what kind of affects is there with oxycontin abuse?

Question

stopping the use after a period of over 2yrs

Answer 1

Psychological or physical dependence and tolerance. May lower blood pressure especially if blood pressure compromised to start with.

Answer 2

The most serious risk associated with opioid, including Oxycontin, is respiratory depression. Since you mentioned a stopping period of 2 years, these symptoms are probably only slight.

Some other common opioid side effects are constipation, nausea, sedation, dizziness, vomiting, headache, dry mouth, sweating, and weakness. Taking a large single dose of an opioid could cause severe respiratory depression that can lead to permanent damage.

Long term effects, which are accompanied by the ones already listed, is largely physical dependency. Which does not apply to this case, b/c there has been a stopping of the drug.

In this instance I would be concerned with rectifying any previous harm that may have been done by the oxy, as well as treating any permanent damage that may have occurred

Answer 3

The "affects" of Oxycontin abuse is on your family and friends. The "effects" of such an abuse on you are enormous. You get extremely dependent on them, and go around like a zombie -- ask Rush Limbaugh. If, after two years, you are cleaning up, you should either go to rehab or wean yourself off it - slowly over a short period of time. Good luck to you and you should be very proud of yourself for recognizing the problem. Like smoking, when you have the craving, eat a few salted sunflower seeds. It does help. Again, God bless you in this difficult endeavor.

Answer 4

I'm prescribed Oxycontin for chronic pain. My doctor's office scheduled my appointment for a day later than the number of days they gave me meds for. The withdrawal was ungodly, and that was just from not getting my regular dose until more than 12 hours after my last one. Nausea, vomitting, cold sweats, diarrhea, leg pain... it was terrible. If you've been on it for two years, I would definitely not recommend going cold turkey. You can see an addictionologist who can prescribe a medication (Suboxone, Buprenorphine, Buprenex, Methadone) to ease your withdrawals and then taper you off of it, or can supervise a safe and comfortable taper using the Oxycontin itself. Oxycontin withdrawals are comparable to heroin withdrawals, and the withddrawal symptoms are what generally causes users to relapse. They're painful and scary. If you're serious about getting clean, I would recommend seeing an addictionologist or a counselor that works with one. You can also try the "Thomas Recipe", which is as follows:

THOMAS RECIPE

If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.

For the Recipe, You'll need:

1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.

2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).

3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.

4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper, Magnesium and Potassium (you may not find the potassium in the same supplement).

5. Vitamin B6 caps.

6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).

How to use the recipe:

Start the vitamin/mineral supplement right away (or the first day you can keep it down), preferably with food. Potassium early in the detox is important to help relieve RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). Bananas are a good source of potassium if you can't find a supplement for it.

Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5.

During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.

Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it.

At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help.

Continue to take the vitamin/mineral supplement with breakfast.

As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.

If you choose to go cold turkey, know that acute withdrawal lasts about 3 days, but some withdrawal symptoms can last for months afterward.

Answer 5

You're qualified to host a conservative talk radio show.