Hydrocodone: Effects, Addiction, and Prescription Drug Abuse
This paper provides an overview of hydrocodone, an opioid painkiller and antitussive commonly prescribed in combination products. It traces the drug's history and formulations, examines its physiological and psychological effects—including euphoria, dopamine release, tolerance, and addiction—and discusses the 2013 FDA approval of Zohydro, a high-dose pure hydrocodone product that drew significant controversy. The paper also addresses hydrocodone's broader societal impact, noting that 52 million Americans have abused prescription painkillers and that the United States consumes 75% of the world's prescription drugs despite representing only 5% of the global population. The paper concludes with recommendations for more judicious prescribing and improved public education about the risks of opioid medications.
- Introduction: Hydrocodone's uses, classification, and abuse potential
- History and Formulations: Formulations, dosages, and the Zohydro controversy
- Effects of Hydrocodone: Euphoria, dopamine, tolerance, and side effects
- Hydrocodone's Impact on Society: U.S. prescription drug abuse statistics and trends
- Conclusion: Recommendations for safer prescribing and public education
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper frames its argument clearly from the outset, acknowledging hydrocodone's legitimate medical value while foregrounding the risks of abuse and addiction.
- It incorporates specific statistics from authoritative sources (NIH, FDA, Medline Plus) to ground claims about the scale of the prescription drug crisis.
- The inclusion of the Zohydro controversy adds currency and illustrates the ongoing tension between pharmaceutical efficacy and public health risk.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper uses the technique of balanced evaluation: it does not simply condemn hydrocodone as dangerous or praise it as beneficial, but weighs both its palliative function and its potential for harm. This allows the conclusion to make a measured policy recommendation—more careful prescribing and better public education—rather than an absolutist claim.
Structure breakdown
The paper follows a straightforward five-section structure: an introduction establishing the drug's purpose and central tension, a history section covering formulations and recent regulatory developments, an effects section examining physiological and psychological outcomes, a societal impact section supported by national statistics, and a conclusion offering practical recommendations. This linear organization suits the informational and persuasive goals of the paper.
Introduction
If you have ever had a persistent cough and tried over-the-counter medications, you know that Tylenol and gargling with salt water are sometimes not enough to relieve the discomfort of a lingering cough. Hydrocodone is often prescribed as a temporary remedy in combination with other drugs to reduce pain and suppress coughing. The drug appears in a number of medications, almost invariably compounded with other substances to relieve pain. Hydrocodone is classified as both an opiate and an antitussive, meaning it inhibits coughing. "Hydrocodone relieves pain by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. Hydrocodone relieves cough by decreasing activity in the part of the brain that causes coughing" ("Hydrocodone Combination Products," Medline Plus). However, despite its potential benefits, the drug also carries an addictive potential that cannot be disregarded. The palliative benefits of the drug must be carefully weighed against the potential for abuse.
History and Formulations
Hydrocodone products come in a number of different formulations, including pills and syrups, as well as extended-release capsules or solutions. Standard dosages are taken every 4 to 6 hours, while extended-release formats are taken every 12 hours as needed. Hydrocodone has long been controversial because it derives from the opiate family and is similar in composition to oxycodone. Abusers often "crush, snort, or inject the drugs" to enhance the high produced by the drug ("Hydrocodone Combination Products," Medline Plus). Designing pills to resist crushing and snorting has become an increasingly common deterrent employed by drug manufacturers.
The FDA recently approved a new form of hydrocodone. "Zohydro is made from high-dose hydrocodone undiluted with acetaminophen" (Liebelson 1). This decision was highly criticized. "This drug will almost certainly cause dependence in the people that are intended to take it," noted one critic, much as hydrocodone in its existing form already does (Liebelson 1). However, the FDA cited the drug's efficacy in its defense. "Researchers gave Zohydro to about 1,500 patients. One phase of the study, which weighed the drug against a sugar pill, showed that subjects taking Zohydro for chronic lower back pain reported less pain than those who received the placebo over a 12-week period" (Liebelson 1). Nevertheless, the study remained controversial because it did not compare the effects of non-pharmaceutical treatments, such as physical therapy, with the hydrocodone variant.
Effects of Hydrocodone
The primary effect of hydrocodone is pain relief accompanied by a relatively mild high. "When describing what the hydrocodone high is like, some users report feeling a sense of euphoria" ("The Effects of Hydrocodone Use," Coalition Against Drug Abuse). Hydrocodone increases the amount of dopamine circulating in the body—a "feel good" neurotransmitter that is often deficient in people with depression. Over time, however, this sense of euphoria becomes blunted, leading to escalating drug tolerance and addiction.
It should also be noted that even non-addicted users experience negative side effects from the drug, including constipation, fatigue, and nausea ("The Effects of Hydrocodone Use," Coalition Against Drug Abuse). Because hydrocodone produces physical withdrawal symptoms similar to those associated with heroin, some form of support is usually needed to facilitate recovery. Some people become addicted after being legitimately prescribed the medication for pain, while others were never prescribed the drug at all and obtain it from friends or acquaintances. Addiction is possible under both circumstances.
Conclusion
The pervasiveness of hydrocodone prescribing is troubling. While it has legitimate uses, its side effects are severe and the potential for addiction is high. Moreover, for many of the conditions for which it is prescribed, less risky and less addictive alternatives exist. Prescribing hydrocodone should be done carefully and judiciously. It is also essential to better educate the public about the relative risks of prescription opioids compared to illicit drugs: simply because hydrocodone is prescribed by a physician does not mean that it is safe to abuse it. Evidence of how people obtain the drug suggests that properly securing medication and refraining from sharing unused prescriptions with friends and family is a core component of reducing abuse—one that ordinary, concerned citizens can act on directly.
Works Cited
"The Effects of Hydrocodone Use." Coalition Against Drug Abuse. Web. 29 Dec. 2014.
"Hydrocodone Combination Products." Medline Plus. Oct. 2014. Web. 29 Dec. 2014.
Liebelson, Dana. "Defying Medical Board, FDA Approves Painkiller That Could Be the Next OxyContin." Mother Jones. 13 Nov. 2013. Web. 29 Dec. 2014.
"Popping Pills: Prescription Drug Abuse in America." NIH. Jan. 2014. Web. 29 Dec. 2014.
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