Oxycodone Addiction

Oxycodone addiction can develop out of nowhere and catch any individual off guard. Oxycodone is frequently prescribed by physicians as an analgesic for people grappling with pain from injuries. Individuals often become hooked on the feeling that they get from taking the pain reliever and an addiction develops.

What is Oxycodone addiction?

Oxycodone addiction typically occurs after the user receives a legitimate subscription from a licensed medical doctor. The individual uses the drug to cope with the pain that they are experiencing. Once the pain is no longer an issue, and perhaps because the user fears a return of it, they continue to take the medication until the prescription has been used up. By this time it is possible that a dependence and tolerance has built up, ceasing to use Oxycodone can then have side-effects which the user will wish to stop. The cycle of addiction is almost complete – Oxycodone is a very powerful drug and once dependence is established tipping into addiction is a likely outcome. Oxycodone abusers are physically addicted to the medication and to the euphoric high that the painkiller gives. The high is only temporary of course, and Oxycodone abusers or addicts will need to get more of the drug to feed the physical need and to replicate this initial high.

Potential warning signs of Oxycodone addiction

The prolonged use of Oxycodone can result in a variety of physiological and emotional problems. Users have been known to have difficulty breathing, seizures, and severe respiratory depression. There is also the risk of accidently taking an overdose which could kill. Here are a few of the warnings signs to look out for:

• Mood swings
• Changes in physical appearance
• Shopping for doctors
• Stolen prescription pads
• Loss of energy
• Isolation
• Attitude changes
• Going through drugs at an increased rate
• Missing money

Treating Oxycodone addiction

Users of Oxycodone should not be ashamed as the drug does not discriminate across demographic lines. Older and younger people of all socioeconomic backgrounds have been known to become addicted to Oxycodone.

Professional help is needed when dealing with Oxycodone addiction. There are treatment centers that help people to overcome Oxycodone addiction, along with many other drug and related addictions. They have experienced and professional staff who understand that getting clean is only the first stage of beating addiction, and they are equipped to deal with the many withdrawal symptoms that occur, and which can be difficult, uncomfortable or even physically dangerous if they are extreme. Withdrawal from Oxycodone addiction commonly causes many symptoms, here are a few:

• Cold flashes
• Headaches
• Shakes
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Muscle pain

Long term Oxycodone users often have to be slowly weaned off the drug since the effects are so potent and the side-effects of withdrawal so strong.

Recovering from Oxycodone addiction

People beat Oxycodone addiction every day, every week, every month. It is an ongoing and growing problem for our stressed-out, high-achieving society that we need to understand and deal with better.

The key to overcoming addiction is to take a holistic approach and deal with the whole person, and that includes looking at and uncovering hidden issues that the addict may not be consciously aware of, but that shape and drive him or her in a particular direction at certain points. Addiction of any kind is a form of self harm and Oxycodone abuse is no different. The reasons that people succumb to Oxycodone addiction are indicators of other aspects they need to change in their lives. Holistic treatment and recovery aims to do just that and help people get back their self-esteem, self-worth, physical and emotional health while they adjust their expectations and goals.

One of the most destructive aspects of addiction is the need to hide what is happening. So admitting, facing and telling people that yes, I have a problem, and yes, I am dealing with it, is probably one of the biggest steps an addict can take. Getting help from professionals and going through rehab into recovery is an enormous task, one that every addict and every friend, lover or family member of an addict should be proud of. If you or someone you care about has a problem then maybe today is the day to do something about it. Call your physician, get advice and support and do it now.