There are hundreds or even thousands of drugs that Americans are prescribed every day to treat a variety of different medical conditions. Most people don’t realize that many of these drugs are highly addictive, some of them even if the drug is used as prescribed. The trouble is that each case of addiction is different and can be difficult to determine if someone is addicted or not without knowing what signs to look out for. Even though every addiction is different, there are some common signs and symptoms that can indicate they are addicted.
At Ocean Coast Recovery, we know that addiction is a disease that causes lifelong struggles and that a prescription addiction can be incredibly damaging to a person’s life. The best way to get a person help with this kind of addiction is to recognize the signs to look out for. In this post, we will be looking at the prescription drug Oxycontin, what it is, Oxycontin addiction signs to look out for, and why the drug is addictive in the first place.
What is Oxycontin?
Oxycontin is a form of Oxycodone and is part of the opioid group of drugs. Among the many different opioids, Oxycontin is considered particularly potent and is used primarily to treat severe pain.
Oxycontin works by blocking the pain receptors from sending signals to the brain, effectively relieving pain for up to several hours. The drug comes in numerous forms, including pills, tablets, and a liquid. It is typically taken orally but can be injected, crushed into powder, and snorted or smoked when misused.
Because of its effectiveness, it is one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the US. It can be used to relieve pain from conditions like severe bodily injury, trauma, cancer, and other conditions.
Why is Oxycontin Addictive?
Before you know the signs of Oxycontin addiction to look out for, you need to understand why the drug is so addictive in the first place.
Most drugs have the potential to be addictive if used heavily or over prolonged periods, but Oxycontin is in a league of its own when it comes to the potential for addiction. Firstly, it belongs to the opioid family of drugs, all of which have a very high potential for addiction.
Secondly, Oxycontin is highly addictive due to the way that the drug interacts with the brain and the pain receptors. Over time the chemistry of the body begins to change and become resistant to the effects of the drug as well as becoming chemically dependent on it to function normally. This leads to increased use and needing to use the drug to avoid withdrawal and other side effects.
Lastly, many people who aren’t prescribed Oxycontin like to partake in the drug for the feelings of euphoria and happiness that it can evoke. This will lead to people going to illegal means to get the drug, further promoting misuse and addiction.
Signs of Oxycontin Addiction to Look Out For
There are a few key signs to look out for if you think someone may have an Oxycontin addiction.
Firstly, if a person takes the drug longer than they were prescribed, this may indicate that they have developed a habit that has or will lead to addiction.
Second, if they are taking more than the prescribed dose and continue to do so on a routine basis, this is a clear indicator of addiction.
Third, if a person resorts to using the drug in ways that were not prescribed or intended, such as snorting or smoking Oxycontin, that indicates prescription drug abuse.
Lastly, if the person starts behaving differently and engaging in illicit or illegal activity in order to acquire more of the drug.
The best thing to do if someone you know is addicted to Oxycontin is to get treatment at a facility like Ocean Coast Recovery. Trying to quit using alone can lead to severe, even life-threatening, health complications. Instead, allow them to detox in our medically supervised facility, where we individualize all of our treatment plans to get the drug out of their systems and then cope with the reasons behind the addiction, thanks to our luxury inpatient treatment facility.
If you or someone you know is suffering from Oxycontin addiction, contact Ocean Coast Recovery today.
