Oxycontin Addiction Intervention Treatment in Florida
With the ever-increasing opioid epidemic, the rate of oxycontin abuse and addiction has increased as well. Oxycontin is a prescribed pain medication meant for pain relief from injuries, arthritis, cancer, and other conditions that have chronic pain. It is designed to be a slow-release pain management drug yet is responsible for countless drug addictions in Florida. Oxycontin addiction intervention and drug rehab in Florida treat all severity of substance abuse involving opioids. Oxycontin addiction occurs when individuals use oxycontin in other forms or increase the dosage that does not follow the direction of a doctor.
What is Oxycontin, and How is the Drug Used?
Oxycontin is a form of oxycodone that is designed to be slow-release to help manage chronic pain. Once it is taken, it is slowly absorbed into the bloodstream over 12 hours. People who struggle with oxycontin abuse will ingest it in ways that accelerate its absorption and heightens the sensation.
People struggling with oxycontin abuse will crush the slow-release tablets into powder and then consume it by snorting, smoking, or dissolving and then injecting the drug. By crushing the pills into a powder and ingesting or snorting the drug, or smoking or injecting the drug, the user will experience its pain-relievingimmediately and will feel the onset of euphoria very quickly.
What are Common Street Names for Oxycontin?
Most people abusing oxycontin, and the dealers alike, use slang terms to try and conceal their drug habits from family members and law enforcement. Street names for oxycontin can vary by region, city, or even group of friends. Still, the most common street names for oxycontin include Hillbilly heroin, Berries, Blues, Kickers, MS, OC, Oxy, OX, Oxycotton, Rocky, 40 (40-milligram pills), and 80 (80-milligram pills).
How Does Oxycontin Affect the Mind and Body?
Oxycontin is prescribed to help people manage chronic pain. It triggers the release of dopamine, a chemical naturally produced in the brain. Dopamine causes feelings of happiness and well-being or euphoria. The release of dopamine reinforces the rewarding feelings that a person feels when they take oxycontin. As the effects of oxycontin become more tolerated by the body and brain, people often take higher doses more often to feel those same effects and relieve withdrawal symptoms. Seeking out and using more oxycontin causes the release of more dopamine, resulting in an addiction. Oxycontin causes feelings of well-being, but it can also create side effects.
The most common short-term side effects of oxycontin are drowsiness, sleepiness, constipation, and nausea. Other common short-term effects are dizziness, itchiness, vomiting, headache, dry mouth, sleep apnea, physical weakness, stomach pain, sweating, and low blood pressure. Due to oxycontin causing dizziness and physical weakness, the risk of falling injuries and driving injuries and mortality increases, especially in seniors.
Over time, oxycontin use causes long-term side effects on the brain and nervous system. Long-term side effects include anxiety, depression, confusion, and psychosis. If someone overdoses on oxycontin, breathing could stop, even temporarily. This lack of oxygen to the brain can cause even further, more serious, long-term brain damage.
Oxycontin abuse can also alter a person’s behavior. Signs of a behavioral change due to addiction include confusion, filling multiple prescriptions for pain medications, forging prescriptions, doctor shopping, stealing painkillers from other people or pharmacies, and frequently needing money or engaging in illegal activities to get money.
Oxycontin Drug Addiction Treatment and Drug Detox in Florida
Oxycontin addiction can be very difficult to recover from, but drug rehab centers in Florida are equipped to support patients through every step of rehabilitation. The first step is to complete a safe drug detox, which can be done within an opioid treatment program to lessen the chances of a relapse. A lot of people relapse due to the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that appear when detox begins. Withdrawal symptoms can appear within 8-12 hours of the last dose. Withdrawal symptoms include nausea and vomiting, fatigue, depression, coughing, diarrhea, runny nose, teary eyes, sweating, anxiety, shaking, muscle aches, increased heart rate, body aches, pains, irritability, poor concentration, mood swings, and the inability to feel pleasure.
Once drug detox is complete, drug rehab centersin Florida offer treatment through inpatient and outpatient programs. Inpatient is most effective because it allows the addict to reside at the facility and focus solely on their recovery without any distractions from the outside world or their old surroundings. Outpatient treatment offers counseling and therapy but does not require the addict to reside at the facility. Outpatient drug rehab is best suited for those who are highly motivated to remove themselves from distractions and environments not supportive of their sobriety. Finally, once detox and a treatment program are completed, it is highly beneficial and recommended to seek proper support to maintain sobriety. This can look like peer support groups or continued therapies.
Family Intervention for Oxycontin Drug Addiction in Florida
Witnessing a family member or loved one struggling with a drug addiction can be overwhelming.Organizing a family intervention is the only way to get them the help they need. Some addicts do not recognize or are willing to recognize that they have a problem; therefore, an intervention is the only way to get them the help they need. Although interventions are important in helping loved ones, they are complex and overwhelming meetings to plan; therefore, hiring an interventionist in Florida can alleviate confusion and execute a successful intervention in a non-confrontational way.
Additionally, an intervention mustn’t be done in a way that makes the addict feel as though they are being attacked, causing them to become defensive and likely refuse help. Working with an interventionist allows the family to navigate those days leading up to the day itself and the days following the family intervention. They are professionals who work with the family with everyone’s best interests in mind. Family intervention in Florida is the best route to go if the family is planning an intervention for a loved one struggling with oxycontin addiction. Interventions are emotionally charged and overwhelming meetings for all parties involved, but they can undoubtedly the first step to living a sober, healthy life.
