Maintaining Recovery After Oxycodone Addiction Treatment

Oxycodone addiction occurs after repeat use and misuse of oxycodone painkillers which are opioid drugs that have similar effects as heroin. In fact, oxycodone is known on the street as “hillbilly or white collar heroin” and has been an overwhelming concern as more people become addicted to controlled prescription drugs (CPD’s) and gain access to these drugs via illegal prescription diversions and sales on the street or over the internet. According to the 2013 National Drug Threat Assessment, by the Drug Enforcement Administration, “Opioid pain relievers are the most widely misused or abused CPDs and are involved in most CPD-related overdose incidents.”

Oxycodone Addiction Treatment

Recovery is a journey that continues after you leave formal treatment.

Oxycodone addiction treatment has helped many people overcome their addictions to this powerful drug. Oxycodone withdrawals can be painful and unpleasant. Symptoms may include intense cravings for oxycodone, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches, agitation, insomnia, anxiety, depression, mood swings, and many other physical or psychological symptoms that can be severe and possibly life threatening, depending on the levels of dependency and abuse. Once the person has undergone the detox process, behavioral therapies play an active role, along with counseling, in helping the addict to restore their ability to remain free from drugs, cope with the issues surrounding their addiction, and learn to avoid relapse.

Maintaining Recovery After Oxycodone Addiction Treatment

Relapse prevention is a key element of oxycodone addiction treatment. The ease of access to these drugs makes it hard to refrain from environmental “triggers” if the person does not actively participate in aftercare services and support groups. Relapse is common for oxycodone addicts and sometimes it takes several interventions to live productively and free from drugs.

Ongoing counseling for family, work, and other needs can help. Support groups such as 12-Step meetings or Narcotics Anonymous are excellent ways to find resources and information from others who have had similar experiences and are working their own paths to recovery. Building a support network of people who have your best interest at heart is critical.

The addict needs to avoid friends and other people who continue to use or remind them of using. Activities, places, and other things that “trigger” a desire to use should also be avoided. This can be extremely difficult and may require major changes in the addict’s lifestyle, but in the long run, abstinence is more important.

With time, the cravings for oxycodone may diminish and maintaining recovery after oxycodone addiction treatment will involve staying busy and focused on healthy and productive habits.