Oxycodone Addiction Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

Important Notice Regarding Oxycodone Addiction

If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction to oxycodone, it is imperative to seek help immediately and begin the process of recovery. Ignoring this problem can easily spiral out of control and destroy one’s life and close relationships. Although the treatment process for oxycodone addiction may be difficult, it is possible to rebuild your life and find freedom from this disease.

Through the support and guidance of Brookdale’s experienced clinical, medical and leadership team, you or your loved one can receive the necessary tools to discover your life…recovered. Please contact us today at 855-575-1292 to begin the process.

What You Need to Know about Oxycodone Addiction

Oxycodone is a powerful semi-synthetic opioid used to treat moderate to severe pain. In medical circumstances it is usually prescribed alongside surgeries or in response to cases of chronic pain, such as cancer or extreme arthritis. As one of its side effects, oxycodone produces a euphoric high when taken in larger doses. As in the case of all opioids, this effect makes the drug a popular choice for illegal recreational use.

While oxycodone is effective for managing pain, it presents a strong risk for addiction because of the way its chemicals affect the brain. Even when used with a legitimate prescription under the careful instruction of a doctor, a patient can develop a substance use disorder for oxycodone. For this reason, when taken recreationally, the risk rises significantly along with the chance for a dangerous overdose.

What is Oxycodone?

Derived from the sap of the opium poppy plant and then chemically altered to its current state, oxycodone serves as a semi-synthetic opioid intended to be used for treating pain. It may also be referred to as a narcotic and presents a high risk for addiction even when used properly.

Regardless of the situation, oxycodone is always illegal if it is being taken or purchased without a prescription from a doctor. Despite this, the euphoric high that it produces makes it a commonly abused recreational drug and is a major element of the opioid crisis in the United States. Using the drug recreationally is extremely dangerous, not only because of its addictive risk, but also because of its strong potency that makes it easy to accidently overdose on, a mistake that can have potentially fatal consequences even if it is happening for the first time.

Oxycodone is available as a slow release capsule, which means that it is intended to be taken before pain begins to provide long term relief rather than as needed. This also decreases the chance of an addiction forming in comparison to other means for taking opioids since the body is exposed to less of the drug at a given time.

When taken recreationally, the oxycodone capsule is often crushed into a powder so that it can be snorted or mixed with liquid to be injected. The reason for doing this is to increase the speed of which the drug enters the bloodstream, in turn decreasing the time it takes for the high to begin. Due to how oxycodone is meant to be released slowly rather than all at once, this approach is extremely dangerous and can easily cause an overdose.

Nicknames and Popular Brand Names for Oxycodone

Since oxycodone has been around since the mid-1900s, it is currently available under several different brand names. This is valuable for consumers because it decreases the price of the drug by increasing competition on the market, but it also makes identifying the drug more difficult since it is legally sold under many different names.

The most common brand names for oxycodone are:

• OxyContin

• Percodan

• Percocet

• Tylox

It is important to remember that this list is constantly changing and growing as users try to stay one step ahead of the authorities. For this reason, just because a person is not using a name from the list it does not mean that they do not have an oxycodone addiction. If someone is referring to a strange name in a suspicious way, it is worth watching for other signs that point to them abusing the drug.

How Addictive is Oxycodone?

The United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) categorizes oxycodone as a Schedule II controlled substance, which is the second most dangerous classification for a drug to receive. To be placed here, a drug must present an especially high risk for addiction while still offering some medical value. Oxycodone easily fits this definition, to the point that it is possible for some users to become hooked from the very first use.

What makes oxycodone so dangerous is that when it is taken, it impacts the brain to prompt a rush of pleasure endorphins, most notably dopamine, to flood the body. While these chemicals do occur naturally, the amount of them that the drug creates is far from normal biology. As use continues and the dose grows overtime, this process will eventually alter the brain itself, causing it to believe it needs constant access to oxycodone in order to survive. This feeling is further enhanced by how the body learns to rely on the presence of the drug and when it is removed, it undergoes the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal.

Symptoms of Oxycodone Abuse 

Abusing oxycodone comes with a range of side effects beyond the euphoric high that many users may not even be aware of. This impacts a person physically and psychologically and can alter a person’s behavior overtime. In some cases of heavy or long-term use, the effects may even become permanent.  Knowing these symptoms is a valuable way to spot an addiction.

Some of the most frequent symptoms related to oxycodone use include:

In addition to these symptoms, abusing oxycodone often leads to distinct behavioral shifts such as:

• Neglecting responsibilities such as work or family

• Lying about oxycodone use

• Stealing pills or money to pay for pills

• Losing interest in old hobbies and relationships

• Frequently changing doctors

• Financial troubles

Demographics and Statistics of Oxycodone Addiction

Recognizing some of the statistics related to oxycodone is a useful way for developing a better understanding of the drug, its risks and its impact on society. A few to note include:

• Oxycodone becomes more dangerous when taken with certain other drugs that react with it
• There are 482 drugs that have been shown to interact with oxycodone, including Xanax, Lyrica, and alcohol
• Oxycodone takes 3-4 days to leave a person’s system
• Hair testing can detect oxycodone for roughly three months after its use
• Oxycodone is considered a gateway drug to heroin

Treatment for Oxycodone Addiction

Due to the potency of oxycodone, it is an extremely difficult and potentially dangerous drug for someone to stop using on their own. For this reason, it is imperative to seek the professional help of a qualified rehab center. There, an addict can find the help they need to overcome their addiction in a manner that is as effective and safe as possible.

Rehab centers offer a variety of programs to accommodate a range of addictions and their severities. The most effective of these treatment processes involves inpatient care, where a patient remains onsite for an established period of time for treatment. Oftentimes, a person’s environment can influence their behavior and addiction, making it difficult to break free from the cycle of drug abuse. Thus, removing that individual from their normal surroundings allows them the best opportunity to heal and begin the process of recovery.

When appropriate, treatment usually begins with detoxification, a process in which all harmful and addictive substances are removed from the body. While under the supervision of licensed medical professionals, detox symptoms and other medical concerns can be properly managed, mitigating any potentially harmful side effects. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms can pose as life threatening, thus it is never recommended to attempt detox without the proper medical support. While detoxification is a crucial phase of the treatment process, it is merely the first step toward ongoing recovery.

Once a patient has successfully completed detox, they can begin to transition into residential care. During this stage of treatment, the clinical team will work closely with the individual to create a comprehensive care plan that is tailored to their specific needs. Every person that walks into rehab is a unique case, and what may be beneficial for one person, may not be suitable for another. In residential treatment, a patient can expect to participate in a variety of therapeutic modalities including group therapy, family counseling, recreational therapy, holistic treatment, relapse prevention, among various other patient-specific treatments.

Get Help Today for your Oxycodone Addiction

If you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction to oxycodone, the time to get help is NOW! Specializing in the treatment of addiction, Brookdale can provide you with the necessary tools to overcome your disease and face potential obstacles in long-term recovery.

A life…recovered is possible and it begins with a phone call to our trusted Admissions Specialists today! Call 855-575-1292 now to start the intake process.