OxyContin Abuse
What Is OxyContin?
OxyContin is a branded formulation of the powerful opioid painkiller, oxycodone. It is prescribed to manage cases of moderate to severe pain. When taken as directed, it is a safe and effective medication and has proven invaluable for many with pain management issues. However, many people abuse OxyContin in order to get high–a practice that can prove dangerous and even fatal. Misuse of the pills (for example, taking too many pills at once, or crushing them up to be snorted or injected) elicits more intense effects and increases the risk of complications.
An estimated 1.9 million people in the United States are dependent on or abuse opioid painkillers and about 46 painkiller-involved deaths occur every day in the US, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). Furthermore, people who abuse prescription painkillers are at risk for concurrent or eventual heroin due to the similar effects of the two drugs. According to one study, people suffering from an addiction to prescription opioids were 19 times more likely to start abusing heroin in the year prior to the study. This may be due to the fact that heroin is more easily accessible and costs less than opioid painkillers, due in part to the 2013 tightening of controls on access to prescription opioids by the Food and Drug Administration.
Signs and Symptoms
If your loved one’s behavior changes unexpectedly to the point where you no longer recognize the person in front of you, drug abuse might be the cause.
An opioid use disorder is characterized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), as “a problematic pattern of opioid use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.” In cases of compulsive OxyContin use, the individual typically spends the majority of his or her day obtaining and using the opioid painkiller. Users frequently attempt to get multiple prescriptions from different doctors or otherwise obtain the drug illegally.
PHYSICAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF OXYCONTIN ABUSE
Other signs of OxyContin abuse include the usual signs of any form of opioid abuse:
Lethargy.
Extreme drowsiness.
Pinpoint pupils.
Dry mouth.
The appearance of being disoriented or confused.
Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
Persistent interpersonal problems.
Neglecting important work, school, or home obligations.
Weight loss.
Slurred speech.
Severe itching.
Intermittent, periodic euphoria and apathy.
Vomiting.
Depression.
Problems with concentration or memory.
Sleep apnea.
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
A reliable sign of opioid dependency and marker of addiction is the appearance of withdrawal symptoms when the user is unable to take OxyContin. These withdrawal symptoms may include:
Yawning.
A runny nose and eyes.
Unpleasant mood.
Muscle aches.
Insomnia.
Excessive sweating.
Fever.
Chills.
Goosebumps.
Nausea and vomiting.
Diarrhea.
One key warning sign of addiction is a marked change in behavior. If your loved one’s behavior changes unexpectedly to the point where you no longer recognize the person in front of you, drug abuse might be the cause. If the person is abusing prescription drugs recreationally, you might notice discarded pill bottles, white powder stains, or missing pills from your own supply. Money might go missing, or perhaps you might realize your partner can’t pay all the bills this month. If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you care about, don’t wait to get help.
Effects of OxyContin Abuse
There are various long-term effects of OxyContin use. According to the DSM-5, the following social effects are sometimes caused by OxyContin addiction or dependence:
The arrest of possession or distribution of opioids.
Forgery.
Robbery.
Burglary.
Receiving stolen goods.
Marital difficulties; divorce.
Loss of or irregular employment.
Breakdown of interpersonal relationships.
There are also many different physical side effects, which include:
Sedation.
Nausea and vomiting.
Constipation.
Respiratory depression.
Fractures.
Muscle rigidity.
Hormonal dysfunction.
Difficulties in sexual functioning.
Fatal side effects include
Difficulty breathing.
Coma.
Abuse Treatment
There are many different OxyContin addiction treatment offerings. The best OxyContin recovery type will depend on your individual needs and situation. Some examples of various treatment settings and approaches include:
Residential treatment:: You can escape your using environment and live at the facility while receiving recovery treatment. This is best for moderate to severe addictions.
Outpatient treatment: You may live at home while receiving treatment that works around your schedule. This is a good option for those suffering from relatively mild OxyContin addictions.
