What are the signs of OxyContin Addiction?

OxyContin Addiction is seen more now than ever before. OxyContin is a prescription painkiller that is considered to be an opioid analgesic. OxyContin is a high powered and highly addictive Schedule II drug. The fact that it is a Schedule II drug validates its likelihood of becoming addictive.

Like with its sister drug, Vicodin, OxyContin addiction does not take very long to develop. Most often, a physician will dispense OxyContin following an injury or a condition that causes a great deal of pain. Even if the individual takes the medication according to direction the drugs are still altering the brain's chemical make up and the seed for OxyContin addiction will have been planted.

The user will then have to take more and more OxyContin to get the desired results and this is when OxyContin addiction really takes hold of the individual. The natural receptors in the brain can not compete with the opiates and so they shrink and eventually die off. The body also suffers physical symptoms once the drugs have been stopped.

Within roughly 12 hours after the last dose of OxyContin the body will begin to display painful symptoms because it is craving more of the drug. Insomnia, goose bumps, sweating, deep muscle aches, severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting should be expected with OxyContin addiction. OxyContin is more dangerous than other prescription painkillers because it contains more oxycodone than the others as the active ingredient.

OxyContin addiction often leads to heroin addiction once the insurance cuts off the coverage or the prescribing doctor stops writing prescriptions. The effects of both drugs are quite similar but heroin is cheaper and easier to buy on the streets. The street name for OxyContin is "hillbilly heroin."

OxyContin addiction is the reason for countless stories that never seem to have a happy ending. Marriages are crushed, families are torn, finances go bankrupt, relationships are severed, and trust becomes frayed when there is an OxyContin addict around. While it is a long road to recovery, help is available and the addicted individual can turn their life around. They can get back the things, in most cases, that they believed were lost forever.

OxyContin addicts will jump through hoops to get their next fix. They will come up with very clever excuses and like to build a stockpile if they can. In order to do this they will lie to the doctors and the pharmacies, doctor shop, and often even write their own illegal prescriptions if they can get their hands on any tools that will make that effort possible.

It isn't that hard to spot someone that is suffering from OxyContin addiction or other painkiller addictions as the symptoms and the signs are quite apparent. If someone that you love could be suffering from OxyContin addiction then you need to get them help right away before they end up in jail or maybe even worse, dead.

Treatment is available and the addiction cycle can be broken with inpatient help. It is necessary for an individual to enter detox prior to inpatient treatment however; detox does not have to be an uncomfortable experience. During detox a treatment plan will be tailored especially for that individual which will include individual therapy, group and family counseling. These things will help the individual deal with their OxyContin addiction and the pain that it has caused along the way.

After treatment it is common for some to return home while others will move on to a sober living environment but regardless of where the person goes they will still have to fight lifelong cravings and work on their sobriety daily. This can be accomplished by joining support groups such as the 12 Step Program, getting a sponsor, and avoiding places and people that were once associated with drug use.

Any treatment center can claim to teach sobriety but it is not something that can be taught…it has to be experienced. Once the experience of living a well rounded and happy life that is drug free has occurred then with that comes the desire to continue on living that same way.

There is no longer a reason not to reach out for help now the days of chasing money for the day to get high are over…the days of making excuses to hustle money are over the days filled with lies are over the days of trying to find a way to "get right" rather than to get high are over. It is time to pick up the phone and receive the gift of help today! Start living life!

Genesis House Inc. is a leader in addiction treatment and have helped thousands of people recover from the devastating consequences of their addictions. Call 1-800-737-0933 or 561-439-4070 for immediate help and answers. More information is available on our web site http://www.genesishouse.net or please email us at info@genesishouse.net