. Relative to opioids with a longer half-life, like methadone, the symptoms of hydrocodone withdrawal are more severe and last a shorter duration.
