Prescription drug abuse remains a prevalent problem in the US, with oxycodone occupying a central place within it. Over the years, prescription drug abuse has become a nationwide epidemic, claiming lives and destroying others. For this reason, it is our moral mission to help as many individuals as possible recover and reclaim the lives they deserve to lead. If you or your loved ones are struggling with oxycodone addiction, we at Bright Futures Treatment are here to offer expansive, effective oxycodone rehab in Boynton Beach. From our certified clinicians to our experienced therapists, we are fully prepared to provide you with a safe, welcoming environment that will allow you to overcome your addiction and rise above. If you or yours need help, please don’t wait – contact Bright Futures today. Our trained addiction specialists are available 24/7.
What Is Oxycodone?
Starting with the basics, oxycodone is an opioid painkiller – or, to be more specific, a semi-synthetic narcotic analgesic. It comes in liquid, tablet, capsule, or extended-release (ER) capsule and tablet form, but hospitals may also administer it intravenously. Oxycodone is used in brand-name drugs such as:
- OxyContin; ER tablets
- OxyIR; immediate-release capsules
- Percodan, in combination with aspirin
- Roxicet, in combination with acetaminophen
Due to its more potent analgesic effects, it is often used against severe or chronic pain. Doctors may prescribe it when weaker, over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin don’t suffice. Unlike those drugs, oxycodone is strictly prescription-only.
Finally, like most opioids, long-term oxycodone use, unfortunately, carries a very high risk of addiction. This is in no small part because of how it affects the body and how exactly it functions, as we’ll cover next.
Reasons to Start Oxycodone Detoxification Today
Needless to say, oxycodone addiction can be very destructive. At our oxycodone rehab center, we have seen this first-hand, as many of our patients and clients first reached out because it had claimed their lives. If you’re struggling with it yourself, you may have observed such challenges as:
- Physiological effects; oxycodone addiction often comes with long-term symptoms, such as high blood pressure and constipation. These come alongside severe withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking it, making detoxification very hard.
- Psychological effects; symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, and depression are also common among individuals with prescription drug addictions. Unfortunately, many such conditions are also common causes of addiction.
- Social isolation; the above also often culminates into isolationist behaviors, deteriorating the individual’s mental health further. Lacking peer support also exacerbates mental health issues, fueling an endless cycle and preventing recovery.
If any of the above applies to you, chances are you’re already experiencing an oxycodone addiction. As with all addictions, it is always best to seek help early – when detoxification is easier. So don’t delay; seek help immediately and prevent the worst.
Benefits of Choosing Bright Futures
We at Bright Futures Treatment are happy to help you reclaim the life you deserve. As an established center for oxycodone rehab in Boynton Beach, we are keenly aware of the challenges of oxycodone addiction. To address them and best fulfill our mission, we offer the following perks that will pave your road to recovery.
Luxury facilities
Our facilities offer a safe, welcoming environment that caters to each patient’s needs. Our clinical building adheres to all established clinical standards and has been newly furnished to accommodate your needs best. It is here where Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) will take place under strict professional supervision as the start of our treatment program.
Should you need an Outpatient Program, our facilities come fully equipped with new appliances, flat-screen TVs, and even barbeque grills. Here you will continue to receive professional support whenever you need it, including regular counseling, as you prepare to reintegrate into your everyday life.
Holistic, flexible treatment programs
Our prescription drug addiction programs offer a step-by-step course to recovery, offering MAT programs when needed, Intensive Outpatient, Outpatient, and Florida model programs, as well as Aftercare programs.
We embrace a holistic approach to recovery because we believe the mind needs to heal alongside the body. For this reason, alongside medication management and counseling, we offer the following:
- BioSound Healing Therapy, Biofeedback, Sound Frequency Healing, Music Therapy, and Guided Imagery.
- Physical therapy when needed to combat muscle tissue deterioration, typically due to overlapping addictions.
- Nutritional plans and guidance to help you maintain a healthy diet post-rehabilitation.
- Yoga classes and guided meditation groups for relaxation and spiritual inspiration.
In combination, our programs’ diligence and flexibility will allow your oxycodone rehab to cater to your exact needs. Every addiction differs, and so does every journey to recovery – and we at Bright Futures are keenly aware of that.
Of course, if you happen to be struggling with other overlapping addictions, our programs also cater to ones with alcohol, heroin, and crack. In such cases, flexibility is essential, which our staff will at all times strive to provide to offer an excellent oxycodone rehab in Palm Beach.
