Signs of Hydrocodone/APAP Addiction

Healthcare providers who dispense the drug often watch patients carefully for signs of hydrocodone/APAP addiction. Possible signs include frequently reporting "lost" prescriptions, "shopping" for doctors, and going through a prescription too quickly. Signs of hydrocodone/APAP addiction that may be noticed by family and friends include unexplained changes in behavior, dishonest behaviors, and a sudden lack of money.

 

Hydrocodone/APAP Addiction: An Overview

Hydrocodone/APAP (hydrocodone and acetaminophen is a prescription narcotic pain medication. Although it is a highly desired drug of abuse, signs of hydrocodone/APAP addiction may be difficult to distinguish from other problems, such as inadequate pain control or mental illness.
 

Possible Signs of Hydrocodone/APAP Addiction

Most healthcare providers who prescribe or dispense hydrocodone/APAP watch for certain signs of addiction, such as:
 
  • Repeated reports of losing a prescription, having a prescription stolen, or needing a prescription early to go on vacation
     
  • "Doctor shopping," which is seeing several different healthcare providers to obtain hydrocodone/APAP prescriptions or switching from one provider to another
     
  • Going through a prescription too quickly
     
  • Having a specific "favorite" narcotic drug, such as hydrocodone/APAP, and nothing else will do, or reporting "allergies" to all other alternatives.
     
Friends and family can also keep an eye out for other signs of hydrocodone/APAP addiction, such as:
 
  • An unexplainable lack of money
  • Changes in social circles, such as abandoning good friends and replacing them with new ones
  • Secluded behavior, often needing to spend large amounts of time alone
  • Stealing, lying, or other dishonest behaviors
  • Unexplained changes in mood or behaviors.
     
There are also physical symptoms of hydrocodone/APAP addiction, but these are nearly impossible to distinguish from the normal symptoms of simple physical hydrocodone/APAP dependence, which will occur with all cases of long-term hydrocodone/APAP use, including legitimate, non-abusive use.
 
(Signs of Hydrocodone/APAP Addiction Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;