how much hydrocodone will kill you

Hydrocodone Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and TreatmentSign up for our free newsletters. How Opioids KillWhat happens in the body during a fatal overdose? And why is fentanyl responsible for more deaths than ever? One night this fall, a patient entered the emergency room in Brigham and the Women's Hospital in Boston. "I don't feel so..." he murmured, before losing consciousness. His breathing was shallow and his pupils were views, typical symptoms of opioid overdose. Your care team came into action. They injected it with 0.4 milligrams of naloxone, an overdose antidote, but did not respond. Then they tried a milligram, then two, then four. They all used 12 milligrams in just five minutes, says Edward Boyer, the doctor who supervised his care that night. However, the patient still had trouble breathing. They put a tube in the throat and connected it to a fan. Twenty minutes later he woke up, agitated himself and withdrew the drug, but lived. The patient, whose identification data could have been altered to protect the confidentiality of patients, had apparently been injected with a synthetic opioid like the fentanyl right outside the hospital building. That gave her enough time to find help. But many users of synthetic opioids are not so lucky. These drugs, which have little chemical likeness with any opioids derived from the opium poppy, are much more powerful than heroin based on the opium poppy and semi-synthetic opioids such as oxycodone or hydrocodone. Therefore, the standard dose of naloxone used by the first equipment (and sold in support overdose kits) is not powerful enough to save the life of a synthetic opioid user. Recent data indicate that the increase in these synthetics is proving especially deadly. Between 2015 and 2016, the rate of overdose deaths reported by synthetic opioids, which mean fentanyl and similar drugs, as well as analgesic tramadol, accounts for about 6 deaths per 100,000 people in 2016 and contributes to more than 63,000 drug overdose deaths that year. But how do these drugs really kill people? When a person smokes, sprinkles or injects an opioid, the substance enters the bloodstream, then the brain. There he can act in the muopioid receptors, says Eric Strain, director of the Center for the Treatment and Research of Substance Abuse at Johns Hopkins University. "Once the drug joins those opioid receptors and activates them, a waterfall of psychological and physical actions is established; it produces euphoric effects, but also produces respiratory depressive effects," Strain says. As a result, victims of fatal overdose usually die of respiratory depression, literally drowning death because they cannot get enough oxygen to feed the demands of the brain and other organ systems. This happens for several reasons, says Bertha Madras, professor of psychobiology at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School. When the medication binds to the mu-opioid receptors it may have a sedation effect, which suppresses brain activity that controls the breathing rate. It also makes it difficult to signal diaphragm, which otherwise moves to expand or contract the lungs. Opioids also depress the ability of the brain to monitor and respond to carbon dioxide when it accumulates to dangerous levels in the blood. "It's just the most diabolical way to die, because all the reflexes you have to rescue you have been suppressed by opioids," says Madras. Saving Lives with an Antidote OpioidNaloxone can short circuit that spirals mortal. He runs those same receptors and is on hold. So, as soon as an opioid molecule falls from the receptor (as it would normally do every few seconds or minutes), naloxone immediately shakes and takes its place before the medication can bind again. This stops respiratory depressive actions, and often sends a user to an agonizing drug removal. But synthetic opioids present two problems that can interfere with the process of saving Naloxone's lives. One is a matter of time: These substances are so powerful that they can act very quickly, suppressing a person's breathing before naloxone has the opportunity to reach its goal. The second problem is power: Synthetic drugs bind to receptors much more than a substance derived from opium such as heroin or a semi-synthetic opioids such as oxycodone, so the antidote has difficulty reaching its destination. What can be done? To surround these obstacles, doctors can give a patient multiple injections of naloxone—with overwhelming force of drugs competing for a place in key objectives in the brain. The situation in the mu-opioid receptors is similar to a crowd waiting to buy tickets for the baseball game, Madras explains. "If 20 Bostonians all want to see a Red Sox game and there are 300 Yankees fans around, the 300 Yankees fans are going to have a 15-fold chance of getting the tickets to the game because there are many more of them. It's not that Yankees fans are pushing Red Sox fans out of the way, it's just that there's a lot more of them, and therefore it's a probability issue." That number of numbers, combined with the recent increase in synthetic opioid overdose, has revived the debate