Oxycodone Addiction Treatment In West Palm Beach, FL
Oxycodone addiction treatment is critical for those who abuse this prescription painkiller. To add, oxycodone is a potent medication that contains opioids, which are highly addictive due to their euphoric effects. Treating oxycodone addiction is essential to dealing with the current opioid crisis facing the United States today.
Ambrosia Treatment Center of South Florida offers treatment options for oxycodone and other prescription drug addiction. Our programs can help you or your loved one get their lives back from oxycodone addiction.
In fact, when used as prescribed, oxycodone can help individuals with severe pain from surgery, injury, or chronic health conditions manage physical pain. However, the euphoric effects of oxycodone and other opioids can be highly addictive. A person can find themselves misusing their prescription drugs by taking more than they need or solely for the “high” they experience on the drug. As a result, misusing prescription drugs for anything other than their intended effects is an early warning sign of developing an addiction.
Is Oxycodone Addictive?
Oxycodone and other opioid drugs are addictive. Even when taken for medical reasons, a person can become addicted to oxycodone due to the pleasurable sensations they experience on the drug. These sensations become less intense over time and an individual begins taking more oxycodone to get the same effects. Pain from physical injuries or medical conditions can have psychological effects on a person. Therefore, one might feel depressed or isolated if a medical issue prevents one from engaging in enjoyable activities for example.
A person recovering from surgery or dealing with a chronic medical condition could also have co-occurring mental health symptoms as a result of limited physical abilities. Self-medicating feelings of loneliness or despair with oxycodone can further lead to addiction. As a result of self-medicating, the brain becomes dependent on oxycodone to activate opioid receptors in your brain.
How Long Does It Take to Get Addicted to Oxycodone?
Factors contributing to the time it takes to become addicted to oxycodone include:
- Untreated mental health conditions
- The severity of symptoms oxycodone helps treat
- Relying only on the drug to manage pain without any alternatives
- Past issues with addiction to drugs or alcohol
- The overall quality of life
- Ability to cope with daily stressors
- Support system and coping skills
Most people become addicted to oxycodone gradually as they develop a tolerance to the drug. Therefore, one might ask their doctor for an increased dosage or begin taking additional pills to manage symptoms. Depending on underlying factors, the timeline for developing an addiction can vary from person to person. If someone feels they are struggling with abuse or addiction, oxycodone addiction treatment is available to get quality care.
Oxycodone Addiction Symptoms
- “Doctor-shopping” or going from one doctor to another for more prescriptions
- Stealing prescription pads from a doctor’s office
- Feigning pain symptoms to get an increased dosage or to prolong a prescription
- Seeking illegal street drugs that contain opioids, like heroin, when unable to get prescription drugs
Physical and mental symptoms of oxycodone addiction occur when a person abuses or misuses their prescription. In addition, some symptoms appear when someone stops taking oxycodone. These symptoms, known as withdrawal, can be painful and uncomfortable.
- Spending most of your time obtaining, using, or recovering from the affect-effects of oxycodone
- Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
- Neglecting work, family, or school obligations
- Being unable to quit or cut back on using oxycodone
- Withdrawal symptoms appear when you stop using, such as:
- Restlessness and irritability
- Insomnia
- Depression and anxiety
- Profuse sweating
- Clammy skin
- Difficulty concentrating
- Muscle and stomach pain
- Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
Oxycodone Detox in West Palm Beach, FL
What Medications are Used to Treat Oxycodone Addiction?
FDA-approved medications to treat oxycodone addiction include:
- Naltrexone blocks the opioid receptors in your brain to prevent the effects of oxycodone if you relapse during treatment.
- Buprenorphine binds to the opioid receptors to activate them to suppress cravings.
- Methadone reduces the severity of withdrawal symptoms, and cravings, reducing the effects of opioids.
Along with behavioral therapy and peer support, MAT can help you overcome your addiction to oxycodone. MAT can also prevent accidental overdose by blunting or blocking the effects of opioids.
Oxycodone Addiction Treatment in West Palm Beach, FL
Dr. Alam is an internationally renowned psychiatrist with academic affiliations with Northwestern University and University of Illinois, Chicago where he completed his residency training. He has been a principal investigator for over forty studies and has been involved in research leading to the approval of most psychiatric medications currently on the market. He is the founder of the Neuroscience Research Institute which continues to conduct research on cutting edge medication and interventional psychiatry. Dr. Alam is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. He has won several awards and has been featured extensively on radio and television.
