Tips for Choosing an Oxycodone Addiction Treatment Program

Oxycodone addiction affects many people, some of whom begin as pain patients who stray from the recommended dosage and others who start by taking the drug recreationally for its euphoric high. Oxycodone addiction can be devastating to both addicts and their loved ones. Choosing an oxycodone addiction treatment program is the first and, often, one of the most important steps toward recovery.

Why is Choosing the Right Program So Important?

According to the NIDA, “a continuum of care that includes a customized treatment regimen… can be crucial to a person’s success in achieving and maintaining a drug-free lifestyle.” The NIDA stresses that there are several important parts that make up an addiction treatment program, including:

Finding a treatment program that offers an individualized approach is recommended.

• “Addressing all aspects of an individual’s life”
• Choosing a facility
  • Deciding between outpatient and inpatient care
• Discussing the length of time a patient should attend treatment
  • Often treatment that lasts “for less than 90 days is of limited effectiveness” but a patient may choose to attend longer (NIDA)
• Choosing certain treatments that will work together for a better recovery
  • Medication
  • Therapy
  • Vocational counseling
  • Group therapy
  • Exercise therapy
  • Other holistic treatments
• Deciding on follow-up programs for after treatment
  • Community-based recovery
  • Family-based recovery
  • Mutual-help groups

Oxycodone is a strong medication which “may harm or cause death” if misused, especially the longer abuse continues (NLM). Addiction to oxycodone must be addressed with formal treatment, and the treatment must fit the patient.

Tips on Choosing a Treatment Program that Fits You

When you are choosing a program, think about all of your needs, not just those associated with your drug use. You may need to attend an inpatient facility because your abuse of oxycodone has worsened or become interlinked with another mental disorder such as depression. Or you may choose an outpatient facility because you need to be home with your children every night. Here are some tips for choosing a facility and a treatment program:

• Discuss your treatment with your family doctor. As your doctor understands the other aspects of your life and overall health, he or she may be able to help you find a facility that fits your needs.
• Search oxycodone treatment facilities on an online database or at SAMHSA‘s treatment locator. Then call the facilities to find out more information such as:
  • Their rate
  • The treatments they offer
  • Their philosophy
• Consider what treatments would be best for you. Medication and therapy together are the most effective, but perhaps you would like to also supplement your formal treatment with holistic treatments? Research your options and consider which ones would be most beneficial to you.
• Truly think about your addiction to oxycodone and ask yourself these questions:
  • How long has my addiction gone on?
  • What do I expect from treatment?
  • What is my motivation for quitting oxycodone?
  • What do I want my new life to be like after recovering from oxycodone addiction?

Doing a fair amount of research and discussing your options with the treatment facility of your choice are the best ways to decide on an appropriate oxycodone addiction treatment program. Remember that there is no one treatment for everyone and you must choose the program that works for you.