Is Hydrocodone Addictive?

Opioids such as heroin and fentanyl are widely recognized as dangerous, addictive substances. Do these risks also apply to all other opioids, including those that are frequently prescribed to treat common medical conditions? For example, is hydrocodone addictive? 

About Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is a powerful semi-synthetic opioid. It is a lab-created drug that is made by altering the chemical structure of either codeine or thebaine, both of which are naturally occurring alkaloids from the opium poppy plant. 

In the U.S., hydrocodone is the primary active ingredient in several brand-name prescription medications, including Vicodin and Lortab. It is also available as a generic.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved hydrocodone to treat moderate to severe pain. It is also present in some prescription cough medications, though the FDA has limited these meds to patients ages 18 and above.

Is Hydrocodone Addictive​?

Is hydrocodone addictive? Yes, it most definitely is.

Anyone who uses hydrocodone risks developing opioid use disorder, which is the clinical term for hydrocodone addiction.

The risk of becoming addicted to hydrocodone is greatest among people who misuse the drug, either in an attempt to self-medicate or for recreational purposes. However, anyone who uses it can develop an addiction. This includes those who take it for a legitimate medical purpose and follow their doctor’s guidance.

How Addictive Is Hydrocodone​?

Rating the addictiveness of various substances is far from an exact science. One way to put the likelihood of hydrocodone addiction into context is by reviewing its status as a controlled substance. 

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has classified hydrocodone as a Schedule II controlled substance. Schedule II is reserved for drugs that pose “a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.”

Other Schedule II substances include cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.

How Long Does It Take To Get Addicted to Hydrocodone​?

The amount of time it takes to become addicted to hydrocodone can be influenced by a variety of factors, including how often you use it and how much you typically consume.

Usually, a person will have to take the drug for a few weeks before they become dependent on it, though some sources state that addiction can occur in as little as five days. 

As noted by Johns Hopkins Medicine, using hydrocodone even once can trigger the onset of brain changes that can increase a person’s vulnerability to addiction.

Why Is Hydrocodone Addictive​?

When someone takes hydrocodone, they will usually experience pleasurable effects such as:

• Serene relaxation
• Elevated mood, to the point of euphoria
• Easing of pain

The addictiveness of hydrocodone is related to the effects described above and the impact it has on certain receptors in the central nervous system (CNS).

Hydrocodone interacts with proteins called mu opioid receptors, which are located on certain nerve cells in the brain. This causes an increase in dopamine, a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that is associated with pleasure, reward, and motivation.

When a person engages in activities that increase their dopamine level, they form a positive association with that activity, which causes them to want to do it again. 

For some activities – such as eating, exercising, or having sex – dopamine-related motivation promotes better health and the continuation of the species. For other activities – such as using hydrocodone or other opioids – elevated dopamine levels can lead to drug abuse and addiction. 

Side Effects of Hydrocodone

The two most common side effects of hydrocodone are constipation and nausea. Other adverse effects include:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Ringing in the ears
• Slowed heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet
• Respiratory tract infection
• Urinary tract infection

One of the most severe negative effects of hydrocodone use is overdose, which can cause symptoms such as:

• Constricted (pinpoint) pupils
• Extreme confusion or disorientation
• Slow, shallow, or otherwise irregular breathing
• Faint pulse
• Loss of consciousness
• Making choking or gurgling noises
• Blue or purple coloration on skin near lips and fingertips
• Cool, clammy skin

In the absence of appropriate medical attention, a hydrocodone overdose can be fatal. If you are with someone who overdoses on hydrocodone, call 911 immediately and stay with them until help arrives. If you have Narcan, administer the medication after calling 911.

Withdrawal Symptoms

For people who have developed hydrocodone addiction, the intensity of withdrawal can make it extremely difficult for them to stop using the drug. Common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Intense cravings
• Agitation and irritability
• Hot flashes and chills
• Excessive perspiration
• Watery eyes and runny nose
• Abdominal cramping
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Pain in muscles and bones
• Insomnia

Hydrocodone Addiction Symptoms​

The criteria for a diagnosis of hydrocodone addiction include:

• Using hydrocodone in larger amounts than intended
• Having powerful urges to use hydrocodone
• Using hydrocodone in circumstances that are clearly hazardous, such as when driving or when also using alcohol or other drugs
• Failing to pay bills, keep appointments, or meet other responsibilities at home, in school, or at work
• Continuing to use hydrocodone even after you’ve incurred some type of physical, psychological, or social harm due to your prior use of the drug
• Reducing or ending your participation in important activities as a result of your hydrocodone use
• Becoming tolerant to hydrocodone, which means you need to use larger amounts to achieve the effects that you are seeking
• Developing withdrawal symptoms when you abruptly quit or significantly reduce your use of hydrocodone 
• Having a persistent desire to stop using hydrocodone, but being unable to quit for good

Someone who has become addicted to hydrocodone may also exhibit warning signs such as: 

• Dramatic shifts in mood, cognition, and energy
• Continuing to use 
• Using or trying to acquire hydrocodone that was prescribed to someone else
• Visiting multiple doctors and exaggerating symptoms in order to get additional prescriptions for hydrocodone
• Lying or being otherwise deceitful about how they’ve been spending their time and who they’ve been associating with
• Having unexplained financial difficulties

Contact Phoenix Rising About Addiction Treatment Today

Phoenix Rising Recovery Center is a trusted source of comprehensive, personalized care for adults who have become addicted to hydrocodone and other substances.

Treatment options at our rehab center in Palm Springs, CA, include detox, residential care, and multiple outpatient programs. Our services also include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which allows patients to end their use of hydrocodone and other opioids without enduring the distress of withdrawal.

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Contact page or call us today.

Published: 6/13/2025