Oxycontin Abuse

Introduced in 1995, oxycontin is a prescription drug used primarily as a painkiller. However, it is an opiate derivative, and like its famous cousins, morphine and heroin, it has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Like them, it can alter mood and produce euphoria, and so has become one of the most popular drugs of choice for high school students due to its ready availability in Mom and Dad’s medicine cabinet.

Addiction Recovery

Oxycontin can be taken orally, inhaled, or injected. Injection can cause serious problems because the effect lasts longer. As with most drugs of this type, Oxycontin abusers build up a tolerance to it, requiring more and more of the drug to achieve the desired effect. Death often occurs after heavy doses of Oxycontin because of its depressive effect on respiration. Breathing becomes so slowed in heavy users that the person’s system simply shuts down. Taking Oxycontin with alcohol or other natural depressants can be fatal. Thrill-seekers looking for a cheap “high” are at tremendous risk of accidental overdose.

Sudden stoppage of the drug can result in serious withdrawal symptoms ranging from restlessness and anxiety to irritability, weakness, abdominal cramps, insomnia, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased blood pressure, respiratory rate, or heart rate. These can be so overwhelming and so painful that even addicts who truly want to stop are so intimidated at the thought of withdrawal that they cannot even begin the process.

Treatment for Oxycontin abuse should be undertaken as soon as possible, from a qualified drug treatment program. There are many centers for drug abuse, but make sure that the one you choose is familiar with oxycontin abuse and how to treat it. Detoxification, the gradual step-down from user to drug-free, is a requirement, but the withdrawal symptoms must be managed to prevent the pain and behavioral issues that attend Oxycontin withdrawal. A professionally-managed drug treatment center is the best option, one that specializes in treatment for drug abuse and especially for opiate addiction.

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Help for Oxycontin abuse is similar to programs for other opiates like heroin. It requires a holistic approach to treatment. Drug detox and withdrawal are just the beginning. Oxycontin exerts a powerful influence on its victims, inducing intense cravings. Denial of the abuse is an especial problem because it often was prescribed for a very real condition unrelated to the patient’s mood. Depression as a result of the original injury is often alleviated by taking Oxycontin, which then produces a dependence on the drug to alter mood rather than relieve physical pain. This can result in a dual diagnosis and require even more specialized treatment from professionals trained to treat both the drug abuse and the psychiatric problem.

Oxycontin abuse is a serious and growing threat, especially to the unwary and the young person trying to be “cool.” Treatment requires both management of opiate detoxification and long-term counseling to overcome the psychological dependency. Don’t go it alone—find a drug treatment center and get started.