OxyContin Addiction

Over the past decade, the epidemic of OxyContin addiction has spread rapidly across the United States. Initially developed to deliver time-lapse pain relief to those with serious illness or injury, OxyContin quickly became the source of countless addictions and overdoses, as individuals found a variety of ways to abuse the drug and ingest the entire dosage at once. Soon, emergency rooms were filled with OxyContin overdose victims, and drug treatment programs began to see more and more individuals seeking help with their addiction to the drug.

At Michael's House, we can help you or your loved one to break free from OxyContin addiction. We offer an all-inclusive residential opiate addiction treatment program that addresses the physical and psychological nature of OxyContin addiction. If you would like more information about how we can help you, contact us at Michael's House today by calling .

What is OxyContin?

OxyContin is the brand name for oxycodone hydrochloride, an opiate prescription medication produced by Purdue Pharma L.P. It is an extended release medication which provides for up to 12 hours of pain relief through a controlled release of the drug at staggered intervals. A Schedule II controlled drug, oxycodone is strictly regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Developed to help those struggling with chronic pain to avoid having to take the medication every few hours, OxyContin was hailed as a miracle drug because it delivered its pain relieving effects gradually over time. A cancer sufferer, for example, would only have to take one pill a day for relief (as opposed to four or five doses of another painkiller). OxyContin is an opiate-based drug, similar to Vicodin or other prescription painkillers, and is extremely addictive.

What is the Problem with OxyContin?

Soon after OxyContin was approved by the FDA, addicts discovered that if the pills were crushed and snorted, or even injected, the ENTIRE dosage could be delivered at once (instead of over time as the maker intended). So powerful was the high that many heroin addicts began using OxyContin in between fixes – the drug even got tagged with the street name "hillbilly heroin." This, however, was not how the drug was intended to be used, and many became addicted very quickly, or in the worst cases, overdosed immediately.

What is OxyContin Addiction?

OxyContin addiction occurs when the prescription medication OxyContin is taken more often or in larger doses than prescribed, without a prescription or in addition to other drugs for a "rush" or a "high." A regular OxyContin prescription for chronic pain management or for acute pain after surgery can quickly turn into an addiction. It starts with a tolerance for or a physical dependence upon OxyContin, which turns into OxyContin addiction when psychological dependence develops.

What Causes OxyContin Addiction?

Addiction to OxyContin, like all drug addictions, is a medical condition attacking the nervous system in the brain and spinal cord. There is no one known cause of OxyContin addiction. Every person is different and though most will develop a physical dependence upon the drug with continued, regular use, not everyone will develop a full blown addiction.

There certainly are a number of factors that contribute to the prevalence of OxyContin addiction in our society. One is the inaccessibility of this drug in its cheaper, generic form in anything smaller than 80 milligrams. This means that its prescription must be a relatively high dosage to start if the patient's HMO or health insurance won't cover the brand name version that comes in smaller doses. Use at higher dosage, of course, means a higher likelihood of addiction.

Another contributing factor to the development of OxyContin addiction is the ease with which doctors prescribe the drug and the rarity of an exit plan for the drug when it is first prescribed. Too often, individuals are prescribed OxyContin for longer than necessary or are allowed to continue the prescription in absence of a medical need.

What are the Effects of OxyContin Addiction?

OxyContin is defined by four pharmacological terms: opiate, narcotic, analgesic and agonist. This means that OxyContin is a drug that provides pain relief by altering the perception of pain by binding with nerve receptors in the brain and spinal cord without loss of consciousness. The effects of opiate prescription medications are similar to those of opium and drugs that are derivatives of opium and include effects like euphoria and disconnectedness. OxyContin triggers the pleasure pathway in the brain and it is this effect that is at the root of OxyContin addiction.

How do I Know if Someone is Addicted to OxyContin?

If an individual has become addicted to OxyContin, it is imperative that they get professional help immediately. Unfortunately, despite the highly addictive and dangerous nature of this opiate, few seek treatment on their own. This means that it is up to family and friends to watch for the following warning signs and symptoms of OxyContin addiction:

Doctor shopping. Constantly changing doctors and faking illnesses and injuries in order to obtain prescriptions for the OxyContin.
Criminal behavior. Many individuals will steal or forge signatures on prescription pads or checks in order to obtain more OxyContin.
Combining drugs. Those who are addicted to OxyContin will often increase the effect of their prescription with other drugs and alcohol.
Irritability and mood swings. In between doses, the individual is likely to experience extreme anxiety and anger management issues.

Is OxyContin Addiction Common?

Very much so. Many Americans are dependent upon physician-prescribed painkillers, and most of these people do their best to keep their OxyContin addiction a secret. The stigma attached to drug addiction is a painful one and often prevents people from seeking treatment. It can be hard to find a treatment that will safely and effectively provide treatment with anonymity. It is, however, possible to get treatment for OxyContin addiction before it becomes a problem that is apparent to anyone beyond your intimate circle of friends and family. Early OxyContin addiction treatment has been shown to be especially effective in long-term cessation of OxyContin addiction and abuse.

What are the Consequences of OxyContin Addiction?

The loss of relationships and destruction of finances and careers is not uncommon when OxyContin use turns into addiction. Some addicts will resort to stealing prescription pads from physicians or stealing from pharmacies to obtain OxyContin. Still others suffer irreparable damage to the liver and kidneys, and the risk of OxyContin overdose does not decrease over time. Legal issues and financial problems are often small compared to the loss of spouses, careers, close friends and family due to behavior under the influence of OxyContin addiction.

What is the Treatment for OxyContin Addiction?

The treatment methods for OxyContin addiction are similar to those used in Vicodin rehab and treatment for other opiate prescription painkillers. First, there must be a detox period, where the drug leaves the individual's system, thus paving the way for the remainder of rehab. Then, there is extensive counseling through a variety of psychological therapies and treatments designed to meet the personal and unique needs of the individual undergoing treatment.