Oxycodone Addiction - A Review

By Shalini Madhav    

What is Oxycodone?

It is a semisynthetic drug made from thebaine, an opioid which is a constituent of persian poppy and a minor one of opium poppy. Opioid are basically the substances which act on opioid receptors and give you morphine like effects. It is widely used for relief over a range of pain.

Oxycodone Addiction

As we know that the effect of various drugs that we consume is different on the dopamine levels, that too by different mechanisms. Oxycodone ends up inhibiting the brain cells that inhibit the dopamine secreting cells. This enhances the dopamine levels in our body. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter compound released by the nerve cells, in brain otherwise it acts as a Chemical messenger. Oxycodone ingestion in unprescribed amounts can cause disturbances in the neural pathways.

It initiates the cycle of pleasure seeking thereby leading to addiction cultivation.

How is the addiction taking place?

Oxycodone when consumed binds to the opioid receptors and alters the way the brain reacts to the pain for which the drug was taken by the person. It does cause pain relief, but since it generates intense feelings of pleasure or euphoric feeling thereby risking psychological or physiological addiction to the drug.

Side effects of Oxycodone

Oxycodone addiction and abuse leads to many physical, mental and behavioral side effects within the body.

Some of the side effects which belong to these categories are:

– Lightheadedness

– Decrease in anxiety levels

– Headache

– Seizures

– Dry mouth,

– Nausea/ Vomiting

– Sweating

– Mood Swings

– Extreme Relaxation

– Itching etc.

Above these it causes reduction in sensitivity to pain and respiratory depressions. Overdoses of Oxycodone may lead to spinal cord infarction and ischemic brain damage due to prolonged hypoxia from suppression in breathing. Use of oxycodone recreationally has been found out to be extremely harmful. Improper ingestion of the drug leads to acceleration of its absorption thereby risking overdose. Oxycodone abuse has been found to lead to kidney or liver failure, especially when consumed with alcohol (say).

Oxycodone Withdrawal

The risk of withdrawal symptoms further increases if a person's physical dependence is high on the drug or discontinue Oxycodone abruptly.

Withdrawal basically means the consequences of abrupt stopping in consumption or bringing down the consumption drastically of a drug after its dependence is well established, on the body. It may be physical or mental side effects of the above.

There are various signs which can be observed in a person in the withdrawal phase.

For example:

- Restlessness

- Panic Attacks

- Anxiety

- Muscle Pains

- Insomnia

- Depression

- Fevers or flu like symptoms etc.

Withdrawal phase is highly intense and intolerable to the addict. Its effects start within hours of abrupt change in consumption and lasts for weeks. Hence it is always advised to seek out a professional or detoxicating service before you make the decision of quitting the drug consumption.

Seeking out a safe and a judgement free place to begin the healing process is a must for getting rid of Oxycodone or rather any drug addiction. Also, it is not necessary that whatever method to get rid of the addiction works for one person will work for others too, hence seeking professional help is extremely important.

Hence stay safe and avoid addiction.

Oxycodone addiction can be severe with intense symptoms. You can have harmful oxycodone side effects if it is consumed incorrectly. Oxycodone withdrawal phase is also not an easy path. Hence always consult a doctor before consumption.

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Routine Drug Screening Can Reduce Incidence of Addiction, Finds Study

By Barbara Odozi

The United States has been witnessing a tremendous rise in the incidence of addiction to various substances in the recent years. The arrival of new designer drugs in the burgeoning drug market over the time has only added to the woes of law enforcement agencies, with the ever growing list of new users mostly comprising teenagers, young adults, women and elderly.

Many people do not understand the complexity behind drug addiction and think that they just need willpower to stop drug abuse. However, this is not the case since drug addiction is a brain disease that cannot be stopped suddenly, without any external help. However, scientific advances have made it possible to understand how drug addiction initiates in a person, paving the way for the ways that can be used to curb substance use and help him or her live a productive life.

According to a December 2016 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Substance Use and Misuse, drug screening at primary care settings can help reach out to the vulnerable population. As per the researchers, an early screening will not only help in curbing the rising incidence of drug addiction, but also provide an early treatment for those found positive in the tests.

