How to Help a Loved One with an Addiction to Opioids

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How to Help a Loved One with an Addiction to Opioids

Do you have a loved one who is addicted to opioids? If so, you may notice certain personality or mood change with them. Your loved one may also have legal, financial or relationship issues.

 

Sometimes, people who struggle with an addiction are more likely to get treatment when they have family members or friends who encourage them to get treatment. If you follow the tips noted here today, maybe your loved one will enter into an opioid addiction treatment program here at Harmony Stuart Treatment and Wellness Center.

Opioid Addiction Education

If your loved one has an opioid addiction, one of the first things you should do is learn more about this type of addiction. There are many things that can cause someone to abuse opioids. There are also many triggers that can lead to drug use. These are just a couple of the things that you may need to learn about, so you can better help your loved one. After learning about these things, you may want to learn about the various treatment options available to your loved one.

Observing Your Loved One

Another way that you can help your loved one if they have an opioid addiction is to observe them. Some of the things you should look for include:

  • Mood swings
  • Drug abuse habits
  • Symptoms of addiction
  • Relationship issues
  • Withdrawal symptoms

After observing your loved one for a while, you can learn more about their lifestyle and what drugs they may be abusing. The more information you have, the more you will be able to discuss with them about the addiction and what treatments may be best for them.

Intervention

Many people who struggle with opioid addiction won’t get clean on their own. They often need their loved ones or friends to talk to them about how they are behaving. Sometimes, ultimatums need to be given before a person will agree to enter a treatment program. If needed, you can even have an intervention specialist help with the intervention for your loved one. The purpose of this meeting is to have everyone share how the addiction is affecting them and to let your loved one know they need to get treatment.

 

It is crucial to make sure your loved one isn’t under the influence of drugs while holding the intervention. Everyone who is attending the intervention should be clean, as well.

Using Naloxone

Unfortunately, many people who abuse opioids do overdose on the drug. Even though you may not want to think about it, it is imperative that you are prepared for an overdose. If your loved one does overdose, you should be able to administer naloxone right away. The longer you wait, the less likely it is that your loved one will survive the overdose.

 

If you did have to use naloxone on your loved one, it is still important that they get immediate medical treatment. There may be other symptoms of the overdose that need to be managed and treated.

Supporting Them in Treatment and Recovery

If your loved one has an addiction to opioids and they agree to get help, it is important to support them as much as you can throughout their treatment program and in their recovery, as well. Some of the many ways you can support them include:

  • Don’t take any prescriptions or drugs in front of them
  • Don’t take them to places where drugs or alcohol are being used
  • Let them vent or talk to you about anything they are going through
  • Attend meetings with them and go to meetings for family members of addicts on your own
  • Create a calm, peaceful home environment
  • Do activities with them that don’t involve drugs or alcohol
  • Visit them if they are staying at a treatment center (there are often visitor hours)
  • Attend family therapy to work through relationship and trust issues with your loved one

These are just some of the many ways that you can be there for your loved one if they have an opioid addiction. If you want to know more about the treatments your loved one will be receiving, you can talk to our Harmony Stuart team.

Get Help for a Loved One Who Has an Addiction to Opioids Today

Does your loved one have an opioid addiction? If so, there are numerous ways that you can help and support them. From learning about opioid addiction to holding an intervention and offering support in recovery, you can be there to help your loved one in each part of the journey to living a better, substance-free life.

Contact us today to help your loved one get treatment for an opioid addiction.

What is the Difference Between Lortab and Norco?

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What is the difference between Lortab and Norco?

So, What is the Difference Between Lortab and Norco exactly?

 

If you take pain medication, you may have asked yourself what is the difference between Lortab and Norco? Understanding prescription medications, their differences and potential interactions is important. Especially when controlled substances like opioids are involved. This article from Harmony Treatment and Wellness will help you understand the difference between Lortab and Norco and why it matters.

