The Dangers Of Oxycontin And Other Prescription Drugs

OxyContin is a controlled release formula for oxycodone, a narcotic analgesic, used to treat chronic severe and moderate pain. When used properly, the drug provides pain relief for up to 12 hours; however, OxyContin addiction is very common with reports of unscrupulous doctors dealing the drug for profit, addicted celebrities and a number of overdose deaths. 

 

Prescription Drug Addiction

The number of people suffering from prescription drug addiction is steadily growing as more and more people use them for nonmedical reasons. Due to the bad publicity associated with this drug, many patients suffering from chronic pain are shying away from it for fear of addiction. Access to the drug is more difficult due to strict enforcement laws, fear among healthcare providers and the climate of suspicion surrounding the drug.

Because of the drug's potential for abuse, OxyContin is a Schedule II controlled substance, subjecting it to strict distribution guidelines. As a member of the agonist opioid group of painkillers, which produce better effects the more a patient consumes, it is tailor made for patients with chronic pain. It stimulates opioid receptors in the brain, central nervous system and in the spinal cord, offering relief to chronic pain. 

 

Ways OxyContin Is Abused

Addicts aim to counter the controlled release feature of the drug by snorting, chewing or directly injecting the drug in order to achieve an instant high. As with most other addictive narcotics, with prolonged use, addicts require larger amounts of the drug in order to get high.

 

Oxycontin and Other Prescription Pill Dangers 

OxyContin is just one among many prescription pills that people today are abusing. Other commonly abused drugs include Vicodin, Valium, Ativan and many more. In addition to certain celebrities, addition to prescription drugs is common with students and business people who use them to deal with the pressure and competitiveness in college and in business. Addiction to prescription medication has greatly affected all areas of the society.

 

Dangers Of Prescription Drug Abuse

 

• Addiction is one of the biggest dangers of prescription drugs. When a person becomes addicted, the body develops an uncontrollable craving and needs more and more quantities of the drug in order to function. The lack of access to the drug results in a range of withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, among others.

• Misuse of prescription medication can lead to various serious health problems.

• Prescription drugs can be a danger to other people. Some of these drugs cause symptoms such as drowsiness and poor judgment, which may interfere with actions such as driving, possibly resulting in accidents.

• Abuse of prescription drugs may lead to future legal trouble.

Strict control of OxyContin and other prescription medication by qualified medical practitioners is essential in order to lower the chances of prescription pain pill dangers.

OxyContin – What You Don’t Know Might Kill You…

OxyContin is a substance plagued by myth, rumor and lore. What follows below are some of the more common OxyContin myths, and the facts behind them. 

Myth: OxyContin is not addictive.

Fact: Though manufactured by a legitimate pharmaceutical corporation, OxyContin is extremely addictive. OxyContin is riddled with opiates – a highly addictive class of drugs found in a variety of prescription painkillers and street drugs, including heroin. 

Myth: Injecting or snorting OxyContin isn’t any worse than ingesting it orally.

Fact: Users who inject or snort OxyContin are much more likely to overdose than those who take it orally. OxyContin was initially designed as a time-release substance. When used as directed, intended and orally, it offers relief over a period of hours to combat excessive pain. Users who crush and snort or inject OxyContin experience a full release, resulting in an effect that is unmanageable for many; often times overdose or even death.

Myth: OxyContin is illegal in the U.S.

Fact: OxyContin is often prescribed by physicians to those suffering from extreme chronic pain due to injury or illness. Legality comes into question when physician signatures are forged, prescriptions are stolen and medicine cabinets are raided in an effort to obtain the pills illegally.

Myth: OxyContin withdrawal is no big deal.

Fact: OxyContin withdrawal is as severe as any opiate. Common symptoms of OxyContin withdrawal include:

-          Anxiety

-          Depression

-          Body aches

-          Nausea

-          Suicidal thoughts

For many users, the most serious OxyContin withdrawal symptom lies in relapse. More recovering OxyContin addicts fall off the wagon than any other addict type.

Myth: There is no hope for me.

Fact: Quite the contrary! If you’re seeking drug abuse help, the addiction specialists at Above it All treatment center are available to take your call. Pick up the phone today, and let our team of counselors help you back on track towards the healthy, happy lifestyle you’ve been missing. 

