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OxyContin is a powerful prescription opioid used to treat chronic and severe pain. It is the time-release form of oxycodone and contains a much larger amount of the active ingredient than other drugs in the same class.
While Percodan contains just 5 milligrams of oxycodone, OxyContin can contain up to 80 milligrams of oxycodone in a timed-release tablet. Because of its high oxycodone content, OxyContin has become one of the most abused drugs in the U.S.
Opioid abuse can be deadly. Overdoses involving prescription and illicit opioids kill more than 46,000 people in the U.S. every year—that’s 128 people every single day. OxyContin is particularly dangerous when combined with other central nervous depressants like alcohol and benzodiazepines.
Despite the reformulation of OxyContin to prevent tampering (crushing and snorting or injecting the drug for a more powerful high), people continue to find ways to abuse the drug. When crushed and snorted or injected, OxyContin produces a quick and powerful high that some abusers compare to the effects of heroin.
Many OxyContin users turn to heroin as a less expensive alternative to OxyContin. In fact, one study found that nearly 80% of heroin users reported misusing prescription opioids before they were introduced to heroin.
Because OxyContin is a central nervous system depressant, an overdose can cause respiratory failure and death.
People who are addicted to OxyContin usually display changes in behavior. Signs of addiction include:
People who abuse OxyContin need more and more to achieve the same effect and can quickly become physically dependent on the drug. When they stop taking it, they usually experience withdrawal symptoms within a short period of time—as few as 6 hours.
OxyContin withdrawal symptoms can include heart palpitations, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, hot/cold sweats, diarrhea, depression, and joint and muscle aches. You might notice that the person constantly yawns, appears tired, coughs uncontrollably, or has watery eyes.
These symptoms can be intense and extremely uncomfortable. Even people who use the drug as prescribed should not suddenly stop taking it. They should gradually reduce the dose to avoid withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous or even life-threatening.
If you or a loved one is struggling with OxyContin dependency or addiction, it’s vital to get the right help. Most people addicted to OxyContin will need medically supervised detox, since OxyContin withdrawals can be intense and potentially dangerous. It’s critical to seek help from a licensed treatment provider with trained medical staff to oversee the detox process.
The team at Adelante Recovery Center provides round-the-clock OxyContin withdrawal treatment in a safe, monitored environment. We do everything possible to keep you comfortable during the detoxification process.
After detox, clients move into our inpatient residential program, an intensive program that includes individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, social activities, 12-step meetings, and restorative recreational activities. Clients with a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD may benefit from our dual diagnosis program to help manage symptoms.
Our luxury Orange County addiction treatment centers in Corona del Mar, Orange County is the ideal settings for healing and recovery. Our team will create a tailored treatment plan for your specific needs—body, mind, and spirit.
Contact us today to learn more about our OxyContin drug recovery programs and schedule a tour of our Orange County OxyContin rehab.
If you or a loved one are in need of help with addiction, contact us today. Our professional and friendly addiction specialists are able to answer your questions and get things moving in the right direction.
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