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What Is Oxycodone?
Oxycodone, also known as Oxycontin, is a narcotic drug and is considered to be a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States Oxycodone is an extended relief opioid pain reliever. Oxycodone is often prescribed for treatment of moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone is highly addictive and abuse of this drug is very common.
In the United States and all over the world Oxycodone addiction is increasing every day. This drug is very easy to get. People who have prescriptions for Oxycodone often sell the drugs themselves and street pushers on corners of urban cities have access to the drug as well.
Sometimes heroin addicts will abuse Oxycodone if heroin is not available because it produces a similar euphoric high. It also has a mental relaxation effect and induces general feelings of well-being. This drug produces a physical dependency in abusers over time. Abusers and addicts may also develop a tolerance to it and will need more and more of it to get the same high they experienced initially. Once an abuser becomes addicted to Oxycodone they will have an extremely hard time stopping its use because of the severe withdrawal they will go through when coming off of this drug. Because of this, many Oxycodone abusers never overcome their addiction.
Once they start to feel withdrawal they will keep using the drug just to get rid of the uncomfortable feelings of withdrawal. In an individual who was legitimately prescribed Oxycodone for pain relief may use it for only a short period of time and never become addicted. These individuals will not experience severe withdrawal symptoms when use of the drug is discontinued. However if person who abused Oxycodone in large amounts over a long period of time, abruptly discontinues its use, they will become ill from the severe withdrawal, this is because their body is already used to the effects of the drug.
When an addict wants to discontinue use of this drug, it is highly recommended that they go through medical detox. Detoxification can be done at a hospital or rehabilitation facility and will alleviate withdrawal symptoms to make a person feel more comfortable during this primary stage of recovery.
Withdrawal symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the individual's addiction, so a medically supervised detox is extremely important in case any dangerous health risks arise.
Oxycodone Abuse Detox Information
Detox is the first step in clearing all traces of the drug out of a person's system. If an addict is used to taking large amounts of Oxycodone over long periods of time, the withdrawal from this drug may be severe. Over time abusing Oxycodone in high amounts will cause a physical dependency to the drug. This dependence to the drug will then lead to severe withdrawal symptoms once the Oxycodone is depleted from their system. Medical detox is the only way to assure safety during the withdrawal period because withdrawal may cause a person to become sick and the individual may not be able to handle the symptoms without medical attention.
Oxycodone Withdrawal Symptoms
Depending on each individual's addiction, Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms may vary from mild to severe. Withdrawal symptoms usually begin 4-6 hours after last use of the drug and can last up to 2 to 3 weeks after detox. Withdrawal symptoms from this drug include:
- Agitation
- Increased Anxiety
- Muscular Aches and Pains
- Insomnia
- Flu Like Symptoms such as Runny Nose
- Sweating
- Chills and Fever
- Excessive Yawning
- Cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dilated Pupils
- Increased Tearing
- Goose Bumps
It is not recommended that a person go through this withdrawal alone. During medical detox, patients will be under a doctor's supervision 24/7 in case any of the withdrawal symptoms pose a danger to the person's health.
Oxycodone Addiction Treatment Options
Medical detoxification should only be treated at a hospital or in-patient rehabilitation center. The healthcare provider on staff may start by having the patient taper off of Oxycodone slowly by decreasing their dose little by little every day. This is done to decrease the shock to the body from suddenly stopping the use of this drug.
A doctor may also prescribe medications to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and speed up the detoxification process. Detox is only the first initial step towards recovery. After detoxification, the abuser will then have the choice whether or not to enroll in a rehabilitation center of their choice. Treatment at a rehabilitation center is recommended for addicts who want to rid their lives permanently from the bonds of addiction. At rehab a patient will also be given behavioral health therapy and counseling which is essential for a successful recovery. Rehabilitation from the abuse of Oxycodone and any other drugs is the only way to assure a complete recovery and a new clean and sober lifestyle.
