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Dangers of Combining Marijuana and Hydrocodone

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Any one drug is dangerous on its own. Marijuana can change how you think and act. It can change your physical and mental health. When it is combined with hydrocodone, a drug with even greater potential side effects, the risks increase.

Marijuana’s Health Risks

Marijuana is often seen as harmless, especially now that it’s increasingly legal. However, even when used alone, there are risks involved. Marijuana impacts heart health, respiratory health and overall quality of life. Mixing any drug can be incredibly dangerous, even if a user does not think so. Marijuana use is surrounded by a lot of conflicting misunderstandings. Because it’s increasingly legal, many people see it as harmless. At the same time, stigma surrounds users and individuals looking for addiction help. This means the dangers of marijuana use often go ignored.

However, marijuana does have potentially dangerous side effects. Using other drugs like hydrocodone only complicates health further.

Marijuana, Hydrocodone and Your Heart

Offering a joint

Marijuana can put your heart at risk. The drug can raise your heart rate and makes it work harder. Harvard Health explains, “People with established heart disease who are under stress develop chest pain more quickly if they have been smoking marijuana than they would have otherwise… The risk of heart attack is several times higher in the hour after smoking marijuana than it would be normally.”1

At the same time, hydrocodone increases the likelihood of irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillation, and associated heart attacks. Using both drugs strains your heart and your health. Recovery gives this most important organ a chance to rest, heal and continue to support you as you live your best life.

Marijuana, Hydrocodone and Your Lungs

Doctor reviewing xray

Both marijuana and hydrocodone impact your respiratory health. The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains that smoking marijuana may come with similar cancer and lung disease risks as smoking tobacco. In addition, “Marijuana smoking is associated with large airway inflammation, increased airway resistance, and lung hyperinflation, and those who smoke marijuana regularly report more symptoms of chronic bronchitis than those who do not smoke.”2

While marijuana is irritating your lungs, hydrocodone is making them work harder. Opioid drugs slow respiratory rate so that you’re taking in less air and oxygen. Combining marijuana and hydrocodone can leave you breathless—and not in a good way.

Marijuana, Hydrocodone and Your Life

Both marijuana and hydrocodone have an effect on nearly every part of your body. However, their impact on your mental health may be the most dangerous. Smoking marijuana generally decreases a user’s motivation, punctuality, cognitive skills and more.

You may find that you can’t focus at work or maintain responsibilities at home. These drugs begin to take away the positive things in life and replace them with negative ones. Addiction takes the choice out of the issue so that you can’t break free on your own even as you notice this happening. Addiction treatment returns the good and lets you protect your mental and physical health.

Find Your Health and Your Life

If you find stopping marijuana or hydrocodone use almost impossible, you’re not alone. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse shares, “On average, adults seeking treatment for marijuana use disorders…have attempted to quit more than six times.”3 Individuals using hydrocodone may have tried even more. Instead of just trying, you can succeed. When you have the right help, recovery is in reach.

Our experienced clinicians and staff are passionate about getting you back on track. Drugs don’t have to have a hold on your life. Don’t wait for the risks and dangers to increase. Call us at 760.548.4032 and reclaim your life.

Start the Journey Today!

760.548.4032

References

1Marijuana and Heart Health: What You Need to Know.” Harvard Health. Aug. 2017.

2What Are Marijuana’s Effects on Lung Health?” National Institute on Drug Abuse. May 2018.

3Available Treatments for Marijuana Use Disorders.” National Institute on Drug Abuse. May 2018.

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