OxyContin is a controlled-release form of oxycodone, a prescription medication used to relieve moderate or severe pain. OxyContin is an opioid narcotic with an extremely high potential for misuse. According to an article recently published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “OxyContin diversion and abuse has become a major problem in certain areas of the United States, particularly rural areas and Appalachia.” If you believe someone you love has been abusing OxyContin, you might be curious as to which signs and symptoms you should keep an eye out for. Because this medication is often prescribed to treat a legitimate pain-related issue, it can be difficult to tell if your loved one is taking a higher dose than recommended or using the medication more frequently than intended. However, there are several behavioral signs to keep an eye out for. If your loved one has never been prescribed a pain pill like OxyContin but you believe they might be struggling with painkiller addiction, you might be wondering what OxyContin pills look like. At CuraWest we have developed a resource guide for the friends and family members of anyone who has been abusing a medication like OxyContin. We specialize in the effective treatment of symptoms associated with OxyContin withdrawal, and provide each individual client with all of the tools and resources they need to maintain continued success in sobriety. To learn more, contact us today.

What Are the Different Types of OxyContin?

OxyContin is an extended-release tablet version of the generic opioid painkiller oxycodone. Oxycodone comes in both an extended-release and immediate-release form, and might go by the names Oxiyado, Roxicodone or OxyContin. There are several distinct differences between oxycodone and OxyContin. First of all, oxycodone is generally used for the treatment of acute and severe pain, such as pain following a surgical procedure or sport-related injury. OxyContin, on the other hand, is typically given to patients in the late stages of chronic disease who have been grappling with moderate or severe pain. If you find OxyContin pills stored in your loved one’s bedroom, bathroom or vehicle, there is a good chance this medication was not prescribed (unless they recently experienced a serious injury or are in the late stages of chronic disease). If you believe your loved one is abusing OxyContin and needs help to stop, CuraWest is available to help. Contact us today to learn more about your options.

How to Tell if Someone is Abusing OxyContin

How can you tell if someone you care for has been abusing OxyContin? There are several behavioral warning signs to keep an eye out for.

Your Loved One Might Be Abusing OxyContin If:

• They engage in drug-seeking behavior, which might include raiding medicine cabinets for unused or expired prescriptions, purchasing more OxyContin from a drug dealer, constantly “losing” their medication in order to get more or “doctor shopping” — visiting more than one doctor in an attempt to obtain more than one written prescription at a time.
• They have ingested OxyContin in ways other than intended, like crushed up a tablet and used it nasally (snorted it).
• They have been taking OxyContin in higher doses than recommended for a longer period of time than intended, despite repeated efforts to cut back or quit entirely.
• They have been neglecting personal responsibilities and their performance at work or at school has been suffering as a result of their OxyContin use.
• They haven’t been paying attention to personal hygiene (for example, showering more infrequently, wearing the same clothes for more than a day or not putting on makeup or styling their hair the same way they used to).
• They sleep strange hours and their eating patterns have recently changed, either leading to noticeable weight gain or weight loss.
• They have been engaging in risk-taking activities like driving after taking a high dose of OxyContin or combining the pain medication with other chemical substances like alcohol.

Why Do People Use OxyContin?

If a person has not been battling moderate or severe pain, what would prompt them to reach for a pain pill like OxyContin? In some cases, people experiment with chemical substances because of peer pressure or because of a desire to fit in (this is more common among adolescents and young adults). In some cases they might be attempting to self-medicate an underlying and untreated mental illness like anxiety or depression; or they might be attempting to combat the more severe and disruptive symptoms of unresolved trauma. The reason behind initial use will be explored in depth once your loved one enters into a program of addiction treatment. What is more important than determining why the drug abuse started is helping your loved one enter into treatment before irreversible damage is done.

How to Help Someone Who is Abusing OxyContin

How do you help a loved one who has been abusing OxyContin? If your loved one has repeatedly refused treatment or has attempted to quit without help and been unable to do so, staging a professional intervention might be a wise choice. At CuraWest, our Denver addiction treatment center, we work directly with several professional interventionists in the Colorado area who are willing and able to travel to wherever they are needed. To be put in touch with an interventionist, contact us today.

The Best Treatment for OxyContin Addiction

The unfortunate reality is most people who begin abusing OxyContin and other opioid painkillers eventually transition to heroin, seeing as heroin is more accessible and affordable. It is important to catch OxyContin addiction before it progresses. At CuraWest we recommend every recovery journey begins with a short stay in an inpatient detox facility. Because intense drug cravings are such a common symptom of OxyContin withdrawal, those in early sobriety are particularly susceptible to relapse. In a medical detox facility your loved one undergoes a safe withdrawal while being closely monitored to ensure no physical complications develop. At CuraWest we take medical detox a step further. In addition to ensuring a safe and comfortable OxyContin withdrawal we equip each individual client with the tools and resources they need to maintain continued success in sobriety. Once physical stabilization has been achieved we recommend an immediate transition into a higher level of clinical care, like residential inpatient treatment or intensive outpatient treatment depending on the severity of the addiction and the presence of any underlying disorders. To learn more about the best treatment for OxyContin addiction, contact us today.

Find Hope Now

At CuraWest we understand how difficult it can be to watch someone you care for fight a seemingly losing battle with OxyContin addiction. Rest assured, no matter how dire your current circumstances seem, recovery is always possible. When you or your loved one is ready to ask for help, CuraWest will be available. Our admissions process is simple and straightforward and can be completed in as little as 15 minutes. We provide a complimentary pre-assessment during our initial phone call, along with a free, no obligation insurance benefit check. We help coordinate local travel to our Denver, Colorado detox facility whenever necessary. All you or your loved one has to do is ask for help, and we will take care of the rest. Contact us today to learn more about OxyContin addiction or detox, or to get started with our simple admissions process.