Oxycodone Addiction

Facts to Know About Oxycodone

• Oxycodone is a powerful, narcotic prescription analgesic (painkiller).
• Oxycodone is part of the same class of drugs as heroin and morphine.
• Even taking oxycodone in prescribed doses can lead to dependence and addiction.
• Some addicts buy oxycodone off the streets, others get it from doctors or online pharmacies.
• “Doctor shopping” means being treated by more than one doctor for the same problem, usually to get more prescription narcotics like oxycodone.
• Oxycodone addiction is a widespread problem in the United States. Some have called it an “epidemic.”
• Oxycodone addiction and abuse is a leading cause of preventable death. In some states, like Florida, death from prescription pill overdose is more common than traffic accident fatalities.
• Oxycodone addiction changes how your body responds to pain.
• Around 1.9 million Americans have taken oxycodone illegally.
• Oxycodone is the ingredient in drugs like Percocet, OxyContin, and Roxicodone.

Oxycodone Addiction: Detox

Uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms are the number one reason that most addicts relapse when they are first trying to get clean. Fear of the withdrawal process can even prevent many people suffering from oxycodone addiction from seeking treatment. Often, a person has experienced withdrawal symptoms at some point in their addiction, and they know that it will be painful to quit taking oxycodone all together. Symptoms of oxycodone withdrawal can be mistaken for flu-like symptoms and can include extreme pain, tremors, muscle cramps, sweating, chills, rapid heartbeat, itching, restless leg syndrome, runny nose, sneezing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness.

Oxycodone detox is the process of weaning a person off of opiates and controlling the withdrawal symptoms.  The aim is to make the withdrawal process as safe and comfortable as possible. Medications like buprenorphine and methadone act as “replacement medications,” stimulating the same receptors as oxycodone and thereby lessening the withdrawal symptoms. Other medications are used to treat muscle spasms, high blood pressure, anxiety, and insomnia.

Oxycodone Addiction: Treatment

Most people who become dependent on oxycodone need professional intervention to recover from oxycodone addiction. Treatment for oxycodone addiction generally involves a combination of different approaches. This includes traditional treatments like counseling, psychotherapy, group therapy, 12-step support groups and family therapy, along with holistic treatments like acupuncture, yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, equine therapy, and Tai-Chi.

Oxycodone Addiction: Recovery

Recovery from oxycodone addiction is possible, but it takes time and commitment. Usually, the longer a person attends treatment and outpatient programs, the better they tend to do in the long run. Recovery involves embracing a new way of life, and practicing new, healthy habits.