Lortab Withdrawal & Detox

In Colorado, Lortab is a drug that’s a problem for many people, as is the case with other opioids. This prescription drug is a combination of the opioid hydrocodone paired with the painkiller acetaminophen. It’s a controlled substance meant to be prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, but unfortunately, it’s just become one more drug that’s part of the country’s opioid epidemic.

As a controlled substance, Lortab is addictive and has a high risk of physical dependence. Physical dependence means that the body becomes used to the presence of Lortab so that when a person stops taking it, particularly suddenly, they go into a type of shock known as withdrawal. Withdrawal from Lortab is possible whether you take it as prescribed or abuse it.

Lortab withdrawal occurs because of the hydrocodone in this prescription drug. Hydrocodone and other opioids create physical dependence, and when someone stops taking them, they go through a period of withdrawal.

Lortab withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on how long and how much Lortab was used, whether any other drugs were abused at the same time and individual characteristics of a person such as their metabolism.

Lortab withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Agitation
• Excessive yawning
• Runny nose
• Teary eyes
• Swearing
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Nausea
• Vomiting Diarrhea

For the most part, the withdrawal from hydrocodone isn’t life-threatening, but there are still risks and complications that are possible. One possible complication occurs when people become dehydrated during withdrawal because of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

There’s also the risk of relapse and overdose that occur. It can be difficult to go through Lortab withdrawal symptoms, and if people do go for a period of time without using but then relapse, they are at a higher risk of an overdose because of their reduced tolerance.

The following are some things to know about withdrawal from Lortab, the Lortab withdrawal timeline, and symptoms of Lortab withdrawal.

First, while every situation is unique, this is a general example of what the Lortab withdrawal timeline may look like:

• Within about 12 hours after the last dose of Lortab is taken a person will start to experience mild withdrawal symptoms. These can include yawning, teary eyes and runny nose, pains and achiness, and insomnia.
• The peak of Lortab withdrawal symptoms usually start around 36 to 72 hours after the last dose is taken. This is when people experience the most severe symptoms typically, and they can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and irritation. This is also when complications like dehydration can occur.
• One someone has reached the 72-hour point, most symptoms have gone away or are relatively mild.

With withdrawal from Lortab, there is the potential for post-acute withdrawal syndrome as well. This can last for weeks or months following the last dose of Lortab, and it includes primarily psychological symptoms. Some of the possible symptoms of post-acute withdrawal syndrome are memory and problem-solving issues, irritability, panic or anxiety, depression, cravings and sleep problems.

If someone has post-acute withdrawal syndrome after stopping Lortab, a combination of therapy and medication can usually help them manage the symptoms.

Some of the most common symptoms of Lortab withdrawal include cravings, aches, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, irritability, panic attacks and chills. The duration of withdrawal with Lortab symptoms ranges.

For someone who was a light or short-term user or Lortab withdrawal may last for only a few hours, but for most people, it lasts for about a week.

With Lortab withdrawal, there are two primary routes that can be taken. The first is going cold turkey which means someone stops using Lortab suddenly. This can lead to more severe withdrawal symptoms and a long duration of symptoms.

What’s more favorable in most cases is a tapering off schedule, where people are gradually weaned off Lortab to mitigate some of the symptoms.

Some medications might be used in the treatment of withdrawal Lortab symptoms as well. For example, buprenorphine is something that can be administered to help suppress cravings for opioids and also to lessen withdrawal symptoms.

There’s also a medication called clonidine, which isn’t habit-forming and can help deal with some of the physical symptoms of withdrawal as well as anxiety.

Lortab detox can be difficult and uncomfortable for people dependent on the drug, but it’s one of the most important steps of recovery. You have to successfully detox and ensure the toxins of the drug are removed from your body before you can begin addiction treatment.

There are several options available for people who want to detox from Lortab.

The first is a professional detox center, where there is a medical team and constant monitoring to ensure patients are safe and well cared for as they detox from Lortab. The Lortab detox symptoms can be managed with various therapies including medications, and the medical team of the detox center can monitor the vitals and health of the patient.

Most detox centers are also part of intensive rehab programs, including either inpatient rehab or outpatient programs. These are options available at The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake in Colorado, as well as at some of our out-of-state centers.

The benefit of going through the Lortab detox symptoms at an accredited rehab facility is that you can immediately begin your addiction treatment as soon as you’ve finished detoxing.

There are also outpatient programs which are well-suited to people who aren’t expected to have withdrawal complications, and who don’t have co-occurring disorders or mental or psychiatric illnesses.

If you’re trying to detox from Lortab symptoms at home, there are risks. First, you’re decreasing your chances of being successful, and you’re more likely to relapse. Some of the challenges of having Lortab detox time at home can include continuing to have access to the drug, being surrounded by the stressors of your life, and not having care if you do experience a complication or emergency related to your withdrawal.

So, to sum up, how long does Lortab detox take? For most people detox from Lortab takes about a week, and symptoms are similar to other opioid withdrawal symptoms. They can include anxiety, depression, headaches, muscle aches and insomnia.

The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake operates a detox facility and addiction treatment center for people in Colorado as well as nationwide. If you’re in Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs or anywhere else in Colorado, you may be eligible for our Lortab detox and addiction recovery program. We operate out-of-state facilities as well.

Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

See Related:

Lortab Abuse & Addiction

• Lortab Treatment & Rehab