OxyContin Addiction

OxyContin is a brand name for Oxycodone, a drug used in traditional medicine as an analgesic (painkiller). The drug is derived from thebaine, and thebaine is derived from opium. OxyContin is mostly prescribed in medicine for moderate to severe pain relief. Oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States for its “high potential for abuse.”

Recreational use of the drug began in the 1990s in the United States. OxyContin is abused due to several factors including the euphoria and other side effects of the drug, the rapid release of the drug when snorted, and the larger amount of oxycodone in OxyContin compared to other brands. Oyxcontin has become illicitly available due to people who are on prescriptions of OxyContin selling their OxyContin pills to drug dealers or others.

OxyContin has the potential for severe psychological and physical dependence. The drug has a very severe withdrawal, especially when it is stopped abruptly. OxyContin addiction can be treated and medical reversed at drug rehab centers that are specialized at treating opiate addictions. Cases of OxyContin addiction often require long term rehabilitation and detoxification under medical supervision and the assistance of addiction specialists.

OxyContin Addiction Symptoms

It is important to be aware of the signs of OxyContin addiction so that addicts can get help as quickly as possible. OxyContin addiction may develop in those who are taking oxycodone for pain relief, especially for those who are taking more than the physician recommended dose. If a person who is taking OxyContin as a prescription medication begins to experience oxy withdrawal symptoms, they may have developed OxyContin addiction.

Oxy addiction will drive a user to go out of his or her way to get the drug. OxyContin addicts will go to multiple doctors to get more than one prescription for the drug, or they may obtain the drug illicitly by purchasing it from drug dealers. In several cases of OxyContin addiction, there is also an addiction or abuse of other drugs. OxyContin addicts may take other opioid painkillers that contain codeine or other opiates in the case that they cannot obtain OxyContin.

There are a number of physical side effects of OxyContin addiction including slow breathing, sweats, vomiting, nausea, itchy skin, muscle twitching, loss of appetite, stomach cramping, constipation, a reduced sense of pain and other physical effects. Psychological symptoms of OxyContin addiction include euphoria, anxiety, drug cravings, and other symptoms. Symptoms vary in type and severity between each individual case of OxyContin addiction.

OxyContin Withdrawal

Oxy withdrawal is symptomatic due to the combination of physical and psychological addiction to the drug that is seen most cases of oxy addiction. Oxy withdrawal is treated at drug rehab centers with a number of techniques and medications to help an addict ease through the withdrawal process. Physical symptoms of oxy withdrawal may onset within hours of the last dose and continue for up to a week. Psychological oxy withdrawal symptoms may continue for several weeks after the last dose.

The symptoms of oxy withdrawal are numerous and include: nausea, diarrhea, intense body pain, tremors, stomach cramping, muscle spasms, chills, runny nose, sweating, light headedness, and constipation. The psychological symptoms of oxy withdrawal include anxiety, insomnia, paranoia, depression, altered mental status, confusion, and drug cravings. Symptoms may be severe in some cases of oxy addiction and may include seizures and psychosis.

Oxy withdrawal symptoms are treated with medications when appropriate and with supporting psychotherapy and counseling. Medications such as lorazepam or other anti-anxiety medications may be used to treat anxiety. Other psychological symptoms may be treated by psychiatrists with a wide variety of medications. Counseling and psychotherapy at oxy rehab facilities is used to treat other psychological symptoms of oxy withdrawal and as a supplement to medication based treatments. Drugs prescribed by medical doctors are used to reduce physical oxy withdrawal symptoms like pain and nausea.

OxyContin Detox

Detoxification from OxyContin is a lengthy process that involves treating the physical and psychological symptoms of the addiction. OxyContin rehab facilities offer a secure and medically supervised environment to treat OxyContin addiction withdrawal symptoms that may require emergency medical attention. Trained professional staff are available around the clock to treat patients and support them as they undergo their initial detoxification protocol. OxyContin addiction detoxification is safer and less severe when treated at an OxyContin rehab center as opposed to attempting detoxification alone.

Detoxification without the assistance of an OxyContin rehab center is not safe because of the potential severity of some withdrawal symptoms such as seizures or psychological symptoms that may put a patient in danger. The length of time required for OxyContin detoxification varies between each individual case and also depends on the level of addiction. Physical oxy withdrawal symptoms may subside after 1 to 2 weeks of treatment. In most cases, psychological symptoms may continue for several weeks afterward, and patients may require longer stays in OxyContin rehab in order to have their psychological OxyContin addiction symptoms treated.

OxyContin addiction relapse can be completely avoided if a patient detoxifies at an OxyContin rehab facility. Patients often relapse because of the severe discomfort of experiencing withdrawal symptoms without supportive medications and counseling. OxyContin rehab facilities offer patients constant care and treatment of withdrawal symptoms. OxyContin rehab staff can provide patients with the proper OxyContin addiction treatment so that the discomfort of detoxification is minimized as much as possible.

OxyContin Addiction Treatment

Treatment for OxyContin addiction requires more than one approach, and drug addiction rehab centers know best how to approach each case of oxy addiction. The drug has a varied effect on each individual, and as a result a unique OxyContin addiction treatment plan is created by addiction professionals and medical doctors an OxyContin rehab facility. Patients are treated for the physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms of OxyContin addiction initially, and this treatment involves a detoxification protocol. The detoxification protocol and follow-up treatment may be administered on an outpatient or inpatient basis.

Patients will undergo extensive psychotherapy as a part of their oxy addiction treatment plan. Psychotherapy is provided in many different forms by therapists and psychiatrists at drug addiction rehab centers. Patients often undergo cognitive-behavioral therapy which helps them avoid the learned habits and other behaviors associated with OxyContin addiction. Patients also learn how to cope without the drug. The treatment of any underlying psychological disorders is normally included in the OxyContin rehab process.

OxyContin addiction treatment requires outpatient monitoring after a patient recovers from his or her oxy addiction. Social support of all forms is provided for oxy addiction patients, especially group and family therapy. The patient will often be involved with a 12-step group therapy program on an outpatient basis so that the patient avoids relapse down the road and has a strong social support system. Most patients can successfully recover from their addiction with the help of OxyContin addiction treatment programs that are administered by substance abuse rehab centers.