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Hydrocodone Addiction Drug
Rehab
Hydrocodone abuse has been escalating over the
last decade. There has been large scale diversion of hydrocodone. For example,
an estimated 7 million dosage units were diverted in 1994 and over 11 million
in 1997. In 1998 there were over 56 million new prescriptions written for
hydrocodone products and by 2000 there were over 89 million. From 1990 the
average consumption nationwide has increased by 300%. In the same period there
has been a 500% increase in the number of Emergency Department visits
attributed to hydrocodone abuse with 19,221 visits estimated in 2000. In 1997,
there were over 1.3 million hydrocodone tablets seized and analyzed by the DEA
laboratory system. A recent petition submitted to the DEA has requested a
review of the control status of all hydrocodone-containing products.
Illicit Uses of Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is
abused for its opiate-like effects. It is equipotent to morphine in relieving
abstinence symptoms from chronic morphine administration. The Schedule III
status of hydrocodone-containing products 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. The drug is most often administered orally. The growing awareness and
concern about AIDS and blood-borne pathogens easily transmitted by syringe
needle use, has made the oral bioavailability of hydrocodone attractive to the
typical opiate abuser.
As with most opiates, the adverse effects of
hydrocodone 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.
User Population
Every age
group has been affected by the relative ease of hydrocodone availability and
the perceived safety of these products by professionals. Sometimes seen as a
"white-collar" addiction, hydrocodone abuse has increased among all ethnic and
economic groups. DAWN data demographics suggest that the most likely
hydrocodone abuser is a 20-40 yr old, white, female, who uses the drug because
she is dependent or trying to commit suicide. However, hydrocodone-related
deaths have been reported from every age grouping.
Illicit Distribution of Hydrocodone Hydrocodone-containing
products are in tablet, capsule and liquid forms. A variety of colors,
markings, and packaging are available. The major source of hydrocodone to the
street has been through bogus call-in and forged prescriptions, professional
diversion through unscrupulous pharmacists, doctors, and dentists, and
large-scale thefts. The pills have been sold for $2 to $10 per tablet and $20
to $40 per 8 oz bottle on the street. |
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