The challenges of facing Oxycontin addiction

There are many different kinds of drug addictions. And the approach to treatment is often different as well, at least in the early stages.

In the case of Oxycontin addiction, treatment may first have to include a period of detox. This is because this drug is an opiate or opiod, which creates in the user a physical dependence as well as a psychological one. Other drugs that are part of the opiod family are morphine, codeine, methodone, and heroin.

When someone with an Oxycontin addiction attempts to break their dependence on the drug, there is likely to be a physical withdrawal. This will be characterized by insomnia, muscle pain, restlessness, diarrhea and vomiting.

These reactions are similar to what a heroin addict has to deal with when withdrawing from using the drug. In fact, Oxycontin is often referred to as a poor man’s heroin, or “hillbilly heroin.”

Generally, this drug is prescribed by physicians for pain relief. It has a time release feature that makes it possible to take the drug less often. And while it can offer relief when used appropriately, there is always the potential that the user will develop an Oxycontin addiction.

An Oxycontin addiction can be fatal

People often don’t realize just how dangerous Oxycontin addiction can be. This prescription drug contains Oxycodone in its purest form, which does kill pain very effectively.

Some users, looking for a quicker and more potent effect (wanting to bypass the “time release” feature of the drug), will crush the Oxycontin pills and then snort them, or mix them with water and inject them.

By using either of these methods, the person with the Oxycontin addiction takes a real risk of suffering an overdose, which can lead to death. What makes this risk even greater is when the drug is combined with other medications or with alcohol.

Users will find that if they abuse the drug over a period of time, that they will feel less and less effect. As the Oxycontin addiction progresses, this can prompt them to seek other sources for the drug so that they can increase the dose. This, again, is when the risk of overdose and death increases.

And, of course, the risk of Oxycontin addiction is also increased for some people by the fact that they may have an ongoing need for pain medication. And opiod drugs, despite the danger that they’ll create a dependency, are the most effective pain relief drugs in many cases.

Detox is the first step in treating Oxycontin addiction

Because of the physical effects of Oxycontin, the addict usually has to begin by detoxing from the drug. Once the immediate physical dependence has been broken, then rehabilitation in a treatment centre is often the next step.

In the drug rehab, the addict will learn skills for coping with their emotions. They will learn how to recognize negative thinking patterns so they can modify their behaviour in a positive direction.