Arizona’s opioid prescriptions have decreased nearly 50% in the last decade, with a 6.4% reduction between 2021 and 2022 alone. Even so, overdose remains the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S., with opioids being responsible for the majority of deaths.
More than five people die every day from overdoses in Arizona, with over 1,900 confirmed opioid deaths in 2023. While most of these deaths are from synthetic opioids like fentanyl, they can still occur from prescription medications like hydrocodone. Typically, complications from hydrocodone happen when a person takes too much of the substance or combines it with other substances. This is why it’s so important to be able to identify hydrocodone and its dosage properly.
Making a positive hydrocodone identification can also help spot the signs of misuse. If you find loose hydrocodone in your home, for example, this could indicate that someone in the household is misusing the medication. Let’s explore the different ways you can identify hydrocodone, what to do if you find the medication, and how to avoid coming into contact with it.
What You Need to Know About Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is a powerful opioid pain medication used to treat moderate or severe pain. It’s often prescribed when other pain relief methods do not provide sufficient relief. What’s interesting about hydrocodone is that it doesn’t decrease pain in the traditional sense. Instead, it alters the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain by binding to opioid receptors. Hydrocodone can also produce feelings of pleasure and euphoria, which is why the substance is sometimes misused.
Hydrocodone is often combined with other medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to provide greater pain relief. It’s available in tablet, capsule, or liquid form and typically used for short-term pain management due to its risk of misuse and dependence. Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, nausea and vomiting, and dry mouth. In more serious cases, hydrocodone can cause respiratory depression, dependence, withdrawal, and overdose.
Official Brand Names of Hydrocodone
Generic and brand-name medications are intended to treat the same conditions in the same way. They contain the same active ingredients, though brand-name medications are sold under a trademarked name. These medications also tend to be more expensive because they include the costs of marketing and distribution.
The official brand names of hydrocodone are Vicodin, Norco, and Lortab, which all contain a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. There are also extended-release versions of hydrocodone, which include Hysingla ER and Zohydro ER. These medications are used to manage severe, long-term pain. Vicoprofen combines hydrocodone with ibuprofen instead of acetaminophen.
What Hydrocodone Looks Like
Hydrocodone comes in various forms and appearances depending on the dosage, brand, and manufacturer. Hydrocodone/acetaminophen combination pills are oval or oblong and often imprinted with letters, numbers, or the manufacturer’s name on one side. They come in white, yellow, and pink colors.
The generic versions of hydrocodone/acetaminophen can vary in color or shape, but they are typically oblong, oval, or capsule-shaped in white, yellow, or orange. They, too, have imprinted numbers or letters indicating the dosage and manufacturer. The extended-release versions of hydrocodone are usually large, round tablets or capsules that are white, beige, blue, yellow, or white.
To identify a specific hydrocodone pill, you can often look up its imprint code, color, and shape on an online pill database, or you can contact your pharmacist.
Slang Terms for Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone has various slang terms used by individuals who misuse or sell the substance. Common slang terms include:
- 357s
- Bananas
- Dones
- Droco
- Fluff
- Hydros
- Lemonade
- Lorries
- Norcos
- Scratch
- Tabs
- Triple V
- Vikes
- Watsons
Hydrocodone Mixed With Other Drugs
As mentioned earlier, hydrocodone is sometimes mixed with other substances as part of a medical prescription. However, some people also combine hydrocodone with other substances to enhance or alter the effects, but this can lead to dangerous or even life-threatening complications. For instance, mixing hydrocodone with alcohol can significantly enhance the sedative effects, leading to severe drowsiness, respiratory depression, and potentially fatal overdose. Both of these substances suppress the nervous system, which makes the combination especially dangerous.
Other substances that affect the nervous system are benzodiazepines, marijuana, sleep aids, antihistamines, and other opioids. Combining them with hydrocodone can be dangerous. Mixing hydrocodone with antidepressants can also be a concern, as it can lead to a condition called serotonin syndrome, which is characterized by confusion, rapid heart rate, and high blood pressure. Mixing hydrocodone and stimulants can also be harmful because it creates a “speedball” effect where the stimulant masks the sedative effects of hydrocodone, leading individuals to take more than intended.
What to Do if You Find Hydrocodone
If you find hydrocodone that is not prescribed to you, it’s important to handle the situation with care. Hydrocodone is a controlled substance with a high potential for misuse, and improper handling can lead to serious health risks. If the hydrocodone is prescribed but in an unsafe location, store it securely in a locked cabinet. If the hydrocodone is old, expired, or no longer needed, dispose of it properly. Hydrocodone is on the flush list, so you can flush it down the toilet if there are no take-back programs in your area. For a list of drug take-back programs in Arizona, visit azdhs.gov.
How to Avoid Hydrocodone
Avoiding hydrocodone, especially if you’re trying to stay away from opioid medications, requires careful planning and discussions with healthcare providers. Communicate with your doctor and let them know that you would prefer non-opioid pain management options. There are many alternatives for managing pain, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, topical analgesics, and antidepressants.
Non-medication options like physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage therapy can also be considered. It’s also recommended to avoid medications from unreliable sources and be aware of medications that may contain opioids, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen mixed with hydrocodone.
Hydrocodone Addiction Treatment in Prescott, AZ
Treating hydrocodone dependence requires a comprehensive approach that begins with detox and continues with therapy, counseling, and healthy lifestyle habits. Hydrocodone can cause serious and even life-threatening complications during detox, which is why you should undergo this process under medical supervision. Your detox care team will monitor your symptoms and provide you with medications to ease their intensity.
Most people spend a few days to a week in detox before transitioning to hydrocodone addiction rehab. Whether you choose a residential or outpatient recovery program, you can expect to participate in intensive individual, group, and family therapy, develop relapse prevention strategies and coping skills, and work through underlying issues. It’s not uncommon for individuals to use opioids like hydrocodone to mask emotional or physical pain. Holistic therapies like yoga and meditation can also be beneficial in establishing healthy habits.
Are you ready to take the next steps to transforming your life? Wolf Creek Recovery offers residential and intensive outpatient treatment for substance use disorders. We follow a comprehensive approach that addresses the mind, body, and spirit using evidence-based and holistic therapies. One of our favorite therapeutic practices is outdoor therapy where we get to have fun playing sports and engaging in recreational activities. To build a life you love, connect with Wolf Creek Recovery at 833-732-8202.
