Answer Addiction

Tag: oxycontin

  • Courtney Love Refuses to "Sell Out" to OxyContin Heiress at NYFW, Takes It to Instagram

    Courtney Love Refuses to "Sell Out" to OxyContin Heiress at NYFW, Takes It to Instagram

    “This request from Joss Sackler is shameless and offensive after everything I, many of my friends, and millions of other addicts have been through with OxyContin,” Love told Page Six.

    Manhattan socialite Joss Sackler could not escape the controversy of her family name during this year’s New York Fashion Week.

    Ahead of the NYFW presentation of her line, “LBV care of Joss Sackler,” on Monday, Page Six reported that the “OxyContin heiress” offered more than $100,000 and a dress sewn with 24 carat gold thread to Courtney Love to attend the show.

    Ties to OxyContin

    The Sackler Family owns Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin. Purdue is fighting a barrage of lawsuits alleging that the pharmaceutical company played a role in fueling the opioid crisis. The company is currently negotiating a settlement ahead of a much anticipated federal trial scheduled to begin in October.

    State attorneys general have vowed to go after the family’s wealth as retribution. “I won’t let them get away with their crimes,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro on Twitter. “I will sue them personally, so that we can dig into their personal pocketbooks.”

    David Sackler, Joss’s husband, is the grandson of Raymond Sackler, one of the three company’s founders. David served on Purdue’s board of directors from 2012 to 2018, before the couple “fled town” to escape the controversy, as Page Six reported in May, trading their $6.5 million Upper East Side apartment for a place in Palm Beach, Florida.

    Rejected by Courtney Love

    Joss Sackler and her team, who are “huge fans” of Courtney Love, assured the Hole rocker that “The brand has no relation to Purdue… other than Joss is married to the family,” according to Page Six.

    But Love wasn’t having it. “I am one of the most famous reformed junkies on the planet—my husband died on heroin—what is it about me that says to Joss Sackler, ‘I will sell out to you?’ Well I won’t.”

    She continued, telling Page Six, “This request from Joss Sackler is shameless and offensive after everything I, many of my friends, and millions of other addicts have been through with OxyContin.” Love is sober but says she will “always be an opioid addict… I am just in recovery.”

    Sackler countered, posting an email screenshot suggesting that Love, instead of rejecting her offer, sought “$275,000 minimum” to attend Sackler’s NYFW event. She wrote “Fake news” in the caption and tagged Love’s Instagram handle. Love responded: “Check me out you bitch. Come for me. Lying sack of #sacklerlies shit.”

    Fashion Show

    Sackler’s event went ahead as planned on Monday at the Bowery Hotel Terrace. The atmosphere was described by one journalist as “redolent of defiant wealth.”

    A friend of the family, Jaya Karamores, defended Joss. “It’s unfair,” she told the Daily Beast. “She’s her own woman and people should see the line before they open their mouths. All she’s seen as is a man’s wife. For her to run a business is amazing.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • OxyContin Maker Expected To File for Bankruptcy

    OxyContin Maker Expected To File for Bankruptcy

    Purdue Pharma is expected to file for bankruptcy protection as the company reportedly failed to settle thousands of opioid lawsuits against them.

    After years of reaping massive profits from allegedly deceptive marketing practices around its opioid painkillers, Purdue Pharma is expected to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy soon, since negotiations to reach a settlement in the scores of lawsuits against the company have failed. 

    Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery and North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein updated attorneys general around the country over the weekend, and their letter was obtained by the Associated Press. 

    “As a result, the negotiations are at an impasse, and we expect Purdue to file for bankruptcy protection imminently,” Slatery and Stein wrote. 

    A spokesperson for Purdue responded, “Purdue declines to comment on that in its entirety.” In March, Reuters first reported that Purdue was exploring bankruptcy, although there was no official word from the company. 

    Filing for Bankruptcy

    If Purdue Pharma does make a move to file for bankruptcy, it would complicate more than 2,000 lawsuits that municipalities and states around the country have filed against the company. It would almost certainly mean that Purdue would not be part of the opioid lawsuit taking place in federal court Ohio. The first trial in that batch is expected to start next month. 