on the adjustment of the default amount of naloxone used for overdose. The main question is: To increase the likelihood that this antidote has an opportunity to save someone's life, if the doses of naloxone are increased for all, basically betting that a seemingly overdose patient has consumed a washed medication with a synthetic opioids such as fentanyl? Some doctors and researchers suggest starting patients in two milligrams of the antidote instead of 0.4 milligrams. "But now you get into the whole question of the cost of naloxone and its availability," Strain says. (Naloxone is an expensive medicine. In Baltimore, for example, it now costs $37.50 per dose, according to the city's health department.) And there's another catch: A large dose of naloxone can make drug withdrawal worse. "That's a danger in itself, because people who go to retreat can vomit and breathe that and aspire to their vomit, taking it," says Madras. In addition, some individuals who experience retirement can be violent, endangering others. A patient who suffers from an intense retirement can also get sick, discourages that person from trying to leave and enter a treatment center, he adds. Some opioid researchers have floated the idea of developing respiratory stimulants that a first staff can easily deploy to start a person's breathing without having to point to the mu-opioid receptors. But so far there has been little research in this direction. For now, Strain says he would first advocate to implement higher doses of naloxone, because that substance is available and addresses the problem in its source. In the meantime, Madras thinks there might be another option. He suggests that both emergency response workers and opioid users families should have additional doses of standard-dose naloxone by hand. Then, in order to combat extreme withdrawal, the first professional teams should be allowed to administer medicines such as buprenorphine. This prescription drug, often used to manage opioid dependence, is directed to the same receptors in the brain as other opioids and can relieve drug cravings without giving a user the same high. At the same time, says Madras, more data on overdose should be gathered, including: how often people are saved by naloxone, what levels of the substance were needed and who administered it, a Madras recommendation and other members of the President Donald Trump Commission to Combat Drug Addiction and Opioid Crisis included in its final report this last fall. "What we see in literature is not systematic, national data at all," he says, because health workers are not required to report on incidents of opioid overdose. As a result of this and other data gaps, it remains difficult to combat the aspects of this crisis, says Madras. For example, a recent study found on patients who have overdosed continues to receive opioid prescriptions from their doctors. The reason that continues to occur, he says, is "there are no reporting requirements that say a doctor should be informed that a patient has overdosed." About the AUTOR(S)Dina Fine MaronDina Fine Maron, former associate editor of Scientific American, is now a research reporter on wildlife trade in National Geographic. Credit: Nick HigginsRecent Articles Read this NextMajor Science Report establishes a plan to reduce the opioid crisisJuly 13, 2017 — Dina Fine Maron Fight against the opioid crisis with vaccines and better chemistryAugust 17, 2017 — Dina Fine MaronWave of Overdoses with Little-Known Drug Raises Alarm Amid Opioid Crisis Mailelav Sign up for our email newsletter. Support Science Journalism Discover the science that changes the world. Explore our digital file back to 1845, including articles from more than 150 Nobel Prize winners. Follow usAmerican arabic scientist© 2021 Scientific American, a Division of Springer Nature America, Inc. All rights reserved. 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Treatment professionals are waiting for your call: Highlights Centre Hydrocodone symptoms and warning signs , Frequently asked questions Meet our Medical Director COVID-19 Directory Binge drink is intensification Presenting Dr. Ashish Bhatt Hydrocodone symptoms and warning signs People can rely on hydrocodone within a week of normal use. Warning signs for hydrocodone addiction include withdrawals that may require detoxification. Start the path to recovery Carein's room. Call Now for:Central addiction is not affiliated with any insurance. With only 30 days in a rehabilitation center, you can get clean and sober, start therapy, join a support group, and learn ways to manage your cravings. Get help today Get professional education for rehabilitation and addiction from a qualified doctor today! More information Recognizing the Signs of Hydrocodone Addiction is a pain-relieving central hazardous system (CNS) depressant with high potential for misuse, abuse, dependency, and the development of a substance use disorder (SUD). Because hydrocodone is a powerful semi-, people can depend on the drug within a week of normal use. Typically, hydrocodone addiction begins with a recipe that many patients build a tolerance within a short period of time. To overcome body tolerance and feel