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Short Term Effects of Oxycontin

The paradigm shift that happened with the release of Oxycontin in the United States is only comparable to what occurred when cocaine was initially turned into crack in the early 80s. Yet whereas crack led to sweeping criminal justice reforms, which resulted in the criminalization of addiction and the installation of the world’s largest prison industrial complex, Oxycontin’s legacy may result in the de-stigmatization of addiction and the end of broad and unfair criminal practices against addicts. However, we are currently not at that bypass just yet, but rather are fully engaged in the battle against opioids and what they have done to an entire generation of Americans.

For those who were in High School around the turn of the millennia, Oxycontin represents a scourge on society that only hindsight exposed. At the time it appeared that the drug was everywhere, knowing no bounds in socio-economic borders. Almost everyone knew someone who was abusing the drug, and due to the fact that little to nothing was known about it, millions of people fell into an addiction that was incredibly difficult to break.

By the time it become apparent that something awful had occurred, it was already too late, and the reforms that were passed in the early teens of the 2000s, were too little too late to actually curb the addiction cycle that Oxycontin had created.

Many of its earliest prey had at that point already turned to heroin for a cheaper alternative to their addiction, and many people who would never have been exposed to opioids otherwise found themselves needlessly and hopelessly addicted to the substance. It was truly a devastating blow to this current generation and one that we are only know beginning to start to come out of.

As if this wasn’t enough, on the coattails of Oxycontin came a number of other synthetic, and at the time legal, opioid alternatives that trapped many thousands more in their addictive clutches.

Yet understanding all of this now, we have a better idea of just how to combat Oxycontin addiction, and the education and media campaigns that have come out those dark days in the early 2000s have possibly saved many individuals from falling into addiction.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF OXYCONTIN?

The short term effects of Oxycontin are probably more well known then most other drugs that are currently being abused right now. The reason for this is because of how much talk the drug has received in the news media and because of how many people were affected by its usage.

For all intents and purposes the short term effects of Oxycontin are very similar to those of other opioids, where an individual will experience extreme lethargy, constricted pupils, slurred speech, and an itchiness of the skin.

Due to how blaring and obvious the short term effects of Oxycontin are, it is fairly easy to tell if a loved one is abusing the drug. In fact even beyond the common short term effects of Oxycontin, individuals who are abusing the drug will begin to experience a dramatic change in their personality rather quickly. A person who may have been a caring, loving, and open individual can in the next instances become a closed off and angry person, due to the fact that they are attempting to hide their addiction, and because of what the drug is doing to their brain chemistry.

While it can be very difficult to broach the subject of addiction with a person you love, in the case of Oxycontin addiction, it is always best to educate yourself on the manner first, and go to them with the facts. While this does not ensure success in your conversation, at least you will not be as easily manipulated (as can occur when dealing with an addict)

Some of the most common short term effects of Oxycontin usage are:

  • Drowsiness
  • Intermittently dozing off at inappropriate times
  • Delayed reactions
  • Constricted pupils
  • Shallow breathing
  • Slowed heartbeat
  • Confusion
  • Severe drowsiness
  • Severe constipation
  • Impotence
  • Lightheaded
  • Seizures
  • Itchiness

It is imperative if you believe that your loved one is abusing Oxycontin that you address this matter with them immediately. Under no circumstances can Oxycontin usage, which is not as prescribed by a doctor and used under the strictest of monitoring, be considered safe, and so it is best to address this matter so you can get professional help.

COPING WITH THE SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF OXYCONTIN

When an individual first begins using Oxycontin they very often will find that they experience nausea to the point of vomiting and a complete inability to stay awake, even when they are engaged in activities that should keep them awake. Due to this, the short term effects of Oxycontin can be incredibly dangerous, as individuals may fall asleep driving or they can even asphyxiate on their own vomit if they fall asleep in the wrong position.

For parents and loved ones, watching an individual experience the short term effects of Oxycontin can be incredibly unsettling and disturbing, as you have to see your loved one fall asleep at the dinner table, or incessantly scratch themselves. There are times as well where Oxycontin usage can cause sleep paralysis, where an individual will appear to be awake but they will be unable to move. You may walk into a loved one’s room and see them sitting up with their eyes open, but upon further inspection it is apparent that they are actually asleep.

All of this can be tremendously difficult to contend with, and so if you are struggling with coping with the side effects of Oxycontin, either on a personal level or from the perspective of a loved one, it is suggested that you seek professional help in this matter.

For those who are closet to an addict, watching them go down the road of addiction can be heartbreaking and so if you cannot at this moment convince them to seek help, you yourself should seek counseling so that you can learn how to handle the situation.

Addiction is not an easy thing to experience first-hand, and it never an easy thing to watch occur, so if you or a loved one appear to be having issues with Oxycontin abuse, please reach out for help today.

ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH OXYCONTIN ADDICTION?

If you find that you cannot stop using Oxycontin even though you would like to, then you may be suffering from Oxycontin addiction. While you may be embarrassed by the fact that you cannot stop using drugs, it is import to understand that addiction is an actual recognizable disease and as such you’re inability to stop on your own should not be a cause for shame or guilt. It is estimated that 1 in 6 adults in the United States suffer from addiction, so you are not alone in your struggles, nor do you have to fight them by yourself. So if you are at the point where you would you like help overcoming your Oxycontin addiction, call us at 1-866-972-7714. We are standing by to provide you with the best treatment and recovery options, so that you can finally leave behind your old life of addiction and start new on the road to recovery. Call now!

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