OxyContin is a powerful pain medication known for its significant role in the origins of America’s opioid crisis. Its notorious reputation rests on several factors. Perhaps most importantly, excessive use of OxyContin’s active ingredient comes with a high risk for addiction. In turn, addiction to this ingredient exposes you to a range of serious health dangers. What’s the best way to steer clear of these dangers? Enrollment in modern OxyContin addiction treatment is typically crucial to your success.
What Explains the Dangers of OxyContin Addiction?
OxyContin is a pharmaceutical brand name. Medication that carries this name contains a potent opioid called oxycodone hydrochloride. The intended purpose of oxycodone is the medical treatment of moderate and severe pain in limited circumstances.
However, like all other opioids, oxycodone has properties that make it dangerous when it’s misused. Two properties are of chief concern:
- Production of intense, euphoric pleasure
- Depression, i.e., slowing down of your central nervous system (CNS)
The production of euphoria helps make OxyContin a potential source of addiction. The medication’s effects on your central nervous system create the possibility of an OxyContin overdose.
What Happens During an OxyContin Overdose?
Your central nervous system controls key functions throughout your brain and body. This system must maintain a certain level of constant activity to do its job. Unfortunately, the CNS depression triggered by OxyContin interferes with this activity. You can tolerate such a disruption up to a point. But once you pass your system’s lower threshold, potentially catastrophic consequences come into play.
You experience these consequences as an overdose. Specific things that can happen to you as a result of overdosing on OxyContin include:
- Ashen or clammy skin
- Discolored lips and fingernails
- Vomiting
- Problems breathing normally
- A complete inability to breathe
- Slowed or completely absent heart function
An immediate response to an overdose event is essential. Otherwise, death is a real possibility for you or someone you love.
The Risks of OxyContin Addiction
You don’t have to be addicted to painkillers to overdose on OxyContin. However, the presence of addiction can increase your chances of overdosing. Why? People affected by addiction often take OxyContin in exceedingly high amounts. In turn, exposure to this level of intake increases the odds that an overdose will occur.
For some people, addiction to OxyContin is also a precursor to heroin addiction. In fact, fully 80% of all cases of heroin use are preceded by misuse of OxyContin or another prescription opioid. Many people switch to heroin because it’s relatively cheap and easy to obtain.
Exposure to OxyContin Withdrawal
Withdrawal is a common symptom of addiction. That’s true for all substances, not just OxyContin. Why is withdrawal potentially dangerous? Your efforts to get sober can leave you facing symptoms such as:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Achy muscles
- Loose stools
- Cramps in your abdomen
- Heightened feelings of anxiety and agitation
On their own, these OxyContin withdrawal symptoms do not pose a serious health risk. However, they can be unpleasant enough to make you return to active medication misuse.
Learn More About the Dangers of OxyContin Addiction at Northpoint Colorado
The dangers of OxyContin addiction are real. Want to find out more about them? Talk to the professionals at Northpoint Colorado. We’re happy to provide details on your specific risks. We can also explain how effective treatment helps you stay safe.
Ready to seek treatment for OxyContin problems? Northpoint’s team of specialists is standing by. With our help, you can navigate the ups and downs of OxyContin recovery. We’re committed to your substance-free future. Call us today at 888.231.1281 to get started. You can also make contact through our online message form.