The Opioid Epidemic: Its Time to Place Blame Where It Belongs PMC

The best way to get through withdrawal from oxycodone and reduce the chances of relapse is with therapy, support groups and medication. Therapy and support groups help people suffering from oxycodone addiction overcome the psychological compulsion to use while medications can reduce the discomfort that comes with withdrawal. Although oxycodone brings relief for many people suffering from traumatic pain, the dangers of the drug are becoming more clear than ever. Due to the euphoric effects of oxycodone, many people abuse the drug despite the risks. Those who begin abusing oxycodone on a regular basis are likely to develop a dependence on and/or an addiction to the drug.

Oxycodone Addiction Treatment

Many people who abuse oxycodone start out by taking a prescribed amount — but as their body develops a tolerance to the drug, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ they need a higher dose to maintain the same relief or high. If you have been using this medicine regularly for several weeks or longer, do not change your dose or suddenly stop using it without checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help prevent worsening of your condition and reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, such as stomach cramps, anxiety, fever, nausea, restlessness, runny nose, sweating, tremors, or trouble sleeping.

Signs Of An OxyContin Addiction

Using too much of this medicine may cause infertility (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children. Do not use this medicine if you are using or have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, isocarboxazid Marplan®, linezolid Zyvox®, phenelzine Nardil®, selegiline Eldepryl®, tranylcypromine Parnate®) within the past 14 days.

Dying for Relief

In certain parts of the country, the crackdown on illegal use of OxyContin has made it hard for pain patients to get legitimate prescriptions. “Medical professionals need to be educated about addictions,” says Peter Provet, PhD, president of Odyssey House Inc., in New York City. “A problem with addicts is they don’t like pain of any kind. They’ve been medicating their emotional pain, physical pain, or familial pain. The addict is quick to ask for a pill, but sometimes we have to deal with our pain. Take your prescribed dose every 12 hours at the same time every day. To this day, physicians frequently contact Purdue with questions about dosing. Only 12-hour dosing has been proved safe, the company tells them.

• Kipp, who had a bachelor’s degree in plant science from the University of Delaware, said she followed his instructions precisely.
• Oxycodone has a risk for abuse and addiction, which can lead to overdose and death.
• Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended.
• This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it.
• In the clinical study, designed and overseen by Purdue scientists and paid for by the company, 90 women were given a single dose of the drug while other patients were given short-acting painkillers or placebos.
• Oxycodone extended-release capsules or tablets should not be used if you need pain medicine for just a short time, such as when recovering from surgery.

Never crush or break an OxyContin tablet to inhale the powder or mix it into a liquid to inject the drug into your vein. Serious breathing problems may be more likely in older adults and in those who are debilitated or have wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders. Store tablets securely, out of sight and reach of children, and in a location not accessible by others, including visitors to the home. You should not use OxyContin if you have how addictive is oxycontin severe asthma or breathing problems, or a blockage in your stomach or intestines. “I find it misleading how a product can be marketed as lasting 12 hours when it doesn’t,” he wrote of his experience. “He who sells 40mg” ­­ the largest pill available at the time ­­ “will win the battle,” the manager wrote.