Oxycontin Addiction a Growing Problem Across the United States
Oxycontin addiction in the United States is a very serious issue plaguing people of all walks of life. The addiction usually happens subtly, and for many people who become addicted their original use was legitimate having been prescribed the drug by a physician. Once it has a hold of you, it will be unlikely that you or your loved one will be able to kick it on your own. Almost always some form of inpatient drug treatment will be necessary.
Oxycontin is a newer, time released form of the drug oxycodone. When taken as prescribed, Oxycontin can be a very effective way to manage pain due to its time released nature. Once addicted, however, many users will learn ways to remove the time release mechanism to increase the euphoria. It is also quite common for Oxycontin addicts to smoke the pills, crush them and snort them, and even “cook” the pills down so the drug can be injected. Some street names for Oxycontin are Oxy, O.C., hillbilly heroin and killer.
Waismann Method For Oxycontin Detox
There are a few different approaches to Oxycontin Detox. One of them is known as the Waismann Method which is performed in a hospital with strict medical supervision. With this method the patient is provided anesthesia which speeds up the detox treatment while the patient sleeps. This procedure can be quite costly, and the research on success rates varies.
Social Model For Oxycontin Detox
Another option for Oxycontin Detox is the social model form detox treatment. With this method the client is prescribed less severe medications, but there is more focus on counseling because the client is not anesthetized. With social model detox there is also more focus on follow up activities like attendance at 12 step meetings, outpatient treatment, or individual addiction counseling.
Being part of the opiate category, Oxycontin detox can be very difficult. As with other opiates there are long term mental and physical dependencies. Symptoms that may occur during the detox treatment include body aches, indigestion, mental anguish, and others. As the drug begins to leave the body, the withdrawal symptoms can become severe. This makes professional drug treatment almost always a necessity for Oxycontin detox.
According to a 2006 National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) survey nearly 21% of the population in the U.S. reported non-medical use of prescription drugs at some point in their lifetime. The 2009 National Prescription Drug Threat Assessment states that unintentional overdose deaths resulting from prescription drugs has increased 114% from 2001 to 2005. And according to SAMHSA, prescription drug abuse is the second most common form of recreational drug use in America second only to marijuana. Given these statistics, it is clear that abuse of prescription drugs in the United States is a serious subject. For our neighbors to the north in Canada, the story is much the same with accidental deaths from opioid use having doubled from 1991 to 2004.
Is Prescription Drug Abuse More "Socially Acceptable" Than Illicit Drug Use?
For many people, the stigma of prescription drug abuse is negligible when compared to illicit drug abuse. After all, the substance of abuse was prescribed by a doctor and purchased in a pharmacy. It's not like the addict was buying heroin, cocaine, or some other street drug from a dealer. So where's the problem? This type of mentality is contributing to the problem, and it prevents many from seeking the prescription drug abuse treatment that they need. The results of this attitude can can have drastic results.
An Increase In Prescription Drug Use For Recreational Purposes
The diversion of prescription drugs from their intended use has increased drastically from 2003 to 2007. According to the 2009 threat assessment, the diversion of opioid pain relievers has increased the most during this time period: hydrocodone (vicodin) 118%, morphine 111%, and methadone 109%. Other prescription drugs commonly diverted for abuse include Oxycontin which has a street name "80" or "Hillbilly heroin", Ritalin (Ritz or Vitamin R), and Xanax (zanies). Prescription drug abuse treatment for many of these substances can be very difficult.
Where Do RX Drug Abusers Get Their Pills?
The diversion of these drugs occurs through various forms. 56.5% of abusers reported that they received the drugs from a friend or relative for free, and 81% of these people reported that the drugs were originally obtained from a doctor through a prescription. Other ways that prescription drugs are obtained for illicit use include theft from a family member or friend (5.2%), Internet purchases (0.5%), and purchase from a dealer (4.1%). Another common practice amongst addicts to obtain prescription drugs is "doctor shopping." This is the practice of visiting several doctors for the same "ailment" to receive multiple valid prescriptions.
Prescription Drug Abuse Among Teens
Among teens, the practice of "pharming" can have drastic results when they grab a handful of prescription pills out of a bowl and ingest some or all of them.
The prescription drug and opiate epidemic is spreading around the country at an alarming rate, and many are being caught up in its wake. It is imperative for those suffering from opiate addictions brought on by prescription painkillers to know that there is a way out; through detox, rehabilitation and determination.
When you hear words like rehab and detox, usually you want to imagine the same type of setting, processes, and treatment. This is inaccurate.
Rehab and detox are actually very different and while detoxification for drugs or alcohol can be a part of rehab, it doesn’t have to be and not everyone goes through a detox program when detoxing.
The term “social model detox” or “social detox” can conjure up images like needing detox from social media or news or other types of social interaction, this isn’t quite right either. Social model detox is actually a particular type of detox process from drugs or alcohol.
It is often talked about alongside its counterpart, the medical model of detox, or a medical detox program. Each type of program has its own special benefits and experiences for those involved in the process.
What Makes Social Detox Special?
The basic definition of social detox is to remove toxins from the body without the use of additional medications. This is the opposite of medical detox or medication-assisted treatments as those processes for treatment include the use of more medications.
