Rehab Near Me: Are Oxycontin and Oxycodone the Same Thing?

Oxycodone and OxyContin are two substances that you can often hear about being compared and contrasted. And this wouldn’t happen if the two weren’t so closely tied together. There is one special connection between these two drugs—and that’s what we are going to discuss in this article. What is OxyContin? What is oxycodone? How are these two substances related to one another? Are they the same thing? Let’s have a closer look at two of the most potent painkillers being prescribed by physicians today.

Are OxyContin and Oxycodone the Same Thing?

As you can already tell, oxycodone and OxyContin are very similar—and it’s not just because of their names. Both substances are potent opioid painkillers that are prescribed for moderate to severe pain, including chronic pain. These pain relievers can help patients with conditions like cancer, arthritis, or traumatic injuries. Even those with severe cuts and wounds may be prescribed with these to help manage the pain. But the thing that ties oxycodone and OxyContin together is the main ingredient: oxycodone itself. OxyContin is made of oxycodone. The latter serves as its active ingredient. So the two substances are essentially the same, with only one key difference: the formulation. OxyContin is the brand name for a substance made from oxycodone, with a special time release mechanism that will allow it to affect patients for a longer period of time. This extended release formulation helps patients for up to 12 hours. As such, OxyContin cannot be taken “as needed” or every 4 hours like oxycodone. These opioid medications work by altering your perception and emotional response to pain. They attach to the so-called opioid receptors in the brain to block the pain signals and relieve discomfort. However, in doing so, it also produces a euphoric sensation that makes people high, particularly when taken in high doses. This is the experience that drug abusers seek out on purpose. They won't use these prescription opioids for pain management or pain relief, like they are intended. Opiate abusers will use their prescription drugs for fun, to the point of physical dependence. Oxycodone is also the active ingredient in other pain medications like Percocet, Tylox, and Percodan. Both OxyContin and oxycodone are powerful substances that have a high potential for abuse. When taken in high doses, they can prove to be habit-forming—enough to be addictive.

Why is OxyContin Abused?

The accessibility of prescription painkillers makes them susceptible to misuse. Recreational users will take them for the euphoric pleasure they provide, with little regard to the consequences that may follow. If your doctor prescribes any type of opioid painkiller, make sure you follow the prescription carefully. These drugs are potent enough to cause side effects even when taken at pharmaceutical doses. The risk increases when the substances are misused. Do not take large doses of OxyContin, even if you accidentally miss a dose. Do not take it more frequently than you are supposed to, and don’t take OxyContin for longer than is necessary. Tell your doctor about any side effect you encounter while taking the drug. Drug abusers may experience various physical and mental health effects. Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, respiratory depression, anxiety, and loss of consciousness are only some of the most common adverse effects that drug addicts can encounter while misusing these dangerous painkillers. [maxbutton id="3" ]

How Does Addiction Treatment Work?

Telling your doctor about the warning signs can help you avoid getting addicted. But if you do get hooked on OxyContin, or any other opioid medication, seek addiction treatment immediately. Do not try to self-regulate because the withdrawal symptoms and cravings will only cause you to relapse; not to mention this is dangerous for your health. In order to fully detoxify, you need to undergo rehabilitation. You need to undergo clinical trial, so that your medical condition can be assessed. You will then receive proper medical attention that will address your opioid dependence. Addiction treatment often uses a combination of behavioral therapy and medical detox. The treatment plan will be based on your specific needs. Opiate addiction can be managed in an inpatient rehab or an outpatient rehab. What matters is that oxycontin addicts undergo proper drug rehabilitation in a well-equipped treatment center, so that they can get over their opioid addiction once and for all. Look for an addiction treatment facility near you today and find out what treatment options they offer for oxycontin addiction treatment. With proper drug addiction treatment, you can easily go back to living a sober life.