There are 23.1 million people in need of treatment for drug addiction in the United States, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports. A significant chunk of them are dependent on prescription painkillers known as opioids. These drugs are claiming lives with each passing day and perpetuating a cycle of addiction to opiates. Prescription drug addiction comes with its own set of concerns. The likelihood of overdose is often higher simply because it’s easier to accomplish. In addition, the drugs are generally not difficult to access. Many can be received just by feigning pain to a doctor. Other times, you might find them in the household medicine cabinet. Even in cases of real pain being present, addiction can develop after consistent use of these drugs. Unfortunately, it often leads to even more detrimental drug abuse. NPR notes around 80 percent of heroin users report past use of prescription opioid pain relievers, signaling a gateway trend that links the two. Roxicodone is one of these painkillers.
What Is Roxicodone?
Roxicodone is commonly referred to as “Roxy” or “Roxies.” A brand name for immediate-release oxycodone hydrochloride, Roxicodone poses serious threats to the livelihood and well-being of misusers and abusers. It is generally prescribed to people suffering from moderate to severe pain. Approximately 6.8 million American people filled prescriptions for opioid painkillers between 2009 and 2013, as reported by The New York Times. Many users come across the drug via friends and family members or street dealers. People from all walks of life and all socioeconomic demographics abuse Roxicodone. If you have a mental health disorder, you are more likely to fall prey to addiction than someone without such an issue. Among all mentally ill individuals, around 29 percent are suffering from drug or alcohol abuse issues, per Helpguide. Roxicodone is the perfect example of a drug that is easily abused to numb the symptoms of mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.
Many users who become addicted to Roxicodone will experience phantom pains when they’re not using — false sensations of pain that don’t actually stem from any sort of injury or ailment. If you’re concern that you might be addicted to Roxicodone, look for the following additional warning signs:
- Secretive use of Roxy
- Obsessive thoughts about using the drug
- Tolerance
- Irritability and restlessness
- Doctor shopping
Help Is Available
As we continue to learn more about how these drugs affect patients and what can be done to prevent relapse and extend sobriety, more effective treatment options become available. The first step you’ll take at rehab is an intake interview. This is the time to lay all your cards on the table and be honest about where you are in your addiction. From what you’re using and how often to the depths you’ve gone to in order to get your supply and why you started using in the first place, the more information your treatment team has, the better. Detox from opiate painkillers like Roxicodone is more bearable than ever before due to the use of treatment drugs like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Methadone carries a 60 to 90 percent success rate, per the California Society for Addiction Medicine. Buprenorphine results have varied considerably among studies, with the most recent being somewhat less promising at 49 percent, according to the National Institutes of Health. Naltrexone has shown promising results as an implant with a 53 percent success rate in recent research, as published by NIDA.
At Futures of Palm Beach, we can help you achieve the healthy, balanced life you want. Call us today for more information on how we can help you stop abusing Roxicodone and achieve sobriety.