How long can I take Hydrocodone-ADAP 5-500 before addiction?

Question

I am recovering from a back strain and have been taking 2-3 Hydrocodone-ADAP 5-500 a day for the past 10 weeks. What is the risk of dependence with this quantity per day?

Answer 1

Take only as you need it... and when you decide to stop taking it, do not stop cold turkey.  Ween off of it... I would suggest splitting the pills in half and continuing to take half a few times a day, then going down to less.  

You should not still need the meds for a back strain and may want to consult your doctor again if you are not getting better.

Answer 2

you are fine.  You're not getting enough for long enough.  Any problems would be nerves.

Answer 3

It's Hydrocodone APAP (not ADAP), but anyway addiction is something that comes very easily with these pills. I used to take a similar medication called Oxycodone, and after just two weeks of taking it I was hooked. The only way for me to stop taking them was to get away from the supply. I am still suffering from chronic pain, but it's better than being in pain and being addicted to drugs. Why was I still in pain? You will see, after a while the medication will become less and less effective and you will need more and more of it to treat the pain. This is how the addiction sets in.... Good Luck.

Answer 4

The amount of medication you are taking is controlling your pain?  If so, you are in great shape.  Most folks who are recovering from an injury who take pain meds stop when the need is gone.  Most chronic pain patients only take what they need to function normally.

I have been taking pain medication for the last 15 years for chronic refractory pain.  At times, I take very little, at other times I need to take much more.  For a very long time, I worried about whether or not I was addicted to the medication, whether I took more than I needed.  I realized that if I'd been an addict, there never would have been a decrease in use at all, that it would have increased and increased.



Now- a physical dependence may occur.  That is not the same as addiction.  My friend who is an addict says the difference between the two of us is that if I need just one more and that take care of it, for him it's one more and then one more and then a thousand more.

In my opinion, you are unlikely to develop any addictive behavior at this low level of use, but you may need to take one a day before stopping altogether if you have developed any sort of physical dependency.  THAT seems unlikely as well.

You are taking a moderate pain medication well within the prescribed doses.  My hydrocodone is prescribed at 2 every 4-6 hours as needed for pain; quite a bit more than what you are taking.

Answer 5

Everyone is different and there is no way of knowing.  Ten weeks seems a little long for a back strain.  I would be sure to follow up with my MD or orthopod so they can measure your progress.  If you are not getting better you should let them know.

Answer 6

it depends. but try to only take it when you are in horrible pain. if the pain is moderate try other methods of relief.