The first thing you should know is that nearly every prescription medication has a “common” name and a brand name. The common name is the active ingredient in the brand name. It often becomes the generic name for the medicine when a generic becomes available. This can confuse people sometimes. This article aims to clear up that confusion for you.

 

What’s the Difference Between Name Brand and Generic Opioid Pain Meds?

 

This question could be the topic for its own article. For the purposes of this piece, we’ll keep it simple. Pretty much every pharmaceutical drug begins as a name brand product. Drug companies spend billions every year on researching and developing new medications. One of the ways they recoup these costs (and turn a profit) is selling the medication. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all prescription medications. Companies hold a patent on any new medication they introduce That allows them to be the only one who can sell that particular drug for a period of time. That period of time varies, but it can be as long as 20 years.

You may have noticed many new medications are only available in the brand name form. This is usually because the patent has not expired yet. Once a patent expires, other companies are free to make their own versions of the same drug. These may include a generic version. These medications must have the same active ingredient as the name brand, that is the medicine part. The rest of the medication can vary. That includes things like fillers, coatings, color, flavor and so forth. When you ask what is the difference between Lortab and Norco, that last sentence is your answer.

 

OK, That’s Interesting, But What is the Difference Between Lortab and Norco?

 

Lortab and Norco are both formulations which include hydrocodone as the primary active ingredient. Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid medication. What is Lortab? Well, both medications have acetaminophen (aka Tylenol) as a secondary ingredient. The rest of each table (the inactive ingredients) may vary, but that has little bearing on the effect of the medicine. In the United States, hydrocodone is always combined with another non-narcotic pain medication. Acetaminophen he most common choice by far. Some less common hydrocodone compounds may include ibuprofen (Advil) or even aspirin instead.

 

If you want to know what is the difference between Lortab and Norco, it helps to be familiar with the medications in this category. The only practical difference between them is the fillers and form the come in.

 

These are all examples of prescription drugs that include hydrocodone and acetaminophen as the active ingredients.

  • Vicodin
  • Lortab
  • Norco
  • Lorcet
  • Xodol

 

As mentioned, there are also some much less common medications that combine hydrocodone with a different ingredient.

 

Here are some examples of drugs that include hydrocodone and something other than acetaminophen:

  • Ibudone (hydrocodone and ibuprofen)
  • Vicoprofen (hydrocodone and ibuprofen)
  • Hycodan (hydrocodone and homatropine)
  • Rezira (hydrocodone and pseudoephedrine)
  • Tussionex (hydrocodone and chlorpheniramine)

 

More About What is the Difference Between Lortab and Norco?

 

Vicodin, Lortab, Norco, Lorcet and Xodol are all medications that combine hydrocodone and acetaminophen. They are just brand names used by different drug companies for pretty much the same medicine. Each version will include a number which tells you how much of each active ingredient each tablet contains. For example, a Norco 325/10 has 325 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen and 10 mg of hydrocodone. A Lortab 10 mg – 325 mg tablet has…you guessed it. 325 mg of acetaminophen and 10 mg of hydrocodone. Can you guess what’s in a Vicodin 5 mg / 500 mg? The smaller number is always the hydrocodone.

 

Conclusion

 

If you’re still wondering what is the difference between Lortab and Norco, the answer is ‘not much’. They are different brands of essentially the same thing. The filler ingredients will vary a bit. The size, shape and color of the tablets will vary too. But for all intents and purposes a 10/325 Lortab and a 10/325 Norco are going to produce the same effect. Lortab and Norco both contain hydrocodone which is an opioid. That means they are controlled substances with a high potential for addiction.

If you or someone you love is struggling with their use of any controlled substance, Harmony Treatment and Wellness can help. Give us a call at (772) 247-6180 or reach out to us via our contact page here.

Lortab Addiction

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Lortab addiction can be challenging to overcome.

