Norco Addiction
What is Norco?
Norco is a name given to a combination of the drugs hydrocodone and acetaminophen and is commonly prescribed after surgical or dental procedures.
Many addictions to Norco begin by a patient taking the drug under a physician’s care for pain relief.
Some people experience euphoria in addition to pain relief when first taking Norco.
Unfortunately, that feeling can begin the unintended process of dependency and addiction.
Hydrocodone is an opiate and is considered the most abused drug available.
Norco is also commonly one of the first opiates an abuser will use before moving onto other illicit drugs.
Identifying and treating a Norco addiction as soon as possible may help prevent a further decline to other addictions.
Immediate Placement in Rehab for Norco Addiction
Dependence on Norco
The Norco drug is highly addictive, and dependency can happen quickly – sometimes without the user even realizing it. If Norco has been used regularly for several weeks, a physical dependency on the drug may have developed. With regular and repeated doses, the brain becomes used to receiving the opiate and re-regulates for this supply. When the supply ends, the brain reacts by downregulation, and withdrawal symptoms can begin.
Hydrocodone is a derivative of codeine and is used for pain relief and sometimes for cough. Common side effects of hydrocodone are constipation, itchy skin, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting.
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Symptoms of Norco Addiction
It can be surprising how quickly an addiction to Norco drug develops. If you are taking more than prescribed and/or looking for a physician who will prescribe more Norco for you, then you may be addicted. Norco addiction can have a variety of symptoms, including:
- Erratic behavior
- Mood swings
- Small pupils
- Constipation
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Weight loss
- Financial problems
- Increased sleeping
Warning Signs of Norco Addiction
If you need Norco to feel “normal,” then it is possible you have unknowingly become addicted. If you are crushing tablets or chewing tablets instead of swallowing them whole or shopping for a doctor to prescribe Norco and/or trying to get it from other sources, those are warning signs of addiction and a sign you may need help. As your body becomes more tolerant of Norco you may need larger and more frequent doses to gain the feeling you desire. Developing tolerance and continuing to use more is what makes Norco so dangerous. What might seem like a regular dose to gain the wanted effects can easily become an unexpected fatal overdose.
There is some evidence that opiate withdrawal can continue for a prolonged period, possibly several weeks. It is this long period of time that can put you at risk for relapse to decrease withdrawal symptoms. An inpatient based treatment center is recommended to manage the detox and provide the tools for a successful recovery.
Withdrawal
When addiction is developing, the user can start to feel the early signs of withdrawal in between doses. Withdrawal of an opiate can manifest as irritable behavior, sweating, stomach cramps or diarrhea, feeling anxious and needing to move around, chills, irregular heartbeat, and difficulty sleeping. Detox from Norco requires careful observation and medical monitoring. If signs and symptoms of withdrawal appear between doses, they can lead the user to take higher doses more frequently than before. This creates the cycle of addiction to Norco and puts the user at risk of an unintentional overdose.
If you find yourself taking more Norco over time to feel the same as you did before, that is a sign you have developed tolerance and possibly an addiction.
Mental Illness and Norco Addiction
Norco contains codeine, which is an opiate closely related to morphine and in the same category as oxycodone. The use of opiates is demonstrably higher in people with a mental illness. For many people, abusing Norco may be a form of self-medicating to treat an underlying issue. Rather than getting healthy help, you may have tried using Norco to cope with challenges.
Treating both at the same time has been proven to be more effective than treating each individually. At Resurgence, we look for all causes of addiction and any underlying mental health issue. Improving coping skills and anxiety will give new tools for recovery and stability. Addiction is a universal problem. Even if things seem fine to outside observers, addiction can still be present. It happens in all families, all social and financial situations. For additional information read more here.
Treatment of Norco Addiction
If you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction to Norco, we are here to help. At Resurgence, we use an integrated approach to healing and recovery. We have 20 years of experience breaking the cycles of addiction and shame. Withdrawal from Norco is a physical process, but recovery is the mental process of rebuilding your life.
Recovering from the effects of Norco abuse is not a short process, but it is possible. Simply stopping using Norco is not recovery. Learning about addiction, treating any underlying issues, and building coping mechanisms other than drug use are learned behaviors that are taught and supported at Resurgence.
Individualized Plan for You
We will work with you to determine your individual goals of treatment and customize treatment to your needs. Norco addiction requires a team approach, including safe medical detox, counseling, therapy, and often inpatient treatment with a transition to outpatient treatment. We are here to walk through this process with you.
Even if the situation appears hopeless or there is resistance to change, treatment can still be effective. Are you tired? Tired of bad news, tired of lies, tired of the process of keeping addiction going? We can help.
Free Insurance Verification for Norco Rehab
Addiction Treatment at Resurgence
Do you want treatment but are worried about how you can pay for it?
We have a team of financial professionals who provide free insurance verification.
We will work with you to determine how to move forward with the treatment in a way that works for you and your financial situation.
Resurgence is available to answer questions or discuss options with you.
We have a team of professionals who are dedicated to understanding and healing from addiction.
We give hope back to those who are searching for recovery and stability.
