Having a Norco addiction can be extremely harmful if not fatal. Norco is a prescription drug that combines the synthetic opioid hydrocodone with acetaminophen, a common pain reliever found in Advil, Tylenol, and other over-the-counter pain pills.  Similar to Vicodin, Norco is made up of hydrocodone and acetaminophen components. Norco, however, consists of 325 mg of acetaminophen compared to Vicodin’s 300 mg. When taken as directed, Norco is effective in alleviating severe pain in patients whether they are ill or recovering from surgery. However, due to its opioid properties, Norco addiction is a high risk for misuse and abuse. 

Norco falls in the depressant category. Depressants like Norco suppress breathing and heart rate, therefore the leading causes of overdose fatalities involving this medication are either cardiac or respiratory failure. According to the CDC, nearly 841,000 people have died in the past two decades from a Narco addiction drug overdose, and 70% of those fatalities involved an opioid.  

There are multiple risks when having a Narco addiction. The hydrocodone component creates a high likelihood of dependence and addiction of addiction while the acetaminophen component can cause liver damage or failure. The Centers for Disease Control lists hydrocodone as one of the most common drugs involved in prescription opioid overdose fatalities. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, most of the 400 deaths due to acetaminophen poisoning each year result from the misuse of Norco or drugs similar in makeup.

The Norco High

Norco is typically taken orally in pill form but can also be crushed and snorted. Norco produces a high in which the user experiences: 

• Loss of balance 
• Feeling of euphoria
• Confusion
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Depressed breathing 
• Depressed heart rate 

Signs of Norco Abuse 

A long-term Norco addiction can cause significant damage to health and has been linked to fatal opioid overdoses. Signs that someone is abusing Norco include: 

• Impaired coordination
• Cardiovascular Issues 
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Memory loss
• Chronic fatigue 
• Difficulty speaking 
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness 
• Death

Norco Addiction Treatment 

Having a Norco addiction is very dangerous especially when abused. It is extremely important to seek help immediately if you or a loved one is struggling with a Norco addiction. At Asheville Recovery Center, treatment specialists utilize a 12-step program and practice holistic rehabilitation. 

Services at the center include:

Partial Hospitalization Program – At Asheville Recovery Center we offer a partial hospitalization program for clients who need post-residential treatment as well as for clients who need primary treatment but are unable to enroll in inpatient programs. Our PHP track offers a variety of therapeutic services and benefits to individuals in early recovery from substance addiction. Our day program is full-time, offering all of the clinical hours provided in residential treatment (from 9 am to 5 pm) with the benefit of allowing clients to return home to a structured sober living environment at night. This gives individuals the opportunity to build a community of peers and practice life skills, such as cooking, cleaning, and self-care, while still participating in immersive and intensive clinical addiction and trauma treatment.

Outpatient Rehabilitation – During intensive outpatient treatment, clients live at home or in a sober living residence which can help keep them accountable for their recovery commitment. Our staff coordinates with local, reputable sober living homes to ensure that our clients are living in a safe place and that their needs are being met, even when they are not at clinical sessions. During this time, clients are also encouraged to become involved in local twelve-step fellowships, to find sponsors, and to begin working the steps of recovery through participation in these groups. IOP is a place where clients can process their experiences in twelve-step fellowships and support one another in those individual journeys.

Addiction is difficult to overcome alone. If you feel that you or a loved one is struggling with Norco abuse, our specialists are on standby and ready to help. Call (828)518-6996 and speak with an addiction expert today. You no longer have to struggle with addiction alone. We are here to help.