Treatment for Lortab Addiction

Lortab addiction is a serious, condition when an individual develops a dependence on prescription painkillers . Lortab is an opioid analgesic used as a pain killer and only available by prescription. Physicians prescribe this for patients who suffer from moderate to severe pain due to injury, surgery, or terminal illnesses. Lortab is a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone that provides relief from pain.

If you struggle with Lortab addiction, it is important that you consider seeking professional help to help you with the process. Harmony Stuart can help. Contact us to speak with a member of our team to discuss our process for treating hydrocodone addiction.

Symptoms of Lortab Withdrawal

As with most other forms of opioid addiction, withdrawal from Lortab can make you feel ill.  Some symptoms of Lortab withdrawal are:

  • Anxiety
  • Chills
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Tremors
  • Sweating
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability

How Addictive is Lortab?

Lortab is classified as an addictive drug, which means that it can become physically and/or psychologically habit-forming. It is a strong opioid analgesic, containing hydrocodone, and it can be physically addictive. For example, it can cause the brain to release dopamine when you use it. Dopamine helps regulate emotions and stimulates physical pleasure centers of the brain. As an opiate analgesic substance, this causes a euphoric effect.

You may develop a tolerance to Lortab or experience physical side effects within just a few weeks. When this happens, your body and brain begin to get used to the drug. So, you will need more of the drug to get the same euphoric feeling that you experienced in the beginning. Many people who have developed a physical dependency on Lortab will feel ill if they go too long without using it again. This is because their body has begun to rely on the drug in order to function properly.

Causes of Lortab Addiction

Scientists have yet to determine the exact causes of Lortab addiction. Many believe that people who struggle with addiction to Lortab and other painkillers often have a history of addiction in their families. Studies show that this is more likely if an individual struggles with alcoholism as well. Others try to self-medicate for physical ailments, but end up developing a dependency on the drug instead. You may also experience Lortab addiction, or any other substance abuse problem, if you are suffering from emotional trauma or mental illness as well.

Prescription Medication Addiction Treatment

The most important step in your recovery from Lortab addiction is to get the right help. Treating drug addiction can be difficult, and you need to be prepared. It is important that you find a program that offers you care and support throughout the process. You need to find a program that has the qualifications necessary to help treat your addiction, while also matching your specific needs, goals, and concerns. The first thing you should do if you are looking for treatment facilities for prescription medications is to research all of your options.

In addition to choosing the right facility, treatment should include cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) involves learning about and practicing healthier behaviors. Counseling involves one-on-one or group sessions with a therapist who can provide advice and support to assist in maintaining abstinence. It is important that individuals seeking detoxification do not attempt to self-detoxify without the assistance of their physician or another professional who has experience with drug withdrawal.

Need for Medical Supervision

Something else that is important to remember is that if you are addicted to prescription medications, the withdrawal process can be dangerous. The body can become dependent on them; they can be a mild form of heroin or other opiates. Therefore, it is always advisable to seek help from your doctor for detoxification. You will also need to have a prescription for any medications you take at the beginning of treatment. Treatment should include counseling and medical supervision.

Other Names for Lortab

Lortab is also known as:

  • Fluff
  • Dro
  • Veeks
  • Tabs

Co-Occurring Disorders and Lortab Addiction

Lortab addiction is just one of the problems that co-occur with other disorders.  Lortab addiction can also be a sign of a mental disorder that requires treatment. In fact, it is common for people struggling with drug addiction to suffer from a mental disorder at the same time. Often, both the mental disorder and the drug addiction are underlying causes of one another. For example, having depression can cause you to self-medicate with prescription drugs. The most effective treatment addresses both.

Lortab addiction is a serious, but treatable, condition.  If you struggle with Lortab addiction, it is important that you seek professional treatment.  We know how to help with hydrocodone addiction and can provide you with the customized care that you need. Contact Harmony Stuart today to speak with a member of our care team.

How Do Opioids Affect the Brain?

