Oxycontin is the brand name for an opiate pain reliever in the Oxycodone family of narcotics. It is a powerful time-release drug prescribed for moderate to severe pain. Because dependence is physically and psychologically high, addiction should be addressed immediately in an Oxycontin treatment center.

Are you or someone you know addicted? Get Oxycontin rehabilitation in a qualified treatment program. See Recoverycorps.org’s listing of medical professionals.

What is Oxycontin?
Oxycodone is the active ingredient in Oxycontin, a brand name prescription pain reliever made by Purdue Pharma. Oxycontin was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1995 and first sold in 1996.Oxycontin Addcition

It is a semi-synthetic drug manufactured with thebaine, an opium chemical. Oxycontin is usually combined with acetaminophen (Endocet, Percocet, Roxicet, Tylox,); aspirin (Endodan, Percodan, Roxiprin,); and ibuprofen (Combunox).

Oxycodone is almost as potent as morphine because of its chemical structure. This makes Oxycontin addiction that much more prevalent. Because of its addictive qualities, it is a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

It’s usually prescribed in 10mg to 80mg tablets and provides pain relief for up to 12 hours. It’s also time-released which means its effects are felt over a period of time rather than all at once.

Common street names: Oxy, O.C.'s, Kicker, Blue, Oxycottons, Oxy 80's, Hillbilly Heroin, Killers

How Does It Work?
The opioids in Oxycontin (Oxycodone) attach themselves to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord and gastrointestinal tract. They block the perception of pain within one hour. It typically makes the user feel euphoric and often drowsy.

These opioids also release a large amount of dopamine, the chemical in the brain responsible for pleasure. Because of the pleasure received, casual users can become Oxycontin addicts quickly.

How Is It Abused?
Because of its delayed time-release mechanism, Oxycontin addicts have several ways to speed up the effects:

  • Crush the pill into a powder and snort it.
  • Chew it.
  • Dissolve in water and injecting.

Additionally, abusers will combine the drug with alcohol. The risk of a fatal overdose is greatly increased using one of these methods.

How Do Addicts Get It?
Primarily by one of the following methods:

  • Fraudulent prescriptions
  • Doctor shopping
  • Over-prescribing
  • Pharmacy theft

Numbers: Users and Abusers
In 2009, there were 584,000 new nonmedical users of OxyContin aged 12 or older. Twenty-two was the average age at first use.
In 2008, 15.2 million Americans 12 and older had taken a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative for nonmedical purposes at least once in the year prior.

Results of a 2001-2004 study of 157 addiction treatment programs in the United States:

  • 5% of all subjects who were reported prior use of OxyContin.
  • 78% who reported use said the drug had not been prescribed to them for a medical reason.
  • 86% reported Oxycontin use to “get high or get a buzz”

Common Side-Effects

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
  • Sweating
  • Itching
  • Headaches
  • Mood changes

Serious Side-Effects

  • fast or slow heartbeat
  • Slowed breathing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Hives
  • Rash
  • Hallucinating
  • Fainting
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizures

Oxycontin Rehabilitation and Recovery
Getting help for Oxycontin addiction in a treatment center is crucial because of the drug’s physical and psychological addictive qualities. You have several treatment options: pharmacological and behavioral.

For some addicts, the first step in the treatment process is detoxification. This is done within an Oxycontin treatment program under medical supervision. Withdrawal symptoms include: agitation; anxiety; tremors; muscle aches; hot and cold flashes; vomiting; diarrhea  

Since the 1970s, methadone has been used to block the effects of opioids like Oxycontin and relieve the physical symptoms of withdrawal. This is usually started in a treatment center and is later administered in a clinic as part of a regular maintenance program.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse noted that the minimum length of treatment with methadone was 12 months. One estimate said that “25% of patients eventually become abstinent, 25% continue to take the drug, and 50% go on and off methadone repeatedly.”

Behavioral treatment consists of individual and group counseling, contingency management and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy modifies attitudes and behaviors associated with drug abuse. It teaches patients to recognize and avoid situations where drugs will be involved.

Contingency management is a reward system. Patients are given financial (usually gift certificates) incentives for negative urine samples, essentially positive reinforcement.

Treating addiction starts with a call to an Oxycontin treatment center. Find the nearest program with Recoverycorps.org’s help. For tips on selecting a treatment program, click here.

Sources:
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/164/11/1750
http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/oxycodone.asp
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000589
http://www.nida.nih.gov/drugpages/prescription.html
http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k9NSDUH/2k9ResultsP.pdf

http://www.health.harvard.edu/