Dual diagnosis: Many people with an addiction to OxyContin also suffer from a co-occurring mental health disorder. Some treatment centers specialize in the treatment of both disorders, which will help to prevent relapse in the future.
Group counseling: A certified mental health professional facilitates a group therapy session in which patients share their experiences with OxyContin addiction and recovery.
Individual therapy:: You meet with a therapist one-on-one to discuss the reasons for your addiction and to learn coping skills to use in stressful situations.
No matter what type of treatment you decide on, the therapeutic course will often follow a series of three stages. As an example, your OxyContin abuse treatment may progress in this order:
The first stage of OxyContin rehab is withdrawal or detox. Supervised, medication-assisted detox can minimize the discomfort associated with withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse.
The next stage of OxyContin rehab involves intensive counseling and therapy. Different programs utilize different treatment methodologies and therapy types. Be sure to find a program that is right for you or your loved one.
The final stage is sustained recovery, frequently accomplished with the help of various aftercare programs. In general, addiction recovery is a lifelong process, but it’s taken on a day-by-day basis. A therapist should provide you with an aftercare plan, in which you attend ongoing treatment following completion of initial rehab. You may be enrolled in a 12-step program or reside in a halfway house or other sober living environment. These environments provide a place to stay that’s free from temptation.
Teen OxyContin Abuse
Teens are particularly vulnerable to OxyContin abuse because pills are often readily available in their own homes or the homes of friends. Many pills are diverted from those with legitimate prescriptions, so teens can get their hands on the drug with relative ease. Also, the popular misconception that prescription opioids are safer than illicit drugs leads to increasing numbers of teens abusing painkiller medications like OxyContin.
According to ASAM’s 2015 Facts & Figures:
Each day, 2,500 adolescents in the United States abuse prescription opioids for the first time.
An estimated 1 out of 30 seniors in high school have misused OxyContin.
1 in 30 adolescents between 12 and 17 have abused OxyContin at some point.
If you suspect teen drug abuse, check for the signs and symptoms listed above and get help immediately if a problem becomes apparent.
To find a treatment program, call 1-877-386-5264Who Answers?. A caring and knowledgeable treatment support advisor can talk you through your options.
Sources:
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014). America’s Addiction to Opioids: Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse.
American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2016). Opioid Addiction 2016 Facts & Figures.
Muhuri, P., Gfroerer, J., & Davies, M. (2013, August 1). Associations of Nonmedical Pain Reliever Use and Initiation of Heroin Use in the United States.
Cicero, T., Ellis, M., Surratt, H., & Kurtz, S. (2014). The Changing Face of Heroin Use in the United States. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(7), 821-826.
Meier, B. (2013, October 24). F.D.A. Urging a Tighter Rein on Painkillers. The New York Times.
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. (5th ed.). (2013). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.
Baldini, A., Korff, M., & Lin, E. (2012). A Review of Potential Adverse Effects of Long-Term Opioid Therapy.[/link] The Primary Care Companion For CNS Disorders Prim. Care Companion CNS Disord., 14(3).
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014). How do opioids affect the brain and body?
Benjamin, R., & A.M., T. (2008). Opioid complications and side effects. Pain Physician, 11(2), 105-120. R
Kumar, K., & Singh, S. (2013). Neuraxial opioid-induced pruritus: An update. Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology, 29(3), 303-303.
National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens. (2015). Prescription Pain Medications (Opioids).
PHYSICAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF OXYCONTIN ABUSE
Other signs of OxyContin abuse include the usual signs of any form of opioid abuse:
- Lethargy.
- Extreme drowsiness.
- Pinpoint pupils.
- Dry mouth.
- The appearance of being disoriented or confused.
- Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
- Persistent interpersonal problems.
- Neglecting important work, school, or home obligations.
- Weight loss.
- Slurred speech.
- Severe itching.
- Intermittent, periodic euphoria and apathy.
- Vomiting.
- Depression.
- Problems with concentration or memory.
- Sleep apnea.