While some people are familiar with Oxycontin for all the right reasons, others realize that they have a serious problem. When this drug is abused, it is easy for a person to become addicted. And if this happens, it is not nearly as simple to regain control of your life.

Just the same as any drug, there are many dangers associated with Oxycontin addiction. It doesn’t matter if you are facing this problem yourself or helping a loved one, you should fully realize just how serious it is.

Once you have a clear understanding of the dangers and risks, you may be more likely to take the right steps towards a better future.

The Problem with Oxycontin Addiction

There is nothing wrong with taking Oxycontin as prescribed by a doctor. This drug has been proven effective for pain management, which is why so many people take it, such as following a surgical procedure.

Conversely, there are also people who like the way that Oxycontin makes them feel. This holds true even when they are not in pain. For this reason, they continue to take the drug, day after day, without any regard for their mental or physical well being.

The dangers of untreated Oxycontin addiction run deep. Some of the things you need to be aware of include:

1. Oxycontin addiction can lead to the abuse of other drugs. This is not always the case, but it can definitely happen. If you continue to take this drug, you may soon find yourself associating with those who abuse other narcotics.

It is dangerous enough to abuse Oxycontin, but if you mix in other drugs and/or alcohol, the chance of causing damage to your body is much greater. The same holds true for an overdose.

2. Negative impact on your personal life. Many people believe they can take Oxycontin when they want, and also stop when they want. This is not typically the case. Once you are hooked on this drug, it can be a challenge to return to your normal life.

The more you use Oxycontin the more symptoms you will be dealing with. Some of these are related to your mental state. For example, Oxycontin abuse often causes mood swings, depression, and bouts of irritability. As a result, you may find it difficult to keep your family and work life in order.

3. Physical harm. Just because a doctor can prescribe Oxycontin does not mean it has not physical impact on your body. When you take this drug as prescribed, you are under the watchful eye of a doctor. They are making sure you don’t do anything that will cause more harm than good.

When you take this drug on your own, however, you never know if you are pushing the limit. There may come a point when you are ingesting more Oxycontin than your body can handle, thus leading to a variety of health concerns. Some of the physical impacts of Oxycontin abuse include: hypertension, dizziness, respiratory depression, dry mouth, and headache.

4. Overdose. It is easy to believe that you can take as much Oxycontin as you want without overdosing. This is what gets people into trouble. If you believe this to be true, there may come a time when you find yourself in a bad spot.

The more Oxycontin you take the greater chance there is of an overdose. Unfortunately, many people have also died from taking too much Oxycontin at one time.

The Problem Continues

According to the United States Department of Justice, approximately nine percent of all adults in the United States have abused or will abuse an opioid narcotic, such as Oxycontin. Along with this, the same agency reports that more than 13 million people in the United States have used Oxycontin for recreational purposes. This has nothing to do with those taking the drug for medical reasons. Instead, it only takes into account recreational use.

With these statistics in mind, it is easy to see that Oxycontin abuse remains a major problem in the United States.

If you understand the dangers of addiction, you may realize that staying away from the drug would be in your best interest. In the event that a medical professional prescribes Oxycontin, make sure you know how much you should be taking and when to cease doing so.

There is no denying the fact that Oxycontin has a place as a prescription drug. On the same token, this medicine can cause a world of trouble for anybody who decides to take it without the guidance of a doctor.

There are many dangers of Oxycontin addiction, including death by overdose. If you or a loved one has fallen into the trap of abusing this drug, it is time to receive treatment. Putting this in the past would be in your best interest. Call us today at  800-934-1582(Who Answers?) .