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Lorcet Abuse and Addiction in Washington State: Finding a Quality Treatment Program
Lorcet addiction and abuse have been serious problems in Washington State for several years. When people get addicted to this drug, they often do not realize that they need detox and rehab to stop. But this drug is a highly addictive prescription painkiller, and it is one that has contributed to the opioid epidemic. It can be very difficult to stop taking it without the proper treatment and support.
That is not to say that Lorcet is not effective. When it is used appropriately to treat pain, it works very well. But too many people are kept on it long-term, which can result in them getting addicted to it. It has also been highly overprescribed, which has helped it to reach its status as a common drug of abuse.
Many of the people who abuse Lorcet do so accidentally. They are often not even aware that they have gotten addicted to it. Others abuse it for recreational purposes. But either way, this drug can be dangerous, and we want people to be more aware of the risks. We also want them to know how beneficial it can be to go to detox and rehab when it comes to recovering.
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Lorcet: What Is It?
Amytal Sodium is a drug that is a barbiturate derivative. It produces sensations of sedation for those who take it. This medication is also a hypnotic. It was first developed in 1923 in Germany.
Lorcet is a prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe pain in patients over a short-term period. It’s composed of two pain relievers: acetaminophen and hydrocodone, a semi-synthetic opioid that comes from codeine.
Both acetaminophen and hydrocodone are used individually to treat pain, though varying degrees of it. Acetaminophen, for example, is a general pain reliever and fever reducer and is sold under such brands as Tylenol, Anacin AF, and Actamin.
Hydrocodone, on the other hand, is a bit more heavy duty. This opioid is only available via a licensed physician and is typically prescribed to treat constant, severe pain.
Hydrocodone can be habit-forming so there are more restrictions surrounding its use than with acetaminophen.
While hydrocodone is a powerful pain reliever on its own, the addition of acetaminophen in Lorcet actually intensifies the analgesic effects of the opioid and provides even greater pain relief.
The combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen is marketed under a number of different brand names including:
- Anexsia
- Dolorex Forte
- Hycet
- Liquicet
- Lortab
- Maxidone
- Norco
- PolyGesic
- Stagesic
- Vicodin
- Xodol
- Zamicet
- Zydone
One of the biggest differences between Lorcet and other opioids is the fact that this drug uses a combination of the opioid hydrocodone along with the additional pain reliever acetaminophen to boost the opioid’s potency.
There are several other drugs on the market that contain this same combination of drugs. However, the main difference between them is that the proportions of the chemicals vary.
Lorcet, for example, comes in doses that contain 5mg of hydrocodone along with 325mg of acetaminophen. This is sometimes notated as Lorcet 5/325.
It also comes in varying proportions like Lorcet Plus (7.5/325), Lorcet HD (10/325), and Lorcet 10/625.
Another brand with this same drug combination is Lortab. It follows similar dosage patterns but also offers a liquid solution called Lortab Elixir which is composed of 10mg of hydrocodone, 300mg of acetaminophen, and also 7% alcohol per 15ml dose.
The most recognizable substance that’s similar to Lorcet, however, is likely Vicodin. This drug also comes in varying potencies including 5/300, 7.5/300, and 10/300 versions.
As you can see, both Vicodin and Lorcet come in the same doses and, as such, are both equally dangerous. This might come as a bit of a shock to most people as Vicodin is often one of the major drugs cited as being a problematic contributor to the growing opioid epidemic.
However, it’s important to realize that even though you may not recognize the name Lorcet as much as you do Vicodin, the truth is that they both have the same risk of launching you into a destructive and potentially fatal opioid addiction.
As a prescription drug, Lorcet abuse is generally characterized as using it in any way other than how it is prescribed. Some of the most common ways of abusing Lorcet include:
- Taking Lorcet in higher doses than prescribed
- Using a different method of consuming Lorcet than prescribed (e.g. snorting or injecting Lorcet)
- Selling or trading Lorcet for other substances
- Purposefully mixing Lorcet with other substances like other opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol to get a stronger effect
The DEA reports that abuse of hydrocodone is incredibly prolific today. In fact, since 2009 it has been the “second most frequently encountered opioid pharmaceutical in drug evidence submitted to federal, state, and local forensic laboratories.”