    One speculation is that a bankruptcy payout from Purdue could be worth $10 to $12 billion over time, but others say that the payout could be as little as $1 billion, which is small considering the amount of lawsuits against the company.

    Seeking Damages

    Attorneys vowed that they would continue to seek damages from the company. 

    “Like you, we plan to continue our work to ensure that the Sacklers, Purdue and other drug companies pay for drug addiction treatment and other remedies to help clean up the mess we allege they created,” Slatery and Stein wrote in their letter. 

    In some cases, states are personally suing the Sackler family, which has reportedly pulled billions of dollars out of Purdue and moved that personal wealth offshore. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro is among those who plans to sue the Sackler family. 

    “I think they are a group of sanctimonious billionaires who lied and cheated so they could make a handsome profit,” he said. “I truly believe that they have blood on their hands.”

    Shapiro took to Twitter Saturday to emphasize his point. 

    “The Sacklers pioneered our #OpioidEpidemic,” he wrote. “They have blood on their hands. And on behalf of PA’ns, I will sue them personally, so that we can dig into their personal pockets & retrieve some of the money they made. We need this for treatment and other life saving efforts.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Guide to Top Rehabs for Oxaydo Addiction

    Guide to Top Rehabs for Oxaydo Addiction

    Looking for information about Oxaydo addiction and some tips on finding the right luxury rehab? Use this helpful guide to find answers.

    1. What is Oxaydo and How is it Used?
    2. How Oxaydo Addiction Develops 
    3. The Effects of Oxaydo on the Brain
    4. Street Names for Oxaydo
    5. Signs of Oxaydo Addiction
    6. The Hazards of Oxaydo Overdose
    7. Diagnosing Oxaydo Addiction
    8. Oxaydo Addiction and Its Co-occurring Disorders
    9. Oxaydo Withdrawal and Detox
    10. Getting Treatment for Oxaydo Addiction
    11. Finding the Right Oxaydo Rehab Facility for Your Recovery

    Oxaydo is a potent painkiller. When it is prescribed, it should help relieve your suffering. But if you misuse this drug, Oxaydo addiction can quickly develop. Should this happen, you’ll need to get help right away, before your Oxaydo dependence wreaks havoc on your life.

    Addiction treatment will offer you the best opportunity to conquer your problem. High-quality Oxaydo rehab facilities can make all the difference, as long as you make the right decision and choose the best Oxaydo rehab for you.

    What is Oxaydo and How is it Used?

    Oxaydo is an instant-release prescription pain medication that contains oxycodone, an opioid analgesic known for its powerful effects. Like other forms of oxycodone, Oxaydo is prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, which may be chronic or temporary depending on its cause. 

    Oxaydo tablets dissolve in the stomach and can provide effective pain relief for a period of four to six hours. Typical doses range from five to 15 mg, and patients should limit their consumption to no more than four doses every 24 hours.

    Oxycodone has been sold for years in large quantities under the brand name OxyContin. But there have long been concerns about the abuse of this particular drug. Public health authorities have been calling for safer alternatives, and that is what Egalet Corporation (the makers of Oxaydo) have tried to provide.

    In addition to its painkilling effects, oxycodone can also cause feelings of euphoria, especially in a concentrated dose. That’s why people who abuse the drug often inhale or inject it after first dissolving or crushing the tablets. 

    With Oxaydo, none of this will work. Thanks to its special abuse-deterrent formula, if users try to dissolve it for injection Oxaydo will turn into a gel that is too thick to insert into a syringe. If crushed and inhaled, it will cause an unpleasant burning sensation in the nasal passages. Chewing it will destroy its intoxicating capacities completely. 

    The only way to consume Oxaydo successfully is to take it in the normal way, with liquid, after which it will dissolve at a gradual pace and not cause any kind of significant rush.

    With its advanced abuse-deterrent formula, Oxaydo does represent something of a breakthrough. It presents certain challenges to those who would try to abuse it that earlier versions of oxycodone lacked. 

    But while Oxaydo’s formula does represent something of a breakthrough, its ingenious design does not make it totally abuse-proof. Users can simply take extra tablets if they want to increase concentrations in their bloodstream, and that is exactly what many people who’ve developed Oxaydo addiction have been doing. 

