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Drug Addiction
OxyContin is classified in the narcotic pain reliever group of drugs and is similar in structure to morphine. OxyContin is used to treat moderate to severe forms of pain and there is an extended-relief form of the drug used for around-the-clock pain control. The medication can also be used for other medical conditions as determined by a licensed medical professional.
OxyContin is extremely addictive and should only be used for the reasons it was prescribed. The drug should never be shared with anyone else, particularly by someone with a past history of drug or alcohol addiction. It is important to keep the medication in a secure place where it is not accessible to others.
There are dangerous side effects which can be experienced if OxyContin is mixed with other narcotic pain medications. A person who is taking OxyContin should never consume alcohol and needs to check food and drug labels to make sure products do not contain alcohol.
OxyContin can also cause serious side effects which require immediate medical attention, these include; hives, breathing difficulties, swelling in the hands, face, tongue or throat. Additionally, the following side effects should be reported to a physician at once:
OxyContin is a Schedule II controlled substance and has a high abuse potential. The drug is a powerful pain reliever, used commonly in the medical field for managing chronic pain. Because of its mood altering affects, the drug has become popular and illicit use has increased exponentially within the past ten years. OxyContin addiction is a wide spread problem that affects people of all ages and from all walks of life.
Most people with an OxyContin addiction will participate in drug-seeking behavior which includes doctor shopping, repeated doctor visits to acquire large amounts of the drug and possibly engaging in illegal activities such as theft and drug diversion. OxyContin can be taken in tablet form, crushed up and snorted, injected or administered rectally. Each method of administration produces different affects on the body, with injection being the fastest-acting of all.
With the increase in the number of people with an OxyContin addiction, there has been a widespread increase in emergency room visits and fatalities. Many states in the U.S. have enacted legislation to decrease illegal use of OxyContin, which includes the monitoring and banning of sales over the internet.
Suddenly discontinuing OxyContin can be very dangerous and can lead to extremely painful withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms from OxyContin can include the following:
An OxyContin addiction can be a debilitating and grave situation; often a person is unable to stop taking the drug on their own. The addiction will progress over time and the person will be completely and totally consumed, swallowed up in the grips of a life-threatening addiction.
If you or someone you love is facing an addiction to Oxycontin, there is help available. Please contact us today for more information.
