Overcoming OxyContin Addiction

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Though it is possible to use OxyContin safely—that is, as prescribed by a doctor—the prescription drug is an opioid-based painkiller and therefore highly addictive. OxyContin addiction happens to a large percentage of those prescribed the drug to treat moderate to severe pain. With perseverance and an effective, certified OxyContin addiction treatment, OxyContin addiction can be overcome.

Michael’s House can help you or your loved one overcome OxyContin addiction with our comprehensive OxyContin rehab. Including detox and counseling addiction treatment, our OxyContin treatment program is effective and efficient. Call now to learn more.

Recognizing OxyContin Addiction

One of the initial problems with overcoming OxyContin addiction treatment is recognizing the existence of OxyContin addiction. Because most people develop an addiction to OxyContin through a prescription, they don’t notice the beginning stages of OxyContin dependence. For example, adults are prescribed anywhere from 15 milligrams to 60 milligrams every four hours. It’s easy to overcompensate, taking an extra pill or two or shortening the time between doses. The longer you’re on the drug, the more likely you are to build up a tolerance to OxyContin and a dependence upon the drug.

OxyContin addiction is medically defined by two characteristics: a psychological craving for more of the substance and physical withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug. Recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as a chronic medical disease, addiction to opiates like OxyContin are known to cause fundamental changes in the brain. It is a condition that requires medical attention in order to successfully go into remission. When combined with therapy or self-help techniques like 12-step meetings in-person or online to treat the psychological aspects if applicable, OxyContin addiction can be successfully treated with a minimum of difficulty and discomfort.

Causes of OxyContin Addiction

Unfortunately, the cause of OxyContin addiction is usually a combination of things. Genetics may play a part if your parents or grandparents have or had issues with addiction. If your dose was a little bit higher than it needed to be when you first began pain management, you had a push toward addiction from the beginning. If you tend toward addiction naturally, then that, too, would play a role.

Whatever your background, the way it works is this: OxyContin binds to receptors in your brain and stops your body from being able to handle pain on its own. It comes to depend upon a base level of OxyContin at all times. If that level drops too low between doses or if you miss a dose or suddenly stop taking the drug, then you begin to experience withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings: the defining characteristics of OxyContin addiction.

Recognizing OxyContin Addiction Symptoms

There are both physical and psychological signs and symptoms of OxyContin addiction. The physical symptoms include muscle and bone pain, inability to sleep or eat, diarrhea, cold chills and sweating. Emotional experiences include mood swings, depression, high anxiety and agitation, and a single-minded focus on getting more OxyContin.