Oxycontin is a painkiller, but it is also a leading form of drug addiction and overdose.
What is Oxycontin?
Oxycontin is an analgesic that is the leading opioid to relieve medium to severe pain. It’s a Schedule II drug meaning it must be prescribed by a physician to legally obtain it. While Oxycontin has been a god-send for those in chronic pain, it has also been the cause of untimely death for many people who are unaware of its powerful addiction and side effects.
How is Oxycontin Taken?
Oxycontin is normally prescribed to patients who have severe pain. The normal regimen for Oxycontin is twice daily. The drug has a time release capsule that gives the body small amounts of the drug in twelve hour integrals. Drug users circumvent the time release by crushing the pill and destroying the time release mechanisms designed to slowly supply the body with the analgesic effects. The crushed powder is then insufflated (snorted), swallowed (parachuting), or loaded into a needle and injected by IV drug users.
Why Is Oxycontin Abuse Prevalent?
Oxycontin abuse stimulates the pleasurable effectors in the brain that leads to complete euphoria especially if the time release components of the pills are destroyed. Essentially, the drug user receives the entire Oxycodone drug available in the pill at once, which gives the drug abuser a feeling of relaxation.
What are the Signs of Oxycontin Abuse?
Oxycontin is a powerful analgesic that has a powerful hold over many opiate addicts. As the drug is used in small doses, the euphoric effects decrease, so the addict needs to increase the dose to receive the same type of feeling from lower doses. The two most common, noticeable side effects that are visible in your loved ones are:
Behavior: Behavior receives the biggest change in Oxycontin addicts. You may notice sluggishness and a decrease in motivation. The Oxycontin drug abuser also becomes irritable and irrational during times when they no longer have the drug available.
Physical: Apathetic behavior and a loss of energy are the two common changes from Oxycontin abuse. Your loved one may become sluggish, lethargic, and sleep more often than normal, and a loss of appetite is not uncommon.
The Dangers of Oxycontin Abuse
Oxycontin is a powerful analgesic that has adverse effects in the central nervous system. They are especially dangerous with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium), or other oxycodone or hydrocodone drugs. Even small doses of Oxycontin with any of these combinations can cause severe central nervous depression.
Overdose from Oxycontin with or without other drugs can cause a loved one to “nod out” and become unconscious. Breathing becomes labored, and patients may go into pulmonary failure and cardiac arrest. If you suspect an Oxycontin overdose, it is imperative that you call emergency personnel.
Long term Oxycontin abuse leads to addiction, so acute cessation of the drug causes withdraw symptoms. If you believe your loved one is addicted, proper tapering and therapy is needed for the physical and psychological effects that are present.