    How Oxaydo Addiction Develops

    Many men and women start out with a legitimate prescription for Oxaydo. They find it helpful for their severe or chronic pain. But over time, they start violating the terms of their prescription, thinking that more of a good thing must be better. Their prescriptions weren’t quite enough to completely vanquish their pain, so they increase their dosages progressively in a search for complete relief.

    Unfortunately, what these individuals fail to realize is that doctors limit their dosages to protect them from addiction. Growing tolerance for Oxaydo will develop as consumption increases, and that is why they have to boost their dosages repeatedly to keep the pain away.

    The same pattern often occurs among people who obtain their Oxaydo illicitly. They try to self-medicate for their pain, but don’t really know how to do it and quickly start taking more than they should. Without the guidance of a trained medical authority, they don’t limit themselves and end up falling into drug dependency.

    Another way people slip into Oxaydo addiction is through recreational use. The aim is not to reduce pain but to get high, using a drug that many believe is safer because it is available with a prescription. 

    In reality, recreational use of Oxaydo is always a form of Oxaydo abuse and is therefore dangerous. This is especially true if you find yourself mixing Oxaydo with other intoxicating or mind-altering substances. This will increase your risk of addiction and could even lead to an Oxaydo overdose. 

    Regardless of your reason for misusing Oxaydo, if you aren’t taking it as prescribed your behavior could put your health at risk.

    The Effects of Oxaydo on the Brain

    When oxycodone reaches the brain, it can bind with opioid receptors to reduce or eliminate your feelings of pain. It will also stimulate those receptors to release the neurochemical dopamine, a so-called “pleasure molecule” that is responsible for the feelings of euphoria Oxaydo can produce.

    As long as your Oxaydo use is carefully controlled, there should be no danger. But when you abuse an opioid medication, the opioid receptors in your brain will gradually lose sensitivity. They won’t react as strongly to the presence of Oxaydo and won’t release enough dopamine to meet your growing dependence on its uplifting effects. This means you’ll have to take more and more Oxaydo to kill your pain and experience the feelings of joy you’ve come to crave.

    Growing tolerance for Oxaydo is what leads to addiction. When you’ve been abusing the drug for a while you’ll no longer be able to get by without it—or more specifically, without a lot of it. 

    Street Names for Oxaydo

    People who are determined to abuse Oxaydo will be able to find supplies. Opioids are so widely prescribed that friends, family members and neighbors often have bottles around the house. They are also available on the black market, from dealers who sell prescription drugs alongside illicit substances like cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. 

    When purchased illegally, Oxaydo (or oxycodone in general) may be referred to by a number of slang names or street names, including:

    • Oxy
    • Oxycat
    • Hillbilly heroin
    • Juice
    • Dillies
    • Apache
    • Goodfella
    • Loads
    • White stuff
    • China white
    • Jackpot
    • Dummies
    • TNT

    If you’re getting your Oxaydo from sources where such terminology is frequently used, you should take that as a warning sign that you’re headed for a fall.

    Signs of Oxaydo Addiction

    Oxaydo addiction can develop faster than you might expect. In the early stages, you might confuse Oxaydo addiction symptoms with normal Oxaydo side effects. But Oxaydo addiction symptoms are more severe, debilitating and chronic. 

    Some of the symptoms of Oxaydo abuse and addiction include:

    • Constant drowsiness
    • Sluggishness
    • Slow heart rate
    • Suppression of appetite
    • Mental confusion and memory problems
    • Lack of balance and coordination
    • Low blood pressure
    • Dry mouth
    • Constipation
    • Sleep disruptions
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Mood swings
    • Respiratory difficulties

    Each of these Oxaydo addiction symptoms is a sign of distress. They happen because you’ve been taking more opioids than you can handle and your brain and body are struggling to adjust. 

    The ultimate result of this type of drug abuse is addiction. If you don’t seek treatment, your symptoms will only worsen over time.

    The Hazards of Oxaydo Overdose

    Few Oxaydo addiction symptoms are more troubling than an Oxaydo overdose. 