Qualified, supportive staff
In addition, our staff comes fully equipped with all the experience and certifications they need to implement and monitor our programs perfectly. Our oxycodone rehab center employs Master Level specialists in different fields, including:
- Licensed Medical Health Counselors (LMHC)
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
- Approved Clinical Supervisors (ACS)
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
- National Certified Counselors (NCC)
- Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors (CCMHC)
- Certified Recovery Coaches (CRC)
Of course, all of our experts and treatment providers are also LegitScript-certified, attesting to their experience and ability. Their specializations range from therapists and psychologists to acupuncturists and yoga instructors to ensure every treatment program is personalized to meet your exact needs.
Proximity to the beach
Our oxycodone rehab in Boynton Beach comes with a unique perk in its location. Our center’s proximity to the beach offers an idyllic location that will also help your mind heal alongside your body.
The ocean’s benefits to recovery are indeed well-documented. Among other research on this crucial benefit, consider the following:
- Health & Place found that “individuals reported significantly better general health and mental health when living nearer the coast.”
- A study published in the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s journal finds that “blue enhances performance on a creative task.”
- Richard Shuster, PsyD, clinical psychologist and host of The Daily Helping podcast, finds that “staring at the ocean actually changes our brain waves’ frequency and puts us into a mildly meditative state.”
You can thus expect the ocean not just to be a backdrop to your journey but a discreet, notable ally.
How Much Does Oxycodone Rehab in Boynton Beach Cost
Our treatment programs remain distinctly affordable without compromising on their quality and flexibility. For one, we accept many health insurance plans, which may cover a sizeable portion of your treatment’s cost. Those include:
- AETNA Insurance
- Ambetter of Arkansas
- Ambetter of Peach State Georgia
- Amerigroup
- AmeriHealth Insurance
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Rehab Centers
- Cigna Insurance
- ComPsych Insurance
- CoreSource Insurance
- Concentry Health Care
- First Choice Health Insurance
- Harvard Pilgrim Insurance
- Medical Mutual
- Qualcare Insurance
- Qual Choice of Arkansas
- UnitedHealthCare Group Insurance
Still, each health insurance provider will cover different expenses depending on past history of addiction, exact therapies needed, and so forth. In addition, costs will vary considerably depending on factors like:
- The duration of your treatment
- Types of therapies needed
- Medications used for treatment
For these reasons, please contact one of our coordinators at (844) SOBER-00 for more information on potential costs. We will go through your health insurance plan together before admission, so you will know exactly what you’ll be paying for.
The Process of Oxycodone Addiction Rehab – Step by Step
Let us outline the exact process of oxycodone rehab. As we do, we will also outline how our programs align with this process and what you can expect from them.
#1 Addiction Treatment Medications
The first step of detox typically begins with MAT, especially for late-stage addictions. For this step, our treatments exclusively use the three medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this purpose – namely:
- Suboxone
- Naltrexone
- Buprenorphine and Naloxone, combinations of Suboxone and Naltrexone
As regards MAT’s effectiveness, SAMHSA notes the following:
“MAT has proved to be clinically effective and to significantly reduce the need for inpatient detoxification services for [oxycodone-addicted] individuals. MAT provides a more comprehensive, individually tailored program of medication and behavioral therapy that address the needs of most patients.
The ultimate goal of MAT is full recovery, including the ability to live a self-directed life. This treatment approach has been shown to:
- Improve patient survival
- Increase retention in treatment
- Decrease illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people with substance use disorders
- Increase patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment
- Improve birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant
Research also shows that these medications and therapies can contribute to lowering a person’s risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis C by reducing the potential for relapse”.
#2 Outpatient and Partial HospitalizationTreatment
Our oxycodone rehab center in Boynton Beach offers outpatient and partial hospitalization programs.
For this step, your options are, in order:
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP); the clinical choice for more severe addictions that require MAT and medical supervision
- Florida model; a combination of PHP and Intensive Outpatient programs for individuals who may require the above but can still begin residential programs
- Intensive Outpatient; an option where patients receive intensive care and supervision
- Outpatient; a less strictly supervised option where the patient begins to build social and other skills as they prepare to return to everyday life
In all cases, all such programs offer professional supervision and counseling. The factors that differ are the setting, the intensity of care received, the frequency of therapy sessions, and each program’s exact focus on specific skills and medication management.
