With so many prescription drugs out there, many people ask: what is oxycodone? And what is oxycodone used for? It can be difficult to understand all the different prescription drugs, how they work on the body, and what leads to addiction.
What is Oxycodone?
So, what is oxycodone, and what is oxycodone used for? Oxycodone is a prescription painkiller usually reserved for situations where other opioid treatment isn’t enough. Oxycodone is actually a narcotic analgesic which is a group of pain medications that don’t interfere with the brain’s pain receptors but instead work on the central nervous system.
But what is oxy? It is the same thing. “Oxy” is a shortened form of “oxycodone.” Oxycodone is found in prescription drugs like Percocet and oxycontin. Oxycodone is one of the most commonly abused prescription drugs in America.
What is Oxycodone Used For?
Oxycodone is used for significant pain relief. Most people are given prescriptions for time-release capsules or tablets that provide just enough pain medicine for a short amount of time. Oxycodone is often prescribed for people recovering from surgery. It can also be prescribed for other medical situations where opioid-based pain relievers don’t work. This might be because of an addiction, previous addiction, tolerance, or even allergies.
Is Oxycodone Addictive?
Now that you know the answers to “what is oxy” and “what is oxycodone,” you might still wonder: is it addictive?
Yes. Like any drug, if you use oxycodone for a long time, you can become addicted. Most people who struggle with oxycodone addiction started with a prescription medication for a legitimate medical reason, but as their body developed a higher tolerance for the drug, they started taking higher and higher doses in order to get the same physical pain relief.
Recreation or Prescription
People who start using oxycodone, even with a prescription, might not notice how quickly they become addicted. It starts with taking more oxycodone than you were prescribed, using your pills to help you when you’re having a bad day or using your pills at parties or with friends.
Dependence
Then you start to experience withdrawal symptoms. Once this happens, you get cravings to use more oxycodone when you are sober, and you just don’t feel at ease or normal when you aren’t using the truck. At this point, you typically need more oxycodone in order to get the same high.
Addiction
Then comes the addiction. This is usually when you have started prioritizing your drug use above everything else, leaving behind your work, school, or personal obligations. You might allow your personal health and your personal relationships to worsen, endanger yourself, or struggle financially because you put all of your money into trying to get more oxycodone.
Withdrawal
Physical dependence on oxycodone can lead to significant withdrawal symptoms, especially if you suddenly stop taking medicine. If you are prescribed oxycodone, doctors will usually recommend that you gradually reduce the dosage you take over a longer length of time before you stop taking the drug entirely so as to prevent these significant withdrawal symptoms.
However, many people who struggle with oxycodone addiction don’t have this luxury, and that is where finding an addiction treatment center is so important.
How to Find Oxycodone Addiction Treatment in Laguna Beach, CA
Suppose you are ready to get help for your addiction. In that case, you can find oxycodone addiction treatment close to home, located in supportive natural environments that give you an opportunity to turn your attention Inward and truly focus on rebuilding yourself and living your best life. Good oxycodone addiction treatment centers will undergo initial evaluations to make sure that they aren’t just treating the symptoms of oxycodone addiction, but they are identifying the underlying causes that may have led to your addiction in the first place and helping you develop long-term life skills to combat these causes and triggers.
Laguna Beach has a fully dedicated staff if you are looking for treatment. Laguna View Detox answers questions like “what is oxycodone,” how addiction treatment works, and the best coping skills you can take with you along your journey to sobriety. Our luxury drug and alcohol rehab doesn’t settle for one-size-fits-all methods of recovery. We provide customized solutions for each patient that helps you maintain your dignity, treat your mind and body as one, and realize your infinite potential.
Reach out to us today for help with your addiction. At Laguna View Detox, we are here to help treat oxycodone addiction and more.