How Long Does It Take To Get Addicted To Oxycontin
How Long Does It Take To Get Addicted To Oxycontin
Oxycontin is a narcotic often prescribed by doctors for pain relief. Oxycontin contains either natural or synthetic opium and while it is an effective pain killer it also highly addictive. In fact, some people become addicted to this drug in as little as 5 days. Many people who become addicted to Oxycontin do so by starting our trying to be responsible and following their doctor’s advice.
What Makes Boycotting So Addictive
Oxycontin affects the brain by blocking pain and triggering the release of dopamine, which makes people feel good almost happy. However, this feeling doesn’t last long and you want to get back that feel-good feeling.
In addition, the body quickly adjusts to the effects of oxycontin (which is known as building a tolerance) and you need more and more of the drug to have the same pain-relieving effects that the drug originally induced. Once a person becomes dependent on the drugs they don’t feel normal when they are not taking it.
Addiction occurs when a person’s desire to reduce or stop using the drug is not enough to accomplish that goal. They are not only unable to stop using the drug but find themselves unable to control their need for greater and greater and great amounts.
In the end, their compulsion to get their hands on the drug overrides every other thing in their life. They will lie, cheat and steal in able to support their growing habit.
Addiction to Oxycontin can be difficult to overcome because repeated use of the drug renders the brain unable to release dopamine when oxycontin isn’t pleasant.
In addition, stopping the drug results in some very nasty side effects. Withdrawal from this drug results in aches and pains, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, chills, and feeling like you are dying. And underneath all of these withdrawal symptoms, the brain is still craving the drug.
Treatments for Oxycontin Addiction
Successful treatments for oxycontin addiction often includes the use of other medicines such as methadone, which can help relieve withdrawal symptoms and reduce the cravings for the drug. Taking these medications may be needed over a long period of time sometimes years or over a person’s lifetime.
To increase the effectiveness of treatment medication is often used in combination with psychotherapy.
In many cases residential treatment may be needed for an extended period of time as a 30 or 90-day program simply may not be long enough to help distance the individual from their cravings. In many cases including family during therapy can help many addicts recover faster and stay on the right track. However, do keep in mind that there are cases when treatment does not take the first time and a person may have to go undergo treatment two, three or more time before they experience success. However, need the addict or their family should ever give up on treatment since it is the only way of overcoming their addiction and maintaining sobriety.