Oxycodone Use and Treatment in Maine

According to an article released on the Reuters news wire in 2011, Maine had the unenviable position of being the state with the highest percentage of residents in oxycodone rehab treatment. At the same time, pharmacy robberies were spiking in the state. These crimes are directly related to the increasing number of people desperate to get more of their drug, a powerful opioid.

Unfortunately, things have not improved much for Maine in the decade since this article’s release. In fact, June 2021 saw a record number of drug overdoses in the state, many of which related to opioid abuse and addiction. Of the 880 overdoses that month, 60 resulted in fatalities. For the overdoses not directly tied to oxycodone, the prescription painkiller was blamed as being a gateway to heroin, a cheaper alternative to the harder-to-acquire pharmaceuticals. Heroin laced with fentanyl led to many of the reported incidents and deaths.

The National Drug Intelligence Center reports that oxycodone is the most widely abused prescription drug, primarily as OxyContin or Percocet branded medications. The 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health for Maine indicates that 1.7% of the state’s young adults aged 18 to 25 suffer an opioid use disorder because of prescription painkiller abuse, including oxycodone. This is 0.7% higher than the national average. Another 2.8% of the population over the age of 12 misused prescription painkillers from 2017 to 2019, and 1.2% suffer an opioid use disorder.

Thankfully, residents of the state understand that rehab treatment is the best way to gain recovery from oxycodone addiction. On any given day in 2019, approximately 14,550 state residents were enrolled in drug treatment, such as oxycodone addiction treatment in Maine. This is almost 4,000 more people than were enrolled on an average day in 2015 and nearly equals one out of 100 state residents. Of these people seeking help for their opioid addictions, 2,460 received methadone, and 2,451 received buprenorphine during their treatment.

Clearly, oxycodone addiction continues to be a major problem in Maine. But if you or someone you love suffer from this potentially deadly substance use disorder, treatment can help.

Why You Need Help with Oxycodone Addiction

So many people in Maine abuse oxycodone because of this powerful opioid’s pleasant effects. Besides relieving pain, the drug also provides a sensation of mild euphoria. These are the feelings that lead many to turn to the medication for a sense of escape from the stress and realities of everyday life. Others simply find themselves addicted after using the medication for a prolonged period of time, even under a doctor’s care, or after taking higher doses than they should.

Regardless of how one becomes addicted to “oxy,” as it is also known, being dependent on the drug is highly dangerous. An opioid use disorder like this can cause immediate problems in your life, in addition to lasting negative effects. Because it interacts with the central nervous system, overuse affects your breathing and heart rate. Overdose is easily fatal.

Even trying to quit the painkiller leads to ill effects of withdrawal. These symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:

• Anxiety, agitation, and depression
• Muscle pain and bone pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe abdominal cramping and diarrhea
• Excessive sweating and runny nose
• High body temperature

In wanting to feel better after experiencing uncomfortable physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, it is highly tempting and even easy to relapse. This is how so many people lose their lives to overdose, despite wanting so desperately to achieve recovery.

Under unsecured conditions, just trying to quit oxycodone can be deadly. Obviously, continuing the substance abuse is also dangerous. These are the reasons why it is so important that you seek professional guidance and support to end your oxycodone addiction. Through licensed oxycodone addiction treatment in a Maine detox center and rehab program, you can safely and securely achieve recovery. At the same time, you learn how to maintain your recovery and lead a more fulfilling and productive life.

Oxycodone Rehab Treatment in Maine

When you seek oxy addiction treatment in Maine, you receive the same high-quality care that you might expect anywhere else in the United States. Treatment is typically individualized according to your own specific needs. For example, if you are like most people seeking oxycodone recovery, you probably need to first detox from your drug before attending rehab. Detoxification may take place in a licensed detox facility, or it may occur as your first stage of treatment in a rehab. Much of how your treatment proceeds depends on where you seek that care and the facilities available to you.

Besides where you seek treatment, other factors in your specific treatment plan, setting, and duration include your history of addiction, home environment, past trauma, and whether you have been diagnosed with co-occurring mental health or physical health conditions. You can also seek treatment specific to your gender, age, sexual orientation, faith, or other personal factors.

In essence, you have choices in where you seek treatment. It is important to know your options and make the choice that feels like the best fit. According to SAMHSA, there are over 100 substance abuse treatment centers to choose from in Maine. Below are the most common levels of care offered in the state.

