How OxyContin Affects Your Brain

When you take OxyContin (or any other opiate pain medicine, for that matter) a few things happen. The pain receptors in your brain are impacted, and OxyContin works quickly to block your brain from communicating pain messages. It does not cure pain, as you are most certainly still injured or sore from surgery, but the sensation of pain has been blocked. Your brain is a very smart organ. It soon figures out that the OxyContin is blocking this pain message and works to overcome the drug as fast as possible. You may need to take more and more of the drug to achieve the same effects that you felt at the first use. Soon you develop a tolerance to the drug, and some users begin taking as many as 40 pills in one day in order to feel any pain relief at all.

The other thing that OxyContin does in your brain is produce a mild feeling of euphoria or a hazy feeling. Not everyone who takes this drug feels this euphoria, but some people find it very addictive. This side effect happens as OxyContin slightly dulls the senses, and this effect can cause you to build a tolerance to the OxyContin as well. Once a person has built a tolerance to OxyContin, he or she may become dependent on the drug to feel normal. Once you are dependent on OxyContin, you may feel strong cravings for the drug, or you may feel painful withdrawal feelings when you cannot get OxyContin.

Withdrawal Symptoms of OxyContin

Withdrawal happens when a person has become addicted to a drug. There are many ways you can feel withdrawal symptoms, and all of them may be cause for concern. Please seek help today if you experience:

• Feelings of nausea or illness when you do not take the drug
• Shaky hands or tremors when you do not take OxyContin
• Irritability or unusual behavior that is out of character when you miss OxyContin
• A powerful urge to hide the behavior caused by OxyContin
• Shame, worry, or remorse over OxyContin use.

Help for OxyContin Addiction after Surgery

It’s normal to feel pain after surgery or an injury and to take medication to manage such pain. But when OxyContin use becomes dangerous, it is time to find help. We offer a completely confidential, toll-free helpline that is staffed by experienced counselors. We can help you learn more about OxyContin dependence and OxyContin addiction. We are available 24 hours a day to put you in touch with the best treatment options available and help you get your life back on track.

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