Is Norco Safe to Take While I’m in Methadone Treatment?

As a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, Norco is supposed to be used for pain relief from injury or surgery.

However, many people end up abusing Norco because of the pleasurable feelings it provides. They simply continue to take Norco even after their pain has subsided, building up a physical dependency and making it virtually impossible to end their medication use on their own.

Luckily, there are many ways to stop your Norco addiction with help from medical professionals. One such way is methadone treatment.

While methadone does stop your cravings for Norco, you may still feel an impulse to take Norco while on methadone. But can doing so cause you harm? In order to answer that, it will help to first understand how Norco and methadone work.

Understanding How Norco Works

Is Norco Safe

Dizziness and sedation are potential Norco side effects.

Because it contains hydrocodone, Norco is classified as an opioid. This means that when you ingest Norco, it alters your brain chemistry.

Opioids work by binding to the opioid receptors in your brain. Because these are the centers that control pain and emotions, this is what causes you to feel a sense of euphoria after taking the drug.

Norco can also cause a number of unpleasant side effects, including:

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Sedation
  • Respiratory distress
  • Constipation

However, over time, opioids actually alter the structure of the brain, changing how your think and act. This is what causes the terrible withdrawal effects when you stop taking Norco. Your brain simply can’t function without having Norco in your system.

Struggling with your Norco addiction? Get help by calling 800-994-1867Who Answers? now.

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Understanding How Methadone Works

Methadone is also an opioid drug, so it works in a similar fashion to Norco. When ingested, methadone makes its way to your brain and bonds to opioid receptors.

However, unlike Norco, it doesn’t produce any side effects. You won’t feel high or get a sense of euphoria after taking methadone.

While some people use methadone just to help them get through Norco withdrawal, many people go on what’s known as methadone maintenance therapy. Instead of just taking methadone for a short while, these people stay on methadone for a long-term basis.

This helps eliminate any potential cravings and keeps them off drugs for good.

What Happens If You Take Norco and Methadone Together?

As you may have surmised by now, taking Norco and methadone together won’t have any effect on your body.

Methadone is specifically designed to block the effects of other opioids. This means that you won’t be able to get high or feel any effects if you take the two together.

Because methadone will have bonded to the opioid receptors in your brain, there is nothing for Norco to do in your body. Methadone stays in your system longer than Norco, meaning that if you take your methadone on a regular daily basis, there should always be a block preventing Norco from attaching to your opioid receptors.

In fact, methadone should eliminate your physical dependency on Norco, meaning that you won’t feel the intense cravings to try and take the drug.

As you can see, it is safe to take Norco while in methadone treatment. However, there’s really no point to it at all. Regardless, if you are still suffering from Norco cravings and need someone to talk to, call 800-994-1867Who Answers? and learn more about your options for addiction treatment.

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