How to Help Someone Addicted to Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is a type of drug similar to morphine that is used as a pain reliever. It is a time release drug that can be addictive if not used properly. You might give someone Tylenol or Ibuprofen for pain but you should never share a prescription medication with someone as it can be habit forming. Still, even unintentionally, someone can succumb to it so how do you help someone addicted to oxycodone?

If you suspect someone of being addicted to oxycodone, talk to him or her. Be prepared that he will probably deny it. Call a treatment program helpline and get some advice. If it is a teen who has a prescription, you can immediately take action as a parent. If it is another loved one, ask if you can go to the doctor with him. Discuss your concerns.

Familiarize yourself with the warning signs of oxycodone addiction so that you can be sure of what you are noticing. Just as with most drug addictions, changes can be seen in the person who is using the oxycodone inappropriately. He or she can be having financial problems. Now in this economy that could be for any reason but if the person is spending a lot of time alone and is irritable when asked about it. Perhaps he or she was once outgoing but now has no interest in his friends or has even changed friendships altogether. Mood changes are quite frequent in someone who has an oxycodone addiction.

As with other drug problems, an intervention might be called for if the person continues to be in denial. Once a prescription goes beyond being necessary for the legitimate physical complaint and becomes something a person needs or desires mentally as well as physically, there is a problem and it is called addiction.

Do not enable the person to continue with the addiction. Encourage him or her to get help, let him know that you will be supportive, go to family counseling sessions and always remember, you need to help yourself as well. There are support groups for family members where there are others who understand what you are going through. Making sure that your needs are met as well is a good way to help someone addicted to oxycodone. You can do this as a family and in the end come out stronger than ever. The person on oxycodone, you, the children, everyone in the family deserves to be helped. Go for it.