#3 The Importance of Aftercare – Ongoing Treatment
Finally, successful detoxification programs typically conclude with aftercare programs. These offer continued support post-rehabilitation, allowing you to:
- Attend 12-step-based meetings
- Continue to receive counseling and emotional support
- Socialize with your peers and friends made during rehab, attend events and outings
- Become a speaker in such events yourself, inspiring others who are embarking on the same journey you did
The primary function of aftercare is, of course, to prevent relapse. On this, the AAC notes the following:
“Having an aftercare plan is important because many people face difficulties when transitioning out of treatment. The risk of relapse is highest in the first few months after someone leaves rehab. […] Developing an aftercare plan in early recovery can help prevent relapse by providing you with support and allowing you to continue to work on issues surrounding your addiction. Once you feel established in your sobriety, you can also begin to give back to others who are newly sober”.
To best facilitate effective aftercare, our oxycodone rehab in Palm Beach offers an extensive Alumni program. Through it, you can remain in touch with us during your first crucial months after rehab – or for as long as you wish.
What to Expect During the Oxycodone Rehab Process
Still, oxycodone rehab is a long and often challenging process. For this reason, let us highlight what you can expect during it, step by step.
Dual Diagnosis and Oxycodone
First and foremost, any diagnosis of oxycodone addiction may also identify a co-occurring mental health disorder. This is often dubbed as “dual diagnosis” and is indeed crucial to proper treatments and care. The TAC explains the importance of dual diagnosis by highlighting the following:
- An estimated 1.8 million Americans with serious mental illness also used opioids in 2019. Approximately one-third (617,000) of these individuals have an opioid use disorder, meaning their use has reached a level of clinical impairment.
- Only 12.7% of people with co-occurring serious mental illness and substance use disorders received any treatment for both conditions in 2019.
- The prevalence of co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders has grown by 1.5 million people since 2009, a 73% increase despite a population increase of only 6% during the same period.
For these reasons, our assessments include dual diagnosis, which will inform which program best suits your needs. Depending on such diagnoses, we will adjust medication, supervision, counseling, and other treatment methods to address both fronts best. If you choose to undergo oxycodone rehab in Palm Beach, you can rest assured that our clinicians will first explore such core issues.
Trauma Therapies Used in Oxycodone Rehab
For this reason, dual diagnoses will also inform your treatment regarding trauma therapy. Mental health disorders are often associated with, but not exclusively due to, past trauma. Rehabspot identifies trauma resolution as a “critical part of clinical treatment for addiction” and lists the following common traumatic experience types:
- Sexual abuse or assault
- Emotional abuse
- Physical abuse or assault
- Separation from a parent
- Mental abuse
- Loss of a loved one/grief
- Forced displacement
- System-induced trauma
- Political and historical trauma
- Serious accidents or injuries
Naturally, addressing such underlying challenges is a top priority for our programs, as leaving traumatic experiences unattended can only fuel psychological challenges in turn. In our hands, your oxycodone rehab in Boynton Beach will holistically focus on overcoming trauma, aligned with somatic experience models for trauma resolution. Our trauma-specific therapies also align with and draw elements from:
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
- The Seeking Safety model
- Trauma Addictions Mental Health and Recovery (TAMAR)
Counseling throughout your treatment will follow these principles as needed and where appropriate to help ensure a seamless recovery.
Oxycodone Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline
Next, your journey to recovery will begin with MAT, or natural abstinence, so as to achieve detox. At this stage, you will first have to wrestle with withdrawal symptoms as your body adjusts.
The severity and duration of these symptoms will vary across individuals, depending on addiction duration, overlapping conditions and addictions, and other factors. Still, the typical oxycodone withdrawal timeline is as follows:
- Days 1-2. Within the first 8-12 hours after the last dose, you will experience the first withdrawal symptoms. Those will sometimes include physical symptoms, such as muscle and joint aches, as well as mental ones, such as cravings and anxiety. Relapse is extremely common at this stage, as patients seek to regain euphoria.
- Days 3-5. Within a few days, the symptoms escalate, and at this stage, physical ones are at their worst. Pain and cramps are very common, as are nausea and vomiting. This is when most unsupervised self-detox attempts fail, as the individual can’t cope with withdrawal.
