Oxycontin is one of the substances that creates the strongest of addictions. A mere three to four weeks and many can become dependent. This is a powerful drug, and in the past decade it has been popularized among young drug users.
Opium in all its forms
Denise was only 16 years old when she started using Oxycontin. She was constantly accessing her father’s prescription to cure a sore back, due to a cheerleading incident. A month later, she was already heavily dependent on the drug, dependence which deeply undermined her school and social life.
Timothy has also become addicted to opiates. Unlike Denise, he did not become addicted through using third-party prescriptions, but using his own pills to treat pain in the shoulder, including Dilaudid. Most mistakenly think addiction to prescription painkillers is not as harsh as, let’s say heroin; however, addiction to Oxycontin is no less severe and opiate addiction is extremely difficult to treat.
Both Denise and Timothy now know how dangerous Oxycontin can be if not properly taken. Timothy learned the hard way how pain can worsen when your body builds up a tolerance to painkillers. A few months after the onset of taking painkillers for his shoulder pain, Timothy became so addicted to Oxycontin he found an illegal way to support his habit.
That’s only a snapshot of how easy it is to become addicted to opiates, but that’s not the full story.
There are a wide range of symptoms that occur after a person stops taking Oxycontin. If you have developed a dependency on Oxycontin – and you try to stop or reduce the amount you take – your body needs time to adjust and recover, but withdrawal symptoms depends on the individual.
Oxycontin withdrawal symptoms
Oxycontin withdrawal symptoms can be exhaustive and painful for days; from mild to severe, depending on how much and how long you taken the drug. Some people who have only used the drug therapy may not even be aware that they are experiencing withdrawal – many think they only have the flu. Withdrawal symptoms usually begin six to 30 hours after the last use of the drug.
Early symptoms of Oxycontin Withdrawal include:
- Agitation
- Fear
- Muscle pain
- Increased tearing
- Insomnia
- Sweating
Later symptoms of Oxycontin Withdrawal can include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Dilated pupils
- Goose pimples
- Nausea and vomiting
Is Oxycontin Withdrawal Dangerous?
Withdrawal from Oxycontin can be very uncomfortable, but it is not generally life threatening; However, there can be complications which may pose danger.
Aspiration may occur if you are vomiting and breathing in stomach contents into the lungs, which can cause pneumonia or asphyxiation. Vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration and chemical and the imbalance of hormonal disorders in your body is all possible.
One of the greatest dangers that occur is when you stop taking Oxycontin and then decide to start taking the medication again. Since the withdrawal process reduces your tolerance for the drug, you can overdose on a much smaller dose you initially consumed.
How long do withdrawals last?
The severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms will vary from person to person. Most of the worse and unpleasant symptoms should occur within a few days to a week.
Why Methadone is Preferred for Treatment
Methadone treatment has been the most successful because it stops the addict from receiving that euphoric feeling. Even when addicts try and use drugs, while in treatment, the Methadone blocks any of that drugs sensation – the addict does not get the high they are seeking.
You must keep in mind treatment for addiction must include a lifestyle change to eliminate those needs for the drug.
Will they relapse?
There is always the possibility of a relapse, yet with Methadone fewer relapse occur. Before a relapse occurs, addicts will begin to experience some type of motivation for using the drug again. It can be driven by a variety of factors including pain and discomfort, anxiety relief, to counteract other drugs; whether the desire is physical or mental, the addicts perceived focus is how they feel when not using Oxycontin.
The pain and discomfort become more mental and can reach such a degree that the addict is unable to live normally when not using those pills.
During a relapse phase, the addict does not want to think about anything that could reduce his or her painful and uncomfortable feelings. Therefore, he or she avoids any situation or anyone who force him to look objectively.
The most reasonable approach to helping an addict give up their desire for Oxycontin is Methadone treatment. It has shown consistent success and tends to work better that the alternatives, not to mention it is certainly preferred nationwide since it controls the withdrawal symptoms and helps break free of dependence far quicker.
