Oxycodone Abuse

Oxycodone abuse is at epidemic levels in the United States. If you or someone you love needs help, call our toll-free, confidential 24-hour helpline now at 954-271-5047. Speak with our professionals and receive referrals to oxycodone treatment centers nationwide.

What is Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is the main ingredient in many prescribed pain-relieving drugs like percocet, tylox, and oxycontin.  One in twenty of all high school seniors have tried oxycodone, and its use keeps increasing. Doctors write out more than six million prescriptions for it every year. 

How Oxycodone Abuse Starts

Oxycodone abuse begins when a person starts to use the drug in a way in which it was not prescribed. For example, if they take a dose higher than recommended. 
The problem with this is that the person will eventually become tolerant to the drug, and need more and more of it to produce the same effect. 

While the person who abuses oxycodone may enjoy side effects like euphoria and bursts of energy, they are probably also experiencing some negative side effects such as itching, constipation, nausea, sweating and dry mouth.

Oxycodone is prescribed to be swallowed whole in tablet form but abusers usually crush and snort the drug or mix it in water and inject it.   

Oxycodone Addiction

If oxycodone is abused long enough, an addiction will develop, causing the person to become both physically and mentally dependent on the drug.  The person will no longer be able to stop taking the drug on his or her own, and will do almost anything to obtain it.  Without the drug, the person will experience withdrawal symptoms including:

• Nausea
• Hot and cold flashes
• Insomnia
• Fevers
• Depression
• Anxiety

The most dangerous effect of oxycodone abuse is overdose which can lead to shallow breathing, slow heart rate, stupor, coma, cardiac arrest, shock and death.

Oxycodone Treatment

If you or someone you love is abusing oxycodone it is vital to seek professional treatment. Those who try to withdraw without medical supervision are at great risk for health complications and the relapse rate is high. 

The best, safest oxycodone treatment begins with detox followed by a comprehensive rehabilitation program in a state certified and Joint Commission (JCAHO) accredited inpatient treatment center. With the right support, including 24/7 medical supervision and a variety of therapies and holistic treatments, people can and do recover!

To learn more about oxycodone abuse and addiction treatment options, call our toll-free, confidential 24-hour helpline at 954-271-5047. We'll give you a free assessment over the phone and help you take that all important first step towards recovery.