Oxycontin is a powerfully potent opiate that is prescribed to patients needing relief from moderate to severe pain. Doctors use oxycontin as a drug to relieve chronic pain conditions, people who have suffered injuries, and even cancer patients.
When used as prescribed, oxycontin is very effective at reducing and eliminating symptoms of pain and promoting an overall feeling of well being. Taken orally, it dissolves and disperses throughout the bloodstream over a 12-hour period, giving much-needed relief from uncomfortable and debilitating pain.
Because of the strong feelings of euphoria and the dramatic mood altering effect of oxycontin, people who use it are at risk for developing a dependency on the drug. Oxycontin is known as “Hillbilly Heroin” on the street, where it is frequently crushed, snorted, and even injected into the body to create strong feelings of euphoria. The method of administration overrides the timed release factor of the drug, flooding the brain and body with powerfully addictive feelings and emotions. Indicators that someone is abusing oxycontin include:
- Sweating
- Drowsiness
- Slowed Breathing
- Dry Mouth
- Headaches
- Itching
- Constricted Pupils
- Nausea Or Vomiting
Because of the unsafe methods of street administration, oxycontin is often times overdosed, causing injury or death to the user. In excess, oxycontin can cause permanent brain damage and respiratory failure. Seek help immediately if you or someone you love is suspected to have overdosed.
Signs Of Addiction
One clear sign that dependence to oxycontin may be forming is that there is an increasing need for larger amounts of the drug in order to produce the same desired effect. This can occur when it is still taken as a prescription, or it may occur if the drug is used recreationally only once. Regardless of the negative consequences of abuse, someone who has developed a chemical and physical dependence on oxycontin will resort to illegal means of acquiring the drug to keep achieving the desired high.
Treatment For Oxycontin Addiction
Help is possible for people suffering from oxycontin addiction. While oxycontin is a drug that is difficult to overcome, with proper oxycontin detox and treatment one can find freedom from its clutches once more.
Because oxycontin changes the chemical structure of the brain, it can be very dangerous to try to undergo oxycontin detox unsupervised. The first thirty days of oxycontin withdrawal are the most critical when the body and brain purge dangerous chemicals in an attempt to find balance and health again. This should only be done under the supervision of qualified medical professionals who can assess your condition and do what is necessary to make you more comfortable. Medical interventions in combination with intensive psychotherapy, emotional support, and good physical care will be necessary for a complete healing process.
Several options exist after detox or inpatient oxycontin withdrawal treatment ends. There are outpatient programs that offer psychological services, emotional and cognitive behavioral therapies, and support for family members and friends as you reintegrate back into a normal life. Sober living establishments are a great transitional tool for offering help and support while you are re-learning some of the functions of daily life. Members of sober living establishments are expected to gain employment, continue therapies and medical interventions as directed, and make contributions to their living environment that support other members of the home. In doing so, you provide yourself practice for daily life without constant support, and being able to prove to yourself that you can manage in transition is a powerful self-esteem booster for those who have lost a little of their confidence as a result of sliding into addiction.
Life After Rehabilitation
Returning to life after rehab is a scary thought for many. Patients doubt their ability to cope with the ups and downs of life, and they fear that triggers may still exist that will cause them to seek out oxycontin once more. It is critical that they find a social circle of family and friends who will support them at this pivotal time to avoid relapse. With proper support, continued psychological and emotional therapies, and a renewed sense of purpose in life, it is possible to live a healthy life after addiction to oxycontin.
If you or a loved one is suffering from opiate abuse, you are most certainly not alone. It is imperative that you seek help from your addiction and surround yourself with those who care about you and can help see you through this difficult time. Don’t suffer in silence, there is help available. There is life after addiction. You deserve to have a healthy and happy life; seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid the devastating consequences of opioid addiction. Contact us today for more information on how Novo Detox can help you regain control of your life.
