Warning Signs Of Oxycontin Abuse
Oxycontin is often assumed a safe and effective pain reliever, as it produces very few severe side effects: nausea, constipation, and dizziness can accompany frequent use. Over time, however, several symptoms can develop and further identify Oxycontin abuse, manifesting great risk of respiratory depression, addiction, and overdose. If your son is exhibiting any of the following behaviors, an Oxycodone addiction may be present:
- Increase in dosage or frequency of use: an indication hes developed a tolerance
- Ongoing use: using the medication longer than the allotted time approved by doctor
- Neglect of responsibilities: losing interest or motivation of school, work, and health
- Time spent seeking out the drug: begins doctor-shopping or going to greater lengths to obtain Oxycontin, despite the distance or the cost.
- Isolation: withdrawal from his family, friends, and social circles
- Defensiveness: In a strong attempt to hide his dependency, he may lash out in response to simple questions
- Change in personality: less energy, more moody
- Change in daily habits: sleeping/eating habits changed, decline in personal hygiene
- Blackouts: forgetfulness, confusion, and unconsciousness
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How We Reported The Investigation
Despite the results of the clinical trials, Purdue continued developing OxyContin as a 12-hour drug. It did not test OxyContin at more frequent intervals.
To obtain FDA approval, Purdue had to demonstrate that OxyContin was safe and as effective as other pain drugs on the market. Under agency guidelines for establishing duration, the company had to show that OxyContin lasted 12 hours for at least half of patients. Purdue submitted the Puerto Rico study, which showed that.
The FDA approved the application in 1995.
Dr. Curtis Wright, who led the agencys medical review of the drug, declined to comment for this article. Shortly after OxyContins approval, he left the FDA and, within two years, was working for Purdue in new product development, according to his sworn testimony in a lawsuit a decade ago.
The Times asked the FDA for comment on the drugs failure to provide 12 hours of relief for many patients. Officials at the agency declined to be interviewed.
In a written statement, spokeswoman Sarah Peddicord said that although the FDA approved OxyContin for use every 12 hours, it should be well understood by physicians that there will be some individual variability in the length of time that patients respond to this drug…
While the labeled dosing regimen is a reasonable starting point, physicians should carefully individualize their approach to patients based on how quickly they metabolize the drug, Peddicord wrote.
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Do I Need Health Insurance To Receive This Service
The referral service is free of charge. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities.
The Importance Of Medical Detox In Treating Opioid Abuse
Medical detox programs are a key element in treating several types of addiction. However, they are particularly important for treating benzodiazepine, alcohol, and opioid use disorders. This is because these withdrawal periods can be extremely difficult, and even life-threatening.
This process may also include medication-assisted treatment, in which individuals are administered controlled addiction medicines that can help prevent drug cravings and further decrease their risk of relapse.
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Why Are Opioids Prescribed
Opioids like hydrocodone and oxycodone are most commonly prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. In some cases, opioids can be prescribed to treat other severe symptoms like persistent and uncontrollable coughing or severe diarrhea . Prescription opioids are typically safe to use when they are used exactly as prescribed by a doctor. However, medications like hydrocodone and oxycodone have a particularly high potential for misuse. A person who misuses an opioid medication might:
- Taking medication which was not initially prescribed to you.
- Taking medication in a higher dose than was prescribed.
- Using the medication in a way other than prescribed .
- Taking the medication with an intent to get high rather than treat a legitimate medical issue.
If you were prescribed an opioid painkiller and you have been taking the medication other than as prescribed, or if you have started taking a medication which was not prescribed to you, it is a good idea to reach out for help. Contact Pine Tree Recovery Center today to learn more.
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How Does Oxycodone Affect The Brain
The addictive qualities of oxycodone are significant and profound. If taken regularly for more than a few weeks at most, the drug causes changes in the brain that lead to its inability to function normally without oxycodones presence. As long as the drug is taken, the person will not notice these changes, but if they suddenly stop, withdrawal symptoms will set in some 8 to 18 hours after the last dose.
Most of oxycodones addictive qualities come from the way it works in the brains limbic system, which is associated with mood and emotion. Its not surprising to learn that many drugs of abuse also work in this system, although not necessarily in the same way that oxycodone does. Oxycodone causes the brain to release more dopamine, resulting in feelings of pleasure and reward.
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You Use Oxycontin Differently Than Prescribed
Using medicine in any way other than how it was prescribed is considered prescription drug abuse. This includes taking more of a medication than was prescribed or taking a medication in a different way than intended â like crushing and snorting a pill. Asif Ilyas, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and President of the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Foundation for Opioid Research & Education, tells WebMD Connect to Care that misusing prescription opioids in these ways increases the likelihood of overdose.
