OxyContin Addiction Treatment, Effects & SympToms
OxyContin (oxycodone) is an opioid pain medicine sometimes known as a narcotic. Taking oxycodone while pregnant might cause life threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Fatal side effects may happen if you use OxyContin with alcohol, or along with other medications that cause nausea.
What Is OxyContin?
OxyContin is a prescription pain medication that’s front and center when it comes to the opioid epidemic. OxyContin is classified as an opioid and a narcotic, and it’s one of the most frequently abused prescription drugs in the U.S. Thousands of people seek OxyContin treatment each year for addiction and dependence.
OxyContin is a brand-name version of the generic narcotic oxycodone. It’s a time-released drug which means that when someone takes it, it’s formulated to have effects released gradually over an extended period of time.
People are prescribed OxyContin to help with various types of acute and also chronic pain, including pain from arthritis, cancer and injuries. The active ingredient, oxycodone, is similar to morphine. Oxycodone is in other frequently prescribed and abused brand-name drugs like Percocet and Percodan.
OxyContin is available in dosage strengths ranging from 10 to 80 mg. Since it is a time-released narcotic, it provides continuous, around-the-clock pain relief. This is compared to immediate-release prescription pain medicines, which usually only provide pain relief for a maximum of four hours.
Learn more about the OxyContin Rehab Process Here
How Does OxyContin Work?
OxyContin binds to opioid receptors to produce effects. Opioid receptors are throughout the central nervous system including in the brain and spinal cord.
When these receptors are activated, the person’s emotional experience of pain is altered, and it also changes how pain signals are sent to the brain.
When the opioid receptors are activated by the use of OxyContin, it can also cause side effects such as drowsiness, sedation, euphoria, pleasurable feelings of well-being, nausea, and vomiting.
OxyContin Treatment Options
If someone is addicted to OxyContin and dependent on it, they will likely benefit from professional treatment. An OxyContin facility and OxyContin treatment facility can vary in format and approach. Many times multiple types of OxyContin treatment are combined into one larger treatment plan.
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OxyContin Detox
The first step of an OxyContin rehab program should be an OxyContin detox. During this time a patient can receive around the clock medical care and monitoring as the drug leaves their system. An OxyContin detox is an important step in the treatment process because the body has to rid itself of the drug before treatment can begin.
Many OxyContin rehab centers have a medical detox on the premises, so patients don’t have to move from one facility to another after completing detox.
Read More: OxyContin Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline
OxyContin Inpatient Treatment
OxyContin inpatient treatment is also referred to as OxyContin residential treatment. OxyContin inpatient treatment is the highest level of care beyond a medical detox.
Inpatient treatment requires patients to stay in the facility overnight for a period of time which is typically around 30 days. Inpatient OxyContin rehab includes constant supervision and support, and therapy and treatment throughout the day.
Exclusive: The Ins and Outs of Inpatient Treatment for OxyContin, The Ups and Downs of a Residential Program
OxyContin PHP
An OxyContin partial hospitalization program or PHP falls somewhere between inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab. These programs are also called day treatment. Often after someone completes an intensive inpatient rehab program, they’ll move into an OxyContin PHP.
During partial hospitalization, patients don’t have to stay overnight in the facility, but they do attend treatment sessions throughout the day.
This can be a good intermediary step before someone moves into a lower level of care.
OxyContin Outpatient Treatment
OxyContin outpatient treatment tends to be the least formal of the rehab programs. It’s usually best if someone does higher levels of treatment before outpatient treatment, but sometimes people begin with OxyContin outpatient rehab.
During outpatient rehab, there is a lot of freedom and flexibility, and participants will usually just attend a few treatment sessions throughout the week.
If you’d like to learn more about OxyContin and addiction treatment for this opioid pain medication, contact our team at Amethyst Recovery.
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