Overuse or misuse of hydrocodone can quickly lead to an addiction that spirals out of control causing a number of serious side effects and complications for the user. Early recognition of the signs of hydrocodone addiction may help you to make the courageous decision to seek professional help for yourself or for someone you love before it’s too late.

The following signs may signify a possible hydrocodone addiction:

• Using Hydrocodone that isn’t prescribed.
• Taking Hydrocodone for any recreational purpose.
• Taking Hydrocodone for emotional stress or to cope with anything other than pain.
• Spending excessive amounts of time out of each day trying to find hydrocodone, use hydrocodone or recovering from the use of hydrocodone.
• Acting as if there is nothing more important in the world than hydrocodone.
• Neglecting personal responsibilities such as homework, regular work, household chores or your children as a result of your decision to use drugs.
• Doing everything you can to keep a steady, unending supply of hydrocodone on hand.
• Developing a tolerance to hydrocodone that requires you to take more and more of the drug in order to gain the same euphoric effects as you once did with a much lower dose.
• Making excuses to find or use hydrocodone when you should be doing other things.
• Using money that is meant for bills or to handle other expenses on hydrocodone, allowing other elements of your financial security to falter as a result of your drug use.
• Getting into fights with your loved ones, spouse or family members because you use hydrocodone.
• Making promises to others or to yourself about cutting back or completely quitting hydrocodone use and then falling back and using anyway.
• Feeling sick when you don’t have hydrocodone.
• Feeling as if your life is worthless or like there is no point in getting up if there isn’t hydrocodone.
• Having a complete lack of control over your drug use.
• Quitting and then relapsing.

Taking more of a medication than prescribed or running out early may indicate addiction is developing.

According to UCLA, the following physical signs of Hydrocodone addiction may also be evident in a regular user:

• Labored or slowed breathing
• Confusion or memory lapses
• A lack of sensation to pain
• Sedation
• Insomnia or changes in sleep patterns
• Tremors or shakiness
• Nausea and vomiting or changes in eating habits

If you suspect that someone you know may be addicted to hydrocodone, early detection and seeking help right away may prevent some of the most serious side effects from occurring. Prolonged use of this drug can lead to changes in the thought processes, reward sensations and other areas of the brain that will only make recovery a more difficult and trying journey. The best time to seek help is just as soon as you realize that hydrocodone addiction is a problem in your life or in the life of someone you care about.