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Drug addiction doesn’t always refer to street drugs such as cocaine or heroin – it can also include prescription medication.

Prescription drug addiction can be just as harmful as illicit drug addiction – and oxycodone addiction is no exception. But what is oxycodone, and what does oxycodone addiction look like?

That’s what we’re going to explore on this page – read on to learn more about oxycodone addiction, oxycodone abuse, and oxycodone withdrawal symptoms.

We’ll also be informing you on what to expect from oxycodone addiction treatment. This is something we have vast experience in at Help4Addiction – we have been helping those with addiction issues receive the treatment they deserve for years.

What is Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is an opioid painkiller used to treat moderate to severe pain/ chronic pain. As it is an opioid drug, it impacts your opioid receptors and central nervous system – activating the mu opioid receptor (MOR).

Some common brands of oxycodone include OxyContin or Oxynorm – these are branded versions of Oxycodone that may have different releases.

Generally, oxycodone will be prescribed as a controlled-release pain-relief drug or an extended-release pain-relief drug. However, you can find immediate-release oxycodone.

Oxycodone is only available with a legitimate prescription. It is a semi-synthetic opiate analgesic, much like hydrocodone. A doctor may prescribe oxycodone in tablet form, but it can also be administered in liquid form – in the hospital via injection.

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Oxycodone Addiction Explained

Many people who become addicted to oxycodone and other prescription opioids were prescribed them by a doctor for severe pain – but struggled to stop taking them.

Regular oxycodone use can lead to you developing a tolerance to the drug, meaning you’ll need to take a higher dose to feel the same effect. Ultimately, this is what leads to oxycodone addiction.

Oxycodone addiction and excessive drug use can have many negative consequences on your life – including your physical health and mental health. Often, oxycodone addiction signs aren’t clear – however, oxycodone addiction is characterised by the lack of control over taking the drug and the physical dependence on oxycodone.

It’s possible to be addicted to prescription medication without being aware of it. Your doctor may have prescribed you oxycodone for pain relief, and you could have developed a tolerance and ultimately a dependence over time.

Some people only realise they’re dependent on prescription drugs when they stop taking them and find it difficult to function without them. This means that chronic pain patients appear to be more likely to become addicted to prescription painkillers.

Oxycodone Abuse

Just because a drug has been prescribed to you, it doesn’t mean that the drug is completely safe. Just like illicit drugs, it’s possible to abuse oxycodone.

Oxycodone abuse often leads to addiction. It is a form of prescription drug abuse. Prescription drug abuse can include taking your prescription without following your doctor’s instructions – for example, taking more than your prescribed dosage, mixing it with other drugs or alcohol, crushing it and sniffing it instead of taking it in tablet form, taking it to feel ‘high’, or sourcing it from elsewhere (e.g, drug dealers or online).

This can be just as dangerous as taking illicit or ‘hard’ drugs such as heroin or cocaine – and can be fatal. Ultimately, abusing drugs can lead to not only dependence but overdose. Mixing opioids with alcohol and other drugs can be fatal.

Oxycodone Overdose

Excessive oxycodone use and oxycodone addiction increase the risk of having an oxycodone overdose. If you take more prescribed medication than authorised by a doctor, then you could potentially overdose.

Overdoses are very dangerous and can be fatal. If you think that you or somebody you know is having an opioid overdose, it’s imperative you seek medical attention immediately.

There are three key, identifiable symptoms of an opioid overdose – small, pinpoint pupils, trouble breathing, and unconsciousness.

Around 500,000 deaths per year are caused by drug use – and 70% of these deaths are caused by opioids. 30% of this figure includes people who overdosed on opioids. In 2017, around 115,000 people had fatal opioid overdoses, according to WHO (World Health Organisation) estimates.

Oxycodone Withdrawal Symptoms

The oxycodone withdrawal symptoms timeline can vary from person to person, depending on a range of factors such as addiction history, medical history, age, height, and weight.

Withdrawal symptoms occur if you have developed a physical dependence on a substance, and you stop taking it or drastically your usual dose.

You may experience a range of psychological symptoms as well as physical symptoms when withdrawing from oxycodone.

Here are some common withdrawal symptoms you may experience when detoxing from oxycodone:

Oxycodone Addiction Treatment

If you’re addicted to prescription opioids such as oxycodone, then it’s important that you seek the right drug addiction treatment for you.

However, with so many treatment options out there – such as private drug rehab, NHS-operated rehab, residential rehab and outpatient rehab – it can be tough to determine the right treatment plan for your circumstances.

This is something we can help with at Help4Addiction – we will listen to your story to find the right treatment centre for you.

As well as prescription drug addiction, we can help with alcohol addiction, and source the best alcohol treatment organisations in your area.

We can also find rehab options if you are dependent on street drugs – if you have a cocaine addiction, heroin addiction, or any other addiction, our experts are on hand to help.

Continue reading for the three key stages of oxycodone rehab – detoxification, therapy, and secondary treatment.

Oxycodone Detox

Detoxification is the first stage of any drug addiction treatment – the act of freeing your body of the substance. Naturally, this means that you’ll have no access to drugs or alcohol at this time.

Detoxing from opioids can be tough, and oxycodone is no exception – which is why many patients benefit from an inpatient detox (a medically supervised detox). During a medical detox, you may be given medication to ease the withdrawal symptoms.

Contact our experts today to discuss your oxycodone detox options – we can source the right detox program for you, whether you’re looking for an inpatient detox or an outpatient detox.

Oxycodone Addiction Therapy

Upon completing the detoxification process, you may proceed to receive addiction therapy. There are a range of therapies used to treat prescription drug addiction – for example, group therapy, family therapy, counselling, and of course, CBT/ cognitive behavioural therapy.

Addiction therapy can not only help you to gain a further understanding of your addictions and the potential causal factors, but it can teach you valuable and effective coping strategies that can ultimately help to prevent relapse.

Secondary Treatment

Secondary treatment can help to ease the transition from rehab care back into society and everyday life. Whether you choose to attend local support groups, receive telephone support, online support, or further counselling, we can work together to source the best aftercare for you.

Call us today to get the ball rolling on your recovery journey and begin the admissions process to oxycodone rehab.

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