That is not a bad thing and medication-assisted treatment is an evidence-based theory that has been proven to work effectively and safely when done correctly with professional supervision.
Detox without additional medications is also safe and effective. This is the basis of the social model of detox. It is most ideal for those with mild addictions and with minimal risk of overdose. Also, note that this type of detox may not be best for everyone. The most important thing to always remember about addiction treatment is that it is never the same for everyone and a one-size-fits-all approach is not a safe or effective way to find treatment.
Sometimes the symptoms from withdrawal during detox can be life-threatening and in these cases, medical model detox is the safer option. However, when this isn’t the case, the social model of detox can be just as effective and safe.
How Do I Know if I Need a Drug Detox Treatment Center?
Deciding whether or not to detox at a drug or alcohol treatment center can seem tricky. It is important to remember that you should first start by assessing and thinking about how severe you or your loved one's substance use disorder is. The more intense this is, the more likely there will be a benefit to seeking care at a treatment center that specializes in detox.
Remember that there are a variety of different types of detox and that certain types of detox are more effective than others for different cases. Improper detox can lead to heightened withdrawal symptoms like severe pain, psychosis, and suicidal ideation.
This is why at Pathways Recovery we are sure to assess everyone who seeks care with us on an individual basis to be sure that we are able to provide the proper, quality, whole-body care they need.
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that the more severe an addiction is the more difficult it is to quit without treatment and support. This makes perfect sense when you consider the brain.
Addiction impacts the brain and creates a dependence on a particular substance that makes your brain crave the substance whenever it feels like there isn’t enough. If a substance has been used for a long period of time it can take the brain longer to return to a state where it does not think it NEEDS the substance.
This is part of why it is important to seek care early and to be sure the team that is helping you understands both the social and medical aspects of detoxification.
Detox Treatment for Drugs Is Just the Beginning of Recovery
As you saw before, it can be common to think that detox is like rehab and that once you’ve detoxed from the drugs then that's it. However, that is not truly the case. In fact, most people benefit far more from having in-depth treatment.
Research shows that the longer someone spends in getting treatment for their addiction, the better their long term recovery experience. So, it is important that we remember to combine detox with other important treatments like therapies, healthy lifestyles, and nutritional well-being.
This is where the social model of detox comes into play again as it works to pair detoxification with therapies and skills. For example, when in social detox you will not only be safely weaned off of whatever substance is currently in your system but you will also have the opportunity to meet with therapists and learn healthy strategies and skills.
Once you or your loved one is finished with detox, it can be time to get help for the underlying causes of addiction in an inpatient or outpatient care setting. This is where other methods of treatment come into play and can help return the body, mind, and soul to a healthy lifestyle and balance.
Seeking Drug Detox Services and Facilities in Roseville California
Drug detoxification or alcohol detoxification is critical to maintaining long term sobriety.
We work with each individual and their loved ones to develop a plan of recovery before leaving our facility. Here, at Pathways Recovery, we know our health revolves around our mental, physical, and even nutritional well-being. Ultimately, each individual has their own unique circumstances that will shape their health and nutrition. There may be financial constraints, time constraints, work or family obligations, and even geographic factors impacting someone’s mental health and access to food.
Our program offers specialized care that extends past the usual detox services. We offer:
Comprehensive medical care by a doctor of addiction medicine
An experienced detox staff that closely monitors and supports each client around the clock
Treatment for six patients maximum at a time
Nutritious and fresh whole-food, plant-rich foods, and can accommodate dietary restrictions
Fresh cold-pressed fruit and vegetable juices
Whole-food smoothies with superfoods made daily and as needed
Vitamins and supplements designed for healing the addicted brain and body
Our whole-body addiction treatment program includes nutrition, gym workouts, and nature hikes around Sacramento to help heal our clients’ hearts, bodies, and minds. We’re here to help you navigate these challenges. Call us today at 916-251-0352.
FAQS About Social Model Detox
How many days does it take for your body to detox?
This can depend on a large variety of things such as type of addiction, type of substance, how long the substance has been used, and more. In general, detox can range in time from three days up to 21 days depending on many factors.
What does it feel like to detox?
Each person experiences detoxification in their own way. Some say that it feels painful or stressful at first but at the end, you feel “lighter” or like a weight has lifted. Others do not feel any of the negative withdrawal side effects and thus feel better sooner. The process of detox is deeply personal and depends on a lot of factors, which is why it is important to seek care during detoxification and withdrawal from trained professionals to know what is normal and abnormal to feel.
According to a 2006 National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) survey nearly 21% of the population in the U.S. reported non-medical use of prescription drugs at some point in their lifetime. The 2009 National Prescription Drug Threat Assessment states that unintentional overdose deaths resulting from prescription drugs has increased 114% from 2001 to 2005. And according to SAMHSA, prescription drug abuse is the second most common form of recreational drug use in America second only to marijuana. Given these statistics, it is clear that abuse of prescription drugs in the United States is a serious subject. For our neighbors to the north in Canada, the story is much the same with accidental deaths from opioid use having doubled from 1991 to 2004.
Deciding whether or not to detox at a drug or alcohol treatment center can seem tricky. It is important to remember that you should first start by assessing and thinking about how severe you or your loved one's substance use disorder is. The more intense this is, the more likely there will be a benefit to seeking care at a treatment center that specializes in detox.