In this age of increasing drug awareness, it is vital to gain a personal understanding of prescribed medications. One potentially dangerous drug is oxycodone.

But what is this rug? Oxycodone has long been a popular opioid that use is to treat moderate to high levels of pain.

Oxycodone is also one of the most frequently addictive drugs. If you struggle with oxycodone addiction and live in the upper Midwest, please seek an addiction rehab center in northern Illinois. More on that later.

First, let’s talk about the doctor-prescribed side of this drug.

What Is Oxycodone: Typical Prescription

Oxycodone’s primary purpose is pain relief. Often this drug is used to manage long-term conditions such as arthritis or even terminal illnesses like cancer. Users can only two doses of this drug per day as opposed to the every-four-hours routine of other pain relief drugs.

Short-term prescriptions may also be given after surgeries, physical trauma, or childbirth when pain is just too high to be managed by ibuprofen.

Oxycodone is the primary ingredient in several different drug combinations and may take forms such as the following:

• OxyContin – 12-hour, controlled-release (most widely-abused form)
• Percocet – Combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen commonly prescribed for all manner of pain relief
• Roxicodone – Rapid release form for pre-surgery sedation

While the medications mentioned above are widely known, many others contain oxycodone, as well.

The Risks

Oxycodone is produced by the modification of the chemical thebaine, which is an ingredient found in opium. This close relationship with opium makes oxycodone a simple drug to abuse.

The need for long-term pain management makes avoiding oxycodone addiction difficult. If a doctor deems this drug essential, the best course of action is to keep the term of use as brief as possible.

Most oxycodone addiction begins with the ingesting of prescribed amounts. Over time, however, the body develops a tolerance to the drug and begins to demand a higher dosage to maintain pain relief. If not checked, the user may continue to ingest increasing amounts until the cycle has spiraled out of control.

Oxycodone Common Abuses

This vicious spiral of oxycodone addiction may manifest itself in many different forms of abuse:

• Taking oxycodone for longer than prescribed
• Taking larger doses of oxycodone than prescribed
• Crushing and snorting oxycodone for immediate relief/high
• Dissolving oxycodone in liquid and injecting to receive immediate full dose potency

In short, drugs like oxycodone should only be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. A sufficiently potent dose of oxycodone is like the effects of heroin. Overdose can lead to coma and possible death.

So, while a potent opioid is sometimes necessary, users must exercise great caution. If you suspect that you might have an addiction, please seek medical help immediately.

Addiction Treatment

The first step to overcoming addiction is reaching out for assistance. Treatment for this type of addiction begins with medically supervised detox. Once detox finishes, an intense inpatient or outpatient program can be very helpful in conquering not only the physical but also the psychological aspects of your addiction.

Northern Illinois Recovery Center is an addiction rehab center in northern Illinois that can meet you where you are in your journey toward drug-free living. We treat all manner of substance abuse and addiction, and we are uniquely able to work with the opioid-addicted. Our programs are valuable and varied:

• 90-day extended care programs
• Dual diagnosis therapy
• Individual therapy
• Medication-assisted treatment

Northern Illinois Recovery Center’s team of skilled therapists and medical professionals will partner with you whether you require inpatient services, outpatient services, sober living counseling, or any of our other programs. We desire to help you reach your ultimate mental and physical health goals.

You shouldn’t have to struggle with addiction alone. If you’re ready to take that first step towards getting clean, give us a call today at 855.786.1978.