As a co-worker or family member of a suspected person addicted to Oxycontin, it is your job to recognize the signs of addiction without delay.
Oxycontin is an opioid and effective painkiller. Sooner or later, a person may contemplate to abuse it until he/she reaches addiction. Although the general public takes this drug responsibly, it is vital to watch out for the signs to spot an addiction straightaway.
How to Tell if Someone is Addicted to Oxycontin
Despite its use in helping with currently occurring pain, there are still risks. In that case, it is imperative to know the signs pertaining to the drug’s abuse.
Certainly, it is is easier said than done because it is very difficult to spot an addiction in its early stage.
Signs and Symptoms of a person Addicted to Oxycontin
Gradually elevating dosage due to tolerance is a big sign of misapplication. If a person is unable to stop as well as talks about abusing it are just some of the common pointers.
As a matter of fact, combining Oxycontin use with alcohol consumption is also an indication of abuse.
Some of the general symptoms specifically are anxiety, constricted pupils, depression, drowsiness, and poor work performance. Equally important are the other behavioral and health changes that are tell-tale signs. These are enumerated below:
- Change in sleep patterns such as Insomnia
- Chronic fatigue or lethargy
- Crushing, snorting, and injecting Oxycontin
- Deterioration in hygiene
- Development of “I do not care” attitude
- Dishonesty
- Dizziness or seizures
- Dry mouth
- Hallucinations
- Having new friends
- Headaches
- Itchy skin
- Loss or increase in appetite/weight loss
- Intake of Oxycontin with other substances
- Mood changes
- Muscle aches
- Secretiveness
- Short term memory problems
- Sweating
- Thoughts of suicide
- Using Oxycontin recreationally
- Vomiting
Doctor Shopping and Unnoticed Oxycontin Purchases
These are also concerning signs of addiction.
Here, a person buys a doctor’s fake prescription. In the same fashion, he or she may use another person’s prescription and change the name to his or hers
People may also fake their condition by complaining that they are suffering from body pain with hopes to get a dose of a specific drug. In this case, Oxycontin.
As a family member or housemate, you may begin to notice bags or boxes of Oxycotin from various drug stores or online pharmacies. Accordingly, you will observe an unexpected rise in the credit card bill along with anonymous names making purchases.
An equally important tell-tale is the event of missing pills in the med cabinet. It may not happen at your household, yet the pills may be coming from a relative or friend.
Why Do People Get Hooked onto this Opioid?
Again, Oxycontin is a painkiller. As much as this should be the intended motivation, a great number of people utilize the drug beyond that.
Initially, a person may intentionally use the opioid to treat body pain, then eventually use it to improve mood. Subsequently, tolerance will occur. In effect, the person may no longer feel the “rewards” of usage.
Now that tolerance is achieved, the brain is now accustomed to have increasing doses. When the amount of intake is lowered or stopped, it becomes very difficult for the addict. Hence, they increase intake to keep feeling something.
In like manner, some may do so just to feel normal. After a time, these people will already be fully addicted to Oxycontin.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms are similar to the symptoms of abuse. In spite of Oxycontin not being life threatening, withdrawal presents itself as uncomfortable.
Most of the symptoms are observed as flu-like. Some of the withdrawal symptoms associated with Oxycontin abuse are:
- achiness
- insomnia
- nausea or vomiting
- night sweats
Oxycontin’s Mode of Action
To begin with, Oxycontin is a brand of Oxycodone. It is the primary chemical component of Oxycontin.
This opioid is obtainable in pill form. Nevertheless, some people chew, crush, inject, smoke or even snort it.
Oxycodone changes how the brain senses pain to ultimately relieve the feeling. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that Oxycodone notably has serious side effects.
Oxycontin, The Opioid Epidemic
To emphasize, it is a widely abused drug. In fact, the abuse has continued to be even more popular. Owing to the rising supply, demand, how cheap, and how available it is, contribute to its popularity.
This opioid epidemic is so bad to the point that Oxycontin has been related to fentanyl and heroin abuse. Besides, this opioid could possibly be more addictive compared to how some companies advertise it.
With all of these in mind, scientists continually do research to help people avoid overdoses.
Treatment and Detox from Oxycontin
Firstly, the drug has a very bad grip on its victims. For this reason, going cold turkey will do more harm than good.
One must remember that admitting your condition is the first step to recovery.
Consulting a physician is a better alternative as compared to going cold turkey. Here, you have access to supplements and medications to help you overcome withdrawal symptoms.
Also, you will have a conducive and caring environment. Coupled with that is the fact that your progress is closely monitored meanwhile detox process is ongoing.
Below is a list of drugs used to help people addicted to Oxycontin:
1. Clonidine
A detox might be painful. In contrast, some drugs, such as Clonidine helps you overcome withdrawal with less pain. This helps detox by easing irritability, reducing agitation, alleviating anxiety, and making the symptoms of withdrawal even more bearable.
2. Suboxone
This enables you to feel euphoria without using harmful opioids. On the negative side, treatment with this drug needs close monitoring for fear of abuse.
3. Naltrexone
Naltrexone assists in regulating the euphoria you have felt due to Oxycontin. However, doctors advise patients to take Naltrexone 12 months or 1 year after detox.
Furthermore, do not use other opioids while taking Naltrexone. Otherwise, you should expect severe side effects
Conclusion
Recognizing whether a person is suffering from Oxycontin addiction is difficult, but not impossible. The key to success is to be very observant of its signs and symptoms no matter how subtle they may be.
Namely, doctor shopping and unnoticed Oxycontin purchases are just some of the possible scenarios to look out for. Certainly, you need to be aware of these before your loved one or friend succumbs to further addiction.
Share this with your colleagues or friends who might also be having a hard time looking after an individual they suspect to be addicted to this opioid.
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