What’s more, Americans today consume about 99 percent of the global supply of hydrocodone.
Lorcet and other combinations of acetaminophen and hydrocodone are currently labeled by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency as a Schedule II drug due to it containing a potentially addictive opioid. Before its change to this classification in 2014 though it was classified as a Schedule III substance, making it much easier to obtain.
Since its reclassification, prescriptions for this opioid have fallen to an enormous degree. In 2012 for example, hydrocodone products were the #1 prescribed medication in America with 136 million prescriptions filled. The number of prescriptions has since fallen to 90 million, marking a significant reduction.
As an opioid, Lorcet can (and does) cause physical dependency and eventual addiction.
Recognizing the signs of being addicted to Lorcet, however, is the first step on the road to recovering from this substance use disorder. And while recognizing the signs of addiction in others can be tough, it may be even harder for you to notice the signals in yourself.
After all, denial can be an incredibly powerful force.
As such, one of the best ways of acknowledging that you have a problem is by looking at your behaviors objectively and comparing them to those of a substance abuser or addict.
An online addiction quiz is one of the best ways to accomplish just that. It doesn’t take more than a few minutes to complete and afterwards, you’ll have a much clearer idea on whether you actually have a Lorcet addiction or not.
If you’re looking for a bit more comprehensive approach to testing your level of addiction, you can always evaluate yourself according to the standards set out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Their 11-point criteria (provided by the National Institutes on Drug Abuse) will give you an even better indication of how bad your Lorcet abuse has really gotten and may end up being the final push you need to seek out professional help so you can get clean.
What Is Lorcet Withdrawal?
As your body builds up a tolerance to the consistent presence of Lorcet, it undergoes a variety of physical and chemical changes in order to return to homeostasis. It may, for example, alter the release of certain enzymes that regulate impulses in the brain so as to make the effects of Lorcet less potent.
These changes help keep the body from becoming overwhelmed when Lorcet is consistently present. However, once Lorcet is removed entirely, the changes can actually result in a number of unpleasant side effects caused by the body trying to recover.
These side effects are called “withdrawals” and when it comes to opioids like Lorcet, the symptoms of withdrawal can be especially uncomfortable. In fact, opioid withdrawals are considered to be some of the worst out of all illicit drugs being abused today.
According to Mental Health Daily, some of the symptoms of Lorcet withdrawal include:
- Abominal cramps
- Appetite changes
- Chills
- Cravings
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Flu-like symptoms
- Insomnia
- Itching
- Mood swings
- Nausea
- Panic attacks
- Pupil dilation
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Yawning
- Vomiting
- Suicidal thoughts
- Rapid heart rate
- Poor concentration
- Palpitations
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Depersonalization
- Confusion
- Body aches
- Anxiety
It’s worth mentioning that not everyone responds to Lorcet withdrawal the same way. As a result, you may experience all of these symptoms or you might only go through a few.
What’s more, the timeline of Lorcet withdrawals is also highly individualized. However, the acute stages when the symptoms are most intense will generally last from about 7 to 10 days after your last dose. Less severe symptoms may persist for several weeks.
Like many other opioids, Lorcet has a number of notable short-term side effects worth mentioning. Besides the immediate effects for which Lorcet is often prescribed (pain relief, sedation, etc.), Lorcet users may also experience the following symptoms as provided by MedlinePlus:
- Constipation
- Lightheadedness
- Anxiety
- Dry throat
- Rash
- Narrowing of the pupils
- Itching
- Difficulty urinating
- Abnormally happy or abnormally sad mood
- Fuzzy thinking
- Drowsiness
- Slowed or irregular breathing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Irregular menstruation
- Decreased sexual desire
- Chest tightness
- Inability to get or keep an erection
- Fever
- Sweating
- Fast heartbeat
- Severe muscle stiffness or twitching confusion
- Shivering
- Loss of coordination
- Diarrhea
While physical dependency and eventual addiction are some of the most damaging long-term side effects that may come about as a result of continued Lorcet abuse, there are a number of other pitfalls this habit may bring as well.
