OxyContin Addiction: Signs, Effects, Withdrawal, And Treatment

OxyContin is a really effective pain reliever, but also an inherently habit-forming opioid. It's no wonder that some people whose doctors prescribe the drug to them become addicted, or that some seek "oxy" out on the streets for the europhoric feelings it can induce. How can you tell if you've developed a problem? What happens when you go into withdrawal? And what treatment is available to help you?

What is OxyContin?

As an opioid drug, OxyContin isn't just prescribed for pain relief purposes, however — many people also seek it out for recreational reasons, since it offers feelings of euphoria. In this case, the drug may go by names like "oxy", "kickers', "blues", and many others on the black market. 

OxyContin causes both tolerance and dependence. This means that the drug won't have the same effect it once did after you've been taking it for a while, and you'll need more of it to get the same feeling. If you stop taking OxyContin abruptly, you'll start to experience withdrawal symptoms. Overdose — which can be deadly — is another big concern. 

What are the possible signs of an OxyContin addiction?

Well, if you were to ask a psychologist, psychiatrist, or even primary care doctor, they'd look at the current version of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders — the DSM-5. Since OxyContin falls under the opioid umbrella, an addiction would be classified as an opioid use disorder. People who have one will meet at least two of the following diagnostic criteria over a period of 12 months:

• You take more OxyContin than you plan to, or more often than you intended to. 
• Efforts to keep your OxyContin use under control fail. 
• You spend significant periods of time under the influence of OxyContin, recovering from OxyContin, or trying to obtain OxyContin — either on the street or by manipulating doctors into prescribing it to you.
• You crave OxyContin when you don't have it.
• Your OxyContin is keeping you from doing the things you need to — like going to work or attending school.
• You know your OxyContin use is having a negative impact on your social life, but you still don't stop.
• Your use makes you miss out on social activities. 
• You use OxyContin in circumstances under which it's especially dangerous. 
• Your OxyContin use has negative physical or mental health consequences, but you keep using despite knowing this.
• You have developed a tolerance — using the same dose of OxyContin as before no longer has the same effect, or you up your dose to feel the same way. 
• When you stop using, you have withdrawal symptoms. 

What happens during OxyContin withdrawal?

Anyone who has been using an opioid — which includes OxyContin — in serious doses for a longer period of time (at least a few weeks) may develop withdrawal symptoms when they stop using. These can include:

• A dysphoric mood — a catch-all term for nasty feelings like irritability, mood swings, depression, sadness, anxiety, worthlessness, and general negative thinking. 
• Nausea, sometimes accompanied by vomiting.
• Muscle pains.
• Nasal congestion.
• Dilated pupils.
• Goosebumps.
• Excessive sweating.
• Diarrhea.
• A fever.
• Constant yawning.
• Insomnia and other sleep problems.

Such symptoms can hit when you abruptly stop using an opioid on your own, but also after you've given a drug like naloxone to counter its effects — something that basically induces instant withdrawal. Symptoms may start as soon as six to 12 hours after your last use, be at their worst after one to three days, and gradually get better from there on. Problems like a depressed mood and insomnia can sometimes go on for months after you quit using, however. 

What treatment is available for an OxyContin addiction?

Whether you are taking medically-prescribed OxyContin or are using "oxy" illegally, it's best to kick it under the guidance of a doctor. Depending on the dose you're using, how often you are using it, and how long you have been on it, it is probably going to be safest to taper off gradually. A drug like naloxone may be offered to reduce your risk of overdose during this period. If you are a chronic pain patient, you will also want to explore alternative pain management options with your doctor. 

A talk therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy can help you gain insights into underlying factors that contributed to your addiction. Yes, OxyContin is physically habit-forming, but you may also have been using as a way to cope with problems in your life. Therapy can address these, and the new problems you'll encounter related to getting clean, as well. Some people also find peer-support groups like Narcotics Anonymous extremely helpful, both in finding a new sense of belonging and getting the encouragement they need to stay off the drugs.