Oxycodone Addiction Treatment in Cumming, GA
Inpatient & Outpatient Rehab in Georgia
Oxycodone is a prescription painkiller used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is one of the most commonly prescribed painkillers in the U.S., and one of the most frequently abused.
It does not take long to develop an addiction to oxycodone. If you or someone you love is prescribed this drug, it is important to only take it exactly as instructed. Some people take the drug repeatedly as soon as the effects start wearing off, and this is a leading contributor to addiction. When taken as prescribed, the drug should be completely removed from your body by the time you take your next dose. This helps to prevent the development of a tolerance. If taken too quickly, patients will find they need to take the drug in higher quantities to feel the same effect.
The Road to Addiction
Oxycodone creates a euphoric sensation designed to help patients find relief from pain. This pleasurable feeling will occur whether a person is suffering from pain or not, so some people will continue using the drug even after they have recovered. There have also been reports of people sharing the medication with friends or bringing it to parties. Signs of Oxycodone Addiction:
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
- Lack of coordination
- Unable to concentrate or focus
- Memory issues
- Lack of judgement
- Paranoia
- Mood swings
After abusing oxycodone long enough, people will feel the symptoms of withdrawal if they go too long without it. Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Anxiety
- Nausea and vomiting
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Muscle aches
- Mood swings
- Shaking
- Depression
- Runny nose and teary eyes
Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms usually occur within 8 to 12 hours from the last dose, and they can last for up to a week. This makes the temptation to use again all the stronger, which is why people wanting to get clean should do so in a medical detox center where they can receive help managing the symptoms.
Abusing oxycodone long enough will lead to an addiction. When faced with the choice of experiencing a euphoric high or suffering through withdrawal symptoms for a week, many people will choose the former. But doing so will only further their dependency, and put them at risk of developing serious, long-term consequences.
At The Carter Treatment Center, we offer comprehensive rehabilitation services through Georgia, including Suwanee, Alpharetta, Cumming, Duluth, Buford, Lawrenceville, Peachtree Corners, and Gwinnett County. Contact us by calling (678) 737-4430 to learn more.
Treatment Options
An addiction is not easy to recover from, but chances for success increase significantly when participating in a structured, evidence-based program. After completing detoxification, patients should enroll in a reputable rehabilitation program. Here, they will work with experienced addiction treatment specialists who will help them address the underlying factors of their addiction. This often involves treating any co-occurring disorders.
Oxycodone treatment may include:
- Behavioral health counseling
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Alternative therapy
- Group therapy
Depending on the severity of the addiction and how long the drug has been abused, patients may enroll in an inpatient program followed by outpatient rehab, or jump right into outpatient rehab.
Dangers of Oxycodone
It is possible, and not unusual, to overdose on oxycodone. In addition to creating a euphoric feeling, oxycodone also impedes respiratory capability and lowers blood pressure. This can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, seizures, cardiac arrest, or falling unconscious. Risk of these side effects increases if the drug is snorted or injected into the body.
Fatalities from oxycodone abuse are a very real possibility, but this does not have to happen. Thousands of people have sought treatment and successfully turned their lives around by learning techniques that help them manage temptations.
The following are some long-term side effects of oxycodone abuse:
- Coma
- Swollen limbs
- Heart failure
- Constipation
- Heart failures
- Aches and cramps
- Death