    Opioid overdoses are responsible for tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year. Even if you manage to survive an overdose, you’ll remain in danger unless you seek treatment at an Oxaydo rehab facility immediately. 

    The symptoms that let you know you’ve overdose on Oxaydo may include:

    • Disorientation
    • Weakness
    • Loss of coordination
    • Slow heartbeat
    • Low blood pressure
    • Dilation of the pupils
    • Bluish tint to lips and/or fingernails
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Respiratory difficulties
    • Loss of consciousness

    Respiratory failure is the usual cause of death from Oxaydo overdose. The risk can be especially acute if you’ve mixed Oxaydo with other substances that further suppress central nervous system activity, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, etc.). 

    When the first Oxaydo overdose symptoms become apparent, it is vital to seek medical attention right away. Emergency medical personnel can stop an opioid overdose in its tracks, by injecting you with a drug called naloxone, which is sold under the brand name Narcan. But this will only work if you haven’t let your overdose progress too far.

    Surviving an Oxaydo overdose is a clear indication that you need Oxaydo rehab services right away. If you wait any longer, tragedy will get a second chance to strike. 

    Diagnosing Oxaydo Addiction

    Changes in your behavior combined with certain physical manifestations of drug dependency will allow psychiatrists, psychologists and addiction specialists to identify the true nature of your condition.

    There are 11 symptoms classified as diagnostic criteria for opioid addiction, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Two or more must be registered before your Oxaydo use disorder is confirmed.

    These symptoms include:

    1. A pattern of taking more Oxaydo than planned or expected
    2. The experience of powerful cravings for Oxaydo
    3. Spending an inordinate amount of time using and acquiring Oxaydo, or recovering from its misuse
    4. Encountering relationship troubles related to Oxaydo abuse
    5. Neglecting important duties at home, on the job, in school or elsewhere because of Oxaydo abuse 
    6. Developing physical or mental health problems related to ongoing Oxaydo use
    7. Abandoning previous hobbies or favored activities as a result of Oxaydo abuse 
    8. Incidents of risky, hazardous or reckless behavior occurred while Oxaydo was being abused
    9. Multiple attempts to stop using Oxaydo have failed
    10. An increase in tolerance for the effects of Oxaydo has developed, leading to escalating consumption
    11. The experience of Oxaydo withdrawal symptoms when use of the drug was interrupted

    If you report six or more of these symptoms, your Oxaydo use disorder will be classified as severe, because that signifies that your consumption of the drug is out of control.

    Oxaydo Addiction and Its Co-occurring Disorders

    Oxaydo abuse is often accompanied by co-occurring mental health disorders, which may be an underlying reason why your use of the drug has spiraled out of control. 

    Having a pre-existing mental health condition like depression or an anxiety disorder is a significant risk factor for chemical dependency. Many people turn to drugs and alcohol to help them escape their psychological discomfort and emotional pain. 

    In fact, about half of all people who develop Oxaydo addiction will have a previous history of mental health issues. This is why mental and behavioral health professionals screen for such conditions at the same time they evaluate you for a substance use disorder. When you go into treatment, it is essential that you receive help for all your existing conditions, simultaneously and with equal emphasis. 

    If you’ve been abusing multiple drugs at the same time, that is another complication that must be dealt with in your Oxaydo rehab program. Great Oxaydo rehab services are always customized to meet your specific needs as an individual, with full sobriety and lasting wellness of mind and body being the ultimate priority.

    Oxaydo Withdrawal and Detox

    The goal of oxycodone addiction treatment is to get you off Oxaydo completely. But if you try to stop using opioids all at once, you’ll experience powerful opioid withdrawal symptoms that can quickly undermine your resolve to stay clean and sober. 

    The onset of Oxaydo withdrawal symptoms may occur within the space of a few hours. These symptoms will be debilitating and unpleasant, and may take 48-72 hours to peak. They would eventually subside in strength, but only after 10-14 days and likely not soon enough to prevent a relapse.