Detox

There are over a dozen licensed detox centers in Maine. These are mostly located along the coastline and from the south to southeastern regions of the state. These centers stretch from Bridgton and Bangor to Calais and along the coast from Portland to Rockport. Most detox programs last seven to 14 days. This is where you or your loved one safely get through withdrawal to start on the road to recovery. Detox centers are typically standalone facilities, within medical centers, or part of rehabs.

For example, Liberty Bay Recovery Center is an oxycodone rehab treatment center in Maine that provides detox and rehab programs. Clients can receive the full spectrum of care in this one facility.

Short-term Inpatient Drug Rehab

SAMHSA lists two short-term inpatient drug rehabs in the state. These are located in Lewiston and Rockport. Short-term inpatient rehab involves staying in a hospital-like setting for up to 30 days, 24 hours per day and seven days per week. Inpatient care is often the first part of a step-down process of rehab treatment. Clients commonly transition from this setting to a long-term residential rehab, intensive outpatient, or outpatient program.

Long-term Residential Rehab

Long-term residential rehab programs treat clients for three months to a year. According to SAMHSA, there are 10 of these facilities in Maine. They are mostly located from Fryeburg and Bangor to the coast. As with inpatient programs, these rehabs provide housing for clients seeking treatment at the facility. But the environment is less restrictive than inpatient. Long-term residential rehab is widely considered the most comprehensive option for long-term recovery.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

Intensive outpatient programs enable clients to continue living at home while seeking rehab treatment for oxycodone addiction. These programs are best suited for individuals with a good support system at home and a drug-free living environment. Participating in IOP treatment involves attending therapies and educational sessions at the facility and then returning home to sleep each night. SAMHSA lists 27 IOP programs in Maine, including Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

Outpatient Rehab Treatment

For individuals with a short addiction history or as a step-down program after inpatient or residential rehab, outpatient programs provide an easy way to integrate treatment into a busy everyday life. During this treatment, you continue living at home, working, and attending school while growing in your early recovery. You attend therapies and classes during the day and then sleep at home each night. In Maine, there are more than 100 outpatient programs.

Sober Living, Transitional Living, and Halfway Houses

After attending detox and rehab, many clients proceed into a sober living or transitional living home, sometimes called “halfway houses.” In Maine, there are a number of these facilities to choose from for your recovery. In a sober living facility, clients share a house or other living facility. They equally contribute to the bills and maintain the household while working or attending school. They must also typically participate in a 12-step program or group therapy program. While not usually required, living in a sober home provides many benefits to people early in recovery.

Which Maine Oxycodone Rehab Treatment Is Right for You?

Choosing an oxycodone treatment center can feel overwhelming, particularly since there are so many options in the state. But there are some easy ways to narrow your list and find the best fit. You can start with a visit to your doctor or by talking to a rehab facility administrator to learn which level of care suits your needs best. For example, if you are medically screened by a rehab and need to go through detox, that is your starting point.

When reviewing facilities, consider what is most important to you. Do you need a gender-specific program or one that meets the needs of your particular age group? To meet these needs, you can find men-only or women-only programs. You can also find rehabs specializing in the treatment of youth, young adults, working-age adults, or retirees. Other options to consider are LGBTQIA+ programs, faith-based rehabs, or those offering 12-step method participation.

Therapy and Education in Oxycodone Rehab Treatment

Another important consideration is the inclusions offered by your rehab program. To experience lasting recovery, you need to learn about why you started abusing drugs in the first place. You also need to learn how to avoid relapse. If you have broken relationships because of your drug history, those need mending too. To meet these needs, ensure your chosen rehab program offers a quality array of therapies and educational programs.

Therapies and educational programs to look for include:

• Individual counseling
• Group therapy
• Addiction education
• Family therapy or couples’ counseling
• Relapse prevention
• Life skills education
• Behavioral therapies
• Dual diagnosis treatment

Reach Out to a Licensed Rehab Facility Today

It is easy to experience “analysis paralysis” when first examining your list of detox and rehab treatment options. Perhaps the easiest way to break through feeling stuck is to call a rehab to learn more about them. A good place to start is a facility that offers oxycodone addiction detox and oxy rehab treatment in one facility. For example, you can reach out to Liberty Bay Recovery Center in Portland, Maine. Because we offer a full spectrum of care, our team can answer many of your questions and help you understand whether they suit your unique needs.

Taking the first steps toward recovery from oxycodone addiction is difficult, but seeking treatment is the best thing you can do for yourself or your loved one. Within addiction to oxy, you cannot live a happy, fulfilling, or productive life. But through detox, rehab, and the therapies you need, you can find the lasting recovery you deserve.