Let us call you to learn more about our treatment options. Sometimes people use rolled paper, straws or hollowed pens when snorting hydrocodone. Sharing drug paraphernalia that comes in contact with blood vessels in the nose has the potential to spread bloodborne diseases, like Hepatitis C. Besides the unique complications associated with snorting insufflation of hydrocodone, the drug comes with many side effects regardless of the mode of ingestion.
Negative side effects like constipation and dehydration can occur even if hydrocodone is taken as prescribed, but prolonged or excessive use of the drug increases the risk. When a person abuses hydrocodone, their breathing may become depressed to the point that their brain does not receive adequate oxygen. This can cause a condition called hypoxia , which may result in long-term brain damage. Hydrocodone is a synthetic opioid drug prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain, often after dental work, injuries or surgical procedures.
It is generally a white, oblong pill and is meant to be taken orally. As an opioid, hydrocodone attaches to receptors in the brain to produce pleasure, decrease pain and slow breathing. The calm, pleasant feeling that results leads some people to keep taking hydrocodone even when they no longer need it as a painkiller. Prescription hydrocodone is commonly paired with acetaminophen, an over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer branded as Tylenol.
The hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination is sold under many names, including Vicodin, Lortab and Norco. Since long-term use of acetaminophen can cause severe liver damage, these combination drugs carry an additional risk. When taken orally, hydrocodone travels through the body before entering the bloodstream and affecting the brain. When someone snorts hydrocodone, blood vessels in their nose absorb it, producing a quicker and more intense high.
Though smoking and intravenous injection both take a substance to the brain faster than insufflation, these are not common methods of taking hydrocodone and have a reputation of being more dangerous. Snorting a drug is no safer than smoking or injection, but many people believe that it is. When someone takes hydrocodone for an extended period of time, they will likely develop a tolerance to it.
The body adapts to the substance and requires the person to take a higher dose for the same effect. This can lead to physical dependence, a state in which someone must take hydrocodone in order for their body to operate normally. Physical dependence is often accompanied by addiction, a mental craving for the drug that results in drug-seeking behaviors and compulsive use despite negative physical and social consequences.
Often, someone who becomes addicted to hydrocodone begins taking it as prescribed by their doctor. Over time, they take more and continue to take it longer than recommended. Because snorting hydrocodone takes it to the brain more quickly, they may begin to abuse it in this way, especially if they have built a tolerance to it. As a result, snorting hydrocodone can lead to a loss of smell. Even more shocking is the risk of necrosis, or dead and dying tissue in the nose.
When snorted, some hydrocodone ends up traveling to the back of the nose. It then drips into the throat or windpipe and into the lungs or on the vocal cords. If the drug drips on the vocal cords, people may begin having a hoarse voice. If the drug drips into the lungs, it can worsen asthma or cause lung inflammation. Normally, irritants are blocked by the mucus and hairs in the nose. If damaged from snorting drugs like hydrocodone, these irritants can get into the lungs and lead to respiratory failure and other conditions such as difficulty breathing, weight loss, and fatigue.
In order to snort hydrocodone, it must be crushed into a fine powder. Oftentimes, the surfaces and objects people use to crush pills are contaminated with microorganisms, irritants, and toxins that cause damage to the nasal tissue, throat, and respiratory system.
Plus, paraphernalia such as rolled paper, razor blades, or contaminated surfaces may be shared from one person to the next. In the process, individuals could put themselves at a higher risk of disease due to the microorganisms involved. This increases the risk of disease transmission, such as that of Hepatitis C. When used correctly, hydrocodone is considered a safe and effective pain-relieving medication.
Still, nobody is immune to the potential side effects. Moreover, people who abuse the drug by snorting it may be at higher risk for some of the more severe side effects of hydrocodone. Even when taken properly, some people may experience side effects. The most common side effects of hydrocodone are:[2]. Individuals who abuse hydrocodone may be at risk for developing more severe side effects, such as:. Furthermore, hydrocodone products like Vicodin contain acetaminophen, a medication that is toxic to the liver in high doses.
Snorting or using Vicodin in excess may cause liver damage, toxicity, or failure. Snorting or abusing any type of prescription drug, including hydrocodone, puts users at an increased risk of overdose. In fact, in , an average of 41 people died each day from prescription opioid overdoses, totaling 15, deaths for the year. People who are overdosing on hydrocodone may have cold or blue skin, loss of consciousness, vomiting, slowed breathing, and slowed or stopped heartbeat.
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