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4 Signs of Oxycontin Abuse

Pathways Recovery Centers • July 21, 2021

Symptoms of Oxycontin Abuse

Oxycontin is one brand name for the drug oxycodone, a semi-synthetic opioid used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Oxycontin is a powerful painkiller and is very addictive.

Although Oxycontin is prescribed for pain relief, it has a high potential for dependency because it can produce an intense high similar to opium and heroin.

In fact, it’s sometimes called prescription heroin because of how addictive it can be.

More than 11.5 million Americans reported misusing Oxycontin and other prescription opioids in 2016 alone. Because Oxycontin can result in addiction and even overdose, keeping an eye out for signs of Oxycontin addiction is extremely important.

The following are the main signs and symptoms to look out for when you suspect a loved one may be abusing Oxycontin.

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1. Dependency, Symptoms, and Withdrawal

One of the major signs of Oxycontin addiction is developing tolerance and depending on the drug.

Essentially, the patient will require increasing amounts of the substance to achieve the same effect as before. Using more of the substance can lead to dependency and then addiction.

If the body goes even hours without it, the patient can suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms including flu-like symptoms, chills, sweating, fever, aggression, anxiety, muscle and bone pain, diarrhea, panic attacks, disrupted sleep, agitation, etc.

Long-term withdrawal can be even more severe, often resulting in cardiovascular problems and liver damage.

2. Misusing Oxycontin

Misuse and abuse start when the patient begins to use a prescribed drug in a way that it is not prescribed.

This can take several different forms, including taking more of the medication than directed, or ingesting it in different ways, including crushing and snorting Oxycontin instead of taking it orally.

It can also include taking it in conjunction with other substances, and otherwise mixing or altering the drug to receive a high immediately instead of using the drug’s time-release feature.

3. Obsessions and Cravings

When misuse turns into dependency and addiction, the patient has uncontrollable cravings for Oxycontin.

They lose interest in the activities and objects they previously enjoyed, and may even neglect their health and other priorities.

Even negative outcomes like poor job performance and loss of important relationships do not deter the patient from craving the drug.

This often leads to illegal or deceptive means of obtaining it.

4. Doctor Shopping

Doctor shopping refers to a patient getting the same prescription from multiple different doctors so that the drug procurement can be kept secret.

This allows patients to get multiple prescriptions for controlled substances and can involve lying about symptoms and claiming they have lost previous prescriptions.

Those dependent on Oxycontin can even have multiple pharmacies fill the same prescription so they have access to more narcotics.