- Days 6-7. Approaching the first week, physical symptoms will begin to subside. Ones like nausea and diarrhea may persist but with less severity than before. Here, the psychological symptoms reach their peak. However, you may experience severe anxiety and depression.
- 8th day onward. The typical detox timeline ends after the first week concludes. Here, former users may experience deep remorse for past actions and will require emotional support. At this stage, you may still relapse if you don’t receive said support as the psychological impact of detox settles.
This process evidently comes with immense challenges, which should help convince you not to try to detox alone. Such attempts don’t just have low success rates but can also put you in danger.
Different Types of Oxycodone Rehab
Past the detox stage, and with withdrawal well behind you, you may then expect different types of oxycodone rehab depending on your circumstances and needs. The AAC lists the following main ones:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; a type of therapy that combines psychotherapy and behavioral therapy. This kind of approach to counseling informs all of our programs, focusing on helping you identify potential triggers and build skills that allow for risk mitigation. Following the principles of 12-step programs, this type of therapy will see you acknowledge, vocalize, and overcome the impact of addiction on your life and loved ones.
- Recovery-oriented challenge therapy; a type of therapy better suited to later treatment stages, this type of therapy focuses on boosting confidence and self-sufficiency. It entails emotional support, reconciliation with past wrongs, and self-forgiveness. This type also adheres to the 12-step philosophy, facilitating an easier oxycodone rehab in Palm Beach.
- Expressive arts and music therapy; another type of oxycodone rehab, this one seeks to inspire spiritual growth and facilitate mental recovery through creative expression. It will direct you to artistic endeavors, often alongside yoga and other mentally uplifting activities, further minimizing the risk of relapse.
Finally, there are two more subtypes of oxycodone rehab, which relate to counseling and therapy specifically:
- Group therapy; usually drug-specific, group therapy is a staple among rehab offerings – and an indispensable part of our programs as well. Through it, therapists lead sessions through research-based therapy models that leverage interpersonal healing and the soothing group dynamics it offers.
- Family therapy; an essential component of reintegration into everyday life, family therapy also offers invaluable benefits to both you and your loved ones. Through it, you may reconcile with your family if addiction has ruptured your bonds. At the same time, they will receive education on how to best support you post-rehab, further reducing your chances of relapse.
If you do choose us at Bright Futures for your journey to recovery, you can rest assured your oxycodone rehab in Boynton Beach will tap into all well-established therapy types, crafting the perfect treatment that lets you heal safely and comfortably.
Things to Consider Before, During, and After Oxycodone Rehab
Still, oxycodone rehab is a lengthy process. Before you choose to embark on it, you should ideally plan ahead for every step of the way.
Before: Symptoms & Warning Signs
First, you should consider symptoms and warning signs that may indicate an oxycodone addiction. If you’re evaluating yourself, you may consider WebMD’s 5 signs of addiction:
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
- Craving oxycodone
- Abusing oxycodone as regards dosage or intake means
- Seeking prescriptions from different doctors, known as “doctor shopping”
- Identifying differences in your thinking or emotional state
If you’re looking for symptoms in a loved one, which may signal they need oxycodone rehab in Palm Beach, you may consider the following as identified by AAC:
- Itching
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Hallucinations
- Abnormal thoughts
- Poor grooming or lack of hygiene
- Becoming secretive about one’s whereabouts
- Being in possession of multiple prescription bottles from different doctors and pharmacies
- Drugged driving
- Dilated pupils (during withdrawal)
- Diarrhea (during withdrawal)
Finally, AAC consolidates the 10 most substantive physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms into the following:
-
- Gradual increase in dosage. The individual didn’t intend to abuse oxycodone when they started taking it but ended up taking too much of it or too often.
- Inability to quit oxycodone. The individual wants to quit but cannot.
- Obsession/preoccupation. The individual is devoting too much time to acquiring, using, or trying to recover from oxycodone.
- Cravings and urges. The individual consciously feels the desire to take oxycodone.
- Underperformance in everyday life. Due to oxycodone use, the individual is underperforming at school, at work, academically, on in other areas of everyday life.
- Persistent use despite adverse social effects. The individual continues to use oxycodone despite visible adverse effects on their relationships with family, friends, or loved ones.
- Continued use despite the risk to themselves. The individual cannot, or does not, quit using oxycodone, despite the visible risk of self-harm through behaviors caused by it, such as driving while intoxicated.
