OxyContin Addiction

OxyContin and Your Body

The medicine in OxyContin, oxycodone HCl, is a kind of opioid. It is similar to heroin and morphine. This drug is very effective for relieving pain, and it's often prescribed for people who have ongoing, daily pain and need a medicine that won't wear off quickly. For shorter-term or intermittent pain, other medications are better.

The body adjusts fairly quickly to pain medicines like OxyContin. Every person is different, but many people will eventually need a higher dose to achieve the same level of pain relief. This is called "tolerance." People who have used this medicine for a while may feel ill if they stop using it suddenly. This is called "withdrawal." It's important to taper off the medicine slowly to keep this from happening.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms happen when the drug is stopped abruptly. If an addict isn't able to obtain a dose, he/she may experience:

• Feelings of restlessness
• Muscle pain
• Bone pain
• Trouble sleeping
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Cold flashes and goose bumps

OxyContin Abuse

People who use this medicine as prescribed by a doctor aren't considered "addicted," even if they have developed tolerance or experience withdrawal. These things are considered acceptable side effects of a useful medicine.

However, some people use OxyContin to get "high." People using OxyContin properly won't usually experience this high. But, when the drug is used improperly, it can give a feeling of great euphoria. When the drug wears off, the abuser feels a strong craving to seek more. When a person uses this medicine for the wrong reasons, he or she is considered a drug abuser. When he or she has developed tolerance, can no longer fight the cravings, and/or continues to use the drug in spite of bad consequences, the person is considered an addict.

Dangers of OxyContin Addiction

Like other drugs of abuse, OxyContin interferes with the user's ability to make good decisions. Driving a car or operating machinery while high on this drug is very dangerous. The cravings can be so strong that the addict will lie or steal to get money to buy the drug. Or, an addict may spend money needed to buy groceries or pay the rent.

OxyContin addicts develop tolerance to the drug, needing more and more to get the same effect. However, using a large amount of OxyContin can be deadly. In large doses, the drug can cause a user to stop breathing. Large doses can also cause nausea and vomiting. The user may be so drowsy that he/she chokes on the vomit.

OxyContin pills are specially designed to release the medicine slowly over the course of a whole day. People who abuse this drug may crush the pills so that they get all the medicine at once. This increases the risk of overdose.

Some abusers combine the drug with alcohol. This is especially dangerous. Alcohol intensifies the drug's dangerous effects, making "overdose" possible with smaller amounts.

Overdose

Overdose is very serious and requires immediate medical attention. If you suspect someone has overdosed, call 911 right away. Signs of overdose include:

• Breathing that is very slow
• Very small, pinpoint pupils
• Sleepiness
• Passing out
• Dizziness
• Cold, clammy skin
• Nausea or vomiting
• Seizures
• Not caring about what happens

Treatment

Treatment for OxyContin addiction is two-fold: it addresses both the psychological addiction and the physical addiction. Many people who are addicted to OxyContin also abuse other drugs or have underlying psychiatric problems. Treatment must be tailored to each individual.

For people who abuse OxyContin in combination with heroin, drugs like methadone and naltrexone may help. Methadone is similar to heroin, but doesn't produce a high. It can prevent withdrawal symptoms and relieve cravings. Naltrexone blocks the effects of heroin, OxyContin, and similar drugs. Overdose is treated with naloxone, which counteracts the drug's effects.

Psychiatric treatment for OxyContin addiction may include counseling, antidepressants, group therapy, and programs to help the addict return to normal life.