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How Do Opioids Affect the Brain

Ever Wondered How Opioids Affect The Brain?

Perhaps you’ve wondered, “how do opioids affect the brain?” It seems like every time you turn around, you see news about opioids. You hear words like “opioid epidemic” and “opioid crisis.” The news talks a lot about addictions. They frequently mention the deaths. But how does a person get real information about opioid effects on the brain?

In this post, Harmony Treatment & Wellness assesses the following:

  • What are opioids?
  • How do opioids affect the brain?
  • What is opioid use disorder?
  • Do treatments exist for opioid use disorder?
  • What if I want more information about opioids and the brain?

What Are Opioids?

Opioids occur naturally in your body. Your brain makes them. Researchers call these endogenous opioids. When we hurt, our brains release these opioids to make us feel better. Opioids have the function of easing pain.

What’s The Difference Between Opioids And Opiates?

We can also find opioids in nature. They come from the poppy flower (papaver somniferum). 3 natural opioids we get from the poppy plant include:

  • Opium
  • Morphine
  • Codeine

You may see the terms “opioid” and “opiate” used as synonyms. But they don’t mean the same thing. The word “opioid” refers to both natural and artificial substances. We apply the word “opiate” to natural substances.

Opioids have legitimate medical uses. But when news reports refer to an “opioid crisis,” it makes opioids sound terrible. You may hear the word “synthetic” used in this context. It means that a human being created it. Find a few examples of synthetic opioids below:

  • Heroin
  • Fentanyl
  • Hydrocodone
  • Oxycodone

How Do Opioids Impact The Brain?

We learned that our brains manufacture opioids. So, what happens if we consume an opioid? Our brain rewards us. It releases chemicals that make us feel good. Imagine the feeling when you spend time with a loved one. Or when you eat a good meal. Now, imagine that you could amplify that feeling. That represents a glimpse of what opioids can do in the brain.

Our brain becomes accustomed to this feeling. It views this heightened sense of pleasure as its new normal. Over time, the brain begins to require opioids. Without them, it will not function properly. We use the term dependence to describe this state. If a person dependent on opioids stops using them, withdrawal may result.

What About The Body?

We know that opioids help ease pain. They also slow down the brain’s processes. This can make our bodies feel heavy and sluggish. Opioids cause us to get sleepy. We might experience a sense of calm. Therein lies much of the problem with opioids. They slow things down too much.

Opioid overdose can lead to a condition known as ”hypoxia.” It happens when the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen. Opioids slow down the brain and the body. Therefore, they reduce our breathing. If we don’t breathe enough, our brains don’t get enough oxygen. This condition of hypoxia can prove fatal.

What Is Opioid Use Disorder?

Humans like to feel good. And opioids give us good feelings. We should not feel surprised by the fact that people become addicted to opioids. They make pain go away. They provide relief. And they do it well.

But, abusing opioids can lead to opioid use disorder (OUD). The CDC has published a wealth of literature on the exact definition of OUD. For your purpose, you need only keep one thing in mind. Someone struggling with OUD keeps using opioids. And they cannot quit. They keep consuming opioids despite the presence of negative consequences.

Do Treatments Exist For Opioid Use Disorder?

If you struggle with OUD, do not respond with fear. If you love someone with OUD, hold fast. One must not OUD as a life sentence. Harmony Treatment & Wellness knows that people can (and do) recover from OUD. So, inhale. Below, you will find some examples of treatments for OUD.

MOUD/MAT

Treatment providers might treat OUD with a method called medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). You could hear it called medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MOUD/MAT offers someone with OUD an opioid prescription to help the recovery. Treatment centers have used methadone for such purposes. More recent innovations in MOUD include buprenorphine and naltrexone.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Humans don’t inherently know how to think about our own thoughts. We just assume that we have thoughts. We (quite erroneously) believe we cannot change them. Enter cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT teaches people to evaluate their own thoughts. It helps them to question their thoughts. With CBT, we learn not to take our thoughts at face value. Particularly when used with MOUD, CBT has proven effective in treating opioid use disorder.

