OxyContin Addiction – What Are The Signs?

OxyContin is a popular painkiller used to address an array of conditions, including lower back pain, arthritis, dislocations, and pain caused by cancer. The main ingredient found in OxyContin is oxycodone, a potent, and potentially dangerous opioid.

Oxycodone addiction in the U.S. stems back over 30 years, with more than 3.5 million citizens age 12 and over reporting regular use. With this statistic on a seemingly perpetual incline, the dependency risks only continue to grow.

Symptoms

If you or someone you know are currently using OxyContin, it serves your best interests to understand the symptoms and signs associated with a developing addiction. In assessing these signs, it should be noted that opiate addiction is not a picky mistress; meaning that anyone can become an addict.

Common Signs & Symptoms:

-Irritability

-Anxiety

-Abdominal Pain

-Insomnia

-Loss of Appetite

-Vomiting

-Muscle & Joint Pain

As a general rule, the longer an individual is addicted to OxyContin, the more apparent these signs are likely to become. In many cases, OxyContin addicts begin using the drug in an effort to counter legitimate pain. The addiction, unfortunately, can be a surprise side-effect.

Recognizing The Signs

Acknowledging an OxyContin addiction is the initial and most important step one can take on the road to recovery. Individuals who have become addiction through legitimate prescriptions will often find it more difficult to admit there is a problem. Once acceptance does take place, the addiction has often escalated to a point where the individual is unable kick the habit alone. In these situations, medical detox and therapy are commonly utilized to help the individual regain sobriety. 

Oxycontin Addiction Treatment – Withdrawal Symptoms

Perhaps the most feared and misunderstood aspect of Oxycontin addiction treatment is the withdrawal symptoms. Oxycontin withdrawal involves a number of symptoms that take place once an addict reduces or quits taking the medication after prolonged or heavy abuse. The experience is quite similar to that experienced from other opiate-based drugs, including morphine, methadone, heroin and codeine.

What Is The Cause?

As with any opiate-based substance, Oxycontin use can result an addiction or physical dependency. In instances where the drug is used over a long period of time, a tolerance is built, requiring the user to ingest more of the drug in order to achieve the same high.

Individuals that have developed an addiction to Oxycontin who attempt to stop or reduce the intake amount will require a period of adjustment in order to recover from the addiction. As a result, the body begins to experience withdrawal symptoms.

Who Can Experience The Symptoms?

Anybody who has used Oxycontin for a prolonged period of time – generally 3 weeks or more – is likely to experience some level of withdrawal. The extent of withdrawal varies on a case-by-case basis, it will ultimately depend on the intake history and habits of the addict in question. Withdrawal symptoms are not limited to addicts, extending to patients who have be prescribed the drug to address pain resulting for a recent injury or surgical procedure.

What To Expect

Symptoms can range anywhere from severe to mild. Addicts who have chosen to enter an Oxycontin rehab center will be forced to enter a detoxification program prior to continuing their recovery. Here, the individual can receive medical monitoring and medication to help them come down from their addiction in a safe manner.

Getting The Help You Need

If you or someone you know are interested in seeking help for an addiction to Oxycontin, your best bet is to locate an Oxycontin treatment center to get the recovery process in motion. Look for facilities that specialize in Oxycontin and prescription drug rehabilitation and contact them to learn more about their philosophies to assess whether or not they are a good fit for your needs.

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.