Home > Addictions We Support With > Prescription Drug Addiction > Oxycodone Addiction
If you think you may be addicted and you want to stop taking oxycodone, getting help from medical professionals and addiction specialists is the best thing you can do.
At Help4Addiction, we can find the right local rehab treatment for you, whether it be oxycodone addiction, addiction to street drugs, party drugs, or other prescription drug addictions.
This page will tell you all about oxycodone addiction, including facts about the drug, prescription drug abuse, and the treatment process for oxycodone addiction.
Oxycodone often referred to as simply ‘Oxy’, is an opioid painkiller that is used to treat moderate to severe pain. You may recognise the brand names ‘OxyContin’ and ‘Oxynorm’ – these are simply branded versions of the controlled drug that may have alternative releases.
Oxycodone typically comes in an extended-release or controlled release form, which stops the drug from working instantly and allows the drug to target specific areas. However, you can find immediate-release oxycodone.
Like many other controlled substances, oxycodone is only available with legitimate prescriptions. In some cases, you may be given a tablet that has oxycodone and naloxone – this can be provided to prevent side effects such as constipation. However, may also be given oxycodone in the hospital via an injection.
Just like hydrocodone, oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opiate analgesic. It was derived from thebaine in 1917 – and is currently used for pain. Chronic pain patients may be given oxycodone by a doctor.
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Oxycodone is a painkiller predominantly prescribed for severe pain – for example, pain caused by cancer or a severe injury.
Oxycodone and other analgesics such as morphine are often given to cancer patients. It may also be prescribed when other painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol are failing to soothe the pain.
Oxycodone works to relieve pain by stopping the pain signals from travelling through your body’s central nervous system (CNS), ultimately leading to pain relief.
After taking your prescribed dose of oxycodone, you should feel the effects within an hour – typically within 30 minutes. However, the effects tend to wear off within around 4-6 hours.
Just because a drug is prescribed, it doesn’t mean that it is safe. When you have been prescribed prescription drugs, it’s important that you follow the doctor’s instructions as many prescription drugs can be addictive – including oxycodone. It is possible to abuse prescription drugs just like you can abuse alcohol, cocaine, heroin, etc.
Prescription drugs can be just as dangerous as hard drugs such as cocaine or heroin and can be dangerous and sometimes deadly when abused.
Prescription drug abuse classes as taking prescription medication in any way other than recommended by your doctor or medical professional.
This can include taking somebody else’s prescription drugs or taking prescription medication to feel ‘high’ or euphoric as opposed to treating whatever ailment you were prescribed it for.
Another example of prescription drug abuse is mixing prescription drugs with other drugs or substances such as alcohol, opioid medications, or street drugs such as cocaine or heroin.
Mixing oxycodone with alcohol can cause your breathing and heart to slow down or even stop. Opioid abuse can be deadly – oxycontin abuse/ oxycodone abuse may kill you if you overdose or mix with alcohol or other drugs.
If you take prescription drugs on a regular basis, you’re more at risk of addiction. You could be addicted to prescription opioids such as oxycodone but not be aware – you may only become aware when you stop taking it or lower your dose and notice withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Chronic pain patients may be more likely to get addicted to prescription painkillers.
If you stop taking oxycodone after prolonged use or abusing oxycodone, then you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug or go from a higher dose to a low dose.
The oxycodone withdrawal process is similar to other opioid withdrawals – with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. There are several factors that can determine how intense or uncomfortable the oxycodone withdrawal process is for you – typically your typical dose and how long you’ve been using the drug.
When withdrawing from opiates such as oxycodone, you may experience physical withdrawal symptoms as well as behavioural symptoms and psychological symptoms.
Some common symptoms you may experience when withdrawing from oxycodone include:
If you want to stop your drug use and detox from oxycodone safely and effectively, we can help to find the right local treatment centre for you.
We understand that drug addiction can be difficult to break, and it can be a scary time taking the first step into substance abuse recovery – which is why we will discuss your treatment options in a sympathetic and straightforward manner.
