Oxycodone is a prescription pain reliever that doctors prescribe for moderate to severe pain.
Oxycodone is a kind of opioid – it is a semi-synthetic drug that has a similar psychoactive effect to heroin. In high doses, oxycodone can produce feelings of intense pleasure and euphoria. You can crush and snort or inject the tablets, and it is one of the most commonly abused drugs in the United States.
Opioid pain relievers are highly addictive. They cause changes in the brain that make you want to seek and use the drug compulsively. While it is possible to develop an addiction to oxycodone using it exactly as your prescription says, abusing it makes it much more likely.
Opioid addiction and prescription drug abuse is a nationwide public health crisis in the United States. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, an estimated 1.7 million people in the United States suffered from substance use disorders related to prescription opioids in 2017.
Abusing oxycodone may lead to long-term health problems, including an increased risk of a heart attack. It also increases the likelihood of overdose. Research by the WHO suggests that drug use is responsible for around 500,000 deaths worldwide every year. More than 70% of these deaths are related to opioids, and more than 30% of those deaths are from overdose.
Oxycodone addiction can be dangerous. However, addiction is treatable, and beginning rehabilitation can be a life-changing decision.
At Cirque Lodge, our individualized treatment program combines different evidence-based approaches, including behavioral therapies, experimental therapies, and support groups. We provide holistic healing that treats you as a whole person.
Our state-of-the-art facilities in the majestic Rocky Mountains of Utah are the perfect place for spiritual development, personal growth, and rediscovering life free from addiction.
Doctors usually prescribe oxycodone for moderate to severe short-term pain. This includes pain following an accident or injury or after surgery. Oxycodone provides pain relief for around 12 hours.
Occasionally doctors prescribe oxycodone for chronic pain if non-opioid painkillers are ineffective. In this case, you may use it for sudden, breakthrough pain as you need it. Oxycodone is highly addictive, and any long-term use requires extreme caution.
The most common brand names for oxycodone are Oxycontin and Roxicodone. You can also find it mixed with acetaminophen in Tylenol, Percocet, and Percodan.
Oxycodone is addictive because of the chemical changes opioids cause in the brain. Oxycodone interferes with the brain’s reward system by binding to our natural opioid receptors.
The brain releases small amounts of opioids in response to specific experiences, such as exercising or eating chocolate. It also uses them to regulate our emotions, body temperature, and digestion.
Taking opioids artificially increases our opioid levels, which is extremely enjoyable in the short term, and we naturally want to repeat experiences we enjoy. When you take oxycodone, it floods your brain with dopamine, and it may cause feelings of drowsiness and warmth. However, opioids do not just kill physical pain – they also numb our emotions, and oxycodone is highly physically addictive, so stopping alone is hard.
Oxycodone abuse can lead to a series of damaging consequences for your health, social life, and work.
If you are worried that you or your loved one has a substance use disorder, please read the list of signs and symptoms below:
If you recognize any of these signs, please call us at Cirque Lodge immediately. One of our compassionate and non-judgmental team can answer any questions you may have and take you through the next steps.
Oxycodone overdose is a very real risk. From 1999 to 2019, nearly 247,000 people died in the United States from overdoses involving prescription opioids.
Oxycodone is a pure agonist opiate. This means you can intensify its effects by taking higher and higher doses with no upper limit. This trait, coupled with tolerance, makes oxycodone extremely dangerous.
Prescription drug opioids like Oxycodone depress the respiratory system. In high doses, it can slow your breathing so much that oxygen can no longer reach the brain, which is the most common cause of death by oxycodone.
Repeatedly using Oxycodone over a period of time may lead you to develop a physical dependence on the drug. When you stop taking it, you may experience a series of withdrawal symptoms as your body readjusts to functioning without it. These withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable or even dangerous. They may include:
Oxycodone detox can be dangerous and should always take place under the supervision of medical professionals.
Detox is usually the first step in recovery from prescription drug addiction. At Cirque Lodge, detox takes place in specialized luxury facilities to offer you maximum comfort throughout the process.
We offer 24-hour support by licensed medical professionals to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible, and our team may prescribe you medication to help ease withdrawal symptoms.
Our effective addiction treatment programs are tailored to match your needs, and we treat you as a whole person rather than a series of symptoms.
At Cirque Lodge, we begin the recovery process with an in-depth assessment of the nature of your addiction and its causes. Our medical experts design a comprehensive treatment plan to suit your unique circumstances.
Our treatment plans combine several different evidence-based approaches, including:
We focus on providing an enriching rehabilitation experience that heals the entire person. Our dual diagnosis program identifies and treats any mental illness or co-occurring disorders that may be underlying your addiction. We provide treatment and support for your whole family through family therapy and during Family Week.
Our experiential therapy allows you to develop and strengthen skills to overcome your addiction through exhilarating practical activities.
You can explore the spectacular surrounding scenery on mountain hikes and helicopter rides, and our Studio facility offers an indoor high ropes course.
We understand that the most challenging parts of recovery can be after you have left the center. We provide you with an individualized aftercare plan that connects you with local and online support groups to guide you in the years ahead, and you can also stay associated with the center through our alumni program.
