Drug Addiction - Lortab

Drug addiction - Lortab is a narcotic analgesic, meaning of course that just like morphine both addiction and lethal overdose are possibilities. Lortab is actually composed of two drugs acetaminophen (Tylenol) which is a safe drug if used in moderate doses but which can cause severe liver damage if used in very high doses. The real problem lies in the second component of Lortab, namely, hydrocodone. The hydrocodone in Lortab, just like morphine, kills the pain but is both psychologically and physically addictive.

This drug is just one of more than 200 other products that contain hydrocodone, is regulated by state and federal law, but it is not controlled as closely as other powerful painkillers. The lack of regulation makes them vulnerable to widespread drug addiction - Lortab abuse through forged prescriptions, theft, over-prescription, and "doctor shopping." Lortab pills have been sold for $2 to $10 per tablet and $20 to $40 per 8 oz bottle on the street.

Lortab abuse is not uncommon because of its opiate-like effects. The Schedule III status of hydrocodone-containing products such as Lortab has made them available to widespread diversion by "bogus call-in prescriptions" and thefts. Three dosage forms are typically found (5, 7.5, and 10 mg) and their behavioral effects can last up to 5 hours. Individual who have a Lortab abuse problem often take the drug orally. As with most opiates, the adverse effects of Lortab abuse are dependence and tolerance development. Its co-formulation with acetaminophen has also increased the likelihood of acetaminophen-induced hepatic necrosis with high dose acute dosing, but slow escalation of dose over time seems to protect the liver during high dose chronic exposures seen with this drug.

Lortab is used to treat and control chronic or severe pain. The medication must be used in a careful and well-controlled manner because of the high risk abuse and Lortab addiction. Sometimes a patient can have absolutely no history of drug abuse and once prescribed Lortab, can become addicted within a period of several weeks. Other patients begin taking a prescribed dosage and go on to increase their dose of Lortab without their doctor�s consent. Then, there are those with severe drug addiction - Lortab addiction problems who will go "doctor shopping" (hop from doctor to doctor) seeking to feed their addiction.

The first report that Lortab produced a noticeable euphoria and symptoms of Lortab addiction was published in 1923; the first report of Lortab addiction in the U.S. was published in 1961. Every age group has been affected by the relative ease of Lortab availability and the perceived safety of this product by professionals. Sometimes seen as a "white-collar" addiction, Lortab addiction has increased among all ethnic and economic groups. DAWN data demographics suggest that the most likely Lortab abuser is a 20-40 yr old, white, female, who uses the drug because she is dependent or trying to commit suicide. However, Lortab-related deaths have been reported from every age group.

Drug addiction - Lortab addiction can happen to any individual who abuses the drug. The simple reason is that addictive drugs such as Lortab mimic the action of chemicals that are produced in the brain, sending messages of pleasure to the brain's reward center. This produces an artificial feeling of pleasure. Individuals who have a Lortab addiction problem become accustomed to having the drug produce these pleasurable effects by chemically acting like certain normal brain messenger chemicals.

This then produces positive feelings in response to the signals sent from the brain. The result is addiction due to the immediate, fast, predictable effects of Lortab. At the same time, the individual�s use of Lortab short circuits interests and motivation to make life's normal rewards work. More and more confidence is placed on Lortab while other survival feelings are ignored and bypassed. The result of this drug addiction - Lortab addiction cycle is a lack of concern for, and confidence in, other areas of life.

By altering the perception of pain at the spinal cord and brain, Lortab can induce an opioid analgesia effect in some patients. The side effects of Lortab medication also affects a person�s emotional response to pain and can have a stimulatory effect because it blocks inhibitions. With long-term drug addiction - Lortab addiction, a user can experience irreparable harm to the function of the nervous system.

Lortab Side Effects:

allergic reactions
anxiety
blood disorders
constipation
decreased mental and physical capability
difficulty urinating
dizziness or lightheadedness
drowsiness
dry mouth
fear
flushing
hearing loss
itching
mental clouding
mood changes
nausea / vomiting
pinpoint pupils
restlessness
skin rash
slowed breathing
sluggishness
unusual fatigue or weakness

Symptoms of a Lortab overdose include: muscle spasticity , slow and labored breathing, shallow breathing , pinpoint pupils, bluish skin (fingernails and lips), cold and clammy skin, heavy perspiration, spasms of the stomach and/or intestinal tract, constipation, vomiting, weak pulse, low blood pressure / slow heartbeat, drowsiness, coma, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, gas or heartburn, dry mouth, itching, flushing, chest pain or irregular heartbeat, severe rash, unusual weakness, fever, chills, muscle aches and pains, lightheadedness, nausea / vomiting, unusual fatigue or weakness, allergic reactions, anxiety, blood disorders, decreased mental and physical capability, mental clouding , difficulty urinating, fear, hearing loss, mood changes, restlessness, skin rash, sluggishness, and flushing.

The intensity of a person�s drug addiction - Lortab withdrawal symptoms depends on the degree of their dependence on the drug. For example, the symptoms of withdrawal from Lortab may grow stronger for twenty-four to seventy-two hours and then gradually decline over a period of seven to fourteen days. Cessation of Lortab is best accomplished at a drug rehabilitation center, where Lortab withdrawal can be managed. Assisted Lortab withdrawal is safer and also increases the chance that an individual will completely recover from their addiction.

The appropriate rehabilitation duration for an individual in Lortab rehab depends on their drug addiction - Lortab abuse. Research indicates that for most, the threshold of significant improvement is reached at about 3 months in treatment. After this point, additional treatment can produce further progress toward recovery. There are no quick fixes for drug addiction; rehabilitation takes as long as it takes.