Oxycodone addiction can spiral out of control very quickly, but it can also manifest itself over time as a result of attempting pain management. The prescription drug problem in the United States has spiraled out of control in recent years. Currently, more people are passing away from prescription drug overdoses than ever before. One reason for this is that it’s not always easy to spot the signs of pill addiction. At Crestview Recovery, we help you learn more about what this disease entails and finding the right oxycodone withdrawal rehab.
What is an Oxycodone Addiction?
Prescription pain medications like oxycodone can help many people who suffer from serious pain, but these medications are very addictive. Some people develop an addiction to the medication the first time they use it. Other people may develop a dependency, which ends up morphing into an addiction. The sooner you can catch the signs of prescription medication abuse and seek substance use treatment, the better your chances of recovery.
There are many people who benefit from taking medications like oxycodone for problems with pain. However, for others, these meds end up hurting more than helping. Developing an addiction can happen to just about anyone. Because everyone is unique, addictions manifest in different ways. Oxycodone and other narcotic medications release dopamine, which is a natural hormone that gives pleasure. We need dopamine in order to survive, but only in moderation.
When an individual develops an addiction to oxycodone, dopamine floods his or her brain. The person gets so much dopamine on a regular basis that he or she develops a dependency. The other side effect of addiction is a malfunctioning prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain helps us make logical decisions and control some of the other following traits:
- Interpersonal connection
- Impulse control
- Emotional regulation
- Foresight
- Danger perception
Getting Help for an Oxycodone Addiction
If you’re beginning to see that oxycodone use is making your life unmanageable, you may need partial hospitalization drug rehab, where you can get consistent care. Overcoming an oxycodone addiction requires intensive treatment so your brain can heal. The brain’s list of priorities becomes skewed as a result of addiction, but it can heal.
If you’re unsure if your oxycodone use is an addiction, you need to look for some of the signs. The first sign is that you’re using more than what the prescription says without a doctor’s approval. Even if you’re experiencing pain, an addiction to this medication can cause problems with work, family, and friends. The primary symptom is that you have a physical dependence and experience oxycodone withdrawal. The following programs can help you get back on your feet:
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Outpatient rehab center
- Residential addiction treatment
- Men’s drug rehab
- Women’s drug rehab
How Addiction Programs Help
Regardless of how you develop this addiction, you can recover. The reality is that most countries around the world don’t use narcotic medications to treat pain. In treatment, you’ll learn a vast array of techniques to manage pain that doesn’t require any type of medication. Prolonged use of oxycodone causes changes in brain chemistry that make it almost impossible to cope with pain and anxiety without the use of the drug. No matter how low you feel, recovery is within your reach.
Here at Crestview Recovery, we help people who struggle with prescription medication addiction as well as other drugs and alcohol. We understand how substance use problems can take control of your life, and we want to help you get it back. Through a variety of addiction treatment programs, experiential outings, and support from others trying to recover, you can succeed. Find out more about our program by calling us today at 866.262.0531.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.