Snorting Hydrocodone | Snorting Vicodin, Norco, Lortab

The United States has historically been among the world’s largest consumers of hydrocodone, driven by decades of high prescribing rates.

U.S. prescribing of hydrocodone has declined significantly since federal scheduling changes in 2014 reclassified it as a Schedule II controlled substance.

Usually, hydrocodone is consumed orally by patients who have been prescribed the drug by their doctor for pain. Those who become addicted to it may switch to another delivery method, which is snorting.

Why Do People Snort Hydrocodone?

What happens when you snort hydrocodone is a more intense high than that which would occur if the medication were taken orally.

That is because the medication hits the bloodstream at a faster rate than it would if it were swallowed.

Those who are addicted to hydrocodone and want to snort it will grind each pill between a set of spoons until it becomes a powder.

Then, they inhale it through their nostrils in the same way that they would any other powdered substances, such as cocaine.

Dangers Of Snorting Hydrocodone

The dangers of snorting hydrocodone are often not realized by a person who has an addiction to the medication until abuse poses a health risk.

At first, hydrocodone insufflation only irritates the lining of the nostrils. A person snorting hydrocodone may start sneezing and suffering from a runny nose.

The delicate tissue in the nose will soon wear away from the foreign substance, which will lead to damage to the tiny blood vessels in this region.

This usually results in frequent nosebleeds and open sores in the nasal passages. Next, the throat will become irritated and raw.

In fact, many doctors can tell that a person has been snorting hydrocodone because it causes their voice to become hoarse.

Hydrocodone insufflation damages the lungs the most because it can lead to a condition called hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This condition develops from the body’s immune system responding to particles of hydrocodone becoming embedded in the lung tissue.

It is dangerous because it can cause hypoxia, chronic inflammation in the lungs, trouble breathing, chest pain, and respiratory failure.

The good news is that much of the nasal damage caused by hydrocodone insufflation can heal with sustained abstinence, particularly in the earlier stages.

Fentanyl: The New Danger

An additional layer of danger for people obtaining hydrocodone outside of a licensed pharmacy is fentanyl contamination.

Counterfeit hydrocodone pills, including fake Vicodin tablets, frequently contain illicitly manufactured fentanyl. These pills appear to be the same as legitimate prescriptions, but they can contain lethal amounts of fentanyl.

Anyone using pills obtained outside of a pharmacy should use fentanyl test strips before use. Keeping naloxone on hand is strongly recommended, too, and you can get it over the counter at most pharmacies without a prescription.

How To Find Treatment For Prescription Opioid Use Disorder

Besides physical damage to the body, one serious risk when you snort hydrocodone is that it increases a person’s chances of becoming addicted to the substance.

That is because the high that occurs from inhaling the medication is much stronger. Many people who begin snorting this medication find they start craving it more intensely than they did when they only took it orally.

Friends and family members may notice the addicted individual starts spending more time trying to find the drug than they do on their day-to-day responsibilities.

Lying, stealing hydrocodone and money from others, and frequent visits to different doctors are all signs of prescription opioid misuse, too.

Effective treatment for opioid use disorder is available at a drug rehab facility that offers individual and group therapy, inpatient detoxification, and aftercare programs.

Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), including buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone, are among the most effective treatments available. A comprehensive treatment program will evaluate whether MOUD is appropriate alongside behavioral therapy and aftercare.

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Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff