How OxyContin Addiction Begins

It is possible to take this medication without the probability of becoming addicted if taken carefully and monitored. However, people are often reissued a prescription for the drug with a less-than-adequate assessment of genuine ongoing need. OxyContin abuse symptoms may be subtle at first, and some users begin to have problems with addiction without their physician’s knowledge. When users begin taking more than is needed for pain control, especially in situations where the goal is to get high, there could be an addiction problem forming. OxyContin addiction is characterized by the repeated, compulsive use of a substance despite adverse social, psychological, and/or physical consequences.

For some people who reap the benefits of legitimate pain relief, the thought of becoming addicted would seem ridiculous, but virtually any OxyContin user is at equal risk for addiction regardless of socio-economic background. For this reason, it’s especially beneficial for anyone living with someone who is taking OxyContin to be aware of possible signs of addiction and seek OxyContin treatment help when needed.

Initial Signs of OxyContin Addiction

One of the initial signs that an addiction is forming is when a user begins to decrease a dose or attempts to cease taking the drug following instructions from the physician. At this point, the addict will feel a sense of panic and urgency to commence treatment again. For some, this feeling alone can be enough to force an individual into obtaining the drug via illicit (non-prescribed) methods.

Some of the wider recognized OxyContin addiction symptoms include:

• Sleep disturbance/insomnia
• Joint and muscle pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Nervous anxiety/irritability (particularly if the drug is withheld)

A lot of these signs could be attributed to pertain to someone who is drunk and simply need to sleep it off. But with continued interpretations of this assumption, it is wise to look more closely at what this person is taking. With most of these OxyContin addiction symptoms, the longer a person is dependent on the drug, the more the symptoms are likely to appear. What starts out as a legitimate use of a drug for pain relief becomes an integral addiction of both a physical and psychological nature. (Watch this OxyContin video.)

How OxyContin Addiction Increases

OxyContin is prescribed at various dosage levels, predominantly dependant on the nature and severity of pain being treated. For those taking the drug strictly as prescribed, the doctor’s recommended dosage should be adequate to relieve the pain for which the drug was prescribed.

When the prescribed dosage seems to lose its effects, addiction levels tend to increase and a patient decides to take an additional dose to regain the level of pain relief previously enjoyed. This self-medication often leads to overuse, and the prescription subsequently runs out early. In an effort to hide what has essentially become an abuse of the medication, users often seek out other sources for OxyContin. Some visit other doctors hoping for a fresh prescription for the pain reliever. Others go on to purchase the drug at “street level” in order to feed the increased habit.

How to Determine OxyContin Addiction and Manage it

It’s very difficult to gauge an addiction level of OxyContin. However, physicians are often able to ascertain how serious the addiction may have become by monitoring a patient’s use, dependence and behavior. This is pivotal to monitoring and prohibiting the possibility of addiction. Unfortunately, “doctor shopping” (changing from doctor to doctor to get prescriptions filled) has become more common, thus making it difficult to monitor. Detoxification is then required in all cases of chemical addiction. Withdrawal symptoms associated with a decreased dose or discontinued use of the drug can be unbearable and need to be handled by medical professionals in a suitable environment.

It is possible to revert back to a normal life following an addiction to OxyContin. The important factor is recognizing that an addiction exists at all which can be a problem for many people who begin using the drug for legitimate medical purposes. Denial of addiction often gets in the way of seeking help. Addiction is often viewed as a negative and “dirty” word that people have great difficulty associating with themselves. Often, it is only when the problem becomes unmanageable that those who have become addicted seek help. By this time, in-depth treatment is required by means of physical detoxification and psychological input.

OxyContin Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with an OxyContin addiction, we can help. Please call the toll free number at (866) 872-6490. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your questions on OxyContin treatment and addiction.

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