- Persistent use despite psychological or physical issues. The individual sees their physical, mental, or emotional health deteriorating because of oxycodone use but continues using it.
- The individual develops tolerance. Continued long-term use has caused the individual’s body to develop a tolerance to oxycodone, often inciting higher doses of the drug.
- Withdrawal symptoms emerge. The individual attempts to reduce or eliminate intake, but withdrawal symptoms prevent them from succeeding.
If you do identify any such symptoms and reasonably suspect an oxycodone addiction, please seek help immediately. The earlier you or your loved one gets professional help, the easier it will be to tackle the issue successfully.
During: Facilitating Healing
Once you do start your rehab, it is crucial that you fully allow yourself to heal without external stress. To do so, you may address the following:
- Make arrangements for your outside duties. If you need to be admitted into a substance abuse treatment program, make arrangements regarding children or other people in your care. Examine your options to maintain your employment as well.
- Bring your helpful personal belongings. Everyday items can offer tremendous help as regards healing. Consider family photos, music, books, and religious or spiritual items. Remember what you should bring to the facilities, such as essential items.
- Arm yourself with patience. Patience is an essential virtue as well and may be your most valuable ally. Remember that recovery is a very challenging journey that will require fortitude and strength of will. Most importantly, do not blame yourself for your shortcomings and if your will falters.
Always remember to maintain constant communication with your treatment providers. If you do choose us for your oxycodone rehab in Boynton Beach, remember that our staff will always be at your service 24/7 to provide the help you need.
After: Preventing Relapse
Finally, post-rehab, you should strive to prevent relapse in every way you can.
To do so, you may:
- Strengthen your social bonds. A strong support group of your friends and family will often help tremendously with remaining free of oxycodone. Especially if they have also attended group therapy sessions and know how to deal with this stage, they will stand by you in the way you need most at this crucial moment.
- Maintain communication with your treatment providers. For similar reasons, your treatment providers will offer continued support through aftercare programs. If you choose Bright Futures for your oxycodone rehab in Boynton Beach, our aftercare and alumni programs will offer always-on communication channels you can always use to stave off relapse.
- Seek help if you fear you’ll relapse. Finally, if you do experience intense cravings and other signs of a potential relapse, it is crucial that you seek help again. Doing so proactively will save you a new detox process, and even if you do relapse, you will have the opportunity to address it earlier.
Unfortunately, relapse is quite common for all addictions – and oxycodone addiction does not differ in this regard. Statistics prove and explain this, as we will cover next, and a big part of why lies in how oxycodone itself functions.
How Oxycodone Affects the Body
To achieve its purpose of pain relief, oxycodone replicates the chemical structure of morphine. It blocks the body’s pain signals from reaching the brain, which helps patients manage painful conditions short-term.
However, this kind of euphoric effect is understandably very desirable and makes the drug ripe for abuse. With long-term use, the body also develops resistance to it, requiring higher doses to achieve the same results. These factors combined make up a large portion of the reason why oxycodone is so addictive; the effect is pleasant, the body ends up craving it, and withdrawal symptoms are often painful. In “The Neurobiology of Opioid Dependence: Implications for Treatment,” cited by NCBI, Thomas R. Kosten, MD, and Tony P. George, MD, explain this as follows:
“When heroin, oxycodone, or any other opiate travels through the bloodstream to the brain, the chemicals attach to specialized proteins, called mu-opioid receptors, on the surfaces of opiate-sensitive neurons (brain cells). The linkage of these chemicals with the receptors triggers the same biochemical brain processes that reward people with feelings of pleasure[.]
One of the brain circuits that is activated by opioids is the mesolimbic (midbrain) reward system[, which] causes feelings of pleasure. Other areas of the brain create a lasting record or memory that associates these good feelings with the circumstances and environment in which they occur. These memories, called conditioned associations, often lead to the craving for drugs when the abuser [re-encounters] those persons, places, or things, and they drive abusers to seek out more drugs in spite of many obstacles”.
How Is Oxycodone Abused?
There are a few different ways in which oxycodone is abused, but the main types are:
- dosage
- means of consumption
- appropriation
Increasing the dosage on one’s own is a very common means of prescription drug abuse in general and is a primary sign of potential addiction. This may often be because long-term oxycodone use has the patient develop resistance to the drug. Other times it may signify progressed abuse, as the patient is seeking a high.
