Hydrocodone is the active ingredient in Vicodin and Norco. Oxycodone is the substance in OxyContin. Both products are habit-forming opioids. In oxycodone vs. hydrocodone comparison, is either one a safer alternative?
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida, we offer detox services for hydrocodone, oxycodone, and a range of other substances. If you’re ready to put the use of substances behind you, we’re here to help. For more information about our services, please contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today at 866.294.5306 or use our helpful online form.
Understanding How Opioids Work
The oxycodone vs. hydrocodone debate started because these drugs are at the center of an opioid crisis. People taking the medications develop addictions to them. Hydrocodone is a codeine derivative, which makes it a semi-synthetic opioid. Oxycodone, a similar chemical, comes from thebaine, which derives from the Persian poppy.
Doctors prescribe the drugs because they interrupt the nervous system’s ability to communicate pain signals to the brain. Moreover, manufacturers can mix them with acetaminophen to create a substance that also lowers inflammation and treats fever. This versatility makes them a good option for a broad range of pain relief needs. Hydrocodone has the added benefit of mixing well with pseudoephedrine to provide pain relief for people with coughs and congestion.
Why the Oxycodone vs. Hydrocodone Debate Misses the Point
From a medical point of view, discussions over choosing one drug versus the other focus on side effects. For someone hoping to avoid the danger of addiction, the debate is moot. Both drugs are opioids, which puts them on the same level as morphine and heroin. Both can be habit-forming.
You abuse these medications by taking more of them than you should. You might crush pills and snort the product. To get more of the tablets, you may go to different doctors with rehearsed stories that’ll result in prescriptions. You might also ask friends and family members for leftover pills or steal them from people.
Addiction’s a chronic brain disease. It leaves you powerless to overcome intense cravings for a substance. You like the way the drugs make you feel. You want to repeat the experience over and over.
When talking about these opioids, it’s vital to understand that there’s no safe product on the market. Both have abuse potential and can lead to opioid addiction. Abusing either one can result in potentially life-threatening overdose symptoms that include respiratory distress. Quitting the drugs is the only way to end an addiction.
Detoxification is the First Step to Overcoming the Drug Habit
An Oxycodone or hydrocodone detox program ends the physical dependency on the opioid. It lets you overcome the withdrawal symptoms. By checking into a detox center, you avoid the pain and discomfort that comes from ending drug abuse. Treatments include:
- Medical monitoring that ensures comfort and safety as you stop using the opioid
- Behavioral therapy helps you to set goals for recovery
- Dual diagnosis assessment and treatment of co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression
- Family therapy, which brings in loved ones to open channels of communication
- Group therapy as a means to connect with peers in recovery and receive validation for your decision to stop using
Don’t let the oxycodone vs. hydrocodone debate fool you. These substances are dangerous. If one or the other has already hooked you, there’s help.
Reach Out to Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida, we strive to provide the best possible detox services for our clients. Our services are extensive and, in addition to our hydrocodone and oxycodone detox services, our treatments include:
- Opioid detox services
- Heroin detox services
- Prescription drug detox services
- Alcohol detox services
- Opiate detox services
Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today by dialing 866.294.5306 to learn more about our services.