There are different stages to drug rehab – but regardless of the drug that you’re addicted to, rehab treatment generally follows this structure: detox, therapy, and secondary treatment. We can find the right treatment plan for you.
Opioid addiction and opioid use disorder treatment begin with detoxing from the drug. During this stage, you may experience withdrawal symptoms.
When recovering from opioid addiction, many patients benefit from an inpatient detox with medical assistance at a residential rehab centre.
Once you have successfully completed an oxycodone detox, you will begin therapy – whether it be CBT, counselling, or group therapy. CBT is common during drug addiction rehab.
CBT focuses on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours – and can help you change certain patterns. Therapy in rehab is designed to improve your mental health, building your strength and confidence.
The aim of secondary treatment is to ease your transition back into society, prevent relapse, and increase the chances of living a drug-free life. Some forms of aftercare include further counselling, group therapy, and support groups.
While these may seem distressing the better prepared we are for them and the better assisted we are by trained professionals the easier they are to mitigate and overcome.
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Helen O'Mahony2024-04-27Shay was extremely helpful and reassuring in advising me on how my friend can access addiction help for a family member. He explained everything in good detail with all the relevant information. I feel that it will be a great help to my friend who is extremely worried at the moment and I know she will get much solace and help from this. Many thanks!Gaynor Ahern2024-04-26The team at Help4Addiction were absolutely amazing. My daughter is now safe and starting her recovery journey. The help and guidance of AJ and the team, were second to none. They helped find an amazing treatment centre, facilitated contact between my whole family and the treatment centre. They encouraged my daughter and supported me throughout. I cannot thank them enough for literally saving my daughters life. And the continued support even now, 90 day's after my daughter went into treatment. AJ and the team truly are "Earth Angels". I would highly recommend Help4Addiction to anyone who's struggling or family of loved one's in the midst of addiction.Kylie Woodland2024-04-16Charlene was amazing…..so grateful for her support and advice when i didn't know what else to do to try and help my son with addiction ThxJools2024-04-12Had the pleasure of speaking to a lovely person called Shay recently when trying to navigate a situation for a close family friend in crisis. He was so easy to talk to, and he took the time to explain various options available to us and them. Thank you Shay for your kind words, compassion and good luck with everything in your own journey. You're an absolute star. xDavid John2024-04-01Superb experience. I spoke with Charlene, a real human being who was incredibly helpful and understanding and I believe, just from speaking with her, has been through the experience of addiction herself, and so completely understands, or at least, that's how it felt, which was somehow incredibly reassuring and affirming. This is a great first step on the long road to recovery. I highly recommend. Get in contact asap..Sonn Huss2024-04-01I would like to say what a fantastic fantastic service received , Charlene has been extremely supportive and understanding of my situation, has regulary kept in touch .. has listened and reassured me. I can't find the words to describe her , if it wasn't for Charlene supportive nature I would not have been able to get through this difficult time . Thankyou so much greatly appreciate all the team . ❤️cerys johns2024-03-27I spoke with Charlene today, she was so lovely, polite and so knowledgeable. She listen to what I had to say and gave me some valuable advice. Charlene put me in contact with a rehab centre in Bournemouth, that would be able to help my daughter. This young lady also rang me later as promised, to see how I was getting on with all the info. I asked would she mind speaking with daughter and she was glad to. I really appreciated Charlene's dedication in helping and my daughter. Thank you. Cerys Johnsjames shiels2024-03-20Amazing , fantastic help ,Karen Mrs2024-03-19I really need to give this feedback from my heart. I was in crisis today. I won't go into detail....... I called this number in a hope and prayer I would get some help... I write this because the service was my saviour in hope. A lady had been so so helpful. I hope I am allowed to mention her name ""Charlene" who has stayed in contact with me via phone helping me out. Above and beyond I would say. I thank you for all your help advise and support. I truly mean it. My name is Karen. This is a wonderful service.Ms Mitchell2024-03-19This service was amazing. From Charlene and AJ. It gave me a better understanding.
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