Oxycodone is another one of the various pain medications that can be abused. Oxycodone is an opioid medication that can be used to treat moderate and severe pain.
How Does Oxycodone Impact the Body?
Since Oxycodone is an opioid, it will affect our bodies similarly to Percocet and Heroin. Once the drug is ingested, it needs to make its way into our bloodstream. From here, it travels up to our brains where it binds with our opioid receptors. These receptors communicate with the rest of our bodies to send messages about pain. When medications, such as Oxycodone, bind to the receptors, the pain signal is altered so the pain decreases.
Another impact Oxycodone will have is that it increases the amount of dopamine our brain releases. Dopamine is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter in our brain that helps us feel pleasure. What happens next, is we make the connection that taking Oxycodone feels better than some of our other pleasurable activities. This new reward system has a direct impact on the development of addiction.
While some individuals can develop an addiction to prescription medications, it is possible to take the medication as prescribed without creating an addiction. Not everyone who takes Oxycodone develops an addiction. If an opioid prescription is taken as prescribed, a person can feel pain relief, relaxed, and happy. Potential side effects of this medication include nausea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness, and confusion.
It is important to be aware of the risks of overdose associated with opioid medication. When someone takes too much Oxycodone, they can overdose. Symptoms associated with an opioid overdose include shallow breathing, bluish lips and fingernails, and a loss of consciousness. An opioid overdose can be a fatal experience. Anyone suspected of having an overdose needs medical attention immediately.
Narcan is a non-opioid medication that can be taken to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The effects are temporary and will likely not have an impact on stronger opioids, such as Fentanyl. Even so, if someone is overdosing, it is worth using the medication if you are able. After Narcan is administered, emergency services should still be notified because these results are only temporary.
What are the Signs of Oxycodone Abuse?
There are a variety of signs that someone may be abusing Oxycodone. This includes a combination of physical and behavioral changes. For starters, a red flag would be if the individual runs out of medication before they are expected to. This can be a sign that they are misusing the medication and not taking it as prescribed.
Physical signs that someone may be struggling with addiction include the development of tolerance, withdrawal, and physical dependence. Tolerance occurs when an individual needs to take more of the medication to get the same effects.
Physical dependence and withdrawal often occur together. Physical dependence occurs when our bodies become accustomed to having the substance in us and change how it functions. When a person in this situation stops using, they often experience withdrawal symptoms. This can include nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, and confusion.
For someone who is struggling with an addiction, you may notice they are withdrawing from aspects of their lives. This can include family and friend events, hobbies, and other enjoyable activities. They may be irritable or moody.
Additionally, they may have new legal concerns such as driving while impaired or possession charges. It is possible that they are facing challenges at work. This can include falling behind on their work, being impaired at work, having withdrawal symptoms at work, and missing workdays.
What to Look for in an Indiana Oxycodone Treatment Center
There are a variety of treatment programs to consider when you get to a point of wanting to get sober. The two main categories for treatment are inpatient and outpatient programs.
Inpatient treatment programs can include detoxification programs and inpatient rehab programs. Detox programs will give you medical supervision around the clock. Inpatient rehab programs can vary in length from 30 to 90 days. These programs include group therapy, individual therapy, addiction education, alternative therapies, and medication management.
Outpatient treatment programs include partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, outpatient treatment programs, and family therapy programs. Each of these programs has differences in the amount of therapy required, and the material discussed.
It can be challenging to determine if you should go to an inpatient or an outpatient treatment program. You can speak with a program representative, a mental health clinician, or your primary care physician to determine what program would be appropriate for you at this time.
Once you have your needs narrowed down, you can begin looking into programs. One factor that may be important to you is the location. For inpatient programs, the distance may not make a significant difference for you because you will be staying at the treatment facility during your time there. Outpatient treatment programs, however, will likely make a difference since you will be traveling to the treatment program throughout the week.
You will want to choose a program that offers diversity. Addiction is not a “cookie-cutter” disease, and should not be treated like it is. Diversity in treatment can include the approaches used in treatment such as group therapy, individual therapy, mental health treatment, specialized groups, and alternative therapies.
It would be convenient for you if the program you choose would be able to continue providing treatment as you progress through your recovery. This can mean that a facility offers a detox program and an inpatient rehab program, or that an outpatient program offers a PHP, IOP, outpatient treatment, and aftercare treatment.
Evolve Indy is an Indiana Oxycodone addiction treatment facility in Indianapolis. We can offer you partial hospitalization treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and family therapy. To learn more about the services we offer, you may call (833)999-1551.
Contact Evolve Indy for Oxycodone Addiction Treatment in Indiana
Evolve Indy is an addiction treatment program that can assist you with your Oxycodone abuse. We have a partial hospitalization program, an intensive outpatient program, an outpatient program, and a family therapy program.
If you are struggling with a mental health concern such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, or PTSD, we can provide additional services to address these concerns. We offer medication management for those in need of medication for their mental health.
We recognize the strength it takes to ask for help, and the dedication required to stick with an outpatient treatment program. Life can be overwhelming and unpredictable, but knowing you have a safe place to come and talk about what you’re feeling can be comforting.
To learn more about the services available at Evolve Indy, we invite you to speak with a representative by calling (833)999-1551.