The second type of oxycodone abuse involves altering the drug’s form and means of consumption. It includes, among others:
- Crushing and snorting tablets
- Dissolving pills in water and injecting them
- Heating tablets and inhaling the resulting vapors
- Biting down on ER tablets
The final means of oxycodone abuse lies in appropriation. This typically involves using drugs that were prescribed to someone else, typically a family member or close friend. Appropriation is rather common among prescription drugs in general.
Oxycodone Addiction – How It Happens?
With abuse often comes addiction, as prescription drugs, in general, carry a high risk of addiction. The primary risk factors for it are:
- Long-term use; the body’s resistance and withdrawal symptoms encourage continued use, leading to addiction.
- Epigenetics; addiction is very often hereditary, with research attributing up to 60% of the risk to epigenetics.
- Mental health issues; research also finds a considerable overlap between mental health issues and drug addictions of all kinds, particularly opioids like oxycodone.
- Social factors; peer pressure into recreational use, social isolation, and other social factors also inform addiction.
- Age; younger oxycodone users are much more likely to become addicted to it, research also finds.
A final factor is, of course, the increased opioid prescription rate, as there is a direct correlation between availability and abuse – with addiction following suit.
What’s the Difference Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone?
Here we should mention hydrocodone as well, as the two share many traits that factor into oxycodone rehab. They are not the same drug, of course, but they do present a distinct overlap in structure, effects, abuse symptoms, and more.
In brief, we may summarize their similarities as the following:
- Both oxycodone and hydrocodone belong to the same opioid class of drugs. They are both pain relievers, often used to treat severe or chronic pain, and both function in a similar manner.
- Many brand-name drugs combine either with acetaminophen to better facilitate their intended effect.
- Both come in liquid, tablet, capsule, or extended-release (ER) capsules and tablets, and their recommended dosages are similar as well.
- As regards abuse, both drugs come with a high risk of addiction, and the highs of both feel similar. Treatments and rehab for both are similar as well.
- The two even share most abuse symptoms, making them extremely hard to differentiate.
On this final point, WebMD cites NIH to assert that “the two drugs are so similar that there are no specific symptoms that can reliably differentiate the effects of oxycodone from the effects of hydrocodone.”
Their differences are few and subtle. These are:
- Different brand-name drugs will use one or the other.
- Hydrocodone is slightly more likely to be used in ER capsule or tablet form.
- While symptoms do overlap considerably, some are more common for one or the other.
For an example of the latter, WebMD notes that “tiredness is a more common side effect of hydrocodone, while drowsiness and constipation are likelier to occur with oxycodone.”
Addiction Stats
Unfortunately, the scope of prescription drug misuse and addiction across the United States is only expanding. NIDA finds this to be true, citing misuse numbers among people aged 12 or older in 2020, including:
- 3% (or about 758,000 people) had a prescription stimulant use disorder in the past 12 months.
- 4% (or about 1.2 million people) had a prescription tranquilizer or sedative use disorder in the past 12 months.
- 8% (or about 2.3 million people) had a prescription opioid use disorder in the past 12 months.
- Approximately 16,416 people died from an overdose involving prescription opioids.
Perhaps most dishearteningly, in our context, they also find that “an estimated 0.8% of 8th graders, 0.9% of 10th graders, and 0.9% of 12th graders reported misusing OxyContin in the past 12 months”.
The Opioid Crisis and Oxycodone Abuse
This phenomenon of oxycodone abuse ties into the broader opioid crisis, for which DrugAbuseStatistics finds:
- 6% of Americans over the age of 12 abuse prescriptions in a year.
- 12% of prescription drug abusers are addicted.
- 4 out of 5 pharmacy-filled prescriptions are opioids.
In tandem with these key findings, they also note the following statistics on opioids in general, among others:
- 3 million people abuse prescription opioids specifically, or 95.9% of people who abuse any prescription painkiller.
- 6 million, or 92.1% of prescription opioid abusers, misuse prescription opioids only.
- 404,000, or 4.0% of prescription opioid abusers, also use heroin.
- 2% of heroin users also use prescription opioids.
It is for these reasons, and this distinct overlap, that our oxycodone rehab center in Palm Beach offers expansive drug rehab options for multiple different addictions. It is unfortunate that we have to, but the above statistics explain why we need to approach the opioid crisis in this holistic way.
