OxyContin® Addiction

It can be difficult living with an OxyContin addiction. Struggling with such an addiction can be life consuming. The alcohol and drug rehab center at Cirque Lodge Is here to help. Cirque Lodge is a private and exclusive OxyContin addiction treatment program in the mountains of Sundance Utah. We specialized in providing the finest experience available in prescription drug treatment. Call 1-877-997-3422, for effective addiction treatment and drug rehab help for you or your loved one.

OxyContin abuse and addiction is a fairly new problem facing Americans. OxyContin® is a brand name for the pain reliever oxycodone (an opioid) and hydrochloride. It is a fairly new drug which was approved by the FDA in 1995. This drug, available by prescription only, is mainly used to relieve severe, chronic pain usually associated with injuries, arthritis, bursitis and cancer. It helps relieve pain by blocking the pain messengers sent to the brain and by releasing dopamine, a chemical that the body produces to relax or cause feeling of euphoria. Because of this, OxyContin addiction is becoming more common because of its misuse. The tablets have become a favorable pain reliever because of its time-release capsules. This drug is only taken every twelve hours, instead of other pain relievers that are taken every three to six hours. Oxycodone hydrochloride is prescribed to decrease pain, and help to improve function and mobility. If you or a loved one is suffering from an abuse of this drug, please call the drug rehab program at Cirque Lodge today for immediate assistance. Our toll-free number is 1-877-997-3422.

OxyContin is Classified as an Opioid

Other Brands of Abused Opioids

Percocet® Lorcet® Lortab® Vicodin® Hycodan® Roxicet® Percodan®

An opioid is a class of drug that is prescribed for its pain relieving properties. Used in a prudent manner to manage pain, opioids have not been shown to cause addiction. It is when this class of drug is used beyond the prescribed doses that addiction is likely to occur.

Some of the more commonly known drugs that are classified as opioids include morphine and codeine. Morphine is a very powerful pain reliever and is typically used either before or after surgery. It is also used in terminally-ill patients to provide a level of comfort for those patients in their final stages of a disease. Codeine, though still in this same class, is a less powerful pain reliever, and is typically prescribed for milder pain management, such as after a visit to a dentist or to help relieve coughing. Other well-known opioids are Darvon, Vicodin and Demerol.

Opioids are effective for pain management because they attach to certain proteins, called opioid receptors. These receptors are found throughout the body, specifically in the brain and spinal cord. When an opioid attaches itself to the brain or in the spinal cord, it modifies the way the body responds to pain. The brain will also respond to an opioid by providing a sense of pleasure or euphoria. Since an opioid can cause drowsiness or depress breathing, overuse could lead to respiratory failure, even with a single large dose.

OxyContin Abuse

Abuse of OxyContin occurs when the drug is taken in any other way than as prescribed. Because of OxyContin's time-release capsule, it contains a higher dose of oxycodone hydrochloride. By abusing this drug, the body develops a tolerance to its affects. The individual soon needs to take more and more OxyContin to get the pleasurable feeling that one or two doses previously provided to relieve the pain. This practice of prescription drug abuse can lead to addiction.

Abuse is taking the drug to get high. Problems occur when the capsule is chewed or crushed, which destroys the time-release feature. The effects create a euphoric high. Abuse usually happens as a result of misuse and leads to need addiction treatment.

OxyContin Dependence

OxyContin Withdrawal Symptoms

Hot/Cold Sweats Heart Palpitations Joint and Muscle Pain Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Insomnia Runny Eyes / Nose

OxyContin dependence occurs when the prescription drug is abused. An individual may be addicted to this drug if the pain is gone, yet he/she may still seek for the medication. The body yearns to have the pleasurable affects of the drug. It soon becomes an obsession that consumes an individual's mind and body. We invite you to find addiction recovery. Addiction can occur when an OxyContin pill is crushed and snorted or injected into the body. The effects are similar to those of heroin. The pain messengers to the brain are blocked. Also the amount of dopamine is increased, causing feelings of pleasure and euphoria.

On the street, OxyContin is also referred to as "Oxycotton," "O.C.," "Killer," and "Hillbilly Heroin". OxyContin, if taken as prescribed, will not usually cause addiction. A dependence develops mostly in individuals who are already addicts of other kinds of drugs. These individuals usually seek out the drug to obtain the spectacular high when it is crushed. OxyContin addiction can be accompanied by physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and tolerance. The sudden absence of OxyContin in the body of an addict can lead to signs of withdrawal, including anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, vomiting, and severe stomach cramps.

Individuals who take large doses of OxyContin are at risk of developing respiratory depression, which can lead to death. OxyContin can also be proved fatal if abused with any other chemical substance, including alcohol. A major concern with OxyContin abuse is for new users of the drug. If an individual’s body has not built up a tolerance to the oxycodone hydrochloride, and the drug is abused by crushing, snorting, or injecting, OxyContin can prove to be fatal.

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For individuals and/or families that are concerned about OxyContin abuse, Cirque Lodge offers a personalized prescription drug treatment plan. Upon admittance, an individual receives a comprehensive assessment to allow the treatment staff at Cirque Lodge to fully understand the needs of that individual. The treatment staff at Cirque Lodge will then develop a OxyContin addiction treatment program that is individualized to best help the resident on their road to recovery.

Cirque Lodge, located in Sundance Utah, provides the best opportunity for a long-term recovery. For more information about OxyContin addiction, please our private drug rehab center at 1-877-997-3422.