Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers

Oxycontin/Oxycontin Addiction

Oxycontin is a synthetic opiate (an opioid) developed to manage pain. The time release formula is intended to last for up to 12 hours and thus prevent the pain spiking that occurs with shorter acting opiates. In tablet form the drug is available in doses from 5 mg to 80 mg.

Oxycontin addiction has risen exponentially in the last ten years, especially in young adult addicts, 18-25 years old. The drug is crushed and snorted or injected thus giving an intense high. Like other opiates, oxycontin is rapidly addicting and tolerance to the drug grows quickly necessitating larger and larger amounts for the same effect. Very often addicts obtain the drug from legal prescriptions given to family members, but oxycontin is also available on the street in most towns and cities. According to the Administrator of the Federal Substance Abuse Administration, “The non-medical use of prescription pain-relievers is the second most prevalent form of drug abuse in the nation.”

The immediate action of the drug taken in crushed form is euphoria followed by a growing apathy. Parents of young adults often mistake the apathetic demeanor for depression. Oxycontin intoxication produces an effect called “nodding” where the addict is arousable, but seemingly asleep. Oxycontin addiction also impairs judgement, attention, concentration and memory.
Except in the case of overdose, withdrawal from oxycontin and other opiates is rarely life threatening. Acute withdrawal generally lasts for up to 72 hours and is marked by sweating, muscle spasms, chills and fever, nausea and vomiting. At Lakeside, non-addictive medications are used to alleviate acute withdrawal symptoms while surrounding the patient with the care and concern of the patient’s counseling group. Post acute withdrawal symptoms like drug craving, sleep disturbance and oversensitivity to stress may last up to six months and patients are taught to recognize the symptoms and use recovery tools to help alleviate them. All patients at Lakeside come to understand that their disesase is treatable and that the path to recovery begins with a commitment to abstain from all psychoactive drugs.

Contact us now at Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers for FREE Drug & Alcohol evaluations...

Call local: (425) 823-3116 or toll free: (800) 231-4303 or email us confidentially