Posts Tagged ‘Oxycontin Abuse’

Many rehabilitation centers such as Hawaii Island Recovery offer services to stop Oxycontin abuse and counter its withdrawal effects.

Oxycontin is the commercial preparation of an opioid analgesic called Oxycodone Hydrochloride. It is duly recognized by the state as a legal narcotic that is used for treatment of cases of severe pain such as cancer pain and chronic pain such as back pain, and pain due to arthritis or bursitis. Although prepared in controlled-release tablets, Oxycontin is subject to abuse like many other narcotics such as codeine, heroin and morphine. While the drug is intended for management of pain, fatal doses can be delivered if the time-release mechanism of Oxycontin is eliminated.

Oxycontin, or more known for street names such as Hillbilly heroin, Oxy, Oxycotton, OCs, Ox, Blue and Kicker, is available in round pills that come in 10mg, 20mg, 40mg and 80mg dosages. To achieve blood therapeutic levels of the drug, Oxycontin should be taken orally every 12 hours as needed. Upon ingestion, the drug is metabolized letting oxycodone enter the body. Oxycodone stimulates opioid receptors in the central nervous system, spinal cord and brain; thereby producing pain relief along with euphoria and slowed breathing.

Although the drug has only been release for over a decade, it has gained popularity fast as a pain reliever due to its 12 hour duration. However, unlike other pain relievers, Oxycontin has a unique characteristic of having no effectiveness threshold. That is, there is no limit to the amount of drug an individual can take. The more drug is ingested into the body, the more pain relief is experienced. This is the very basis of Oxycontin abuse. With this knowledge and the fact that the drug is narcotic, prescription of Oxycontin should be regulated. But surprisingly, the drug can be bought online even through normal channels. This is very alarming considering that is the reason for the propagation of the “poor-man’s heroin”.

Oxycontin users abuse the drug by eliminating its time-release mechanism. Substance abuse users can simply crush the tablet then ingest, snort or dilute in water and inject the drug intravenously. The pharmaceutical company has claimed that the tolerance and addiction to the drug is not common. However, the practices today prove that this is a false and misleading statement. And since the drug can be dispensed easily through normal means, almost anyone is capable of procuring the drug and becoming addicted.

The most common side effects associated with the drug is constipation, sedation, dizziness, headache, sweating, dry mouth, weakness, nausea and vomiting. However, with addiction on the rise, more and more users are at serious risk for respiratory depression. Similar to most narcotic agents, Oxycontin should not be administered simultaneously with substances that induce bradypnea, or slowed breathing. When even higher doses are taken, toxic overdose or even death is induced. For up to 5 hours, individuals who abuse Oxycontin enter a euphoric state that is similar to many opiate substances.

However, as what has been mentioned earlier, when the drug is taken chronically, higher doses are required to achieve the same level of euphoria. This is due to the fast tolerance that individuals can develop. Also, in chronic states, physical dependence is experienced thereby causing withdrawal symptoms when intake of drug is suddenly stopped. Withdrawal symptoms such as watery eyes, heart palpitations, diarrhea and nausea and vomiting can be experienced within six hours after removal of substance. More serious withdrawal symptoms such fatigue, joint pain, insomnia and depression usually are felt a week after the drug has been stopped. Although the drug has lesser potency than heroin, people who have surpassed Oxycontin withdrawal compare the experience to that of heroin withdrawal.

Once an individual is hooked to Oxycontin abuse, he is bound to experience physiologic dependence. This is attributed to the fact that Oxycontin acts as an artificial stimulant to the body’s pleasure center. As a result, people who become addicted to this drug become less and less interested with obtaining satisfaction from his normal day-to-day activities. That is, instead of enjoying the usual rewards of life, individuals who engage in substance abuse will only find gratification when Oxycontin is taken in large amounts. Soon, personal relationships, places and activities are neglected in order to focus on the acquisition and abuse of this drug. Activities other than ingestion of the drug are considered unimportant. Sadly, people may enter an alternate state of euphoria when drug is ingested and depression when drug is temporarily stopped.

For these individuals to start recovery, they must first admit to themselves that they need help. However, this may be very difficult as somehow realities of these people are already distorted. In this case, the role of the significant others in regulating these substances and bringing these individuals to proper treatment facilities is emphasized. There are a lot of rehabilitation centers available nationwide. Regardless, it is very important the treatment facility is able to provide holistic care to its clients.

Aside from medical help, psychological help is also given to individuals who engage in substance abuse. Most of the time, substance abuse is attributed to the stresses of life. The constant act of running away from problems gives these substance abusers temporary relief from these problems. However, it already becomes a habit as more than running away, euphoria and a false sense of happiness is achieved. Thus, in order to counter the problem of substance abuse, psychological help is given to better guide individuals into facing and solving their own problems.

