OxyContin Detox Centers

The rampant diversion and nonmedical use of prescription painkillers in America is no secret. It is a problem that has been on the rise over the last decade and prescribing practices are actively being retooled to slow the abuse of these drugs.

OxyContin’s primary ingredient is oxycodone, an opioid, and the drug is prescribed for patients with terminal cancer, chronic pain conditions, and moderate to severe pain. It is often diverted from these legitimate medical uses into recreational avenues. People who illicitly use the medication often find themselves with and addiction. Deviations from the prescription directions lead to dependence and addiction.

The number of lifetime nonmedical users of oxycodone increased from 11.8 million to 13.7 million between 2002 and 2003 alone. But, so do people who have a prescription. If you are one of these users, you had a very high chance of developing a dependence upon this schedule II drug. OxyContin actually shares a lot of traits with heroin, so it shouldn’t be thought of as a safe high.

OxyContin addiction requires structured, professional drug rehab, as it is one of the more difficult addictions to break. But, before treatment begins, users need to remove the drug from their system and that happens in detoxification. Many people believe that they can handle detoxification on their own, but it really isn’t advisable in instances of OxyContin addiction because the withdrawal symptoms are crippling and make relapse the most common outcome of home detox.

The following discussion will explain detox and cover the withdrawal symptoms. You should gain an understanding of the role that professional detoxification can play in your recovery from OxyContin abuse. To learn more about the process or to locate a detox center that meets your needs, call 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?).

What Exactly Is Detox?

You probably have some understanding of the process. You know that it involves removing toxins from your body. In this case, the toxins are drugs and alcohol. During detox, you transition from actively intoxicated to a drug and alcohol free position.

But, detox is more than just getting sober. It is actually the name for the interventions used to manage the process of getting sober. Professional detox employs a number of methods to ease or entirely alleviate your withdrawal symptoms. In addition, it works to, in the words of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “minimize the physical harm caused by the abuse of substances.”

When you undergo professional detox, you have complete, comprehensive care available, meaning not only are your withdrawals addressed, but so are co-occurring mental and physical conditions. This is especially important for users who had a clinical need for the OxyContin. Removing it from the system leaves that condition unaddressed and that can greatly impact your efforts at detoxing.

What Sort of Withdrawal Symptoms Should I Expect?

Having co-occurring health issues can worsen OxyContin withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms and their severity will vary, depending upon a number of factors, including:

• History of drug use
• Presence of other addictions
• Tolerance of user
• General health of user
• The size of doses

The greater the severity of the addiction, the greater the severity of the symptoms. If your body and brain have a high degree of dependence upon the OxyContin, they will respond more dramatically to its absence and that increases the level of the symptoms.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, opioid withdrawal (like that experienced by OxyContin users) includes the following symptoms:

• High blood pressure
• Increase in pulse rate
• Increase in respiratory rate
• High body temperature
• Trouble sleeping
• Dilated pupils
• Abnormally heightened reflexes
• Perspiring
• Goose bumps
• Tearing
• Yawning
• Runny nose
• Muscle spasms
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Bone and muscle pain
• Anxiety

In addition to these withdrawal symptoms, you may also develop secondary health concerns as a result of withdrawal. For example, diarrhea and vomiting may lead to dehydration and/or an electrolyte imbalance and these conditions will need to be treated. It is unlikely you would be able to competently handle this during a home detox.

How Will Professional Detox Help Me?

Professional detox for OxyContin abuse involves:

• Medication for opioid withdrawals: methadone, clonidine, or buprenorphine
• Medications for symptoms not addressed by other treatments
• Therapy
• Education on withdrawal and its treatment

In conjunction, these components ease or entirely eliminate the discomfort of withdrawal and increase your retention in the program.

To learn more about what to expect in treatment, call 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?). We can help you to envision a day in detox and to understand its impact on your recovery.