Understanding OxyContin Abuse

Learn About OxyContin Addiction

OxyContin, which is the brand name for the substance oxycodone, is a potent prescription medication that is able to alleviate individuals from moderate to severe physical pain. Serving as a narcotic opioid, OxyContin is scheduled as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning that there is high likelihood for abuse and addiction to develop from the use of this drug. While OxyContin works successfully to help reduce the pain felt by those who struggle with physical discomfort, it can also bring on feelings of pleasure, euphoria, relaxation, and more that cause individuals to continually abuse it to achieve these effects. However, abusing a substance such as this can lead to both mental and physical dependence. As soon as a dependency or an addiction to OxyContin develops, it can be tremendously challenging to defeat it without the help of professionals. Luckily, there are many treatment options available that can help individuals who find themselves stuck in this pattern of OxyContin abuse.

Statistics

OxyContin Addiction Statistics

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), roughly 26.4 and 36 million people abuse opioids across the globe. Within the United States alone, NIDA states that nearly 2.1 million people battle with substance use disorders related to prescription painkillers like OxyContin. In addition, the number of deaths connected to prescription pain medication overdoses has quadrupled since 1999.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and Risk Factors for OxyContin Addiction

The risk factors and causes that can affect an individual’s likelihood of abusing opioids like OxyContin can include:

Genetic: The American Psychiatric Association (APA) states that genetic factors play a significant role in whether or not an individual will be susceptible to suffer from opioid use disorder. Those who have family members who battle with this form of addiction are more likely to follow in the same footsteps as those who do not share this genetic background. In addition, the APA reports that specific temperamental factors can affect whether or not an individual is attracted to abusing a drug such as OxyContin, as these temperaments can often be genetically detected.

Environmental: The environments in which an individual is exposed to can play a major role in increasing one’s likelihood of developing an OxyContin addiction. Being amongst peers who abuse substances like OxyContin can heighten an individual’s risk of engaging in similar behavior. Also, having easy access to OxyContin can also make his or her use more likely. Additionally, battling with a physical pain problem that requires the use of prescription painkillers like OxyContin can also increase an individual’s risk for substance abuse.

Risk Factors:

Being male (The APA states that rates of opioid use disorder are higher in males than they are in females.)
Associating with peers who abuse drugs, including OxyContin
Personal history of conduct disorder in childhood
Family history of substance abuse
Having gone through surgery or suffering from an injury or complex pain condition that warrants the prescribing of a pain medication

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of OxyContin Addiction

The signs and symptoms of opioid use disorder, including OxyContin addiction, will be based on an individual’s frequency in using the drug and how much he or she is consuming at once. Some of the potential symptoms of OxyContin abuse can include:

Behavioral symptoms:

Continuing to abuse OxyContin despite the onset of disturbances in functioning
Planning and attending to daily activities in a way that is centered on obtaining or using OxyContin
Relationship disturbances
Slurred speech
Social withdrawal
No longer participating in activities that were enjoyed
Visiting multiple doctors in order to obtain multiple prescriptions of the drug
Engaging in regular patterns of OxyContin use
Failing to fulfill obligations at home or at work
Using the substance in situations that are physically dangerous (e.g. driving while being high on OxyContin)

Physical symptoms:

Psychomotor agitation or retardation
Pupil constriction
Drowsiness

Cognitive symptoms:

Impaired judgment
Impairment in memory
Experiencing continued cravings to use OxyContin
Impairment in attention

Psychosocial symptoms:

Apathy
Feeling in a state of unease (dysphoria)
Euphoria

Effects

Effects of OxyContin Addiction

The abuse of OxyContin can bring about a variety of upset within an individual’s life. All areas of functioning, such as within social, personal, familial, and occupational settings, can be dangerously impacted by the continued use of this substance. In addition, an individual’s physical health can be placed in harm’s way when the use of OxyContin continues. Some of the many different effects that can develop can include:

Marital discord
Visual disturbances
Disturbances within social relationships
Vital organ damage
Decline in occupational functioning, potentially resulting in job loss and subsequent financial strain
Injured veins / track marks (in those who inject the drug)
Dry mouth
Onset of new, or exacerbation of current, symptoms of other mental health conditions
Constipation
Familial strife

Co-Occurring Disorders

OxyContin Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders

When individuals are battling with opioid use disorder, they are placing themselves at risk for having a number of symptoms connected to other mental health issues develop as well. Some of the disorders known by the APA to commonly co-occur with opioid use disorder can include:

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Persistent depressive disorder
Other substance use disorders
Major depressive disorder

Withdrawal & Overdose

Know the Effects of OxyContin Withdrawal & Overdose

Effects of OxyContin withdrawal: When an individual stops abusing OxyContin, he or she puts himself or herself at risk for withdrawal. During this time, individuals can experience serious distress and/or impairment in their functional abilities. Some of the symptoms of OxyContin withdrawal can include:

Dysphoric mood
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Nausea
Insomnia
Fever
Dilation of pupils
Sweating

Effects of OxyContin overdose: The more that an individual continues to abuse OxyContin, the more likely he or she is at risk for overdosing. This heightened risk becomes possible because an individual’s body will grow tolerant to the substance, meaning that more of the substance will be required in order to obtain the same effect. Once an individual consumes more of a substance than he or she is capable of handling, an overdose can occur. Overdosing should be treated as a medical emergency. Signs and symptoms of an OxyContin overdose can include: