Opioid medications are popular among Americans who abuse drugs. In fact, the government has recognized that an opioid epidemic has swept the country. OxyContin is one of these opioids.

There are good reasons to be concerned about OxyContin abuse and addiction:

  • The number of people abusing or addicted to opioids has more than quadrupled since 1999.
  • The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics indicate that there were an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 12-month period ending in April 2021. That’s an increase of 28.5% from the 78,056 deaths during the same period the year before.

All of this is why many people must visit an OxyContin detox center.

OxyContin Overview

Serious man in hat ready for an OxyContin detox centerA highly addictive drug, OxyContin is a popular brand of oxycodone, a semi-synthetic opioid. Doctors prescribe it to treat moderate to severe pain from physical injuries to cancer symptoms. As a controlled-release pill or capsule, it slowly enters the bloodstream to provide pain relief for up to 12 hours.

Millions of people have developed OxyContin addiction despite the manufacturer marketing the drug as less addictive than other opioids. The company was misleading when it claimed that the substance is a safe way to treat pain. This misguidance led to the need for OxyContin detox centers.

When people couldn’t get OxyContin from their doctors to feed their addiction, they started buying it from street dealers. Then, others began to use the drug for recreational purposes. They would crush the pills and snort the powder or inject a dissolved solution. Efforts to deter this behavior only made OxyContin more expensive, so those who couldn’t afford it started using heroin instead.

Getting help at an OxyContin detox center before the start of using heroin can save people from developing an even worse addiction. However, many users don’t get help because they don’t understand why they need help.

About Withdrawal

OxyContin can cause physical dependence in a short amount of time. For that reason, doctors generally don’t prescribe it for more than a week. When people with dependence decide to stop using the drug, they need OxyContin detox to get through the process. The reason is that they’ll experience OxyContin withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal occurs because the brain has adapted to the chemical changes the drug has caused. When these chemicals change again because of abstinence, the brain can’t function correctly. It responds with withdrawal symptoms to tell the individual that there’s a problem. The early symptoms can manifest about 12 hours after the last dose, including:

  • Sweating
  • Anxiety
  • Body aches
  • A runny nose
  • Tearing eyes
  • Agitation

The symptoms worsen for the next couple of days and new ones arise. They can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. The entire process can last for one or two weeks depending on the severity of the addiction.

Medication at an OxyContin Detox Center in Florida

The medical team at an OxyContin detox center will use a few treatment methods to help you endure the symptoms. Administering medication is just one of the methods.

Since OxyContin addiction is an opioid addiction, taking other addictive substances to relieve pain symptoms isn’t ideal. For that reason, the OxyContin detox staff may administer drugs such as Advil, aspirin or Tylenol. To ease nausea, they might provide Pepto-Bismol or Zofran. Fiber supplements act as laxatives to relieve constipation and abdominal cramps.

The Food and Drug Administration has also approved three medications to treat opioid addiction. For that reason, OxyContin detox may involve taking methadone, buprenorphine or naltrexone. These are safe and effective only in combination with therapy.

As a prescription opioid, only certified clinics can prescribe methadone for detox. The government strictly regulates its use because the drug is addictive, which can lead to relapse. For that reason, methadone treatment should only last during withdrawal to ease cravings and symptoms.

Buprenorphine can be highly effective in relieving OxyContin withdrawal symptoms and cravings too. As a partial agonist, it’s safer than methadone because the risk for abuse is lower. Naltrexone is a drug that an OxyContin detox center may provide when withdrawal subsides. It’s most effective at helping people maintain sobriety by blocking opioid effects and reducing cravings.

Beaches Recovery Offers Prescription Drug Treatment

Do you need help with OxyContin abuse in FL? Beaches Recovery is a premier rehab center that offers treatment for OxyContin addiction. We provide assistance for many other opioid and opiate addictions as well.

Our team starts by helping you get the detox that you need at Tides Edge. When you complete that program, you’ll return to our facility for rehab. We offer several levels of care, including:

  • Residential drug rehab: This is our most intensive level of care. You’ll stay at our facility and receive 24-hour care.
  • Intensive outpatient program: This program requires you to come to our facility for treatment a few days per week.
  • Partial hospitalization program: You’ll come to our facility for treatment during the day but return home at night.
  • Addiction counseling: We offer individual and group counseling to help you address the underlying causes of your addiction.
  • Sober living: After you complete one of our treatment programs, you can live in our sober living facility. This gives you a chance to transition back to regular life while still receiving support from our staff.

Don’t let OxyContin drag your life down any further. If you or someone you love needs help for Oxycontin abuse in Florida, the help you need is at Beaches Recovery, a reliable OxyContin detox center in Jacksonville. Call us today at 866.605.0532 to learn more about our addiction treatment services.