OxyContin and the Opioid Epidemic
OxyContin is a prescription painkiller typically used to treat severe pain or chronic pain in medical settings. But OxyContin abuse is highly prevalent and has played a key role in the opioid epidemic.
When OxyContin was first developed, it was aggressively marketed by Purdue Pharma as a less addictive opioid. Purdue’s marketing team was able to convince the Food and Drug Administration to provide special labels for OxyContin bottles suggesting that the drug was less addictive than other opioids, such as Vicodin or Norco, even though OxyContin is a more powerful drug than either of these medications.
This marketing campaign quickly saw OxyContin prescriptions grow rapidly — and many people became addicted to this potent pain medication. While Purdue ultimately faced federal charges for its deceptive marketing campaign, the damage was done, and the United States had entered an epidemic of opioid addiction.
The Effects of OxyContin
OxyContin is a synthetic opioid. Like other opiates, OxyContin works by latching onto opioid receptors within the brain and body, causing people to experience psychological and physical effects:
- A sense of euphoria
- Relaxation
- Pain relief
- Itchiness
- Drowsiness
- Slowed breathing and heart rate
When people take OxyContin for extended periods, they become physically dependent upon these effects and may develop an addiction. Physical dependence on opioids means that the body becomes reliant on opioids to feel normal and that withdrawal symptoms can appear if the user suddenly stops taking OxyContin.
Withdrawal Symptoms of OxyContin
OxyContin withdrawal symptoms are often compared to a severe flu. When someone who has been taking OxyContin regularly suddenly cuts down or stops their use, they can experience debilitating effects:
- Shakes
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Drug cravings
If these withdrawal symptoms are left untreated, many people will return to OxyContin abuse rather than continue experiencing these uncomfortable symptoms.
Addictiveness of OxyContin
The addictive nature of OxyContin extends far beyond withdrawal symptoms alone. Chronic OxyContin misuse can result in lasting brain changes characteristic of substance use disorders. These changes make it extremely difficult for people to stop OxyContin use on their own and can contribute to mental health problems.
Some of the most common symptoms of an OxyContin addiction include:
- Multiple failed attempts to cut down or stop on your own
- Invasive and unwanted drug cravings
- Loss of interest in activities outside of substance use
- Spending a great deal of time using OxyContin, seeking it out, or recovering from its effects
- Personal, occupational, or social problems as a result of OxyContin abuse
- Continued OxyContin use despite harmful consequences
OxyContin addiction is not a choice. The brain changes associated with addiction reduce a person’s capacity to stop on their own and make alternatives to substance use feel less and less appealing.
But there is hope for people struggling with OxyContin addiction. Targeted OxyContin addiction treatment can help people break through physical withdrawals, build skills for resisting relapse in the future, and achieve a greater quality of life and mental health in sobriety.
OxyContin Addiction Treatment
OxyContin addiction treatment is a holistic process that guides people through overcoming the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of addiction that can hold them back from recovery.
Through targeted, evidence-based treatment practices, compassionate support from peers and addiction professionals, and medical interventions from trained providers, anyone can break free from an OxyContin addiction.
The Pathway to Recovery
The pathway to recovery at Luxe Treatment Centerfollows a systematic and rigorous recovery process to help people with each aspect of their addiction. Each step provides important benefits for people seeking recovery and plays a role in building a lasting and worthwhile life free of addiction.
Medical Detox
Amedically supervised detoxcenter is a specialized health facility that helps people overcome physical withdrawal symptoms. The harsh negative effects of OxyContin withdrawal are the first barrier to recovery, and they need to be addressed before behavioral therapies and treatments can take place.
A medical detox includes several services for people new to recovery:
- Around-the-clock medical supervision and support
- Careful assessment and diagnosis of mental illness and substance use problems
- Targeted medical treatment to alleviate withdrawal symptoms
- Structured transition of care to an addiction treatment center
Medical detox is a short-term program and should always be followed by evidence-based addiction treatment.
Residential Treatment Programs
Following detox, enrollment in aresidential OxyContin addiction treatment program provides intensive and effective therapies and interventions for people struggling with addiction.
At our OxyContin addiction treatment center, clients live on-site, receive several hours of therapy and treatment each day, and have true peer support from other people working toward overcoming addiction.
A few of the treatments and therapies provided include:
- Individual therapy sessions
- Group therapy programs
- Humanistic therapies
- Motivational interviewing
- Recreational therapy
- Dual-diagnosis treatment
Each of these interventions provides tangible benefits for people struggling with OxyContin addiction and paves the way to a lasting and fruitful life in recovery.
Outpatient Treatment
Luxe Treatment Center’soutpatient treatment programoffers the same intensive therapies and treatments as our residential program, but in a more relaxed format. Outpatient clients live at home while receiving care and attend sessions at their treatment center several days a week.
Outpatient treatment can be an effective way of maintaining accountability and support after stepping down from residential care, or it can serve as the primary method of treatment for those who cannot commit to a residential program.
Start OxyContin Addiction Treatment at Luxe Treatment Center Today
If you or a loved one is struggling with OxyContin addiction, reach out to the professionals at Luxe Treatment Center by calling (725) 215-3017 or filling out ourconfidential online contact form.
Our team of trained and compassionate addiction professionals will develop a customized treatment plan to help you achieve recovery, and we will be there to help you in every step of the treatment process.
