OxyContin is a branded formulation of the powerful opioid painkiller oxycodone. It is prescribed to manage cases of moderate to severe pain. When taken as directed, it is a safe and effective medication, and has proven invaluable for many with pain management issues. However, many people abuse OxyContin in order to get high--a practice that can prove dangerous and even fatal. Misuse of the pills (for example, taking too many pills at once, or crushing them up to be snorted or injected) elicits more intense effects and increases the risk of complications. An estimated 1.9 million people in the United States are dependent on or abuse opioid painkillers and about 46 painkiller-involved deaths occur everyday in the US, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). Furthermore, people who abuse prescription painkillers are at risk for concurrent or eventual heroin due to the similar effects of the two drugs. According to one study, people suffering from an addiction to prescription opioids were 19 times more likely to start abusing heroin in the year prior to the study.

This may be due to the fact that heroin is more easily accessible and costs less than opioid painkillers, due in part to the 2013 tightening of controls on access to prescription opioids by the Food and Drug Administration. An opioid use disorder is characterized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), as "a problematic pattern of opioid use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress." In cases of compulsive OxyContin use, the individual typically spends the majority of his or her day obtaining and using the opioid painkiller. Users frequently attempt to get multiple prescriptions from different doctors or otherwise obtain the drug illegally. Physical Signs and Symptoms of OxyContin Abuse Other signs of OxyContin abuse include the usual signs of any form of opioid abuse: Appearance of being disoriented or confused. Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities. Neglecting important work, school, or home obligations.

Intermittent, periodic euphoria and apathy. Problems with concentration or memory. A reliable sign of opioid dependency and marker of addiction is the appearance of withdrawal symptoms when the user is unable to take OxyContin. These withdrawal symptoms may include: Runny nose and eyes. One key indicator of addiction is a marked change in behavior. If your loved one's behavior changes unexpectedly to the point where you no longer recognize the person in front of you, drug abuse might be the cause. If the person is abusing prescription drugs recreationally, you might notice discarded pill bottles, white powder stains, or missing pills from your own supply. Money might go missing, or perhaps you might realize your partner can't pay all the bills this month. If you're concerned about yourself or someone you care about, don't wait to get help. The following video tells the stories of teens and young adults who progressed from opiate painkiller abuse to devastating heroin addictions.

There are various long-term effects of OxyContin use. According to the DSM-5, the following social effects are sometimes caused by OxyContin addiction or dependence: Physical Risks Associated with Method of Use Needle users (e.g, intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous use). Increased risk for contracting HIV or Hepatitis.Ae Performance T Shirt For Sale Infection of heart lining.Outdoor Furniture Photoshop A note about injection use:What Are The Best Jeep Wrangler Seat Covers While the drug tends to be crushed and snorted, it can sometimes be injected, which leads to serious complications of its own. Additionally, crushing and injecting pills can lead to organ damage from solid pieces of the substance entering the bloodstream.

Blockages may cut off blood supply to vital areas, and infection may travel throughout the body from dirty pills and otherwise non-sterile needle use. There are also many different physical side effects, which include: There are many different OxyContin addiction treatment offerings. The best OxyContin recovery type will depend on your individual needs and situation. Some examples of various treatment settings and approaches include: No matter what type of treatment you decide on, the therapeutic course will often follow a series of three stages. As an example, your OxyContin abuse treatment may progress in this order: Teens are particularly vulnerable to OxyContin abuse, because pills are often readily available in their own homes or the homes of friends. Many pills are diverted from those with legitimate prescriptions, so teens can get their hands on the drug with relative ease. Also, the popular misconception that prescription opioids are safer than illicit drugs leads to increasing numbers of teens abusing painkiller medications like OxyContin.

According to ASAM's 2015 Facts & Figures: If you suspect teen drug abuse, check for the signs and symptoms listed above and get help immediately if a problem becomes apparent. To find a treatment program, call 1-888-744-0069. A caring and knowledgeable treatment support advisor can talk you through your options. For more information, please see the following articles: You can also join the conversation by visiting our Forum today.To lose weight, there are a few factors that you must consider for any weight loss program to be effective. If you remember the following formulas, you should be able to lose weight in a healthy manner and better yet, KEEP IT OFF! Formula #1: Calories OUT > Calories IN = Weight Loss This formula is as basic as weight loss gets. If you exercise more calories than you eat at the end of the day, you will lose weight. Creating a calorie deficiency at the end of a day does not mean you have to starve yourself. In fact, decreasing your calories too much can have an opposite effect on the body and cause what I refer to as CAMEL MODE.

The human body is built for survival and when we receive too few calories and not enough water, we can actually shut down our metabolism to a point where you will not burn fat and store water. So, you will not lose weight, but you could gain weight by the increased water retention. Obviously  the type of calories count. 500 calories  of protein and fat have a different hormonal reaction with your body than 500  calories of carbohydrates.  Make sure  your macronutrients are in a decent balance of each.  The 100 calories of a cookie is by no means  equivalent to 100 calories of apple slices or steak.   This is where Formula #2 comes into play: Water Oxygen = Fat burning Basically, the body needs water and increased oxygen to burn fat as an energy source. The water intake should be anywhere from 1/2 gallon for women and up to 1 gallon a day for men. See the "Water Plus Oxygen Equals Weight Loss" article if you are concerned about drinking "too much water." As you add more water to your system, your body will be able to use the retained water for excretion, prompting almost immediate weight loss that is healthy.

This is not the same as sitting in a sauna and sweating which actually DEHYDRATES you. Adding water will REHYDRATE you and enable the body to burn more fat (as long as you increase your oxygen intake by doing some form of exercise). Walking, swimming, biking, jogging, calisthenics, and even yard work can help with working your cardiovascular system. Here are some sample calorie expenditures for a variety of activities for people who weigh 130 - 190 lbs. If you weigh more that 190 lbs you will actually burn slightly more calories than a lighter person. These are but a few of the ways to burn calories. In fact, everything you do (breathing, sitting, standing) burns calories -- even sleeping! But as you can see from the above list, activities that burn the most are rigorous or can be done for several hours. Take a look at my "Summer Lean Down Plan" article for more information on the "CALORIES IN" part of the equation. But it is never a good idea to limit your calories under 1800 calories per day.