Find the answers to all your questions about the opioid pain reliever, Lortab, including signs of addiction, side effects, and how to choose a rehab, by consulting this informative guide.
1. What is Lortab and what causes Lortab addiction?
2. What are Lortab side effects?
3. What are the street names for Lortab?
4. What is the best treatment for Lortab addiction?
5. 12-Step Programs
6. Inpatient Rehab
7. Outpatient Rehab
8. What is aftercare, and why is it important?
9. How to find the best rehab for Lortab addiction?
There is nothing more important than having a healthy mind and body. Health is of utmost importance to a person because, without it, nobody can function well. A healthy mind and body can improve our concentration, keep us in a good mood, and help us work efficiently every day. Poor health can lead to a number of problems that can affect the way we live. Someone who doesn’t take their health seriously, often has to face serious consequences after a while. Addiction is one such problem where people become dependent on addictive chemical substances to function normally. Once addicted, they will feel uneasy and behave irrationally when they don’t have access to the drugs they are addicted to,
Addiction problems are rising at an alarming rate. Addiction can lead to serious physical and psychological damage. Drugs were always meant to be taken in measured proportions to provide relief from various ailments and medical conditions, but people sometimes misuse them. Certain types of drugs, when taken alone or in addition to other potent drugs, can lead a person to experience a euphoric high- a feeling of well-being that then becomes associated with the usage of drugs. Opioid drugs are addictive substances which affect certain parts of the brain and affect how it perceives pain. This is the reason why they are widely used in painkillers.
People misuse drugs by consuming them in excessive amounts or taking it in addition to other drugs. When drugs are mixed with other drugs, the combined effect can be life-threatening. There is no valid health reason why people start taking prescription drugs unless the doctor has prescribed them. Studies have shown that a family where one or both parents are addicted have high chances for the kids to become addicted as well. Some people start abusing drugs and alcohol to escape from stressful situations in their personal and professional lives. The effect of these addictive substances gives them a way to leave all their problems behind for a period of time.
Most people fail to realize their addiction issues until it’s too late. But whether they realize sooner or later, most of them feel ashamed to ask for help because of the social stigma attached to addiction issues. Some people have a sterotypical image in mind about addicts; shabby, homeless, and hideous people who will go to any lengths to continue their addiction. This is a complete misconception and has no resemblance to how addicts are.
Most people become victims of addiction due to lack of proper guidance and knowledge. Unless people are thoroughly educated about the side effects of addiction, they won’t be able to realize the problem. Drug awareness should be made mandatory in schools, universities, and workplaces. Maybe then people will understand the seriousness of the matter.
What is Lortab and what causes Lortab addiction?
Lortab is a painkiller made by combining Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is an opioid and Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter painkiller. Lortab is used to treat moderate to severe pain caused due to injury or surgery. Hydrocodone binds to opioid receptors in the brain and blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain while Acetaminophen suppresses the chemicals in the brain that stimulates pain nerves. Legally, Lortab is sold in a liquid form.
Lortab has a high potential for abuse and addiction like every other opioid medication. Prolonged Lortab usage can lead to addiction as patients become tolerant to the prescribed amount of the drug. Prolonged use also increases oportunities for overdose. Lortab addiction or overdose can result in severe side effects, like breathing problems and liver damage. Hence, proper care must be taken not to exceed the prescribed amount of the medicine and not to use it without a prescription. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 23 million people over the age of 12 have misused Lortab in some way or other. Lortab is often misused by combining it with other drugs.
What are Lortab side effects?
As stated, addiction is one of Lortab’s potential side effect. Other common Lortab side effects include:
- Confusion.
- Constipation.
- Dizziness.
- Dry mouth.
- Hallucinations.
- Hearing loss.
- Small, constricted pupils.
- Hyperventilation.
- Jaundice.
- Paranoia.
- Slowed heart rate.
- Stomach pain.
- Twitching of the muscles.
- Weakness.
- Weight loss.
What are the street names for Lortab?
Lortab cannot be sold legally without a valid prescription, yet people access it and abuse it. So, the question is, how do they do that? Lortab abuse is made possible due to the illegal sale of the drug on the black market where users get it through various drug dealers. On the black market, these prescription drugs are not known by their medicinal name but by different slang names. Also, the price of the drugs sold on the black market might be higher than pharmacy prices, but since the demand is so high, people don’t mind shelling out more money to get a regular supply. On the black market, Lortab is commonly known as:
- Vicodin
- Vicodin ES
- Vicodin HP
- Lorcet
- Lorcet Plus
- Lorcet HD
- Norco
- Hydros
- Tabs
- Vics
- Veeks
- Vikes
- Fluff
- Dro
- Droco
What is the best treatment for Lortab addiction?
Lortab addiction is best treated in rehab. Rehabs are specialized treatment centers for addicts, where they are helped to get out of addiction problems through rigorous treatments, therapies, and counseling sessions. The remedy for addiction will take some time to eliminate the problem, so patience and dedication is a must for every person undergoing rehab treatment.
