Oxycodone can be prescribed by a physician to lessen chronic pain. This can lead to people thinking that these drugs aren’t as dangerous as they really are. After all, if it’s prescribed by a physician, how can it hurt you?
On the contrary, this drug has highly addictive properties. These properties lead people to become severely addicted, often wondering how they even got there. Addiction is a disease and needs to be treated as such.
Our facility offers treatment for all kinds of addiction, including oxycodone. There is growth from pain and a light at the end of the tunnel. If you or a loved one is suffering from oxycodone addiction; look no further. Here at 1st Step, our priority is to guide you on the road to recovery.
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Why Oxycodone Addiction Happens
Oxycodone, or “Oxy,” gives its users calming feelings that can be very attractive. They feel less pain and are euphoric, relaxed, and calm. The reason for use can stem from physical pain or illegal use of the drug to self-treat mental conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or ADHD. Whichever reason it is, the drug’s goal is to soothe the individual’s feelings of discomfort.
As a result, oxycodone addiction may occur.
Oxycodone affects the brain’s reward system. This makes people using the drug value it and want to repeat its use. Reward leads to abuse, tolerance, dependence and full-fledged addiction. All of this happens quickly, so quickly that most people who become addicted are almost surprised by their disease.
Oxycodone addiction can happen even when using the drug as the doctor ordered. Many oxycodone patients keep getting their pills through “doctor shopping” and buying on the streets. In more severe situations, they may turn to other drugs for their high. In fact, people addicted to oxycodone are a dozen times more likely to turn to heroin.
How to Recognize Oxycodone Addiction
Oxycodone addiction shows some tell-tale signs to those who look closely enough at their loved one’s behavior or their own.
Although the type of oxycodone being taken can lead to slightly varied symptoms, the most common signs of oxycodone addiction include:
- Constipation
- Changed sleep patterns
- Drug-seeking or doctor shopping
- Lying or stealing
- Changed interests
- Relationship problems
- Legal or financial problems problems
- Poor work or school performance
- Withdrawal symptoms when not using
If an addicted person quits using the drug, they will go through a highly uncomfortable oxycodone withdrawal. Withdrawal is a sure sign that they need rehab treatment and that ending addiction is not as simple as just walking away from the bottle of pills.
For full recovery from addiction to take place, they need formal help and support through a drug treatment center. Otherwise, recovery will be short and can lead to deadly relapse.
Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms include:
- Higher pain sensitivity
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Shivering
- Sleeplessness
Oxycodone Treatment – The Basics
Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms hit hard and can last a long time. Many people trying to quit the drug do not make it through withdrawal without relapse, a risky action that often leads to a deadly overdose. This is why it is helpful for people seeking recovery to go through professional addiction treatment.
Many patients start treatment in a supervised drug detox center. This is a process where the body cleanses itself of the drug and other harmful substances like alcohol. At our center, medical professionals monitor patients, helping them eat well, stay hydrated, and get through withdrawal smoothly. These professionals may also provide some medications that can help make withdrawal symptoms more bearable.
After detox is over, the patient goes into a quality rehab program. In rehab, they learn how to stay in recovery and avoid drugs and alcohol. Treatment of underlying causes of addiction such as depression, ADHD, PTSD, or anxiety includes the use of a variety of therapies.
Treatment can include inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, along with a variety of different approaches. Here at 1st Step, we make sure to thoroughly address your unique circumstances. This allows us to create a personalized treatment plan to guide you (or a loved one) on a healthy road to recovery.
Inpatient Treatment for Oxycodone Addiction
Inpatient treatment is a really beneficial commitment one can make during their oxycodone addiction. This kind of treatment offers 24/7 medical care and emotional support through our facility. As a patient, you or a loved one will commit to living at our facility for an extended amount of time that we agree upon.
Living in an environment that’s dedicated to curing oxycodone addiction has a lot of advantages. For one, you’ll be in a community where everyone shares the common goal of getting better. Leaving an oxycodone addiction behind may not be easy…
But with 1st Step, we make sure to make the process as smooth as possible for you. There’s a lot that goes into how we care for our patients. From our beautiful premises to group therapy to medical support, we have everything needed for a successful recovery journey.
Outpatient Rehab for Oxycodone Addiction
Outpatient rehab incorporates a lot of the aspects of care that inpatient rehab has for oxycodone addiction. However, this is a much more hands-off approach. If you or a loved one has serious obligations such as caring for a child, this may be a great option for you.
Rather than staying in the facility, patients have the option of living at home. We offer a personalized treatment plan for oxycodone addiction at our premises. Simultaneously, we also give you or a loved one the ability to return back home after. Outpatient rehab is also a great method for former inpatients to continue their treatment in a more independent environment.
This helps them ease back into everyday responsibilities, rather than jumping in all at once. Our programs are flexible and made to make your life easier. We support you on your recovery journey and want to make sure our treatment fits into your unique circumstances.
Paired Dual Diagnosis and Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment
An important aspect of oxycodone addiction treatment is understanding what triggers the urge to use the drug. This can stem from certain emotions to people in one’s environment. Each situation is different and requires a unique approach. A large part of this is due to the patient’s triggers for using the drug and their overall reasoning.
For many, a second mental disorder triggers cravings for oxycodone. This is known as dual diagnosis, also referred to as a co-occurring disorder.
Some of the most common co-occurring disorders include:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia
- Attention deficit disorder
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders
Dopamine, the feel-good chemical in the brain, gets triggered during oxycodone use. At first, this causes a high that lures people in. This high is then followed by a depressive crash. Thus, depression is often a disorder that goes hand in hand with oxycodone addiction.
In order to recover from oxycodone addiction, one must address all parts of the issue. Mental health is equally as important as the physical aspect of addiction. Here at 1st Step, your physical and mental health is our priority.
Detoxing For Oxycodone Addiction
To prevent individuals from developing a secondary addiction, our clinic will need to slowly taper patients off of this drug. This can take some time. Patients will need to slowly take a smaller and smaller dose until they can eventually quit the drug.
As stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), oxycodone was one of the top 3 prescription opioids involved in overdose deaths in 2016 alongside methadone and hydrocodone. If a patient is already at risk for relapse, getting prescribed another drug isn’t always a smart option.
Furthermore, oxycodone can lower an individual’s tolerance to other opioids. As a result, relapsing carries a greater risk of fatal overdose.
You Can Get Better Today
No matter how lost you or a loved one may feel, there is a tremendous amount of potential for a better life. Long-term sobriety leads to a more fulfilling and joyful life. We understand that this may be overwhelming to think about in the moment, but we promise you that it’s possible.
Meet us halfway and allow us to guide you through the recovery process for oxycodone addiction. We have a wide range of medical care and therapy to suit a patient’s unique circumstances. Everyone’s challenges are different in their own way.
Here at 1st Step Behavioral Health, we offer quality rehab programs designed to suit individual patient needs. If you are ready to end your addiction to oxycodone, we can help. Contact us today at (855) 425-4846 for more information.
