OXYCODONE ADDICTION
For many people, opioid use disorders begin innocently. Maybe you broke your arm and were prescribed oxycodone after a trip to the emergency room, or you were involved in a car accident that left you with chronic pain. You took your medications as prescribed, but discovered that it did more than relieve your pain. It made you feel calm, relaxed and at ease in a way that was irresistible. Soon, you began to take more than prescribed on the weekends, but the habit quickly spiraled out of control. When your refills ran out, you found yourself willing to do anything to feel the warm, euphoric embrace of opioids again.
In the United States, the use of opioids is steadily rising as doctors prescribe more and more of these addictive drugs. Opioid-related overdoses have nearly tripled over the past decade and more people than ever are seeking treatment, creating what many consider to be an epidemic. The opioid crisis has overwhelmed medical and treatment providers, many of which are not properly equipped to handle opioid-related complications. At Journey Hillside Tarzana, our highly experienced team of medical professionals and addiction specialists adeptly manage withdrawal symptoms and minimize the risk of an overdose or relapse for opioid-dependent individuals. We provide comprehensive care that removes the obstacle of physical dependency to help patients overcome the challenges of an addiction to oxycodone or other opioids. With individualized recovery plans that address each patient’s specific needs, our treatment services promote deep and lasting recovery from addiction.
WHAT ARE OPIOIDS?
Opioids are a class of drugs is known for their pain-relieving effects and high risk of addiction or dependency. Prescription medications such as Vicodin, oxycodone and fentanyl are examples of synthetic opioids, while those naturally-derived from the poppy plant include opium, morphine and codeine. Heroin is a semi-synthetic opiate synthesized from morphine. Regardless of their origin, these drugs bind to opioid receptors in the brain and trigger the release of dopamine to create an intense high and rush of euphoria.
Oxycodone and other opioids are very effective pain relievers when used as prescribed, but even when taken as directed have the potential to lead to abuse and dependence. Opioid drugs act on the brain’s reward pathways, which are often implicated in addiction as they are involved in motivation, pleasure and memory. The release of dopamine caused by opioids stimulates this system and leads to cravings that are difficult to resist. Furthermore, repeated use of opioids will create neurochemical imbalances in the brain that reinforce addictive behavior by triggering uncomfortable withdrawal effects in the drug’s absence.
SIGNS OF OPIOID USE
Regular use of oxycodone or other opioids quickly produces a tolerance that often leads to physical dependence and addiction. As time passes, opioid abuse habits become harder and harder to break as individuals require more of the drug to achieve their desired effects. As their addiction deepens, their priorities and behaviors begin to shift and opioid use consumes more time, attention and energy. If you think you or a loved one may have an opioid abuse problem.
Some common signs of dependence include:
- EXPERIENCING UNCOMFORTABLE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
- FREQUENTLY “NODDING OFF” OR FALLING ASLEEP
- FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
- DRUG-SEEKING BEHAVIOR
- OFTEN FEELING DROWSY OR DISORIENTED
- DOCTOR SHOPPING TO ACQUIRE PRESCRIPTIONS
- MOOD SWINGS AND IRRITABILITY
- MORE TIME SPENT CONSUMING OR ACQUIRING OPIOIDS
- ISOLATION FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS
- DECREASED INTEREST IN HOBBIES, WORK OR SCHOOL
Addiction affects everyone differently and not all individuals will exhibit all of these signs. If you do suspect that yourself or someone you care about is addicted to opioids, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Opioids are notorious for causing deadly overdoses and are particularly dangerous when combined with other drugs. Counterfeit presses of popular prescriptions such as Oxycontin also increase the risk to users, as many of these contain the deadly drug fentanyl. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and it’s almost impossible to detect its presence without utilizing a test kit. Furthermore, opioid addiction is challenging to manage alone and often requires a high level of professional care and guidance to overcome. At Journey Hillside Tarzana, we can help those struggling with opioid use disorders begin to heal with comprehensive detox services, integrative residential care and highly individualized treatment plans that promote long-term recovery. Our compassionate and experienced team is dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their freedom from opioid dependence and live the happy, healthy lives they deserve.
OPIOIDS AND WITHDRAWAL
Opioid addiction is difficult to overcome without professional intervention, often requiring a specialized approach to manage uncomfortable withdrawal effects. The severity of an individual’s symptoms vary depending on numerous factors, but withdrawal usually lasts about a week. The risk of relapse and overdose are high during this time, especially as an individual’s tolerance dwindles. Comprehensive and compassionate care can greatly reduce symptoms and keep patients comfortable as they detox, minimizing potential complications and improving treatment outcomes.
Before patients can enter residential treatment and begin to focus on their recovery, they must first detox and conquer withdrawal. When these symptoms linger, it becomes difficult to engage in the treatment process and achieve any meaningful progress. At Journey Hillside Tarzana, our medically-managed detox is supervised on a 24/7 basis, keeping patients safe as opioids are eliminated from the body. Our dedicated team expertly manages the effects of opioid withdrawal by focusing on symptom management, patient comfort and relapse prevention. Medication-assisted treatment is also administered when appropriate to ensure the health, safety and well-being of patients. Once an individual has finished detox, they can transition seamlessly into our signature residential treatment program to dig deeper into their addictions and move towards sustainable, long-term recovery.
Opioid-related withdrawal symptoms aren’t typically dangerous, but they manifest in a variety of unwanted physical and psychological effects, including:
- ANXIETY
- DEPRESSION
- HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
- DIARRHEA
- RESTLESSNESS
- MUSCLE ACHES AND CRAMPS
- INSOMNIA
- IRRITABILITY
- EXCESSIVE YAWNING AND TEARING
- NAUSEA
- SWEATING
- HOT AND COLD FLASHES
HOW WE TREAT OPIOID ADDICTION
At Journey Hillside Tarzana, we address opioid use disorders with a specialized approach that emphasizes personal growth, individual strengths and client engagement to improve outcomes and promote lasting sobriety. Our addiction treatment programs are highly individualized and flexible to ensure that patients can get the most out of each therapeutic experience and heal at their own pace. We incorporate a variety of evidence-based psychotherapies, holistic modalities and proven treatment models that set the stage for a productive recovery experience and deeply personalized care.
Among the techniques we use include:
- INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY
- CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY EDUCATION
- MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS
- EXPERIENTIAL THERAPIES
- FAMILY SUPPORT
- 12-STEP COMMUNITY INTEGRATION
- YOGA AND PHYSICAL FITNESS
- MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT
- TRAUMA SERVICES
- SPECIALTY TRACKS
These services are provided at a level of care that goes above and beyond industry-wide best practices and standards, giving our patients the best possible chance at achieving freedom from opioid dependence and living the happy, healthy life they deserve. Our luxury facility in Los Angeles’ charming Tarzana neighborhood also offers relaxation, seclusion and high-end amenities to create a restorative atmosphere that promotes deep and lasting healing.
OXYCODONE ADDICTION TREATMENT LOS ANGELES
At Journey Hillside Tarzana, we understand that each patient is unique and there is no “cookie-cutter” approach that will work for every individual. That’s why we offer personalized treatment plans and interdisciplinary care that strives to help each patient find their own path to recovery and reach their individual treatment goals. If you or someone you care about is struggling with opioid addiction, contact or call Journey Hillside Tarzana today at 877-414-1024 to learn more about our Oxycodone Addiction Treatment Los Angeles programs and how they can help. Together, we can overcome opioid addiction and rediscover a life free from chemical dependency.