    The most common Oxaydo withdrawal side effects include:

    • Agitation and anxiety
    • Poor appetite
    • Muscle aches
    • Severe nausea
    • Runny nose
    • Tremors
    • Sweating
    • Headaches
    • Diarrhea
    • Insomnia
    • Fatigue

    Obviously, you’d like to avoid the worst of Oxaydo withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, your best course of action is to start your rehabilitation in a medical detox program administered by an Oxaydo rehab center. 

    In detox, you’ll receive round-the-clock medical care in a fully-staffed and supplied clinical setting. This is to make sure you’re kept as comfortable as possible in the early stages of your recovery. Physical and mental healthcare services will be provided on an as-needed basis, assuring you receive appropriate quality care at a time when you’re at your most vulnerable.

    All of this can help ease your transition into an Oxaydo-free lifestyle. But to ensure your sobriety is sustainable, you must be introduced to it gradually. Rather than discontinuing opioid use suddenly, your dosages will be steadily decreased over a period of several months (or possibly weeks if you have a mild to moderate substance use disorder). 

    While you may detox from Oxaydo, it’s more likely that you’ll be given buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex, Buprenex) as a maintenance medication. This opioid can bind with the same receptors as Oxaydo, but without causing the same mind-altering effects. You won’t experience a rush of dopamine with buprenorphine, which means as you continue to take this drug euphoria will be no factor at all. This will help you break the hold of your addiction, so that when you finally get off buprenorphine for good you won’t miss it. 

    Methadone is another opioid medication sometimes prescribed in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs. Two other medications, lofexidine and clonodine, are non-opioid substances that can reduce the intensity of any withdrawal symptoms you might experience.

    Although such medications may be needed for months, they will first be provided in detox, which normally lasts for seven to 10 days. When your detox team is convinced your condition has stabilized, and that you’re physically and emotionally ready for addiction treatment, they will authorize your release and your formal Oxaydo rehabilitation program can begin.

    Getting Treatment for Oxaydo Addiction

    Overcoming Oxaydo addiction will require all your resources and determination. When you enter Oxaydo rehab, you’ll be challenged in ways you’ve never been challenged before. 

    But your addiction recovery team will equip you with the tools you need to successfully engage your opioid dependency. If you have co-occurring mental health disorders, they will be addressed in your treatment plan as well, with the same emphasis on developing your self-help skills.

    The core of your Oxaydo addiction recovery program will be individual therapy, with sessions likely made available on a daily basis. The idea is to create positive momentum by building a constructive relationship with your therapist, who will help you confront your past while beginning to imagine a much brighter future.

    In addition to individual therapy, group therapy and family therapy will also be included in your recovery plan. To facilitate good emotional health, you need to create a strong support network, both inside and outside the treatment facility. Peer group meetings and family therapy sessions will make you feel welcomed and accepted, and in the latter case loved. This type of support will increase your motivation to get better by letting you know that you aren’t alone in your struggle, and by letting you learn from others who are going through the same experience. 

    Complementary or alternative treatments are now a regular part of most Oxaydo addiction treatment programs. In many rehabs, you’ll have the option of enrolling in life skills or coping skills classes. This type of specialized coursework will show you how to avoid relapse and teach you how to make better decisions in your life in general. 

    Holistic healing methodologies are another staple in most of the top Oxaydo rehabs. Wellness practices like yoga, biofeedback, massage therapy, meditation, acupuncture and arts or music therapy can help you learn you how to respond more calmly and effectively to stress and anxiety. Such feelings are potent triggers for substance abuse and can interfere with your sobriety if you don’t know how to manage them.

    Addiction treatment plans in top Oxaydo rehab centers are comprehensive, multidimensional and transformative. Programs generally last for 30-90 days, depending on your personal needs, and are offered in both inpatient and outpatient formats. 

    Your treatment and recovery will continue in aftercare. Medication use will be managed, and therapy sessions of different types will be made available to help you stay on the path to sobriety.

    Finding the Right Oxaydo Rehab Facility for Your Recovery

    You may need to visit several Oxaydo rehab centers before you discover the best one for you. But the good news is that excellent Oxaydo rehab facilities are everywhere, and as long as you know what you’re looking for you should be able to uncover some appealing options.