The Oxy Effect (both short and long term)

OxyContin is a semi-synthetic substance of the opiate family utilized to address long- and short-term pain. In recent years, OxyContin abuse and addiction statistics have increased dramatically, leading to a nationwide pain pill “epidemic” of epic proportions. In this entry, we will discuss the short- and long-term effects of OxyContin on its users.  

Neurological

The potential neurological side effects of OxyContin abuse include drowsiness, cognitive impairments, sleep stability issues, mood swings and a heightened risk of psychosis.

Respiratory

The potential side effects of OxyContin on the respiratory system include hypoventilation and in some cases, respiratory failure. Those experiencing lightheadedness or breathing difficulties following OxyContin use should consult a trusted physician immediately.

Gastrointestinal

 OxyContin use may lead to a variety of gastrointestinal issues, including nausea, constipation and vomiting.

Cardiovascular

Decreased blood pressure and heart rate, heart palpitations and migraines are common in OxyContin addicts. Those with a history of cardiovascular disease should inform their physician prior to use.

Additional Side Effects

Other common side effects may include urination difficulties, a suppressed immune system, rashes, dry mouth and sweating.

Abuse & Addiction

OxyContin is an extremely dangerous and addictive substance and can easily lead to dependency in long-term users. Withdrawal symptoms include gastrointestinal disturbances, difficulty sleeping, agitation, irritability, sweating, anxiety and irregular heart beat. In rare instances, withdrawal may also result in seizures.

 

Need Help?

If you or a loved one is struggling with an OxyContin addiction, our Above It All treatment center is the place to call. Pick up the phone today and let our team of addiction specialists help you back on track towards the healthy and happy lifestyle you deserve.  

OxyContin Addiction & Women

OxyContin addiction can be extremely harmful for females, especially those who believe they are aware of the substance abuse risks. There are a great number of ways that women find themselves addicted to prescription medications. Some take these drugs following surgery or an injury. Others begin popping pills as a way to supplement an existing addiction. Still others will use medications in a casual manner at the insistence of a loved one or close friend. While OxyContin is only legal when prescribed by a certified physician, many users find ways to score it without physician approval.

Many women dealing with an addiction to OxyContin may not even realize they have an issue. Though use frequency may be heightened, users often find it difficult to come to terms with why they are actually using the drug. OxyContin, as with many other types of drugs, can cause users to engage in activities and exhibit behaviors that would normally be deemed inappropriate.

Unfortunately, addiction to OxyContin is quickly becoming the drug of choice for women suffering from substance abuse in addition to those seeking to take their own life. A 2011 study suggests a 210% suicide attempt increase in women by way of OxyContin overdose.

Pregnant women dealing with OxyContin addiction impose a variety of risks on their children en utero. Pregnancy often works to affect habits and lifestyles, with many women seeking help following a positive testing.

If you or a women you care for is suffering from an OxyContin addiction, out Above It All treatment specialists are available to help. Give us a call, 24/7, and let us help you back on track towards the happy, productive, and healthy lifestyle you deserve.

OxyContin Side Effects

OxyContin is an opiate commonly prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain caused by arthritis, cancer, and invasive surgery. As with most pain medications, OxyContin holds a risk of dependency, and may cause various side effects in its users.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects experienced by OxyContin users typically revolve around the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, and respiratory systems. Frequent user reports cite constipation, vomiting, and nausea. Apnea and depressed breathing are relatively common, in addition to psychiatric effects such as paranoia and euphoria.

Rare Side Effects

Some of the lesser known and experienced effects of OxyContin include postural hypotension, allergic reaction, irregular heartbeat, and seizure.

Side Effect Causes

As with other drugs in the opiate family, OxyContin use holds a risk for increased histamine levels, which can lead to an array of allergy-like symptoms including itching, rash, dizziness and sinus pressure. Because OxyContin binds itself to the GI tract’s opiate receptors, constipation is relatively frequent among users. OxyContin’s ability to stimulate a precise area within the brain triggers the common nausea effect, causing muscle contractions throughout the stomach, and potential vomiting.