the effects of hydrocodone, people may take increasing amounts of pills or crush them and remove them for amplified effects. Despite the negative consequences of their actions, people with an addiction to hydrocodone feel the compulsive need to obtain hydrocodone. The signs and symptoms of an addiction to hydrocodone are presented below. The American Psychiatry Association (APA) determines the criteria for the SUDs and releases the information in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). A SUD can be diagnosed as mild, moderate or severe. In the most recent manual, the DSM-V, signs of an addiction to , including illicit hydrocodone and opiates as , imply:Get confidential help 24/7. Call Now For: Symptoms of Drug Abuse and AbuseAs a state above, hydrocodone (also known as ®, ®, Lortab® and others) is a powerfully addictive analgesic that has a high potential for abuse, abuse and addiction. Using hydrocodone for even 5 days can lead to physical dependence; many who have been using them for a month still use them a year later. Below are symptoms of using opioids to recognize when someone is abusing hydrocodone. Signs of hydrocodone abuse include: How are you ready to get help? Don't lose another second. Enter your number to receive a call from a compassionate treatment expert. Make a call - O - The dangers of hydrocodone: Side effects of short- and long-term abuse The effects of hydrocodone are similar to those of morphine and heroin because the three opioid drugs interact with the same parts of the brain. Hydrocodone also interacts with the reward system of the brain, which reinforces continued use by allowing the body to adjust to the presence of the medication and, in a short time, come to depend on it. Continuous abuse of hydrocodone can cause short- and long-term damage to the body and mental health of the user. Long-term addiction to hydrocodone may cause serious health consequences. Often, chronic health problems develop because the individual cannot feel pain signals that make them know when they are experiencing disease or injury. Many times, the individual will not be aware of health problems until they detoxify. Some health concerns include:Gastrointestinal problemsCronic constipation due to hydrocodone addiction causes damage to the intestines. This can lead to hemorrhoids, tear the skin in and around the anus, fecal impact, or even cause rectal prolapse. There is also risk of nerve damage around the anus, and a growing risk of ulcers. In addition, gastrointestinal bleeding is associated with addiction to hydrocodone drugs containing acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol®). Respiratory damageThe use of large amounts of hydrocodone in the long term reduces the respiratory rate of an individual, which in turn reduces how much oxygen your body takes. This can cause damage to various organ systems, including the brain. It may also increase the risk of sudden death for people suffering sleep apnea or lung disease. People who crush and smoke hydrocodone can also damage their lungs by smoking hard chemicals. Get help during COVID-19 With only 30 days in a rehabilitation center, you can get clean and sober, start therapy, join a support group, and learn ways to manage your cravings. Endocrine System DamageThe chronic and heavy use of hydrocodone decreases hormone levels in the body. Some of these hormones include estrogen and testosterone, which can cause fertility damage, making it difficult for some men and women to conceive. Low hormone levels can also result in increased risk of depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, osteoporosis due to loss of muscle mass and increased risk of bone fractures. One study found that hormone levels in women addicted to hydrocodone were between 30 and 70% lower in estrogen levels than normal. Hyperalgesia (Increased Pain Responses) Individuals with hydrocodone-use disorders are at high risk of damaging opioid receptors in the brain, affecting how the brain manages pain responses. Numerous studies have reported that people who have a history of long-term opioid use are much more likely to experience intense pain. After years of opioid abuse, many people have greater pain sensitivity. This results in the need for longer periods of time to recover from injury or surgery and experience intense cravings to use hydrocodone to relieve pain. Brain damage Significant abuse of hydrocodone may alter the release and absorption of chemicals in the brain, especially neurotransmitters that regulate mood (such as serotonin and dopamine). Taking high doses of hydrocodone for long periods of time can cause large doses of neurotransmitters to feel good to flood the brain. Over time, this will change the structures associated with emotional control, rational thinking, memory and learning. Long-term oxygen deprivation will also cause damage to brain structures. Some damages are reversible but it may take years to adjust. However, some symptoms may not be completely reversible. There is also risk of irreversible brain damage due to lack of blood flow after an overdose of hydrocodone due to respiratory failure. Strokes, for example, falls into this category. Loss of