Most strong painkillers contain Oxycodone as the main ingredient, which helps ease varying degrees of pain for people who have injuries or have undergone surgery. Oxycodone is an opiate drug meaning it has been synthesized using opium from the poppy plant. As an opiate drug, Oxycodone attaches to neurons responsible for naturally suppressing stress and pain in the brain. Such drugs have very high abuse potential, and users are highly likely to develop a physical dependence on them. Oxycodone users who develop a substance abuse disorder from abusing the drug can officially be categorized with an opiate use disorder. It specifies that their problem is specific to opiate drug abuse.
An individual with an opiate use disorder will present the following symptoms:
They develop withdrawal symptoms when they reduce the amount of Oxycodone taken or when they stop taking it completely- They develop a tolerance to the drug
- They start displaying behaviors indicating dysfunctional non-medicinal use of the drug.
- They display behaviors indicating that they are unable to control their use of the drug
- The individual keeps taking the drug even if it causes them functional impairment or serious distress
- The repeated non-medicinal use of the drug
Suppose one is trying to quit Oxycodone use by themselves. They need to seek guidance from a physician regarding detoxification, especially if they suffer from an underlying health condition like heart disease. There are different ways to use when trying to cut down on Oxycodone use or quit entirely. Some people can recover from Oxycodone dependence on their own without a treatment program. Other users will need a treatment program that offers medications to help them alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.
Cutting Down Oxycodone Use
Most users who develop an Oxycodone addiction will want to cut down the amounts they take to reduce the problems arising with increased use instead of quitting. The following steps can help Oxycodone users reduce use on their own:
- Practice persistence once you start, as it can be easy to fall off the wagon several times if you are trying to cut down. Think of your long-term goals.
- Stay away from any tempting situations or people that made you turn to Oxycodone in the first place. Also, look for alternative ways to manage your stress, as it can be tempting to use drugs when you are angry, lonely, worried, or sad.
- Ask for support from your loved ones during the process.
- Find ways to occupy yourself, as alternative activities will keep you from using drugs.
- Pick specific drug-free days when you choose not to use Oxycodone in a week. These breaks can help you gradually start using reduced amounts.
- Remove any drugs from your home if you are trying to quit completely.
- Write down a list of reasons you want to stop or reduce your drug use to help motivate you on your journey to recovery.
What Does Oxycodone Addiction Treatment Include?
When a loved one is addicted to Oxycodone, you need assistance from qualified professionals and a good rehabilitation program. Such programs provide support, educational gatherings, and therapies to ensure the affected individual gets all the help they need to recover from Oxycodone addiction. Finding the best Oxycodone addiction treatment program will revolve around several factors: support from loved ones, family history, personal health, duration, and frequency of use.
When starting treatment for Oxycodone addiction, the user will be assessed to ascertain their treatment requirements. The next step is drug detoxification, then a good rehabilitation program including a personalized treatment procedure.
A good rehabilitation program for effective Oxycodone addiction treatment includes:
- Recovering individuals interacting with their peers during recovery
- Various facilities to promote all-around wellness for the recovering individual
- Family counseling to teach the individual’s loved ones about addiction and repair relationships
- Different therapies to heal any issues that may have led to the individual’s substance abuse
- Dual-diagnosis treatment for any coexisting problems with mental health
During rehabilitation, recovering users are also taught alternative ways of pain management without using Oxycodone. These rehabilitation programs also provide clients with other ways to socialize or enjoy recreation without alcohol or drugs.
Medication Treatment Options for Oxycodone Addiction
Medical detox is usually the first step in Oxycodone treatment, and it comes with painful and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Thus, the treatment program will probably involve the user being given opiate replacement medication. One of these drugs is Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist which acts the same way on the body as Oxycodone with less significant effects. Therefore, the user gets the same euphoric effects as those produced by Oxycodone, thus reducing cravings for narcotic drugs and the withdrawal symptoms during detox. Methadone is also an opioid that alters the nervous system and the brain’s response to pain. It decreases the symptoms of Oxycodone withdrawal while blocking the feeling of euphoria produced by opioids and semi-synthetic opiates. It is a safer alternative to Oxycodone when taken according to one’s prescription, and it allows users to recover from addiction safely.
Addiction Therapy
Addiction therapy is a significant part of a rehabilitation program for users suffering from Oxycodone abuse. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is the best kind of therapy to treat substance use disorders, as it enables the client and the therapist to collaborate in identifying the reasons for their Oxycodone abuse. It also helps in finding out how the person’s beliefs connect with their substance abuse behaviors. A medical professional will develop a plan based on this information to help the individual address these problems and modify them to promote recovery. CBT may be delivered to the patient through group sessions or individual sessions, or a combination of both.
Dual-Diagnosis Treatment for Co-Existing Conditions
Usually, people suffering from addiction also have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Any coexisting mental disorders must be treated concurrently with the substance abuse disorder for a significant recovery in the individual.
Support from Loved Ones
Support is one crucial part of recovery from Oxycodone addiction. Involvement from friends, family, and loved ones is a great way to encourage recovery. The recovering individual also participates in peer support groups like Narcotics Anonymous to undertake activities centered on their long-term recovery.
