Oxycontin Abuse
OxyContin, a prescription painkiller similar to morphine,
is a relatively new drug that has already earned a reputation
for being a high-priced street drug. While not yet an
epidemic, OxyContin abuse has become a serious enough
problem to alert medical practitioners, healthcare professionals
and insurance companies. Current legislation limiting
the manufacture, distribution and sale of OxyContin
is now being decided in legal arenas.
Like other addictive prescription drugs, OxyContin
abuse short-circuits your body's chemical balance, artificially
stimulating the pleasure centers in your brain. In cancer
patients and other people suffering from debilitating
pain, this effect is necessary. In those engaging in
OxyContin abuse, it can be deadly.
As OxyContin abuse changes the way your brain works,
it also circumvents your psychological makeup, causing
users to derive more pleasure in OxyContin abuse than
they do in normal life. As the abuse continues, the
body adapts, developing an increased tolerance for the
drug and producing powerful drug cravings and drug-seeking
behavior.
The physical side effects of OxyContin abuse can be
severe and extremely uncomfortable. OxyContin abuse
can produce side effects similar to morphine addiction.
Over time, increased dosage and the development of tolerance
can cause cold sweats, diarrhea, insomnia, muscle and
bone pain, restlessness, involuntary leg movement, vomiting,
nausea and severe stomach cramps. Like other addictive
drugs, OxyContin abuse can also cause serious withdrawal
symptoms, including seizure, convulsions and death.
Characteristic of all substance abuse problems, OxyContin
abuse cannot be treated effectively at home, but requires
close supervision by a trained medical professional.
Because OxyContin affects the brain's chemical make-up,
drug abusers who attempt to detox at home will experience
severe withdrawal symptoms. In a medical environment,
these symptoms can be eased and the addict undergoing
detox made more comfortable.
Treatment Referral provides referrals to rehabs that
effectively treat all forms of substance abuse, addressing
the behavioral and thinking patterns that directly contribute
to the individual's disease and ensuring patients have
a meaningful recovery. If OxyContin abuse might be a
problem for you or someone you love, we encourage you
to give Treatment Referral a call today to learn more
about our treatment options. 800.399.3612
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