Importance of regular drug screening

In the study conducted by University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the researchers found a high prevalence of drug addiction in certain areas of Tijuana and East Los Angeles. It was observed that 19.4 percent of people who participated in a computerized self-administered survey in East Los Angeles community clinics admitted to moderate-to-high drug use; while in Tijuana, the drug addiction rate was 5.7 percent. Apparently, both the estimates were higher than the data recorded by the household surveys in both the countries.

According to the researchers, Los Angeles patients born in Mexico were twice as likely, and Los Angeles patients born in the U.S. were six times more likely of being moderate-to-high drug users, as compared to Tijuana patients born in Mexico. The researchers also found that unlike the presumptions, these regions recorded equal or more prevalence (ranging from moderate-to-high use) in case of problem drug use as compared to problem alcohol use. "Moderate-to-high alcohol use was 15.2 percent in East Los Angeles compared to 6.5 percent in Tijuana. Moderate-to-high tobacco use was 20.4 percent in East Los Angeles and 16.2 percent in Tijuana," observed the study.

A regular drug screening, preferably in a primary care setting, can help track people who are vulnerable to develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol. A face-to-face counseling with people fighting addiction can prevent many from being trapped into the addiction cycle. For many others who have developed mild addiction, an early treatment and counseling can prevent further damage due to addiction and ensure a rapid recovery.

Road to recovery

Although there is stigma attached with addiction, the fact is it is a brain disease that can be effectively treated. The support, love and care of the people around a person dealing with substance abuse problem can help gain sobriety. However, it is always wise to seek professional help rather than wasting time by trying to manage it alone. Substance use disorders are treated at varying levels of care in different clinical settings. Since addiction varies from patient to patient, it is not advisable to incorporate a common line of treatment for all patients.

If you or your loved one is battling addiction to any kind or substance and seeking ways to get rid of it, you can contact the Texas Substance Abuse Helpline to know about substance abuse treatment. You can call at our 24/7 helpline number 866-971-2658 to get details about the best substance abuse treatment centers.

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The Inner Island Of Addiction

By Sherry L. Daniel     

Addiction recovery is developing right now. New and older but still effective treatment plans are being researched and honed. Each type of addiction is studied to unlock the chemical hooks that entrap the user.

Prior research on the neurobiology of addiction has focused on the subcortical systems, such as the amygdala and mesolimbic/dopamine system, to understand the motivation to seek drugs. Recent evidence indicates that a largely overlooked structure, the insula, plays a crucial part in the conscious urges to take drugs.

The insula has been highlighted as a region that integrates bodily states into conscious feelings and into decision-making processes that involve uncertain risk and reward. It has been dubbed 'the hidden island of addiction' by researchers.

Addiction to drugs is at epidemic levels. Mobile morgues are handling overdose victims in some states hardest hit by the opioid crisis. By itself, cigarette smoking is the most common addictive behavior and is the largest preventable cause of death in the developed world. Some say nicotine is harder to give up than heroin. Its chemical hooks plunge that deep.

Drug addiction is a psychological imbalance that turns into a physical addiction. Compulsive use of drugs that persists despite negative consequences is the hallmark of addiction. Impaired driving is the awful choice many make.

'Chemical use disorder' is set of physiological and psychological processes, such as tolerance, withdrawal, constant urges and poor decision making. Each have distinct yet complementary roles in the development and maintenance of addiction.

For now, an addict's best friend is knowledge. Choosing who to share information with is critical in getting actual help and not a damning lecture. Exposing an issue leads many to immediately shun the user. What has been described as 'tough love' has led straight to the cemetery or morgue for thousands upon thousands of families.

These 'accidental addicts' are the product of a profit-driven drug industry that is crippling our country. Oxycontin was introduced with a 'low risk of addiction.' My little sister 'accidentally' believed them and took what her doctor 'accidentally' prescribed. We buried her two years later.

There is no more time to blame the user until we preserve the innocent victims. Treat addiction as an imbalance, instead of a moral failing, that must be addressed by professionals. MAT-medication assisted therapy-is new but starting to prove effective in curbing active addiction.

Every addict tells the same story. Not one planned to get up, ingest a soothing chemical and completely destroy his life and everyone around him. It is a nightmare that is shared in recovery groups around the world.

Addiction treatment is like fishing in the boat with Jesus. If you've tried it before and it didn't work, cast your net again. This time, a treatment option that works may be within reach. Be ready for it.

danielsherry56@gmail.com

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