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Codeine vs. Hydrocodone

Codeine and hydrocodone are both opioid medications that doctors commonly prescribe as painkillers. While codeine helps treat mild to moderate pain, hydrocodone can relieve more intense pain. Both drugs can be very addictive and are responsible for more than 41 fatal overdoses daily. Teens may find codeine an easy drug to experiment with since it is typically less potent than other narcotics, but it can quickly lead to substance abuse. It may be a gateway to more dangerous and powerful opioids like hydrocodone. If your teen struggles with opioid abuse, it’s not too late to find support. At Destinations for Teens, our hydrocodone and codeine addiction treatment program supports young adults in learning the right tools to help them remain in recovery.

What Is Opioid Abuse?

Like other opioids, hydrocodone and codeine relax the body’s nervous system. This relaxation affects pain sensors, causing people to feel calm and sedated. However, this relaxed feeling throughout a teen’s body will also impact their emotional responses. As teens continue to use hydrocodone or codeine and their tolerance increases, they will need greater doses to experience the same effects as when they first began using. Consistent use and increasing usage are the first steps in the substance abuse cycle that leads to addiction.

Codeine vs. Hydrocodone Signs of Abuse

While both drugs may cause similar side effects when a person abuses them, there are also some distinct signs to watch for to help identify substance abuse.

Codeine Abuse

Teens who struggle with codeine abuse often show signs of:

  • Participating in doctor shopping
  • Drowsiness
  • Itchy skin
  • Fatigue
  • Excessive sleepiness
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Tinted fingers and nails
  • Constant, uncontrolled muscle twitching

Hydrocodone Abuse

The most common hydrocodone addiction symptoms are:

  • Using street names such as “hydros,” “vics,” “vikes,” or “vico”
  • Participating in doctor shopping
  • Slowed heart rate
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Experiencing anxiety or depression
  • Being fearful
  • Sleeplessness during withdrawal
  • Muscle aches during withdrawal
  • Seizures during an overdose

Hydrocodone and codeine addiction are serious matters, especially for teens. Continued use often makes teens withdraw from positive social circles and can lead to cutting school or poor academic performance. Abuse of hydrocodone and codeine can also cause teens to only focus on getting high instead of looking forward to the future. Using these prescription medications illegally can also cause teens to participate in risky behaviors that can have many consequences, including exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancies, and legal troubles.

What Happens at Hydrocodone and Codeine Addiction Treatment?

If you suspect your teen is using codeine or hydrocodone without a prescription, research treatment centers that will help them stop using medications. At an addiction treatment center for teens, you will have peace of mind that your son or daughter is learning how to identify their triggers, navigate their emotions, and overcome peer pressure confidently through:

  • Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Surf therapy
  • Art therapy

These components of a hydrocodone or codeine addiction treatment program will help support your teen through their recovery. It will also provide them with the skills to build a solid foundation for a sober future. Their success in sobriety should continue long after they leave a treatment program.

Hydrocodone and Codeine Abuse Center at Destinations for Teens

At Destinations for Teens, we are committed to providing customized care to every adolescent. We offer the following treatment options for teens:

  • Inpatient
  • Partial hospitalization
  • Outpatient
  • Intensive outpatient

Your teen deserves the support of a professional team to help them learn how to break the cycle of addiction and build a better future. Don’t ignore the signs of codeine or hydrocodone abuse. Call us at 877.466.0620 today to get started.