A rehab program can begin when a person is entirely free from the toxic materials in his body. Anyone who wants to get into an addiction program has to first undergo detox sessions that will help eliminate all the addictive substances from the body and to some extent, suppress the urge to take drugs. Conventional detox and the associated withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable. However, people can now also opt for painless and quick process through rapid detox. Rapid detox neutralizes the effect of the drug inside the body with the help of other drugs. During rapid detox, the patient is sedated so that they do not experience any discomfort.
Generally, during detox, the body starts reacting to the limited intake of drugs in the body; as a result, withdrawal symptoms start getting frequent and can make the patient very weak. This is why it’s recommended that anyone who plans on undergoing detox treatment must eat well, get enough sleep, and workout regularly to reduce discomfort during the process.
Once detox is complete, the patients will undergo an intake interview, after which, they will be put into a customized rehab program. Not everyone needs rigorous rehab therapy to quit drugs; some can accomplish this through counseling. For those who do go on to more extensive treatment, rehabs are mainly categorized into 3 types.
12-Step Programs
In 12-step recovery programs for Lortab addiction, people are not put on any medication. The entire treatment is done through step-based counseling. The 12 steps mainly focus on helping people admit their addiction problem. Once they admit that they are addicted, they need to identify a higher power that can give them the strength to recover from addiction. Then they need to examine their past wrongdoings and rectify them, and also work on starting a new life of being sober. Finally, they are given the responsibility to help others who are suffering from addiction by encouraging them to participate in the 12-step recovery program for their drug or alcohol addiction.
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient rehab is a type of rehab facility which is similar to a hospital where patients board within the facility while undergoing treatment. Inpatient rehab is meant for serious addicts who need 24×7 observation and care. Under Inpatient treatment, patients have no access to any drugs due to stringent security. The treatment offered is also intensive by nature, and the success rate associated with this rehab treatment is also higher compared to others.
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient rehab is recommended for people who cannot afford to miss their daily duties and responsibilities while undergoing treatment. This rehab option is feasible for people who have to go to the work every day, students, or even parents who have to take care of their children. The outpatient rehab program is flexible and lets you choose your convenient time to come for the treatment. The cost associated with Outpatient program is also more affordable as there is no boarding facility involved.
What is aftercare, and why is it important?
After the rehab program is over, you’re put into an aftercare program. Aftercare sessions are conducted to help patients aboid relapse and cope with relapses when they occur. It’s very common for a patient to relapse when they’ve just completed treatment. Aftercare programs ensure that you do not go back to addiction, no matter how intense the cravings are.
All patients are released from the facility before the aftercare program. They only need to visit the facilities periodically for aftercare treatment. If they don’t follow the aftercare program seriously, their entire addiction treatment can be undermined.
How to find the best rehab for Lortab addiction?
Finding the right rehab for you may be a challenge, but with some effort you can have success. You need to check out many factors before settling on one. So wether you are looking for an outpatient or inpatient rehab program, make sure that you take some time to do the research. First, you need to shortlist some rehab centers that you think might be best for you. Then you need to pick one from them based on various factors, including the following:
Location
Check whether the rehab is located in a calm environment and has open space for patients to take a walk or sit beneath the sun. A rehab that is located on a busy street with too much noise and pollution may not be an ideal place for addiction patients, especially the ones who are suffering from mental health issues as well.
Facilities
Talk to the rehab staff and take a tour of the rehab center to check what amenities they provide. Do they have a library or an indoor game room for patients to relax? Do they have guest rooms for visitors? Considering all these factors is necessary when determining which rehab is right for you.
Services
Something that you should do before signing up for a rehab program is to check the team of doctors, nurses, and medical staff who would be treating you. Ensure that you’re in good hands, and the treatment you receive will be satisfactory.
Reputation
The reputation of the rehab is one of the major deciding factors for a good rehab. Check the online ratings and reviews to understand the rehab facility and how it has served other patients in the past.
Value for money
Finally, you should opt for a rehab program that is within your budget.
Falling into addiction can be quick and easy. People can become addicted to drugs in a short period of time. But beating addiction requires a lot of energy, money, and time. Addiction treatment is much costlier than addictive substances, in the short to medium term, at any rate. If you were struggling hard to find money to feed your addiction habit, you may find it hard to afford treatment unless you have an insurance policy to cover your expenses.
Addiction can affect your finances and relationships with people in addition to the toll it can take on your physical and mental health. Some early signs of addiction are when people becoming detached from their family, friends, and other people they are close to. If you notice a change in behavior like this in someone you know, please talk to them and try to find out the cause. If you have recently discovered someone you know has an addiction problem, be supportive and offer to help.
If they are ready to be helped, find them the help and support that they need to address their problem. If they are afraid to go for individual counseling, recommend a group counseling session or 12-step group for them. Addiction problems should not be left unattended for long as it may lead to several other problems. Children should be kept away from prescription drugs, especially those which have a high potential to cause overdose or addiction. Be aware of their circle of friends to see that they are not negatively influenced. Additionaly, they must be made aware of drugs early in their lives so that they don’t get tempted to fall for the peer-pressure and engage in substance abuse.
Some people think that drug addiction is a disease, but in reality, it’s a result of poor lifestyle choices. Addiction doesn’t develop on its own unless the person allows it to take root. So, please don’t let drugs take over your body and your life and ruin a bright future ahead. Seek professional help and talk to your friends and family to get the right guidance before it’s too late.
