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OxyContin is a potent narcotic painkiller derived from the poppy plant and is related to heroin, fentanyl and morphine. It is classified as a Schedule II medication under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it has approved medical uses but also has a high risk for abuse, dependence and addiction. This opioid also carries a high potential for overdose, which can result in death.
OxyContin, a prescription painkiller, is an opioid similar to the illegal drug heroin and other prescription pain relievers like fentanyl and morphine. While OxyContin has pain-relieving benefits, it does carry a risk of misuse. All of these medications work in the brain to block pain signals.
OxyContin is prescribed for several types of pain, ranging from arthritis to injuries. Sometimes, people abuse this medication because of its euphoric effect. Even with a prescription, medications like OxyContin can lead to dependence and abuse. It is important to always take this medication exactly as prescribed and for as short as possible.
OxyContin is available in a variety of dosages, including:
The drug manufacturer that makes OxyContin, Purdue Pharma, also produced 120 mg and 160 mg tablets. However, because of the potential for abuse and high risk for overdose, these have since been removed from the market; 80 mg tablets are currently the highest strength available.
Oxycodone is the name of the opioid ingredient in OxyContin. Oxycodone is available in a variety of immediate-release formulations as different brand names (like Roxicodone) or in combination with other medications (like in combination with acetaminophen as Percocet).
These medications are usually prescribed up to every four to six hours because of the shorter duration of action. OxyContin, however, is usually prescribed every 12 hours because of its extended-release formulation. This essentially means OxyContin has a special coating that allows the medication to be more slowly absorbed over a longer time than oxycodone.
OxyContin can be helpful for patients with chronic pain who need medication over a longer period of time. Oxycodone can be more useful for short-term pain. Always talk with your healthcare provider to see which option is best for your specific case.
OxyContin is a highly addictive narcotic painkiller, as evidenced by the Schedule II classification under the Controlled Substances Act. This means it has the highest potential for addiction and dependence of all drugs that can be prescribed.
Oxycodone, the ingredient in OxyContin, is similar to other opioids including heroin, fentanyl, morphine and others. These medications interrupt pain signals in the brain and can produce a euphoric feeling, which can result in a pleasurable experience and the potential for abuse and addiction.
The opioid epidemic has continued to grow worse over the past several years with increased opioid misuse and fatal overdoses. The number of newborns experiencing withdrawal syndrome due to opioid use during pregnancy is also on the rise. Recent statistics include:
It may be difficult to tell if someone you know is addicted to OxyContin. When people are addicted to a substance, they can feel ashamed and frequently do whatever they can to hide their addiction from family, friends and coworkers. Most can function at work without anyone knowing they are high on OxyContin. Pretty soon, their behavior can become normal for them and everyone around them.
Generally, the symptoms worsen over time. Signs and symptoms of OxyContin addiction include:
People addicted to OxyContin feel compelled to take the medication more frequently so they can achieve feelings of euphoria. They may know this will cause them to run out of their medication early, but the urge to chase an even bigger feeling of euphoria is strong enough to make them not care at that moment. People may begin to take their medication differently than prescribed or without a prescription, which can quickly snowball into a serious addiction.
Risk factors for OxyContin addiction can include:
OxyContin withdrawal symptoms can be similar to those of other opioids and happen when someone dependent on a drug stops using it or tapers down too quickly. Opioids can have early and late symptoms of withdrawal. The exact timeline can vary from person to person and depends on many considerations like liver and kidney function, age, other medications and other factors.
Early symptoms of withdrawal include:
Late symptoms of withdrawal include:
If you or a loved one is struggling with OxyContin addiction, we can help. OxyContin addiction can lead to overdose or even death. Treatment for this addiction typically includes a physical exam and intake questions to better understand your OxyContin use and situation. Withdrawing from opioids like OxyContin can be very uncomfortable or dangerous, so clients generally undergo a medical detox where they can withdraw from the substance under medical supervision, followed by continued rehab care.
In OxyContin detox, your body slowly rids itself of the oxycodone in its system. Your medical team closely monitors for symptoms of withdrawal and provides treatment to make the process as safe and comfortable as possible. Medically-supervised detox also helps you avoid relapsing back to opioid use when withdrawal symptoms become too difficult.
Most often, medications like buprenorphine or methadone can be used to reduce the intensity of opioid withdrawal and are sometimes used long-term. This is called medication-assisted treatment. Clonidine is another medication that can help reduce anxiety, agitation, muscle aches, sweating, runny nose and cramping. Naltrexone can also be provided to help prevent relapse.
A combination of medical support and counseling ensures that patients with OxyContin addiction receive comprehensive care. Since addiction and mental health issues often go hand-in-hand, treatment for co-occurring conditions ensures the most robust recovery experience.
Following medical detox, patients at The Recovery Village at Palm Lake often enter inpatient rehab. In this intensive level of care, patients live onsite at the facility and focus on their recovery, attending counseling sessions and receiving around-the-clock medical support to learn to live without substances. Partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), or outpatient care are all possible next steps, depending on the level of care you need. All patients graduating from our programs receive access to alumni resources and aftercare planning to support them in their recovery.
We are conveniently located minutes from the Denver International Airport and offer a full continuum of programs to best fit your needs. As a Joint Commission-accredited facility, you can rest assured that you or your loved one will be in qualified hands.
If you’re living with an OxyContin addiction, or a family member or friend needs help with opioid addiction, The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake can help. Call now to get your questions answered, verify your insurance and start the enrollment process.
One of the cornerstones of addiction treatment in recent years is medication-assisted treatment. With MAT, we can help people with opioid addiction begin and maintain a long-term recovery.
Because heroin is an addictive, deadly and illegal substance, it’s common for people to wonder about what heroin looks like and how to recognize it – especially those who suspect a friend or loved one may be using.
Inpatient rehabilitation offers constant live-in care for people with substance use disorders. At an inpatient care facility, all evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation is supervised by medical professionals.
Women who are pregnant may find themselves wondering if it is safe to use hydrocodone during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Ultimately, using any kind of opioid while pregnant or breastfeeding should generally be avoided.
Medical detoxification, more commonly known as medical detox, this process is crucial to successful recovery. When you’re dependent on a substance, your body has to compensate for the constant presence of that substance.
United States General Accounting Office. “Prescription Drugs: OxyContin Abuse and […]Address the Problem.” December 19, 2003. Accessed April 12, 2022.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “About the Epidemic: What is the U.S. Opioid Epidemic?” Reviewed October 27, 2021. Accessed April 12, 2022.
U.S. Department of Labor. “Risk Factors for Opioid Misuse, Addiction, and Overdose.” Accessed April 12, 2022.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. “Opiate and opioid withdrawal.” Medline Plus, April 1, 2022. Accessed April 12, 2022.
Purdue Pharma. “OxyContin Prescribing Information.” Revised September 2018. Accessed April 12, 2022.
Drugs.com. “Oxycodone Monograph for Professionals.” March 29, 2021. Accessed April 5, 2022.
The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
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