What If I Want More Information About Opioids And The Brain?

Thank you for reading this far. Help exists at Harmony Treatment & Wellness. If you’d like more information about how opioids affect the brain, reach out to us. We believe information empowers people. Contact us today to learn more.

Vicodin and Alcohol: A Dangerous Combination

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A Man with Vicodin and Alcohol

Vicodin is a prescription painkiller that contains the opioid hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Tylenol.) It is a psychoactive drug that when used in combination with alcohol or other intoxicating substances, can result in side effects of the prescription drug compounded with the individual effects of each substance.

You should always ask your physician about potential adverse reactions to any prescription medication, especially if you plan to use it in conjunction with other drugs or alcohol – an action that is not generally not advised by any medical professional.

Moreover, using Vicodin alone certainly does not come without its risks, but these risks are significantly increased when used along with other psychoactive substances.

What is Vicodin?

The active ingredients hydrocodone and Tylenol in Vicodin collaborate to relieve moderate to severe pain and reduce fever. Hydrocodone blocks nerve cells in the brain that create the sensation of pain. Acetaminophen boosts a person’s tolerance to pain, so injuries don’t feel as intense.

Side Effects of Vicodin and Alcohol

Both alcohol and Vicodin are central nervous system depressants and can have adverse side effects when used together. Both also have a high potential for addiction, so if you have a personal or family history of a substance use disorder, it is best to avoid them.

Side effects of using Vicodin and alcohol may include:

  • Breathing problems
  • Dizziness and drowsiness
  • Slurred speech
  • Memory loss and confusion
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Loss of coordination and motor function
  • Constipation or difficulty urinating
  • Heart palpitations
  • Liver damage

Dangers of Mixing Vicodin and Alcohol

Vicodin and alcohol are both potentially dangerous substances that carry individual risks. These hazards are compounded when the substances are used in combination. Both alcohol and acetaminophen have the potential to cause liver damage, so mixing the two is especially dangerous.

There is also an increased risk long-term of stroke, cardiac arrest, various forms of cancer and more. Some reactions may be fatal – like heaving alcohol use, hydrocodone can decrease breathing, and the elderly or people with serious lung issues are particularly vulnerable.

Vicodin and Alcohol Addiction

If your doctor prescribed Vicodin, he or she will monitor you to make sure you aren’t misusing it and will alter your dosage or prescribe a different medication if necessary. You should be able to identify the signs and symptoms of Vicodin addiction before you become addicted, however.

You may have developed an addiction problem if you exhibit any of the following symptoms:

You increase your dosage of Vicodin yourself instead of consulting your physician. Over time, the body can develop a tolerance to Vicodin, so after a while, it might not be as effective. If this occurs, you should contact your doctor immediately, rather than simply increase your dosage without advice. This is dangerous because your body will continue to need an increasing amount of Vicodin to get the same effect – a reaction that could potentially lead to an overdose if you stay on that path.

You start to associate Vicodin use with a lack of pain or pleasurable feelings. Vicodin is usually prescribed to numb pain after an injury or surgery. It’s indicated for the treatment of acute (short-term) pain, but some people become addicted to the way it makes them feel. Moreover, if you feel you need to take Vicodin whenever you feel pain or that you can’t experience pleasure without it, you may be developing an addiction to Vicodin.

You continue using Vicodin after your doctor has discontinued your prescription. Your physician may decide to take you off Vicodin because your injury is healed or because he or she is concerned that you’ve become addicted. If you save your pills then take them after your doctor advises you to quit, purchase more on the black market, or doctor-shop to obtain more drugs, you may be addicted.