The decision to stop Oxycontin abuse should start today. Treatment facilities such as Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Recovery Center will help you in facing the tough challenges that await you as you enter the path to being freed from substance addiction. It may be tough at first, but expert professionals are here to guide you as go along the process of rehabilitation. Moreover, seeking help is first and most important to bring the life you had that was once lost due to substance abuse.

For more information about oxycontin abuse or if you are an addict looking for help please call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-906-6911.

Oxycontin abuseis no matter to be taken lightly. In fact, if you know a loved one affected, Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island rehab may be the place for them.

Drug abuse is always a serious thing. It’s a habit that can lead to a log road of self-destruction and despair, and that is a fact. Eventually, it also leads to death. The problem here is that a drug addict is more likely to justify his or here abuse through bad excuses. This means that they will always be constantly trying to talk their way into their next fix. You are there to stop this, and only you, should do this. Whether you’re a family member, a lover, or even just a close friend, you have a duty to get them off this problem today.

Oxycontin is no drug to be taken lightly. is a narcotic pain reliever used to treat moderate to severe pain that is prescribed and not simply sold over the counter. It’s also a strong pain suppressant, and aids those that have to live with chronic pain. This kind of usage is all right, but eventually, others might get their hands on dosages that are not meant for them. It’s also a good idea to remember that oxycontin is an opioid, akin to heroine. This makes it highly addictive, and easy to get hooked on. It’s here that the abuse can begin. And it’s also here where you have to take a stand against their abuse.

But what are the signs of oxycontin abuse? What could be the tell tale symptoms that can lead you to the proper deduction of a person’s addiction? Well, you can watch out for some major signs. However, you can never really catch the symptoms of addiction. Instead, the only time symptoms show is when there is an overdose already. They are as follows.

Seizures and dizziness
A person using oxycontin in abusive amounts will suffer severe dizziness. As well as that, a more sign is a person suffering a seizure caused by the overdose. If you see that your loved one is suffering from dizziness, which has no reason, then keep looking out. That dizziness may evolve into a seizure.

Slow breathing and weakness
A person who has overused oxycontin is sure to have slower breathing and a massive feeling of weakness. This is due to the oxycontin’s nature of being a depressant to the central nervous system. A person may feel extreme tiredness at awkward times of the day.

It’s also a good idea to take note of a person’s prescribed daily dosage. If you spot that they are going way beyond what they need, then chances are they are hooked. They may start seeking out more when it’s clearly not needed. They may even go past your head and start looking for alternative means to find a bottle.

If the signs are evident, and you have seen a loved one show signs of such, then it’s time to move him. There are a lot of places that care enough to provide for addicts, and it may be high time you find a place that offers rehab services. Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island recovery center would be a good place to start.

The setting
What separates a Big Island recovery from the other recovering addiction centers is that they specialize in dual-diagnosis, offer a wide variety of therapy, dolphin assisted psychotherapy, they are a community-based program and they are set in Hawaii. This may seem over the top, but it makes it a perfect place to send your loved one. The island’s natural beauty, the ocean waves crashing down outside and the proximity to a relaxing setting make for a good place to relax. It also brings people away from the hectic lifestyles found in big cities. Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island recovery center is located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. There could be no place more serene than that.

The treatment span
Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island recovery program does not stop at oxycontin. They treat all forms of substance abuse, gambling and sex addiction. If you are dealing with a raging alcoholic, there are treatment programs for that. The same goes with other opioids, marijuana, and stimulant addicted individuals. Their staff is also composed of highly trained doctors and councilors that have dealt with these problems for a long time. Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island treatment is wide, and you can be sure of their programs.

The treatment itself
Treatment of addiction is a sensitive thing. This is why the Big Island treatment plan covers every phase in a full recovery. From admission to continuing care and addict is never left to their own devices after Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island rehab. Their comprehensive plans allow people to rest assured of an addict’s well being. As well as that, addicts are also treated with personal respect. Each form of addiction will be dealt with well. Recovery is swift and meticulous, but at the same time it can be slow. You can be sure to have your loved one treated well there.

If you fear that your loved one has fallen into the grasp of addiction, then there is a far too little you can do as and individual. Beyond just coaxing them to realize they need help, you just need to seek the best professional help you can get. You can fall on Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island recovery center to deal with that. This is because no matter how much you try, you can’t budge a person until they realize what is wrong with them. That’s always been the problem with addiction. If a person is in constant denial about their problems, then they won’t see reason to deal with it. You will eventually feel alone in dealing with this. However, that is simply not true.

You are never alone when dealing with oxycontin abuse, alcoholism and drug addiction. There are professionals just waiting on your call to get your loved one the proper treatment they deserve. You can also think of this as sending them to a vacation away from the problems that may have caused this from the start. If you would like tolearn more about Hawaii Island Recovery’s  Big Island recovery program, please call 866-906-6911.