OxyContin is a class II opiate that is a
narcotic pain reliever, usually given post-operative to persons who
have a major surgery. As such, it is sold on the street for someone to
get high by snorting, crushing the pills, swallowing multiples of the
OxyContin, or even injecting the oxycontin for a faster high. Oxycontin
is a time-release version of oxycodone, so diluting it with water to
inject or crushing it releases the time-release mechanism, making it
easier to overdose. Oxycontin is highly addictive and very hard to quit
cold-turkey. OxyContin addiction treatment centers offer medical personnel to monitor the withdrawal from oxycontin.
When someone is withdrawing from opiates
like oxycontin they have both physical and psychological symptoms.
Physical symptoms include, chills, sweats, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea
and muscle aches and cramps. Psychological symptoms include anxiety,
depressions, panic, and paranoia. A medically supervised detox program
with a professional staff is the safest way to withdraw from opiates.
Inpatient residential treatment programs
offer medical attendance during detox. The first few days in detox are
for removing the toxins from the body and bringing the person to a clear
mind. In the controlled environment, the substance abuser cannot
receive visitors or family until at least a week has passed, and the
intense craving for the drug is relieved.
Persons are also evaluated for
nutritional needs and taught healthy habits of self-care. After the
detox period, the individuals are expected to keep themselves and their
environment clean, participate in group activities, and learn new coping
systems to help them stay clean. After this time, the individual is
allowed supervised visitation with pre-screened persons that will
support their attempt at getting clean.
Residential treatment is the preferred
method for someone who is deep in their addiction, has lost the support
of friends and relationships, and has turned to drug-seekers for their
friendships and companions. Living in a structured and controlled
environment will help the recovering individual avoid drug-seekers while
learning coping behaviours. The individual has to relearn how to be a
responsible and contributing member of society.
Getting clean and sober is just the first
step for the person with a substance abuse problem. Avoiding relapse
and re-entering society are the goals of those who are recovering from a
substance abuse addiction. Often the addicted individual has moved into
anti-social behaviours, and sometimes even criminal behaviours, to
obtain and use their drug. Treatment is focused on more than getting
someone clean; it is also designed to teach a person to seek healthy
behaviours and affirming friendships.
Outpatient treatment centers are for
persons who have already completed the initial detox and withdrawal from
oxycontin. These persons are responsible enough to attend regular
meetings with therapists and support groups, while keeping a full time
job and living on their own unsupervised. The outpatient treatment
center continues the focus of the residential treatment center, but also
requires regular therapeutic sessions with psychiatrists, staff, and
support groups.
Whether the individual chooses an inpatient residential OxyContin addiction treatment
center, or an outpatient treatment facility, the road to recovery will
never end. Relapse prevention and sober living will be the new focus of
the person in recovery.