Vicodin and Alcohol | Harmony Treatment and Wellness

You can’t resist drinking alcohol while taking Vicodin. Combining alcohol and Vicodin is dangerous and potentially deadly. Alcohol is a depressant, so it depresses the central nervous system. Taking a depressant along with Vicodin, which also suppresses your system, can cause your heart and lungs to stop functioning. Also, alcohol impairs your judgment so it’s easier to overdose on Vicodin while intoxicated.

Treatment for Vicodin and Alcohol

If you or someone you love is battling an addiction to Vicodin, alcohol or both, we can help. Harmony Treatment and Wellness Centers specializes in caring for patients who are experiencing substance use disorders as well as co-existing psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Treatment for alcohol and drugs such as Vicodin typically starts with a medical detox, a clinical process that in which the body rids itself of toxic substances. After this stage, clients are encouraged to move into inpatient, partial hospitalization, or outpatient programs, where they obtain the knowledge, confidence, and skills they need to live a life free from drugs and alcohol.

You can regain your life and enjoy long-lasting sobriety and wellness. Please don’t wait another day. We can help – start now!

Pain Medication List

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Pain Medication List from Strongest to Weakest | Harmony Treatment and Wellness

Pain Medication List from Strongest to Weakest – As the opioid epidemic in the United States continues to increase in severity, with over 2 million people suffering from opioid addiction and 90 Americans dying each day from an opioid overdose, being able to identify and understand these drugs has become more important than ever.

Opioids are potent drugs that relieve pain and produce feelings of euphoria, and should only be taken for short periods of time for acute pain, such as following injury or surgery. Regardless of strength, all opioids are potentially addictive and can result in an overdose if misused. However, different opioids can induce different effects and risks depending on their frequency of use and method of administration.

The following pain medication list includes commonly misused and abused opioids and opiates from strongest to weakest in potency. Opioids and opiates are controlled substances with a high potential for abuse, dependence, and tolerance.

List of Pain Medications

1. Carfentanil

Carfentanil is a synthetic drug 10,000 more powerful than morphine, and 100 times more potent than medical-grade fentanyl itself. It is primarily used by veterinarians to sedate large animals such as elephants. It is not indicated for human use, but occasionally it is found on the black market.

Even minuscule doses, however, can be fatal, and many deaths have occurred due to carfentanil being laced into heroin or other drugs unknown to the user.

2. Fentanyl

Fentanyl is also a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin. Fentanyl is a prescription drug sometimes prescribed for patients to manage severe pain after surgery, but due to fentanyl’s potency and potential for abuse, it is most often administered very slowly into the system via transdermal patch or lozenge.

Fentanyl on the black market, however, is not usually a product of prescription drug diversion. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, most fentanyl on the street arrives from China or Mexico where it was manufactured in illicit labs and sold to cartels and dealers or to individuals through the Internet.

Like carfentanil, a very small dose (even incidental skin exposure) of Fentanyl can kill a person, about .25 of a milligram. Fentanyl overdose deaths are on the rise, as most of the 5,500 opioid-related fatalities in 2014 involved Fentanyl.

3. Heroin

Heroin, the is the third strongest narcotic and is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from morphine, a natural compound that comes from the opium poppy. Heroin is the only completely illegal, schedule I drug included in this list, as most opioids can be obtained through a prescription, whereas heroin is not considered to have an accepted medical use.

Heroin has a very strong potential for abuse, especially when injected. It can also be consumed, however, by snorting or smoking, and is often found as a whitish powder, or a black sticky substance (black tar heroin). When injected, heroin enters the bloodstream and the brain much faster than other opioids, creating immediate intense feelings of euphoria.

4. Hydromorphone

Hydromorphone is another powerful opioid that is up to 8 times more potent than morphine. Prescribed as a severe painkiller as the brand name Dilaudid, hydromorphone also induces feelings of sedation and relaxation.

Hydromorphone is a schedule II drug with high potential for abuse, one which can easily lead to physical and psychological dependence. It is commonly misused as a substitute for heroin because it can be dissolved in water and injected into the bloodstream to experience rapid and intense effects similar to its illicit cousin.