For example, persistent overuse of acetaminophen has been shown to lead to hepatotoxicity, or the damaging of the liver. Researchers have found that more than 4g per day can cause permanent and potentially life-threatening damage to this vital organ.
The threat is further compounded by the fact that many people may unwittingly take more acetaminophen than planned, often in the form of cold medicines, general pain relievers, and antacids. It’s vital, then, that anyone taking Lorcet should be aware of other common drugs that contain acetaminophen as well.
In addition to liver problems, Lorcet and other opioids may also be linked to a significant deterioration of the brain’s white matter due to a condition known as hypoxia.
This condition is characterized by a decreased amount of oxygen reaching the brain due to the depressed respiration commonly caused by many opioids. Research is currently being done to establish whether or not this link exists.
Long-term abuse of Lorcet has also been found to cause other conditions such as:
- Hearing loss
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Chronic constipation
And finally, overdosing on Lorcet can be incredibly dangerous and even fatal in certain instances.
Signs of Lorcet Overdose
One of the most notable dangers of Lorcet abuse is the risk of overdosing. As with any other narcotic substance, taking too much Lorcet may result in a number of dangerous side effects, some of which may actually be fatal.
As a result, it’s absolutely essential that you know how to spot the signs of a Lorcet overdose so you can get the medical attention you need.
According to MedlinePlus, some of the most noticeable signs of Lorcet overdose are:
- Breathing problems, including slow and labored breathing, shallow breathing, or no breathing
- Cold and clammy skin
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Lightheadedness
- Loss of consciousness
- Muscle twitches
- Seizures
- Weakness
- Weak pulse
- Stomach and intestine spasms
- Tiny pupils
- Low blood pressure
- Liver failure
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Coma
- Bluish-colored fingernails and lips
If you notice any of these signs, call 911 or the national poison control hotline (1-800-222-1222) immediately as your life may be in danger.
Finding the Right Drug Treatment Facility in WA Can Make a Difference
Once a person has gotten addicted to Lorcet, it can be a hard drug to quit. This is because it is an opioid, and they are known to be highly addictive drugs. No one should ever try to get off this medication on their own. It is much safer to stop using them with professional help.
The first step in recovery that is recommended for people who are addicted to Lorcet is detox. Detoxing is important because it helps people to cope with the withdrawal symptoms that are sure to follow quitting. This should never be done on an outpatient basis; only inpatient.
Most detox programs will recommend for opioid addicts to begin medication assisted treatment. This is a form of medical detox that allows them to take medications that have been proven to treat these withdrawal symptoms.
The next step is to go to some form of rehab. There, the person will learn more about why they started using and get help for any co-occurring disorders. The therapy that is available through rehabilitation programs can be so helpful, and it makes it possible for people to recover.
About Our Washington State Outpatient Drug Rehab Program
At Northpoint Seattle, our outpatient drug treatment program is considered one of the best in the State of WA. We always carefully assess our clients prior to them starting rehab. This allows us to learn more about them and assign the level of care that will benefit them the most.
We have three levels of care at our facility. They are traditional outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization. Each level has a different weekly commitment and it is not unusual for our clients to transition between each one as they heal.
Northpoint Seattle has two locations for our clients’ convenience. We have offices in Seattle and in Bellevue.
Most people do not realize that their health insurance companies are required to offer addiction treatment benefits. They assume that they will have to pay out-of-pocket to go to rehab, and that just is not the case. In 2010, the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, which is what put this mandate in place.
Northpoint Seattle has taken great care to partner with several health insurance companies. We are in-network with First Choice Health, Premera Blue Cross and many others. This allows us to minimize the costs for our clients.
Get the Facts About Lorcet Addiction, Abuse and Treatment Options in Washington State
Lorcet can be such a dangerous drug, and yet so many people do not realize the risks. The opioid epidemic was started because of drugs like this one, and anyone who is abusing it needs help to stop.
At Northpoint Seattle, we are here to provide you with all the addiction recovery support you need. Together, we can work hard to help you heal so that you can live your life as happy and healthy as possible.
Would you like to know more about Lorcet abuse and addiction? Do you have questions about going to drug rehab or detox in Washington State? Please contact us today for help.
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