The Dangers of the Opioid Epidemic
Finally, the opioid epidemic has not diminished in danger since the HSS declared it a public health emergency in 2017. In fact, a factor in why they did so was because “opioid overdoses accounted for more than 42,000 deaths in 2016, more than any previous year on record[, and] an estimated 40% of opioid overdose deaths involved a prescription opioid”.
Their statistics on the subject best highlight the dangers of the opioid epidemic, including:
- 6 million people misused prescription pain relievers for the first time in 2019.
- 1 million people misused prescription opioids in 2019.
- 48,006 deaths were attributed to overdosing on synthetic opioids other than methadone between June 2019 and June 2020.
Similarly, DrugAbuseStatistics further attests to this phenomenon’s dangers, noting that:
- Almost 50,000 people die every year from opioid overdose.
- Over 10 million people misuse opioids in a year.
- Opioids are a factor in at least 7 out of every 10 overdose deaths.
Evidently, the opioid epidemic remains a public health crisis today. Unfortunately, this will likely continue as prescriptions increase – and as long as prescription opioids remain so hard to detox from due to their very challenging withdrawal symptoms.
Potential Problems with Oxycodone Withdrawal
As highlighted above, oxycodone withdrawal poses a very serious challenge to the individual. Symptoms are often severe and carry multiple risks, including:
- Mental health deterioration
- A state of mind that facilitates illegal behaviors
- Risk of physical harm and death
As regards the final point, Australia’s NDARC’S Shane Darke, Sarah Larney, and Michael Farrell find that opiate withdrawal can indeed lead to death, typically due to dehydration.
Can You Fight Oxycodone Addiction On Your Own/Without Help?
What makes this potential worse is that abstinence from addiction and natural detox are often impossible due to the severity of withdrawal symptoms. AAC also stresses this final point strongly, citing SAMHSA’s assertion that:
“Hospitalization (or some form of 24-hour medical care) is generally the preferred setting for detoxification from opioids, based on principles of safety and humanitarian concerns”.
Finally, they conclude by saying that:
“Opioid withdrawal can be painful and uncomfortable. […] A professional medical detox can provide medication and monitoring to keep patients as safe and as comfortable as possible, as well as address any potential complications that can arise”.
Thus, we strongly recommend that you do not try to fight oxycodone addiction on your own. You can make preparations for it, and you must absolutely arm yourself with patience and willpower to facilitate your journey through it. Still, detox attempts should always be monitored and assisted by professionals for your own safety.
Take The First Step Today!
No matter the stage of the addiction you or your loved ones may be facing, we are fully confident our oxycodone rehab in Palm Beach will offer a welcoming, safe, and effective road to recovery. Our flexible, personalized programs, led by our seasoned addiction experts and treatment providers, will cater to each and every unique need and circumstance, and our aftercare programs will help minimize the ever-present risk of relapse.
If you now feel it’s time to seek help, we at Bright Futures Treatment will be happy to lend a helping hand. Contact us today, and let us craft the perfect oxycodone addiction treatment together.
FAQ
Where are you located?
Our treatment center is located in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida. Our full NAP information is:
Bright Futures Treatment Center
2320 South Seacrest Blvd.
Suite #300
Boynton Beach, Florida 33435
1-844-207-7772
Does MAT/medication treat oxycodone addiction?
No, medication is never a cure for addiction by itself. MAT and continued medication only help patients deal with withdrawal symptom management and, in many cases, reduce cravings. They are not a treatment by themselves, however.
How can I know if I/a loved one am/is addicted to oxycodone?
Only a medical or clinical professional may diagnose a substance use disorder, including oxycodone misuse, abuse, or addiction. That said, you may look for physiological, psychological, and emotional symptoms of oxycodone addiction to make an informed assessment. If you do believe you have identified an addiction, always consult a professional to proceed from there together.
How long does oxycodone detox last?
The exact duration of detox can vary significantly, depending on factors like age, addiction length, co-occurring disorders, and others. Still, as outlined above, the typical detox process will last for about a week. The most acute physical symptoms will subside within about 3 days, while psychological symptoms may last for 2 or more weeks.
What are the chances that I will relapse?
Unfortunately, relapse is very common. Studies find that about 40-60% of rehabilitated individuals relapse within 30 days, and up to 85% relapse within the first year. These figures have been showing signs of slowly improving, but remain very high. Still, with a supportive social circle and open communication throughout aftercare, we can help minimize the chance of relapse to the best of our ability.