OxyContin Addiction

OxyContin Addiction Treatment

If you have an OxyContin addiction there are OxyContin treatment centers ready to help you NOW. Your OxyContin addiction is slowly destroying your body and mind. You need help for your addiction to OxyContin, which is taking over your life, hurting those closest to you and stealing your dreams. You have tried to stop using OxyContin, but can't stop. You have always returned, worse than before. We know, we've been there and couldn't do it by ourselves either. Call Recovery Connection NOW for help. Call 1-800-99-DETOX.

OxyContin – One of the Most Highly Abused Prescription Drugs

OxyContin addiction has escalated remarkably since its inception in 1995. OxyContin is best described as an opioid analgesic. This drug was developed to alleviate chronic pain and is known to be highly addictive. Similar in structure to that of heroin, Percodan and morphine, OxyContin has become one of the most highly abused prescription drugs on the market.

OxyContin, which contains an ingredient called Oxycodone, is actually synthetic morphine. Physically addicting and emotionally crippling, OxyContin was designed to be a 12 hour time release pill. To increase the "high" produced by the drug, people crush the pill, bypassing the time release element of the medication. This leads to an even greater risk of OxyContin addiction, as well as, overdose. OxyContin addiction treatment is vital once an addiction has been detected.

Similar to other prescription medications such as Vicodin, Demerol, Percodan or Dilaudid, OxyContin is prescribed by a licensed physician. Because this drug is prescribed, many people tend to live in denial about their addiction to the drug. They will compare their situation to people who are buying their drugs on the street. What they fail to realize is that they are no longer taking the medication as prescribed. The amount they are taking has increased, the frequency has increased and a tolerance for the drug OxyContin has developed. When the initial prescription is no longer adequate, due to the amount of the drug one is consuming, people find themselves forging prescriptions, going to multiple physicians, and attending multiple pain clinics, regardless of the severity of the pain. They find they cannot live without the drug.

Effects of OxyContin Addiction

The effects from OxyContin addiction can be dramatic. While there are individuals who are able to take the drug as prescribed, there is a high propensity to develop an OxyContin addiction. Addiction to OxyContin takes its toll on a person emotionally and physically.

If a person begins taking OxyContin for pain, odds are they are experiencing some degree of depression. They may be depressed because they feel isolated, lonely, angry and scared. While the pain might be present, many people find themselves taking the OxyContin to offset the feelings listed above. As the drug use increases, the pain may diminish, but more importantly, the individual doesn't have to cope with those feelings because they are numb. Unfortunately, by this time they have begun to experience the negative effects of OxyContin addiction. Due to this OxyContin addiction, people have difficulty concentrating, feel even more depressed, crave the drug and will do almost anything to get more of it.

Like morphine, Demerol or Dilaudid, OxyContin blocks pain messages to the brain and central nervous system. This drug also tends to increase the amount of dopamine in the brain, which allows us to feel pleasure. As people continue to use more OxyContin, they expect to feel even more pleasure, but as they continue to abuse the drug a tolerance develops. This means it takes more of the drug to produce the same effect. In an effort to achieve the same "high" they originally experienced, coupled with tolerance, an overdose may occur. In many cases, respiratory failure is seen as the cause for death. The respiratory system is so slowed due to the vast amount of OxyContin; a person's system begins to just shut down.

Whether a person started taking OxyContin to alleviate physical or emotional pain, one thing becomes clear to them early on. They can not live without the drug. They constantly think about the drug, where to get the drug and how they will use the drug. Once this obsessive thinking sets in, along with the actual craving, a person is addicted.

Consequences of OxyContin Addiction

It is quite easy to become addicted to OxyContin. Unfortunately, like any drug addiction, withdrawal can be difficult. Some of the symptoms associated with withdrawal from OxyContin are; insomnia, nausea, vomiting, muscle and bone pain, restlessness and tremors. Those who abruptly discontinue the drug, place themselves in danger of experiencing seizures and convulsions, which can result in death. For this reason, we urge you to seek help within residential treatment programs where you can experience a safe and comfortable withdrawal from OxyContin addiction.

In addition to the physical issues associated with OxyContin addiction, its abuse can cause the deterioration of interpersonal relationships, loss of employment, legal problems, financial difficulties and poor health.

Treatment for OxyContin Addiction

Overcoming OxyContin addiction begins with a medically supervised drug detox program followed by residential addiction treatment programs. While in detox, a physician will develop a medical protocol, designed to reduce and sometimes eliminate the feelings and symptoms associated with OxyContin withdrawal. It is rare that these symptoms are ever eliminated, due to the nature of the addiction, but they are tolerable. Detox from OxyContin usually takes between five and seven days.

After detox, residential treatment is usually indicated due to the nature of the illness and the damage it has caused. Although medically stable, the person may still experience OxyContin cravings and the residential support will prove invaluable. Group, individual and family therapy will be available, to help recovering addicts resolve the pain of the past and the wreckage of the present. Residential treatment is usually three weeks in length, but can vary depending upon the severity of the illness.

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If you believe you or someone you know needs help with an OxyContin addiction, or for immediate assistance finding drug rehab centers that specialize in OxyContin use and OxyContin addiction treatment, please call Recovery Connection now at 1-800-99-DETOX. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Don't wait - GET HELP NOW!