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Lortab Abuse

Lortab is commonly abused due to its narcotic properties. While it is not easy to determine who will develop an issue when taking this medication, it has been found that those with a history of drug or alcohol abuse or mental illnesses may be a greater risk for abusing Lortab. For this reason, it is important to consider the potentially dangerous emotional, social and physical consequences of abusing this drug.

The Basics of Lortab Abuse:

Lortab or it's generic version hydrocodone/APAP is a medication that is used to treat pain. It is only available through a prescription. This drug is a narcotic that is commonly abused. It is important that Lortab abuse and a physical dependence on this medication be determined, as many people who do not abuse this medication are dependent on it for its pain relieving properties.
 

Drug Dependence or Abuse?

Since Lortab is a narcotic, it has been shown and is proven to lead to a physical dependence over time. Physical dependence on this drug does not indicate a sign that a person is abusing this medication. Instead, a physical dependence is a predictable, physical response to frequent use of this medication. The body begins to grow used to the changes that Lortab causes and if the medication is abruptly stopped it will cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal isn't a sign of abuse as people can develop a physical dependence without abusing their prescription.
 
Not to mention the fact that the body can become "tolerant" to Lortab's effects and it will then take a higher dose to offer the same benefits of pain relief. This isn't a sign of abuse but a physical response that is predictable.
 
Those who have been taking this type of medication for long periods of time have been known to take large doses that would lead to an overdose related death in a person who had never taken the drug before. There is, however, still there is a limit to the amount of Lortab medication that is safe for any person to take, even with a tolerance to the effects of the narcotic. This is due to the acetaminophen that is a Lortab drug component that has been found to cause liver problems, failure and even loss of life when taken in too high of doses.
 

Is Lortab Being Abused, or is it Another Problem?

When a person suffers from severe pain and it is not properly controlled, they might show signs that are similar to Lortab abuse signs. A common example might be if you feel that your Lortab prescription is not strong enough to offer adequate pain relief, which causes you to take more than recommended. Plus, you might find that your personality changes because of the pain.
 
If you're taking Lortab and still feel that your pain is not being properly controlled, you should talk to your physician. Keep in mind that many people develop a Lortab addiction by saying that their pain is not being properly controlled.
 

Potential Consequences of Abusing Lortab

There are extremely dangerous potential physical consequences of abusing Lortab. When large doses of any narcotic are taken, especially if the person is not used to the effects include: extreme feelings of sleepiness that could lead to coma, trouble breathing and loss of life. Unusually high doses of acetaminophen have been found to cause liver failure and even loss of life.
 
There are also potentially severe consequences of Lortab abuse that are social and emotional. They often include loss of relationships, careers and everything that a person has worked hard to obtain for years and years can be lost in very little time.
 

Where to Turn if You Need Help for a Lortab Addiction

If you need help due to abusing Lortab, you should first start by visiting your doctor. He or she might be able to help you to deal with the addiction and can often give you other valuable resources to better deal with your abuse of this drug.
 
The first step when working to treat a Lortab addiction will depend largely on your situation, but it might be a good start to lower the dosage gradually to prevent any withdrawal symptoms you might experience (click on Lortab Withdrawal). This is known as a detoxification process, which should then be followed with a type of behavioral therapy to help ease the emotional dependence of this medication.
 
Therapies that teach people to recognize and avoid situations that can be risky for them, stop using drugs and begin to cope with their problems have been found to be very helpful. Also, choosing a good recovery support group might be helpful when used with therapy.