Friday, August 29, 2008

OxyContin Addiction

What is OxyContin? It is the brand name of an opiate painkiller. It is available by prescription only as it is a schedule II drug and is used to treat pain. It is only available as a prescription as it is highly addictive. It is available in pill, capsule or liquid form and its strength ranges from 10mg – 160mg.

Patients take OxyContin to control severe pain. Addicts take the drug to get high. Sometimes patients abuse their prescribed drugs and can develop into addicts by not following directions or by taking more than they need. This addiction manifests itself by repeated and compulsive use of the drug despite adverse physical, social, or psychological conditions. Once at this stage drug rehab is an option to beat the addiction.

What are the signs of OxyContin addiction? Addiction to this drug is very similar to other opiates such as heroin. Withdrawal from OxyContin use will result in many physical symptoms including sweats, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, body pains, and insomnia. Many addicts will seek out a drug rehab center to get them through these symptoms.

Addicts may take the drug orally or use the drug by crushing the pills and injecting the drug, or by snorting it through the nose. This method of ingesting the drug gives an almost immediate high as the time release action is destroyed.

Prevention of addiction is actively being pursued by the manufacturer PurduePharma. Drug rehab programs are also looking at ways to beat addiction and drug abuse.

[tags] oxycontin, drug rehab, drug rehab center, drug rehab programs [/tags[