Oxycodone, also known as OxyContin and Roxicodone, is an opioid medication that can be used to treat severe pain. Similar to Percocet, Oxycodone has been known to contribute to the beginning of an addiction. It can also be abused by individuals who have already been struggling with an addiction. Oxycodone comes in extended-release tablets and capsules.
Common street names are O.C., Oxy, Kicker, Oxy, and Oxy 80s.
How Does Oxycodone Impact the Body?
Oxycodone can be ingested in a variety of ways. Every way will have a different length of time to see the effects of the drug. To simplify the process, once Oxycodone is ingested, it goes into our bloodstream. From here, the drug travels to our brain where it then binds to the opioid receptors. After this, the way our body experiences pain is changed. Which is why it is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Additionally, Oxycodone can impact our emotions and make us feel relaxed.
A side effect of Oxycodone, which can be dangerous, is slowed breathing. This occurs when the medication affects our brain stem, which suppresses our respiratory system. This is a dangerous side effect that should be monitored.
The effects of Oxycodone will be influenced by how much was taken, how often it is taken, how it was ingested, and if the individual has a tolerance. Someone who has developed a tolerance to Oxycodone will need to take a larger dose to reach the euphoric effects. Depending on how the medication was taken, it can take anywhere from seconds to a half-hour to begin experiencing the effects.
Other side effects that can occur include nausea, vomiting, confusion, and pinpoint pupils.
An overdose can occur when someone takes too much Oxycodone, either intentionally or by accident. When this occurs, a person’s breathing can become dangerously low. This can cause their heart to stop. Symptoms of an Oxycodone overdose include:
- Drowsiness
- Breathing trouble
- Confusion
- Bluish lips and/or fingernails
- Muscle twitches
Naloxone, also known as Narcan, can be used in an overdose situation to temporarily reverse the effects of the overdose. This is a lifesaving measure that can be used by individuals with little to no medical experience. Naloxone can be administered by an applicator similar to an EpiPen, or through a nasal spray.
What are the Signs of Oxycodone Abuse?
You just finished reading about the physical effects that taking Oxycodone can have on an individual. We will now take time to discuss the behavior changes that can occur when someone is abusing Oxycodone.
If an individual has a prescription for Oxycodone, a red flag would be running out of medication before they should be. This could mean they are taking more than they should, or they are taking their doses closer together. Either way, the medication is not being taken as prescribed, which is concerning.
Running out of a prescription early, and abusing Oxycodone without a prescription can contribute to a person purchasing the drug illegally. When purchasing Oxycodone illegally, there is a chance the pills are counterfeit and not truly what you believe they are. There is a growing prevalence of counterfeit pills containing Fentanyl, which is a dangerous opioid known to cause overdoses.
Someone who is abusing Oxycodone can develop a tolerance to the medication. This means they need a larger dose to experience the same effects they originally had. This can also be a warning sign for physical dependence that can lead to withdrawal symptoms, when the person stops using.
Other changes that may occur include missing family and friend’s events, new legal concerns, financial concerns, mood changes and irritability, inability to provide the same performance at work or school, and being caught in lies. Individuals who are struggling with Oxycodone use are often focused on their next use which can make others feel as though they are easily distracted.
What to Look for in a Kentucky Oxycodone Treatment Center
If you are at the point in your addiction where you are ready to ask for help, we want to commend you on taking this step. Asking for help takes strength, and even more strength to accept the help being given to you. When you do reach this point, it is important to make sure you pick a treatment provider that will be a good fit for you.
You’ll want to start by getting a better understanding of the treatment options that are available. Ideally, you will choose a rehab center that has a detoxification program followed by a residential addiction rehab program. Treatment programs can vary in length from 30 to 90 days, depending on your treatment needs.
If you have an additional mental health struggle, you will want to find a treatment program that is equipped to provide treatment for that as well. This could mean that you have additional group, individual, or psychoeducational sessions added to your treatment schedule.
Lastly, you will want to consider the distance of the treatment facility from your home, and the comforts that are available to you at the treatment center. If you are concerned about your financial responsibility, you should call your insurance provider to get a better understanding of your coverage.
Contact RAC for Oxycodone Addiction Treatment in Kentucky
At the Robert Alexander Center, you can receive excellent Oxycodone addiction treatment in Mt. Washington. We will begin by helping you cope with the discomforts that you will experience during the withdrawal process in our detoxification program. Once you finish detoxing, you will transition into our residential inpatient rehab. The length of your time with us will be dependent on your needs; ranging from 30 to 90 days.
We do have a Partial Hospitalization program for individuals who live near our treatment facility. Most of the individuals in this program have recently completed an inpatient rehab program, and have a safe supportive home environment.
Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) would have you engaging in 15-25 hours of group therapy each week, in addition to an hour of individual therapy. After you complete our IOP program, many individuals choose to continue on to our outpatient addiction treatment program. This would allow you to continue receiving support for your addiction when you begin to figure out your new daily life.
Additionally, we offer a family program that is designed to help your family navigate the changes they experience with your recovery. This program focuses on the family as a whole and can help your loved ones better understand how they can support you in your recovery. If you are looking for a Kentucky Oxycodone addiction treatment program, we invite you to call the Robert Alexander Center at (833) 280-5505 to learn how we can help you, today.
