Oxycodone is a strong opioid prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain, but it carries a high risk of addiction. In California, many people become dependent on this drug after medical use or recreational misuse. Oxycodone addiction treatment offers medical care, counseling, and support to help individuals stop using the drug and rebuild their lives.
At Golden Gate Recovery in Marin County, California, we provide oxycodone addiction treatment through structured outpatient programs, medication-assisted care when needed, and one-on-one therapy. We help clients manage withdrawal, understand the root causes of their addiction, and create long-term recovery plans that fit their needs.
Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid used to manage pain that doesn’t respond well to milder medications. It is commonly prescribed after surgery, serious injury, or for chronic pain conditions like cancer or arthritis. Oxycodone is sold under brand names such as OxyContin, Percocet (with acetaminophen), and Roxicodone. Each year, about 1 in 26 adults in the U.S. misuse opioids, including prescription painkillers like oxycodone.
It is typically taken by mouth, but people may misuse it by crushing or injecting the tablets. Oxycodone is legally available through a prescription, but many people obtain it illegally through street sales, stolen prescriptions, or doctor shopping. The drug is highly addictive because it binds to opioid receptors in the brain, triggering intense feelings of relief and euphoria. With repeated use, the brain starts depending on the drug just to feel stable or get through the day.
This dependence makes it harder to feel pleasure or manage pain without the drug. Even short-term use can cause withdrawal when stopped suddenly. Misuse also raises the risk of overdose, especially when mixed with alcohol or other depressants.
Oxycodone addiction can begin even when someone uses it as prescribed. The drug affects the central nervous system and can cause tolerance in just a few weeks. This means the same dose becomes less effective over time, leading people to take more to get the same relief or high. Prescription painkillers contribute to nearly 45.2% of all opioid-related deaths across California. Each year, 5.8 out of every 100,000 residents lose their lives to opioid overdoses.
People may misuse oxycodone by taking higher doses, using pills not prescribed to them, or trying to numb emotional pain. Crushing, snorting, or injecting oxycodone increases its effects and also its dangers. The body can become physically dependent in a matter of weeks, and psychological cravings often follow soon after. Without treatment, this cycle of use, tolerance, and dependence can lead to a full-blown addiction.
Long-term use can also change how the brain handles pain, emotions, and reward. This makes it harder to stop without help. Some people continue using oxycodone just to avoid feeling sick from withdrawal. Over time, addiction can affect health, relationships, and daily life.
Oxycodone addiction can develop slowly, making it hard to recognize at first. Many people don’t realize they are dependent until they try to stop. Addiction affects the body, emotions, and behavior. Over time, people may need more of the drug to feel the same effects.
Opioids like oxycodone are not safe for long-term use unless closely monitored by a doctor. Long-term use increases the risk of tolerance, dependence, and addiction.
Common symptoms of oxycodone addiction include:
When someone with an oxycodone addiction stops using the drug, their body goes through withdrawal. This happens because the brain has adjusted to having opioids. Withdrawal can feel overwhelming, but it is a sign the body is healing.
Opioid addiction treatment can make withdrawal safer and more manageable. Medical supervision and support are important to reduce discomfort and avoid complications.
Common oxycodone withdrawal symptoms include:
Recovery from oxycodone addiction is a process that takes time, support, and patience. Each step is connected to the one that came before it. Some people move through the stages quickly, while others need more time. No two paths to healing are the same—each person’s story is unique.
Oxycodone addiction treatment supports people through every stage, from the first step to long-term healing.
The main stages of recovery include:
Oxycodone addiction treatment involves more than just quitting the drug. It includes medical care, emotional support, and long-term planning. At Golden Gate Recovery in Marin County, CA, we offer a range of programs that meet people where they are. Our oxycodone addiction treatment options include:
Many people have questions about oxycodone and how to recover safely. We’ve answered some of the most common ones below to help you make informed choices.
At-home detox can be dangerous because oxycodone withdrawal can cause strong symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and severe anxiety. Without medical support, people may relapse quickly just to feel relief. Professional care provides safety, comfort, and a better chance at lasting recovery.
Oxycodone is a powerful opioid, though drugs like fentanyl and hydromorphone are even stronger and more dangerous. Doctors usually reserve stronger opioids for extreme pain or advanced illness.
Oxycodone can reduce pain and create a sense of relaxation or euphoria. This “high” feeling is what makes it addictive for some people. Over time, the same dose may stop working, leading to higher use and risk of addiction.
Quick-release forms of oxycodone typically ease pain for about 4 to 6 hours. Extended-release versions can work for up to 12 hours. The effects vary based on the dose, a person’s body, and how the drug is taken.
Yes, addiction can happen even when taking oxycodone exactly as prescribed. The drug can still cause dependence over time. Some people may not realize they’re addicted until they try to stop and feel withdrawal symptoms.
An overdose may cause slow or stopped breathing, blue lips or fingertips, and loss of consciousness. In this case, you need to seek immediate medical attention to avoid further injury or death. Call 911 right away if you suspect someone has overdosed on oxycodone.
Oxycodone addiction can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Golden Gate Recovery, we guide you through every step of healing with care and respect. We offer personalized oxycodone addiction treatment that includes medical support, therapy, and tools for long-term recovery.
Our team listens to your story and helps build a recovery plan that works for your life. Whether you’re ready for detox, outpatient care, or ongoing support, we’re here for you.
To get started, call us, send a message, or visit our admissions page. We’ll walk with you—one step at a time. You are not alone. If you or someone close to you is having a hard time, don’t wait. Reach out today. Healing is possible—and it starts here.
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Dr. Small’s professional experience encompasses General Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry and Family Medicine. As the founder of Headlands Addiction Treatment Services, Dr. Small and his team have become leaders in the delivery of addiction medicine and psychiatry to treatment programs throughout California and beyond. These compassionate services are reliable, responsive, personable, and evidenced based. Most of the team providers carry multiple board certifications in psychiatry, addiction medicine and family medicine. They recruit the best and brightest addiction medicine professionals to deliver the highest level of treatment.
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