Contact Us Today To Get Started
Coming to terms with a substance use disorder and making the decision to reach out for professional help is never easy. If you are interested in learning more about your personal recovery options or about prescription painkiller misuse and dependence, you are welcome to reach out to us directly.
When you or your loved one is ready to ask for help, Pine Tree Recovery Center will be available. Our admissions process is simple and straightforward and can be completed in as little as 15 minutes. We provide a complimentary pre-assessment, a free, no obligation insurance benefit check and help coordinate local travel to our Portland, Maine facility. All you or your loved one has to do is ask for help, and we will take care of the rest. Contact us today to learn more about our program of prescription painkiller detox or to begin your personal journey of healing.
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Understanding Why Painkillers Become So Addictive
Opioid painkillers produce a short-lived euphoria, but they are also addictive.
Long-term use of painkillers can lead to physical dependence. The body adapts to the presence of the substance and if one stops taking the drug abruptly, withdrawal symptoms occur. Or the body could build up a tolerance to the drug, meaning that higher doses have to be taken to achieve the same effects.
Like all drugs, painkillers simply mask the pain for which they are taken. They dont cure anything. Someone continuously trying to dull the pain may find himself taking higher and higher dosesonly to discover that he cannot make it through the day without the drug.
Symptoms of withdrawal can include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps , and involuntary leg movements.
One of the serious risks of opioids is respiratory depressionhigh doses can cause breathing to slow down to the point it stops and the user dies.
I am addicted to prescription pain medication. I first started taking prescription painkillers years ago when my doctor prescribed them to treat post-surgical pain following spinal surgery….Over the past several years I have tried to break my dependence on pain pills and, in fact, twice checked myself into medical facilities in an attempt to do so.
recently agreed with my physician about the next steps.
What Are The Risks Of Getting High On Oxycontin
Different patients have unique accounts of what an OxyContin high feels like. On their first dosage, patients on OxyContin will generally feel pleasant and happy, asides from the relief that the substance provides. However, this first dosage offers the highest euphoric feeling that they can get from the drug. With a decline in the high of subsequent dosages, some patients try to recreate the feelings of the first time they took the drug. This is known as chasing the high.
Some people figure out ways to replicate this feeling and even prolong its effects. For example, people add alcohol to the crushed tablets and inject the mixture. This is a dangerous practice that can cause the brain to adjust to the altered dopamine level. In turn, this can affect its structure, damage it and cause addiction.
Another risk involved with OxyContin and Oxycodone high arises when people take to snorting it. Since the opioid painkiller is broken into smaller forms to snort, the substance can pose life-threatening effects like:
- Severe headache
Furthermore, overdosing on OxyContin can also be harmful to you or your loved ones.
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Is Oxycodone More Addictive Than Hydrocodone
Both oxycodone and hydrocodone are potent, powerful and frequently misused. Tolerance develops rather quickly in the case of both medications, meaning after several weeks of taking the same dose, the effects are no longer felt. But is one of these two medications more addictive than the other? In short, both drugs can be equally addictive. The main difference between the two medications lies in their common side effects. For example, hydrocodone is more likely to cause nausea, constipation and stomach pain. Oxycodone is more likely to cause dizziness, drowsiness and fatigue.
Learn About Oxycontin Addiction And Substance Use Disorder
Often termed Hillbilly Heroin, OxyContin is a narcotic opiate painkiller prescribed by a doctor in order to manage chronic and unrelenting pain such as pain associated with cancer. Available in an extended-release formula, this drug has been touted a miracle drug by many chronic pain sufferers. Unfortunately, some individuals who use OxyContin do go on to develop an addiction to the narcotic. This had led many individuals to refuse to take the drug for legitimate purposes and many prescribers to refuse to prescribe the narcotic for those who could wildly benefit from its 12-hour painkilling effects, which is a large setback for the medical community.
In addition to providing consistent pain relief for those struggling with pain, Oxy is also known for its ability to create feelings of pleasure and euphoria in the user. It is this feeling of euphoria and happiness which can lead an individual to continue taking OxyContin far after the pain has subsided. Many use Oxy and other narcotic painkillers in order to experience emotional numbing and to relieve emotional pain. Withdrawal from opiates such as OxyContin also known as OC, Oxycotton, Kicker, and Hillbilly Heroin, does lead to depression in chronic users, which in turn leads to more abuse of the drug.
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How Addictive Is Hydrocodone
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , hydrocodone is one of the most commonly-prescribed opiates.