5. Oxymorphone

At number 5, oxymorphone is still a very strong opioid. Oxymorphone was available only in generic form, at the time of this writing, and may still be prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. It most often comes in tablet form but is sometimes prescribed as an injectable. It can be misused orally or by snorting or injecting.

6. Methadone

While methadone is intended to be used under strict medical supervision to treat symptoms of opioid withdrawal, nonmedical use is illegal. Methadone is not chemically similar to heroin or morphine, but still produces comparable effects of euphoria and relaxation/sedation.

When abused, methadone consumption can result in chemical and psychological dependence. Whether taken orally as a tablet or injected as a liquid, methadone abuse can result in adverse health effects if not administered under qualified medical supervision.

7. Oxycodone

While Oxycodone isn’t as powerful as the aforementioned opioids, it is still a schedule II drug with high potential for abuse and dependence. Found in brand-name drugs such as Oxycontin and Percocet, oxycodone is prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone is routinely prescribed in the U.S. and has been misused since the 1960s for its sedating and calming effects. It wasn’t until Purdue Pharma began mass-marketing OxyContin in the mid-1990s, however, that oxycodone became a household name and common drug of abuse.

8. Morphine

Morphine is a naturally occurring opiate, as it is derived directly from the opium poppy. It is similar in potency to oxycodone and is sometimes prescribed to treat pain when other opioids are ineffective. Morphine is was traditionally used and misused as an injectable liquid, but can now be administered as an oral solution or ingestible tablet.

9. Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is almost as potent as morphine and is prescribed to treat moderate pain. Brand names for hydrocodone include Vicodin, Lortab, and Norco. More potent than codeine, hydrocodone is currently the most commonly prescribed opioid in the U.S.

Hydrocodone is commonly abused with alcohol, and a survey from 2013 found that over 24 million people over the age of 12 had taken hydrocodone for no legitimate medical reason. Hydrocodone is a perfect example of how a relatively weak opioid can be misused and cause serious health risks – in 2011, over 82,000 emergency departments visits were associated with hydrocodone abuse.

10. Codeine

Codeine is an opiate that is weaker in potency and is generally prescribed to treat mild to moderate pain. It is often used with other medications such as acetaminophen and to reduce coughing, such as in the brand name formulas Tylenol 3 and Tylenol 4. Codeine is much less often abused than other opioids, but it’s certainly not impossible.

11. Meperidine

Meperidine, also known by brand name Demerol, was the first synthetic opioid ever developed. Meperidine is less potent than many other opioids, but like all painkillers, still has the potential for abuse – in fact, chemical dependence and tolerance are likely to develop faster than other opioids, making misuse such as risky and dangerous.

12. Tramadol

Tramadol is the least potent drug on the pain medication list, and has a similar potency to Meperidine but is considered to have less potential for chemical dependence, tolerance, and abuse. However, Tramadol, also known by the brand name Ultram, can still be misused by those suffering from addiction or chronic pain conditions.

In 2012, more than 3 million people reported having used Tramadol for recreational or nonmedical purposes. Although Tramadol is the least potent opioid on the list, it is still often misused and can lead to addiction.

Treatment for Addiction

If you are suffering from an addiction to any of the drugs on the above pain medication list, then treatment is needed. Treatment may begin with medical detox to help relieve withdrawal symptoms.

Furthermore, Medication-assisted Treatment (MAT) makes use of carefully administered drugs like Naltrexone, Buprenorphine, and Suboxone to reduce opioid addiction and related deaths, and increase the likelihood that an individual will remain in treatment long-term.

MAT is most effective when combined with behavioral therapies, counseling, and group support. These approaches are used in combination with MAT to ensure that clients have the best chance for a successful recovery and maintaining abstinence after treatment.

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, contact us today and find out how we help people free themselves from the chains of addiction!