Am I Addicted to Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is highly addictive and can wreak havoc on your life, as it is structurally very similar to heroin, and has the same abuse potential. Many individuals who become addicted to oxycodone were originally prescribed the medication and slowly became addicted. This can also happen quickly, as the person who takes oxycodone may begin to rapidly rely on the drug for its euphoric “high.” It can be difficult to recognize when oxycodone addiction has taken hold. If you notice you need to take more oxycodone to achieve the same high, the fact that you are building tolerance may suggest that you are becoming physically dependent.

To get more of the drug, some individuals decide to “doctor shop” to obtain more prescriptions, or lie about the severity of their condition with the same goal. A person’s dependence may manifest itself by hiding his or her oxycodone use, or prioritizing oxycodone above all elseFinancial struggles can also result from the addiction, and relationships may begin to suffer, too. You may find yourself nodding off or feeling drowsy in publicor even behind the steering wheel. Another way you can tell you are dependent on oxycodone is if you start to experience the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal if you don’t regularly take the drug.

Symptoms of withdrawal from oxycodone include:

• Stomachache and cramps
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unusual sweating
• Muscle aches
• Runny nose
• Unusual sleeping patterns
• Fatigue
• Irritability

The Road to Recovery

There is hope. Turn to Silver Ridge for rehabilitation and freedom from addiction. We help midlife adults safely recover from drug addiction by helping them admit to their problem so they can address it head-on. At our residential rehabilitation program, we focus on the individual, using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as the primary model that drives all of our programs.