âOpioids stimulate the brain to release dopamine, a brain neurotransmitter associated with pleasure,â Bankole Johnson, MD, chief medical officer of Adial Pharmaceuticals Inc., tells WebMD Connect to Care.
Jenna Liphart Rhoads, PhD, medical advisor at NurseTogether, tells WebMD Connect to Care that hydrocodone use causes a feeling of euphoria that is more intense than naturally-occurring good feelings. This euphoria may make you want to take the medication again because naturally-occurring good feelings seem dull in comparison.
Johnson says the craving for pleasure you feel when you take the drug reinforces the habit, which can ultimately lead to addiction.
In addition to chasing the âhighâ you feel when on hydrocodone, you may also want to use the drug to prevent withdrawal. Aaron Sternlicht, mental health counselor at Family Addiction Specialists, tells WebMD Connect to Care that taking hydrocodone for just 3 to 5 days can cause physical dependence, which means youâll experience symptoms of withdrawal when you stop taking the drug.
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People who are suffering from an Oxycodone use disorder usually require a medically managed detox and a good treatment program to prevent relapse. For help finding treatment, contact a treatment provider.
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How Long Does Oxycodone High Last
How long the high from oxycodone lasts is even shorter. When taking the pills whole, the euphoric effects may last as little as two hours, at which point the craving and oxycodone withdrawal may begin. If crushed for snorting, the pills effects may fade after only 20 minutes.
Surprisingly, not everyone who uses oxycodone or opioids in general gets high or feels euphoria. That may be one reason that some people can use drugs occasionally without becoming addicted.
How Are Medicines Used To Treat Opioid Addiction
Methadone, when administered properly, is included in treatment with counseling and is always provided in a clinic setting. It helps to block the effects of opioids and to reduce cravings.
The medicine buprenorphine also helps opioid cravings without giving the same high as other opioid drugs. Prescribed by many physicians, this is typically a daily dose placed under the tongue and can also be delivered as a once-a-month injection or through thin tubes placed under the skin every six months.
These medicines both activate opioid receptors in the body that suppress cravings, and are effective and similar in safety and side effects and typically used for maintenance treatment. They can be used as a taper agent as well but some patients relapse, and we need to try something different with those patients who relapse several times. Patients who are highly motivated and have good social support have a tendency to do better.
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Oxycodone Definition And Brands
Oxycodone is the powerful primary ingredient in many Painkillers prescribed to people suffering from moderate to severe pain. These pills come in various shapes, sizes, and colors depending on the dose and brand. Oxycodone is also sometimes prescribed in a liquid form. It is often prescribed in combination with other drugs including Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Ibuprofen. Some of the most common brand names for Oxycodone-based drugs are:
Slang or street names for Oxycodone drugs include Oxy, OCs, Oxycet, Oxycotton, Hillbilly Heroin, Berries, Killers, Percs, and Roxis.
People prescribed an Oxycodone-based Painkiller may be suffering from cancer, arthritis, or other physical disorders, or they may receive a short-term prescription after surgery or trauma. Prescription forms of Oxycodone are designed to provide around-the-clock relief.
Common Questions About Rehab
Oxycodone is made by modifying Thebaine, an organic chemical found in Opium. Designated as an Opioid or semi-Synthetic Opiate, Oxycodone shares a general classification with Heroin, Hydrocodone, and Oxymorphone. Oxycodone is classified as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act. This means that, although it has a definite medical purpose, there is a high potential for abuse.
Learn Why Oxycontin Can Become So Addictive
What makes OxyContin so addictive? And why is OxyContin so dangerous to an individual who has become addicted? As with other opiates, when an individual uses the drug with greater and greater frequency, he or she begins to develop a tolerance for it. When a user develops a tolerance for OxyContin, she requires larger and larger doses of the drug to elicit its euphoric effects. Along the way, the user is getting more and more addicted to the drug -in this case OxyContin.
One of the reasons that OxyContin stands apart as more addictive than other drugs is because of the way it is misused. When an individual snorts or injects OxyContin, they are getting much more of the drug at once than the manufacturers ever intended. This intense high creates problems in the individuals brain, which will in turn seek out more and more of this intense feeling caused by the large dosage. And when youre dealing with OxyContin, repeatedly seeking out and ingesting large doses can prove to be addicting and even fatal.
But what makes OxyContin addiction so dangerous? As we mentioned above, many misuse the drug in order to achieve a more intense high from the oxycodone. Because this is not the way the drug was intended to be used, the large amount ingested can often lead to overdose.
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