Long term effects of hydrocodone on the brain (INFOGRAPHIC)

Specific long term effects of hydrocodone on the brain

Hydrocodone’s effects on the nervous system

• can cause respiratory depression
• can cause unconsciousness
• delirium
• difficulty thinking
• impaired mental abilities
• slows brain activity

Hydrocodone’s effects on the neurotransmitters

• acts on mu-receptors
• acts on sigma-receptors
• acts on kappa-receptors
• acts on the delta-receptors

Hydrocodone’s effects on the personality

• changes in personality
• low self-confidence
• social isolation

Hydrocodone’s effects on behavior

• abnormally cheerful mood
• abnormally despondent mood
• anger
• anxiety
• emotional liability
• paranoid behavior
• unusual thoughts

Psychological effects

• addiction
• cravings and compulsion
• decrease in awareness or responsiveness
• mental depression
• sudden mood swings
• vivid dreams

What are typical doses?

Abuse typical doses

• per day first time users …… 5-10 mg
• per day tolerant users ……… 10-15 mg
• per day addicts …… 20-30 mg

Lethal typical doses

• reported fatal dose ………… 90 mg
• 9 times the maximum dose prescribed

How long is “long term”?

Generally, long term use of hydrocodone is daily dosing which continues for more than 6 months. But long term opioid use is measured differently in various combinations with other chemical substances.

Chronic = repetitive and pattern-followed hydrocodone abuse that reflects negative consequences on:

• financial balance
• health condition
• social connections