Clearly, the pharmaceutical opioid problems of the individuals in this sample were part of a larger pattern of alcohol and other drug use—the problems were not “accidental,” secondary to prescribed use for pain or other medical problems. These results also suggest that those who How Addictive Is OxyContin suffer from OxyContin abuse or dependence share many characteristics with those who are dependent on other classes of drugs. Patients who reported any OxyContin use were also likely to have reported the use of hydromorphone, oxycodone, and hydrocodone (25%, 62%, and 70%, respectively). Although these medications were not the focus of our study, it is clear that within this sample of patients entering addiction treatment programs, those who received OxyContin also used other drugs, especially other pharmaceutical opioids.
What are OxyContin (oxycodone) withdrawal symptoms?
Very little data are publicly available for understanding to what extent this marketing practice boosts sales. Regulations eliminating this marketing tool might decrease some potential overprescribing of controlled drugs. Compared with noncontrolled drugs, controlled drugs, with their potential for abuse and diversion, pose different public health risks when overpromoted and highly prescribed. Purdue promoted among primary care physicians a more liberal use of opioids, particularly sustained-release opioids. As part of a separate study, our group of researchers recorded admission drug use reports from all patients entering a large, diverse sample of addiction treatment programs in the United States. These reports were collected using a standardized, validated, and computerized data collection protocol (28–31).
OxyContin Use and Abuse
- The duration and intensity of withdrawal symptoms can vary widely, depending on the extent of the dependence.
- According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), more than 2 million Americans are addicted to prescription painkillers that contain opioids such as oxycodone.
- This deadly cocktail can slow down breathing and cardiac function to the point of complete failure.
- The number of deaths from using heroin has gone up since more heroin now contains fentanyl.
- WebMD talked to experts about OxyContin as a legitimate medication for moderate to severe pain, the dangers of abuse, the issue of addiction, and the climate of suspicion that restricts patients’ access to the drug.
Programs like these can be helpful for some; however, they generally work best for individuals with mild to potentially moderate substance use conditions. However, it is not a viable option for individuals who struggle with severe opioid use, as little accountability is available. They may try to convince loved ones to hand over any opioids they’ve been prescribed if they still have them. Communities where this behavior =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ is expected to hold opioid buybacks to limit the supply of prescriptions floating around unaccounted for. OxyContin, the brand name version of oxycodone, is a highly addictive and relatively inexpensive painkiller.
- While oxycodone can aid in pain management for those struggling, it is also a powerful medication with a high potential for misuse and addiction.
- Or you can contact one of our admissions navigators at for the information and support you are looking for as you seek oxycodone abuse treatment.
- The treatment of oxycodone addiction may include a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy, says Sternlicht.
- Neuroscientists I spoke with who were not involved in the study told me that the findings, if confirmed in future research, have the potential to meaningfully change pain medicine.
- We are a center in the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP).
The Four-Sentence Letter Behind the Rise of Oxycontin
Numerous other recent studies have pointed to other factors regarding the prevalence of Opiate Use Disorders (OUDs). Possible influences vary widely, including pregnancy, ADHD, and just about everything in between. Americans are the world’s largest consumers of drugs and consistently have among the highest rates of opioid and cocaine dependence globally. In my own research, I’ve found that people often describe drug use as a battle between sobriety and death. But the heartbreaking surge in accidental, fatal overdose deaths tells a much more complex story.
Find more top doctors on
This is the most recent data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Perhaps you started taking oxycodone after a medical procedure, like knee surgery. The medication allowed you to feel relaxed, free of pain, and even euphoric so that you could focus on healing. But with Sober living home the right treatment plan and support system, recovery can be within reach. “People seeking care for their mental health conditions should receive high-quality care that is not motivated or driven by greed,” stated United States Attorney Peace.
Approximately one in every three accidental opioid overdoses, in fact, involves mixing prescription opioids and benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium. The risk is so significant that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines in 2016 warning doctors to avoid the combination whenever possible. People prescribed an oxycodone-based painkiller may be suffering from cancer, arthritis, or other physical disorders, or they may receive a short-term prescription after surgery or trauma. Prescription forms of oxycodone are designed to provide around-the-clock relief.
- He also pointed out that, based on preliminary research, MAGL inhibitors seem to cause only minimal side effects in humans, such as slight sedation and lightheadedness.
- With a little know-how, it’s possible to recover from oxycodone dependency or addiction.
- But with the right treatment plan and support system, recovery can be within reach.
- “Medical professionals need to be educated about addictions,” says Peter Provet, PhD, president of Odyssey House Inc., in New York City.