Hydrocodone is a dangerous street drug and it can be found in medicine cabinets all across America. It is one of the most widely prescribed medications available and aside from being very good for the treatment of pain, it is also highly addictive.
Over the past 10 years, statistics have shown that there has been a 400% increase in the use of the drug. During this same period of time, emergency room visits associated with hydrocodone has gone up by 500%. It is said that hydrocodone is the prescription drug that is abused the most in the America.
Hydrocodone addiction can occur in a wide variety of ways. People who are legitimately taking control to cope with pain may become addicted by accident. People who take this pain medication may feel the euphoric feelings that the drug produces. As a result of this, after the prescription has been ended, they may feel that they need to continue using the drug as they have become dependent on it. Other people who are addicted to the drug often do it for recreational purposes. These individuals often steal or purchase the drug off the street.
The drug is not confined to any social groups and abusers can be found from all walks of life. Hydrocodone Is slowly becoming one of the most abused drugs in the country. Because of its abundance and ease of access, it is very hard to truly know how many people are addicted to this prescription medication.
Scientific evidence has shown that people who take heavy amounts of hydrocodone will ultimately suffer from damage of the liver. Mixing hydrocodone with alcohol has also proven to be a very dangerous cocktail and can sometimes lead to death. Every month there are deaths associated with the drug or with people mixing it with alcohol.
Hydrocodone addicts who want their product will often go to a doctor to get a prescription for this drug. As a way to avoid suspicion, people will go to different drug stores to have their prescriptions filled. Addicts will also purchase it off the street as it is readily available and it is cheap.
The dependence on the drug quickly goes from that euphoric feeling, to more helping the body from feeling sick.