Oxycodone is a narcotic pain medication that is prescribed for pain. It is an opiate medication such as Vicodin, Percocet and Codeine. It works by effecting the way transmitters in the brain receive pain and pleasure stimulus. Your body manufactures similar chemicals on it’s own like dopamine and endorphins.
Can You Develop an Addiction to Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is a very addictive painkiller.
Opiates such as oxycodone can become very addictive because once your brain becomes used to the new, manufactured chemicals, it actually no longer even recognizes the chemicals it manufactures on it’s own. When oxycodone use is discontinued or the dose is decreased, the brain reacts to the lack of feel good chemicals the body needs to feel well and causes withdrawal symptoms to users who have become tolerant to the drug.
If you are reading this, you probably already know what oxycodone withdrawal symptoms are, and you know that it can send an addict to the deepest point of despair. The symptoms are not only physical but can be psychological as well, making recovery seem nearly impossible for someone facing an opiate addiction. It can cause the strongest person to relapse and use oxycodone again to stop the excruciating pain associated with opiate withdrawal and other unpleasant symptoms.
It seems everyone’s lives has been touched personally by an addiction to opiates. You might have a family member or loved one going through an addiction to oxycodone right now. Whether it’s a loved one with an addiction or even yourself, you know the destruction an addiction to oxycodone and other opiates can cause if not treated.
Even now that addictions have become more prevalent and people are receiving treatment, according to NIH, “The abuse of prescription opiates continues to be unacceptably high”
Is Oxycodone Still Addictive if Prescribed by a Doctor?
Studies find that people who use opiates like oxycodone whether for illicit use or prescribed by a doctor can become addicted to the drug. Once the body has built up a resilience to the drug it might take more and more to achieve the same effect, thus causing the person to increase their dose. When the doses increase, so do the opportunities for addiction. Professional treatment will likely be necessary if addiction does occur.
Treatment for an Addiction to Oxycodone
Once the symptoms of an opiate addiction like oxycodone has been recognized, the next step is to find appropriate help. There are many options for treatment of opiate addictions. You should always discuss treatment options with your doctor first. Your doctor will be able to devise a plan of treatment for your addiction to opiates, while continuing to find alternate ways to manage the pain that created the need for the prescription in the first place. He might recommend an inpatient drug treatment center that can also help you to get through the detoxification process. After the detoxification process is complete, a long term drug treatment plan is recommended for the best chance at long term recovery.
If you think you have an addiction to oxycodone and need help you can use the SAMHSA Treatment Locator or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Recognizing the Symptoms of Oxycodone Overdose -
Opiate addiction rates have reached epidemic proportions, with prescription pain medications and heroin being the most commonly abused opiate drug types. According to Harvard Health Publications, more than one million people struggle with opiate addictions within any given year. Oxycodone, one of the more popular opiate drugs of abuse, places users at serious risk of ... 
Symptoms of Oxycodone Addiction -
Are you concerned that you may be addicted to oxycodone? Do you have reason to believe that somebody in your life is dealing with an addiction? If you answered yes to one or both of these questions, you should realize that help is available. However, you cannot reclaim control of your life until you fully ... 
Signs of Oxycodone Addiction -
Do you know someone who takes Oxycodone for pain or for another purpose? Recognizing the signs of Oxycodone addiction early on may make the difference between whether you can help a loved one out or not. Some of the most prominent signs of addiction may be lingering right under plain sight while others could take some time ... 
Tolerance -
Whenever a user takes Oxycodone either for recreational purposes of as prescribed there is a risk that the user will develop a tolerance to the drug. Tolerance results from repeated use of a drug regardless of whether the drug is taken to relieve pain or if it is taken to produce a high, euphoric effect. As Oxycodone ... 
5 Telltale Signs of Oxycodone Abuse -
It is one thing to believe that a person is abusing oxycodone, but another thing entirely to determine that this is the cause of his or her problems. If a person is willing to admit they are abusing oxycodone, you can immediately move to the process of finding the appropriate help. On the other hand, ...