    What you should be searching for is a rehab center that is fully licensed, has good reviews and hires therapists and addiction specialists who are highly trained and experienced. When you pay them a visit, administrators and staff alike should be ready, willing and able to answer all your questions (and the questions of your loved ones). They should provide you with detailed information about their menu of Oxaydo addiction recovery services and give you clear explanations about what you can expect if you seek treatment at their facility.

    From the very first meeting, the people you speak with should inspire you and fill you with confidence. They should make you feel hopeful and optimistic that you can overcome your substance use issues, no matter how long they’ve been affecting you. For the first time in a long time, you should see a clear path to a healthier and more productive life. 

    That’s what a great Oxaydo rehab center can accomplish, if you give it a chance. When you find a place that puts you in the best frame of mind to support recovery, your choice will become obvious.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • How Do You Find Rehab for Oxycontin Addiction?

    How Do You Find Rehab for Oxycontin Addiction?

    Looking for help with oxycontin addiction? Read our guide to find out how to find the right luxury rehab.

    Table of Contents

    1. What is Oxycontin and what causes Oxycontin addiction?
    2. Oxycontin withdrawal side effects and timeline
    3. What are the Oxycontin slang names?
    4. What is the best Oxycontin addiction treatment?
    5. How to find the best rehab for Oxycontin addiction treatment?
    6. Location
    7. Facilities
    8. Services
    9. Reputation
    10. How important is the aftercare for Oxycontin addiction treatment?

    It’s tough to determine the exact reason why people get into addiction. There can be several factors contributing to addiction problems in individuals. Most substance abuse victims begin addiction due to stress, low self-esteem, relationship issues, medical issues or just for the sake of experimenting. Families can have a significant impact on people’s addiction as well. Some people grow up seeing their close relatives using drugs or alcohol and perceive substance abuse as a sensible thing to do. Youngsters often fall victim to substance abuse due to peer pressure. Addictive substances like drugs and alcohol offer an immediate sense of relief and satisfaction helping people leave their worries momentarily.

    Drugs and alcohol react with the brain to release a chemical called dopamine, which gives an instant pleasurable sensation. Most people consider this as an escape from their seemingly imperfect life and become highly dependent on it. Some people mix two or more drugs to create an even intense sensation. This is drug abuse, and the effects can be more dangerous than taking a single type of drug alone.

    Most substance abuse victims fail to realize that these substances are detrimental to the mind and body in the long run. Once a person stops using drug or alcohol, they experience intense cravings, and even though they don’t give in to those cravings, their body undergoes many side effects. The common side effects associated with most substance abuse are:

    • Headache
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Anxiety
    • Insomnia
    • Dry Mouth
    • Fever
    • Mood Swings
    • Depression
    • Hallucinations
    • Weakness
    • Slow Heart Rate
    • Loss of Appetite

    What is Oxycontin and what causes Oxycontin addiction?

    In recent years, the rate of prescription drug abuse is rising at an alarming rate. There is a high risk of addiction associated with drugs like Oxycodone. Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic used to subdue severe ongoing pain from cancer, arthritis, etc. It’s sold under the drug name Oxycontin and is only prescribed to opioid-tolerant patients. The maximum permissible dosage for Oxycontin is 40mg per tablet. The drug should be taken only once every 12 hours. Dependence on Oxycontin for a long time can lead to addiction or overdose.

    Legally, the sale of Oxycontin is only limited to patients who have cancer; however, Oxycontin abuse takes place by crushing the tablet to snort or swallow it. By doing so, they destroy the time-release mechanism of the drug and experience a high similar to the one produced by heroin. An overdose of Oxycontin can be lethal and can lead to coma or death.

    People who have been using pain killers for a long time often become dependent on them to the extent that they crave for pain killers even when the pain is controllable. Prescribing opiates for pain should be the last resort for any medical problem and also if they are put on opioid medication, the dosage should be monitored strictly to avoid cases of overdose or addiction. The initial sign of addiction is withdrawal from social life. If you notice someone in your family or friend circle who is constantly distancing themselves, please talk to them and support them as much as possible.