Addiction & Withdrawal

Addition and opiates are not strangers to one another. Like other opiates, OxyContin possesses the power to pose psychological addiction and physical dependence with regular use. Choosing to discontinue usage in an abrupt manner following frequent intake can result on an array of withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, diarrhea, intense pain sensitivity, cravings, and insomnia. Withdrawal symptoms will often begin as quickly as 6 hours after the last dosage, in varying amounts on intensity and duration depending on the user’s individual physiology and use history. 

OxyContin Rehab –Withdrawal

Drug addiction detox for oxycontin users can evoke a number of symptoms. The withdrawal process is quite similar to those experienced with other opiate-type substances such as heroin, methadone, morphine, Dilaudid and codeine.

What Causes Withdrawal Symptoms?

As with other opiate-based substances, oxycontin abuse can lead to addiction and physical dependence. When the drug is taken over a longer period, a tolerance can be built up, requiring the user to use larger amounts of the substance in order to obtain the high once initially felt.

What Are The Symptoms?

Ranging from severe to mild, oxycontin withdrawal symptoms typically depend the use history and the amounts being taken. Many patients using the drug as intended may not even recognize mild withdrawal symptoms once the drug is no longer needed – citing a flu or cold as reason for their discomfort.

Early Withdrawal Symptoms

-          Anxiety

-          Agitation

-          Yawning

-          Muscle Aches

-          Insomnia

-          Increase tearing

-          Sweating

-          Running Nose

Later Withdrawal Symptoms

-          Diarrhea

-          Abdominal Cramping

What Are The Dangers?

Though the withdrawal process from oxycontin can cause a great deal of discomfort, the process is not life threatening. However, various complications may arise, which can pose potential danger.

Breathing in stomach contents into the lungs following vomiting can lead to aspiration, choking or even infection. Diarrhea ad vomiting can also lead to mineral and chemical disturbances within the body, in addition to dehydration.

Perhaps the biggest danger facing oxycontin rehab patients is relapse. Because a user’s tolerance is reduced during the detoxification process, they pose a much higher risk of overdose when deciding to use even a much smaller amount than they were used to before. As such, the majority of oxycontin overdoses tend to occur in individuals who have recently completed a drug addiction detox program.

Help Is On The Way!

If you or someone you know has developed an addiction to oxycontin, local and affordable rehab options are available to you. In order to ensure a safe, healthy and successful detox, it’s best to get in touch with a reputable facility as soon as possible to determine the best treatment plan for the individual in question.

The road ahead will not be easy… but the rewards are virtually endless.

OxyContin Rehab – Symptoms & Withdrawal

If you believe a loved on is gripped by an addiction to OxyContin, Rehab may be an option worth pursuing. Once an individual has become addicted to a substance, they are likely to immerse themselves within a daily quest to achieve the high initially felt from the drug. When OxyContin is combined with other drugs, the risks associated with use become all the more extreme, leading to possible death via cardiac and respirator collapse. The hunt for the next high becomes priority in the addict’s life, resulting in strained relationships, lowered school and work productivity, and possible criminal behavior.

OxyContin addiction symptoms vary on a case-by-case basis but can commonly include:

Itching

Dry mouth

Slowed heart rate

Slowed breathing

Muscle tightness

Sleep disorders

Mood swings

Modding off

Failure to meet social, legal and financial obligations

Failure as a parent

Potential psychotic and mood disorders

Injection infections

High-risk sexual behaviors

Overdose

Withdrawal

Because the body takes only a matter of days to develop a tolerance, individuals who have taken OxyContin for even a small stretch of time are discouraged from discontinuing use cold turkey. Those choosing to discontinue use in an abrupt manner will likely begin to experience OxyContin withdrawal symptoms, typically lastings between three to seven days.

Addicts who choose to enroll in OxyContin drug rehab facilities will first be sent to a medically monitored detoxification program where medication can be administered to ease the withdrawal symptoms. Once detox is complete, the patient will be cleared to begin OxyContin rehabilitation.

OxyContin addiction treatment is vital for patients intent on breaking the cycle of adduction. Though progress can be made by patients choosing to tackle their substance abuse issues solo, studies show these attempts typically result in relapse. If you or someone you know are suffering from addiction, it’s important to know that help is available to those who seek it. Do your research, make some calls and get ready to fight; life is much to precious to waste on anything other than a happy and foreseeable future.