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
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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