OxyContin Addiction Treatment

Working with a counselor can help you overcome your addiction to OxyContin.

OxyContin addiction must be treated with formal addiction treatment in a rehab center or another facility where the individual has access to the treatment methods that are best for them. According to Harvard Medical School, “The addiction is a chronic disease with no lasting inexpensive cure. Recovery, when it occurs, is precarious, and relapse is a constant danger.” This is why treatment must be done right in order to be as effective as possible. There are several treatment methods for OxyContin addicts.

Detoxification

Medically-assisted detoxification often starts out the treatment regimen for a patient addicted to OxyContin. However, sometimes a person may choose a more long-term, drug maintenance program. Either way, it is important to remember that detox only helps a person stop being dependent on OxyContin and that other treatments must be attended in order for them to recover from addiction.

Medication

There are several types of medication used to treat OxyContin addiction. They can often be used as long as the individual needs, and sometimes, a person might switch from one to another based on their changing needs. The main medications are:

• Methadone (a semi-synthetic opioid)
• Buprenorphine (a partial opioid agonist)
• Naltrexone (an opioid antagonist)

All of these medications have their pros and cons as treatment methods and should be thoroughly researched by the patient before they choose one along with the help of their doctor.

Behavioral therapy

Addiction treatment is not usually complete without behavioral therapy. According to the NIDA, “Behavioral therapies vary in their focus and may involve addressing a patient’s motivation to change” as well as many other important areas that are involved in their long-term recovery. The commonly used behavioral therapies for OxyContin addiction treatment are:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Contingency management
• Family/relationship therapy
• Group therapy
• 12 step programs

There are many different options available for the treatment of OxyContin addiction, and most doctors will recommend a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. Patients can attend treatment in an outpatient or inpatient center depending on how severe their addictions are as well as their other needs.

Harvard Medical School assures that “the vast majority of patients who take prescription opiate analgesics do not become addicted.” However, abusers of OxyContin can quickly become addicts, so it is important to always watch for signs of abuse of the drug and to seek help if necessary.