Oxycodone Addiction
Currently, the fastest growing drug addiction problem in the United States centers around prescription painkillers. And while Hydrocodone based drugs such as Vicodin are still the most commonly abused, oxycodone-based drugs such as OxyContin are becoming a very serious issue to health care and addiction treatment professionals everywhere.
To understand the rise of oxycodone addiction, it is important to look at the drug’s makeup as well as how its initial design would eventually become so hazardous. Then, an exploration of how drug rehab centers deal with oxycodone addiction will provide valuable insight for families struggling with the disease.
What makes Oxycodone Addiction so Dangerous?
When oxycodone-based drugs such as OxyContin are used as prescribed by a physician it works as a time-release pill. Instead of having to take several pain medications over the course of a day, an individual need only take a single OxyContin. The problems began to arise when individuals realized that if they crushed the drug and snorted it (or injected it) that they would receive ALL of the active ingredients at once. This powerful high left many people addicted, and more than a few with fatal overdoses.
In addition, oxycodone is highly dangerous because as people grow addicted to the opiate, they develop a tolerance to the drug. That means it will take more and more oxycodone to achieve the desired euphoric effect. Taking so much of the drug leaves an individual highly susceptible to overdose.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Oxycodone Addiction?
There are a number of telling signs and symptoms associated with oxycodone addiction. Understanding these physical and psychological symptoms can go a long ways towards getting the addicted individual the help they need.
Among the most common signs and symptoms of oxycodone addiction:
- Mood swings and depression
- Sleeplessness and restlessness
- Lying or stealing to obtain more of the drug
- Dilated pupils
- Sweating or nervousness
- Fits of energy and grandiose thinking
What is the Best Way to Treat Oxycodone Addiction?
The most effective way to treat oxycodone addiction is through a professional drug rehab program. Oxycodone addiction has its roots in both psychological and physical elements -and as such a comprehensive drug rehab program must treat both these components.
The physical addiction to oxycodone is addressed through detox. Oxycodone detox takes place when the individual stops using the drug and allows the opiate-related toxins to leave their system. Opiate detox can be a trying time -as the individual is likely to experience a number of withdrawal symptoms through the initial days of the process.
While these withdrawal symptoms are not generally life-threatening, they can lead to relapse which makes the presence of a drug detox professional that much more important. Detox professionals can help support the individual through this period so that they come out safely – and healthier than before.
Oxycodone addiction is predominantly a psychological dependence. This is addressed in drug rehab through counseling. Individual and group counseling help the individual understand the root causes of their prescription drug addiction -and teaches them how to make better decisions when stressors appear during the course of their lives. These sessions treat the core reasons behind addiction, and therefore provide the tools needed to maintain a drug-free life long after the process is over.
Finally, there is aftercare. Aftercare programs help ease the recovering addict back into the “real world” by offering them support and accountability through 12-step programs and follow-up counseling. These programs are important because once the individual leaves drug rehab, and has access once again to oxycodone-based drugs such as Percocet (generic names are Endocet and Oxycocet), OxyContin or Percodan (generic names are Endodan and Oxycodan) they may need help dealing with temptation.
Michael’s House is a residential drug rehabilitation program located in Palm Springs, California. The addiction treatment program at Michael’s House treats the whole person, in mind, body and spirit. When an individual leaves Michael’s House they do so with the tools to live the happiest, drug-free life imaginable. For more information, contact Michael’s House today at 1-877-345-8494.