lambs The loss of blood flow that occurs during an overdose of hydrocodone may require amputation of one or more limbs. Liver damageThe hydrocodone variants containing acetaminophen also pose a high risk of liver damage or failure. Studies show that 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in one day can cause acute or chronic liver injury, including cirrhosis and possibly liver failure. For this reason, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reduced the acceptable level of acetaminophen to no more than 325 mg in hydrocodone-based drugs. Before these new regulations, Hydrocodone once again contained twice that amount. Get confidential help 24/7. Call Now for:Hydrocodone Symptom removal, treatment and next stepsRegional use of hydrocodone may result in a physical dependency and addiction. Opioid dependency and addition cause painful withdrawal symptoms when a person tries to stop taking the medication or reduce the amount they use. Addiction is a chronic neurobiological disease characterized by behaviors such as the inability to control drug use, continued use despite negative consequences, and persistent cravings. Essentially, the withdrawal symptoms of hydrocodone produce the opposite effects that the medication produces. For example, while the abuse of hydrocodone causes euphoria effects, withdrawal induces depression. Also, the misuse of any opioids can cause excessive fatigue, while withdrawal causes insomnia. Some withdrawal symptoms may be life-threatening (such as vomiting and diarrhea) if they are not supervised by a medical professional. As such, detoxification and rehabilitation in a qualified addiction treatment facility is vital. In addition to treatment and addiction therapy, it is important for a hydrocodone recovery addict to find support through local groups, therapists or counselors, and family and friends. Rehabilitation programs can help people focus on recovery and establish new ways to manage pain and stress without using hydrocodone. Other benefits of rehabilitation are: If you or someone you care about is fighting, Last Edition: September 18, 2020 Destiny Bezrutczyk is a digital content writer from West Iowa. He received a bachelor's degree in English and Literature from the University of Texas Tech. After working as an independent writer of scripts and blogs, he started writing content for tech startups. Keeping a passion for words, he took a variety of projects where his writing could help people (especially those who fight mental health and substance use disorders). Clinical Comment: July 15, 2019 David Hampton All information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional. David embarked on his journey to sobriety in June 2005, which led him to his current career as a certified professional addiction recovery coach in private practice at Greater Nashville. David is also a public speaker and the author of two books. David is co-host of the weekly Positivo Sobriety Podcast, as well as being a frequent collaborator of various items and materials based on recovery. As a member of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Councillors (NAADAC), David works closely with Nashville area treatment centres, non-profit recovery organizations, and consults with religious groups that try to bridge the gap between recovery communities and religious organizations that want to understand addiction. Get help today Don't go through the recovery process alone. There are people who can help you with the struggle you face. Contact one today. Make a CallGet a Call Enter your phone number below to request a call from a treatment professional. Request a habit of CallBad to hold him back? Change your lifestyle today Entrepreneur Keir Weimer created a system called free lifestyle to give purpose to his life after realizing that he had a serious problem with alcohol. A tragic accident that claimed Weimer's friend's life and landed Weimer in prison for 3 and a half years was the beginning of Weimer's motivation to live differently. Copyright © 2021 AddictionCenter.com For immediate treatment help call: AddictionCenter.com is a referral service that provides information about practitioners and addiction treatment facilities. AddictionCenter.com is not a medical provider or treatment service and does not provide medical advice. AddictionCenter.com does not support any treatment installation or guarantee the quality of the care given, or the results to be achieved, by any treatment facility. The information provided by AddictionCenter.com is not a substitute for professional treatment advice. Treatment professionals They're waiting for your call. Take the first step in recovery today. A paid treatment center for your center promoted here. Take control of your life Our treatment providers offer 24/7 assistance. Make a call - Where are the calls? Calls to numbers in a specific list of the treatment center will be routed to that treatment center. Additional calls will also be sent and returned by one of our treatment partners below. Where are the conversations? The chats will be received and answered by one of our treatment partners below.

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