How Long Does Hydrocodone Withdrawal Last?

“It’s just a few pills. I could stop, no problem.”

Hydrocodone makes up 45% of the illicit prescription painkiller market. Yet many who take hydrocodone remain unaware of what withdrawal really means. When you begin to feel symptoms unexpectedly, it’s easy to be pushed back into a cycle of substance use, left with feelings of worry and concern.

At San Antonio Recovery Center, we believe education is critical to any recovery outcome. Hope does exist – while withdrawal symptoms can be intense, there is always a path through them. That’s why we invest heavily in our community, providing long-term support to all of our alumni. Recovery doesn’t end with treatment, it is a lifelong journey.

Today, we’re going to talk about how long hydrocodone withdrawal lasts, along with what you can expect, what symptoms you may experience, and what kind of treatment is available.

Symptoms of Hydrocodone Withdrawal

Hydrocodone is a powerful opioid, medically prescribed to treat chronic pain and severe cough. The Department of Justice suggests that it is similar in strength to morphine. Hydrocodone withdrawal occurs when you stop taking the medication, and can result in a variety of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. If you or a loved one are contemplating a hydrocodone detox treatment, it’s important to understand what these symptoms might be.

In-Depth Hydrocodone Withdrawal Timeline

Below, we’ve included a timeline that provides an overview of hydrocodone withdrawal. Your specific timeline might be different, and not all symptoms will occur in exactly this way. However, this provides a general overview of what you might expect. 

Safely Withdrawing From Hydrocodone

Imagine you have a cup full of water. In order to empty the cup, you have two options: you can dump all the water out at once, or slowly pour it out over time. This is the difference between medical detox and tapering. 

With tapering, you slowly pour out the cup. In this case, you reduce your hydrocodone usage over time. You might take 10% less every few days, slowly lowering the dose until you take none at all. This can be appealing – it lets you avoid some of the acute symptoms of withdrawal. However, there are downsides. By reducing the dosage slowly, any symptoms can last for weeks, not days. This means it can take more effort and discipline to continue the process.

With medical detox, you pour the cup out all at once. This has several benefits – while the symptoms are intense, they happen in a controlled medical setting where you remain safe. You are also able to receive the additional treatment and care you need, such as therapy or rehab, that can significantly boost your recovery outcomes.

Between the two, research suggests that medical detox is a more effective approach than tapering. Tapering is generally at its best if the initial doses of hydrocodone are already low, and if done with medical professionals.  Medical detox is much more effective for high doses, or after long-term substance use.

However, every individual is different, and your recovery journey won’t be the same as someone else’s. Safely withdrawing from hydrocodone can be a complex process, and will heavily depend on your specific situation.