OxyContin, a type of opiate, is a very powerful medication for pain. An individual who abuses this drug for very long spans of time develops some kind of love-hate relationship towards the drug. They can love the feeling that the pills are giving them and hate it once withdrawal symptoms appear when they try to end their usage. These symptoms of withdrawal can be very strong. As a matter of fact, users may not even think about ending their consumption due to the difficulties and discomforts that it comes with.
A supervised detox program for OxyContin may help. This is where addicts will get assistance for their painful withdrawal symptoms and for the management of their developing desire to get freedom from the OxyContin addiction until he becomes strong enough for recovery.
Withdrawal From OxyContin
When addicts take opiates such as OxyContin, the substance latches to particular brain receptors, leading to the increased production of certain chemicals and lessening others’ influences. Little by little, the person’s body starts to adjust according to its changing environment. It turns into the normal’s new version. Once the addict tries to end his usage, his body responds with panic. It throws down so many types of symptoms.
Withdrawal
Early symptoms may be mild and may include:
- Sweating
- Sore muscles
- Agitation or anxiety
- Watery eyes
- Insomnia
- More severe withdrawal can include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dilated pupils
- Abdominal cramping and diarrhea
- Goosebumps
OxyContin addiction can be a threat to one’s life. That is the real risk which hides within the problems of withdrawal. Having an intense fight with the symptoms can be difficult to endure. However, things can get worse if the addict is aware that just that little pill can make him feel better again. If he can overcome withdrawal without experience this, he can be stronger when faced with recovery.
Where Care Is Provided
For OxyContin detox, there are two key venues – the inpatient and outpatient programs.
As said by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellent, inpatient programs have been designed to assist people who, most likely, have prolonged withdrawal. They can be using and abusing other types of drugs, have medical complications which need monitoring or mental health problems which can become worse.
At AION Recovery we make sure patients get an around-the-clock consulting health and medical care access. They can make sure that their issues will be solved in a timely manner. Once something fails, they would no longer need to head to clinics or call for other people’s help.
Inpatient programs can be advantageous for patients who are not yet a hundred percent dedicated to a recovery that is long-term. These individuals may feel a more intense liability to get into detox programs, but will never engage in any form of follow-up appointment. When it starts to be inconvenient, they will just get out of it anytime they want to. This is more complicated to do with inpatient programs.
Duration
Commonly, detox programs last up to several days to weeks. This depends on the addict’s overall health, as well as the OxyContin amount that he uses regularly. Higher drug doses can take longer for the addict to recover from.
In the type of world where we are in today, there are people who see a week-long detoxification to be unpleasant. They would rather consume a pill, have their weekend spent and get a clean body after. The popular “rapid detoxification” may appear to be the best idea for patients. They will be sedated, will receive drugs, get detoxified and wake up feeling no symptoms. This can be real and according to some study seen in Pharmacopsychiatry, it is really true in some cases. However, there are instances when patients die due to this type of procedure. OxyContin withdrawal can cause vomiting. If an addict is sedated, he will not be able to release it. Regular detox programs do not give you this kind of risk. Here at the AION Recovery, we provide refferals to a social model type of detox with the help of credible consulting physicians. We have comprehensive programs for treatment after the detox.
Medications To Be Given
As said earlier, medications given by consulting physicians may help patients in managing OxyContin withdrawal symptoms. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says that methadone and buprenorphine are two of the medicines usually used during these detox programs. Also, doctors will need to determine whether you have to get medications or not and which medications are the best for you. Unlike opiates, these medications will not cause a “high” or any form of euphoria. However, they confuse the body and make it believe that it is getting OxyContin. With that, the withdrawal symptoms and the drug cravings tend to be dissipated while the addict is under the influence of the medications.
On the other hand, there are people who have really intense tolerance for these types of medications because of the years they have spent using the drug. They, too, can see that the medications they were given earlier in the process are no longer helping them in any way. What consulting doctors do is that they monitor patients closely during the start of the medication therapy. This is to be certain that the patient is comfortable. This aims to give the patient the feeling of being normal, not too relaxed and not too painful.
Supplementary Change
The detox process does not only mean taking medications and resting. It means that the addict has decided to engage in something powerful and prevailing and that choice should be supported and nurtured. This is yet another benefit of the detox program. The patient should be motivated to:
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise
- Eat well
Take a physical exam, and start to solve other physical complaints.
Treatment for OxyContin Addiction
A licensed rehab treatment center like Aion Recovery Center in South Florida uses an evidence-based recovery model can help you or a loved one address your OxyContin addiction problem. Call us today at 888-811-2879 to speak with one of our admissions counselors to determine which type of treatment is best suited for you and how much your health insurance plan will cover for your treatment.
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