    Oxycontin withdrawal side effects and timeline

    Oxycontin withdrawal can start with 5 to 8 hours of the last intake. Within 12 hours of withdrawal, most victims experience flu-like symptoms which are accompanied by other withdrawal symptoms associated with Oxycontin intake. For most, the withdrawal effects last from 1 to 3 weeks. Seeking medical help is necessary in case of any discomfort or withdrawal symptoms like:

    • Anxiety
    • Restlessness
    • Muscle Cramps
    • Chills
    • Sweating
    • Diarrhea
    • Rapid Heartbeat
    • Blurred Vision
    • Nausea
    • Abdominal Pain

    What are the Oxycontin slang names?

    Oxycontin is available under various street names such as:

    • Hilly Billy
    • Blues
    • Kickers
    • OC
    • Oxy
    • Ox
    • OxCotton
    • 40 (for 40 mg pill)
    • 80 (for 80 mg pill)

    What is the best Oxycontin addiction treatment?

    Before looking for specific addiction treatments, every person suffering from addiction needs to undergo detoxification. It helps people decrease their dependence on drugs without facing any adverse side effects. Detoxification can last for months depending on the need of the patient. Oxycontin detoxification helps to lower the drug dependence and eventually stop its usage completely.

    Some people who are looking to overcome Oxycontin addiction avoid seeking medical help due to the fear of painful detox treatment. For such patients, rapid detox treatment can be beneficial. Rapid detox is carried out in a private facility where a medically induced detox treatment is used to overcome opioid dependence. For most of the rapid detox, patients are kept sedated to ensure that they experience minimum pain.

    Once the detoxification process is completed successfully, patients can move towards an active rehab program. The rehab program varies depending on the type of drug that is dealt with and also the needs of the patient. If your withdrawal symptoms are well in control, your doctor may recommend an Outpatient rehab program for you. In an Outpatient program, you don’t need to stay within the rehab facility for your treatment. Outpatient rehab programs give you the freedom to live your life freely while undergoing rehab sessions from time to time. However, you should be particular about your visit and never miss a session.

    For people who are still dealing with significant withdrawal symptoms, an inpatient rehab program will help them recover without any risk. Inpatient rehab facilities require patients to stay within their facility under strict observation and get regularly treated by an experienced team of doctors and medical professionals. Inpatient rehab treatment is also known as residential rehab. Other than Inpatient and Outpatient rehab treatment, there are a few different types of detox programs as well. A Partial Hospitalization program (PHP) is an intensive outpatient program where patients have to attend the rehab program 5-7 days a week and spend most of the day undergoing treatment. At night, they can return to their home and sleep.

    In addition to this, most rehab offers Dual Diagnosis support. It’s very common for people to suffer from mental health problems due to substance abuse. Issues like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder are all mental health problems linked to addiction. When someone with an addiction problem also deals with mental health issues, it’s known as a dual diagnosis. This is a severe problem and needs to addressed alongside drug disorder.

    Rehab facilities along with treating drug problems also create awareness and educate patients about the harmful effects of drugs. They conduct regular counseling sessions and group therapies for victims of addiction and even involve their close friends and family to make the entire rehab process more effective. Rehab facilities are not just treatment centers for drug victims, but they have a holistic approach to healing.

    Whether you go for the conventional detox or rapid detox, the pain associated with the process cannot be entirely eliminated. To overcome the pain during Oxycontin addiction treatment,patients can try to exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and get enough sleep to prepare the body to sustain the detox treatment.

    How to find the best rehab for Oxycontin addiction treatment?

    Finding the right rehab is as tricky as getting out of an addiction. Proper research and recommendations can help you find the best rehab for your addiction treatment. Enroll in a rehab program that covers most of your treatment expenses so that you don’t have to face any financial struggle or stop your rehab treatment midway. If you know anyone who has been to rehab before, ask for their recommendation as well. Once you shortlist a few rehab facilities that have partnerships with medical insurance providers, you need to look out for these features:

    Location

    If you’re dealing with mental health problems along with drug addiction, signing up for Inpatient treatment that deals with multiple patients together within their facility might not be a wise choice. For them, private rehab can be more beneficial. Moreover, the environment around your rehab facility should be calm and pollution-free. Ensure that your rehab is located conveniently at a place where there’s not much crowd.

