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Hydrocodone vs Codeine: What You Should Know

December 19, 2022

When it comes to hydrocodone vs. codeine, there is a lot of confusion even among heavy users. There are a variety of health conditions that can lead individuals to need either of these opioids. And while hydrocodone and codeine are both effective painkillers, they both carry a strong risk of addiction.

Hydrocodone Vs Codeine What You Should Know

Hydrocodone vs Codeine: What You Should Know

What Is Hydrocodone?

It’s not uncommon for individuals to have lingering chronic pain after their service. And depending on your unique situation, a physician may have written you a prescription for hydrocodone vs. codeine.

So, what is hydrocodone? Well, hydrocodone is a chemically manufactured opioid that’s often combined with acetaminophen. While the drug originates from the opium poppy, it is then synthesized in a lab, making this a man-made opioid.

Hydrocodone belongs to a group of medicines called narcotic analgesics and is one of the most prescribed oral pain relievers. This Schedule II narcotic alleviates pain by changing the way your brain and central nervous system (CNS) respond to discomfort. Specifically, hydrocodone works by binding and activating the mu-opioid receptor in the CNS.

Effects of this binding can result in the following effects:

  • Pain relief
  • Euphoria
  • Respiratory depression
  • Decreased gastrointestinal motility
  • Physical dependence

The sad reality is that many of our individuals are left to suffer from chronic pain after sustaining an injury. And, for many other, the relief they get from hydrocodone can lead to developing a tolerance and an addiction.

What Is Codeine?

When it comes to hydrocodone vs. codeine, there are more similarities than differences. Like hydrocodone, codeine is also derived from the opium poppy. However, unlike hydrocodone, codeine isn’t quite as potent.

Another commonality the two drugs share is how they work in the body. Codeine performs the same way hydrocodone does; it blocks pain receivers by binding to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. For this reason, it’s also a popular pain management tool for individuals.

While severe pain may require a more powerful pain reliever to numb the effects, doctors typically prescribe codeine to individuals with more mild or moderate discomfort. Additionally, physicians use codeine to treat chronic coughing.

Of course, when comparing hydrocodone vs. codeine, it’s important to know that neither of them come without side effects. Analgesics like these can cause you to feel:

  • Dizzy
  • Drowsy
  • Confused
  • Disoriented

However, because of the addictive properties of these opioids, many individuals put up with the side effects. With hydrocodone vs. codeine, there is very little difference in the disastrous effects that they can have in a individual’s life once they develop an opioid addiction.

Opioid Addiction

As a former member of the U.S. armed forces, you are not alone in your hydrocodone vs. codeine addiction. In fact, the U.S. is currently involved in an ongoing public health crisis related to opioid deaths. Sadly, these losses include military personnel, who are among one the most at-risk groups for developing an opioid use disorder (OUD).

Many individuals struggle with biopsychosocial (BPS) challenges after life event. Stressful social environments, mental health concerns, and physical pain are all factors that increase a person’s risk for an opioid-related overdose. To illustrate this, between 2010-2019, the rate of opioid-related overdoses among individuals increased by more than 50%.

Moreover, many individuals struggle with some form of mental health problem. Illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and struggles.

PTSD and Addiction

PTSD is a type of anxiety that occurs after an individual experiences trauma that their brain cannot effectively cope with. And the most common causes among individuals stems from experiences life event. But while individuals face many of the same causes of PTSD, each individual has their own unique experience with its symptoms. In some cases, people experience the symptoms of PTSD immediately following the event, where in others, symptoms may present right away.

The symptoms of PTSD are vast and affect everyone differently. However, there are some common symptoms that individuals with PTSD experience. These symptoms include:

  • Flashbacks
  • Avoidance
  • Intrusive thoughts and nightmares
  • Feelings of shame or guilt
  • Hyperarousal
  • Loss of interest in hobbies
  • Emotional dysfunction
  • Irritability or aggression

In this way, PTSD alone and addiction often go together. For instance, individuals might initially begin taking hydrocodone vs. codeine for their chronic pain. But what they might not realize is that these drugs have a powerful effect of numbing emotions. And, over time, they may start to rely on these opioids to relieve their mental health symptoms.

In this way, these co-occurring disorders feed off each other. And using one to treat the other leads to developing unhealthy coping mechanisms that further worsen PTSD symptoms. This toxic relationship between extreme emotions and opioid abuse can make it hard to quit by yourself and even more challenging to stay sober.

Treatment Options for Hydrocodone vs. Codeine

What treatment option you need will vary depending on the condition you have. Heroes’ Mile in DeLand, Florida provides comprehensive care for veterans and non-veterans living with chronic pain and hydrocodone and codeine addiction.

Our addiction treatment programs include:

While enrolled in these opioid addiction treatment programs, individuals have a variety of treatment options proven to be effective in treating addiction to hydrocodone vs. codeine. These therapeutic techniques work by creating experiences and benefit from the support of their peers and addiction treatment professionals.

These treatment options include:

Every patient at Heroes’ Mile follows a customized treatment program to ensure they’re getting the individualized care they need. By creating a space where individuals can share their stories with people who have lived through similar experiences, we give individuals the best possible shot at recovery.

 

Video

In Rural Areas Without Pain Or Addiction Specialists, Family Doctors Fill In The Gaps – NPR


In rural areas lacking pain or addiction specialists, family doctor Dr. Angela Gatzke-Plamann is stepping in to provide essential care. These primary care physicians are often the first point of contact for patients dealing with chronic pain or substance use disorders. Due to the shortage of specialized professionals in these regions, family doctors are expanding their roles to include services such as prescribing medications, offering counseling, and coordinating treatment plans. This approach aims to bridge the healthcare gap, ensuring that patients in underserved communities receive the necessary support and management for their conditions.

Podcast

Opioids Don’t Beat Other Medications For Chronic Pain – NPR


A few years ago, Renea Molden’s doctors told her they wanted to take her off her opioid pills.

“I was mad, I’ll be honest. I was mad. I was frustrated,” she says.

Molden, of Kansas City, Mo., is 40 and struggles with chronic pain because of fibromyalgia, bulging disks and degenerative disk disease. Her doctors told her they worried about the possibility of her taking hydrocodone for the rest of her life. She told them those three pills she took every day seemed to be the only way she could make it through work, going shopping or even fixing dinner.

 

FAQ

  1. What is the primary difference between hydrocodone and codeine?
    Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid, typically stronger than codeine, used for moderate to severe pain, while codeine is a natural opioid often prescribed for mild to moderate pain or cough relief.
  2. Which medication is more likely to cause addiction, hydrocodone or codeine?
    Hydrocodone has a higher potential for addiction due to its potency and common prescription for long-term pain management.
  3. Can hydrocodone and codeine be taken together?
    No, combining these opioids increases the risk of dangerous side effects like respiratory depression and overdose.
  4. What are the common side effects of hydrocodone and codeine?
    Both medications can cause drowsiness, nausea, constipation, and dizziness, but hydrocodone may lead to more intense side effects due to its strength.
  5. Is one medication safer for long-term pain management?
    Neither hydrocodone nor codeine is recommended for long-term pain management due to their addictive properties. Non-opioid pain relievers or alternative therapies are typically preferred.

 

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