Hydrocodone

The Benefits and Dangers of Hydrocodone
Today, the United States is suffering from a veritable epidemic of prescription drug abuse, including both legitimate and illicit uses of these otherwise legal drugs including most especially the analgesic hydrocodone. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature to provide a description of the origin of hydrocodone, the effects of the drug on the human body and how it is typically introduced into the body. In addition, a discussion concerning slang references for hydrocodone and its current street costs is followed by current usage statistics, a description of applicable laws and a physical description of hydrocodone. Finally, the paper presents a summary of the literature review and key findings about the research concerning hydrocodone in the conclusion.
Origin of hydrocodone
Although the prescription abuse epidemic that is sweeping the country is relatively recent in origins, the origin of semisynthetic hydrocodone dates back nearly a century to 1920 when Helene Lowenheim and Carl Mannich, two chemists from Germany, first succeeded in synthesizing the drug (The history of hydrocodone, 2018). It was not until 1943, however, during the height of World War II, that the Food and Drug Administration approved hydrocodone for use in the United States and the drug has since been approved for use in other Western nations including Great Britain and Canada (The history of hydrocodone, 2018).
The effect of hydrocodone the body
Besides the highly desired sense of euphoria hydrocodone produces, the drug also provides an analgesic, pain-killing effect for which it was originally intended and for which it continues to be prescribed (Fiscella & Gibson, 2018). It is important to note, however, that hydrocodone can also result in slowed or even stopped breathing, especially during the first 2 to 3 days of use (Hydrocodone overview, 2018). The drug is also highly addictive and can cause severe withdrawal symptoms that frequently require clinical management upon cessation (Fiscella & Gibson, 2018).
Method of introduction of hydrocodone into the body
The conventional method of introduction of hydrocodone into the human body is orally; however, some hydrocodone abusers have been known to dissolve several capsules or tablets and inject them directly into the body in order to achieve a greater effect. Clinicians, though, caution that this method of introduction is incredibly dangerous and potentially fatal and the high concentrations of acetaminophen found in many hydrocodone preparations can cause severe liver damage.(Villa, 2018).
Slang references for hydrocodone
Not surprisingly, a number of slang references have emerged for hydrocodone in recent years, including the following:
· 357s;
· Bananas;
· Dro;
· Fluff;
· Hydro;
· Tabs;
· Norco;
· Vics/Vikes; and;
· Watsons (Hydrocodone drug slang/code words, 2018).
Current cost of hydrocodone on the street
Although legal hydrocodone preparations only cost about $1.50 per dosage, the street costs are naturally far higher and range from $5 to $20 or more depending on the venue (Kavilanz, 2018).
Usage statistics
Although precise numbers concerning the actual prevalence of hydrocodone abuse are unavailable due to the clandestine nature of much of its production and distribution, some indication of the alarming extent of its usage nationwide can be discerned from the following statistics:
· In 2013, doctors wrote more than 136 million prescriptions for hydrocodone and hydrocodone combination products;
· Approximately 1,000 Americans visit are treated at emergency rooms due to abusing prescription opioids each day; and,
· In 2011, an estimated 82,480 emergency department visits were associated with hydrocodone use (Villa, 2018, para. 3).
Applicable laws
Beginning in October 2014, hydrocodone was reclassified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as a schedule II controlled substance which prohibits refills and stricter prescribing protocols (Hydrocodone reclassification, 2014).
Physical description
Hydrocodone is available in tablet, elixir, capsule and syrup form (Villa, 2018).
Conclusion
It is part of the human condition to want to alleviate pain and suffering, and it is little wonder that so much research and development has been devoted to developing pain-killing drugs. The research showed, though, that one of the unfortunate consequences of many effective analgesics such as hydrocodone is their powerful habit-forming effect, an attribute that has exacerbated the nation’s current opioid addition crisis. It is reasonable to conclude that the epidemic will continue to worsen in intensity and scope unless and until more effective enforcement and rehabilitation strategies are developed to combat the widespread illicit use of drugs such as hydrocodone.



References
Fiscella, K. & Gibson, B. (2018, May/June). Management techniques for opioid-dependent inmates. American Jails, 32(2), 8.
Hydrocodone drug slang/code words. (2018). Clinical Pain Advisor. Retrieved from https://www.clinicalpainadvisor.com/dea-drug-slang-code-words/hydrocodone-drug-slangcode-words/article/678817/.
Hydrocodone overview. (2018). MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus. gov/druginfo/meds/a614045.html,
Hydrocodone reclassification. (2014). American Medical Association Wire. Retrieved from https://wire.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/6-things-you-need-know-about-hydrocodone-reclassification.
Kavilanz, P. (2018, June 1). Prescription drugs worth millions to dealers. CNN Money. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2011/06/01/news/economy/prescription_drug_ abuse/index.htm.
The history of hydrocodone. (2018). Forever Recovery. Retrieved from http://aforever recovery.com/drug-addiction/painkiller/the-history-of-hydrocodone/.
Villa, L. (2018). The serious side effects of shooting hydrocodone. Rehabs. Retrieved from https://luxury.rehabs.com/iv-drug-use/shooting-hydrocodone-lortab-or-vicodin/.