    Facilities

    Get the rehab facility information booklet and check out the facilities available for the patients. See whether they have a separate housing complex for the patients within the facility or if they are accommodated somewhere adjacent to the rehab facility. Also, inquire about the tools and techniques used for the treatment.

    Services

    Check the list of doctors and medical staff in the rehab and ensure they are well qualified to handle all types of addiction victims. Also, make sure that the services provided are on time and efficient enough.

    Reputation

    Finally, check out online reviews and ratings about the rehab facility. See what other people have to say about the services offered at the rehab. If possible, get in touch with former alumni and talk to them about the quality of services provided there. This will give you a clear idea about the rehab.

    How important is the aftercare for Oxycontin addiction treatment?

    Aftercare treatment for Oxycontin is as necessary as undergoing Oxycontin addiction treatment. People who have just completed their drug addiction therapy have a high chance to relapse with proper aftercare sessions. Aftercare sessions help people to stay away from substance abuse for a lifetime and control any cravings that may arise ever.

    Aftercare sessions focus on rigorous counseling and educating addiction victims, their family and friends on common issues and stigmas related to addiction. A lot of people cannot come clean about their addiction or find it hard to admit that they have an addiction problem because society generally perceives them as a burden.

    Only proper knowledge and openly discussing the problem can help change that misconception among people. By encouraging a lot of people to participate in aftercare services, the rehab centers ensure that there is always someone to provide immediate support when relapses happen.

    If you’re suffering from addiction, don’t delay your treatment. Get immediate help and start your recovery process soon. Continuous drug usage makes it hard to get rid of the addiction, and the path to recovery also gets stressful. Don’t move away from friends and family if you’re dealing with addiction; talk to them and tell them about your challenges to get the right support and supervision you’ve been looking for.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Opioid Crisis Activists "Die In" At Guggenheim Over Sackler Family Ties

    Opioid Crisis Activists "Die In" At Guggenheim Over Sackler Family Ties

    After the Guggenheim, protesters walked two blocks to the Metropolitan Museum, which has a wing named after the Sackler family. 

    Protesters dropped fake prescriptions from balconies, handed out empty pill bottles and laid down as if they were dead at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City to call attention to the opioid epidemic and call for the museum and others like it to stop acknowledging the billionaire philanthropists of the Sackler family, members of which founded the company that would become Purdue Pharma, the manufacturers of OxyContin. 

    “I want the Guggenheim and others publicly to disavow themselves from the Sacklers and refuse future funding from them, and I want them to take down the Sackler name from the museums,” Nan Goldin, who organized the protest, told The Guardian.

    Goldin, a photographer who art displayed in the Guggenheim, has been an outspoken critic of the Sackler family after she nearly died of an opioid overdose, following an addiction that she says started when she was prescribed OxyContin, a pill produced by Purdue Pharma. 

    The Sackler family has its name on the Guggenheim and other museums and institutes for the arts. Since the opioid epidemic — and Purdue’s misleading advertising claims — have been in the spotlight more, some have called on these institutions to distance themselves from the family.

    “We’re here to call out the Sackler family. By failing to disavow them now, by refusing to take down their names, the museums are complicit in the opioids crisis.”

    Distributing fake prescriptions from the balconies was meant to call attention to comments made by one member of the Sackler family, claiming that the launch of OxyContin would “followed by a blizzard of prescriptions that will bury the competition,” said Goldin. 

    According to The New Yorker, the fake scripts were for 80 milligrams of OxyContin to be taken 24 times a day. They also contained a quote: “If OxyContin is uncontrolled, it is highly likely that it will eventually be abused. . . . How substantially would it improve our sales?” The words were pulled from court filling in Massachusetts, where Purdue is being sued for its prescribing practices. 

    After the Guggenheim, protesters walked two blocks to the Metropolitan Museum, which has a wing named after the Sackler family. 

    Visitors to the Guggenheim were initially confused, but a few who spoke to The Guardian said that the protest resonated with them. 

    “It reminded me of stories of protesters laying down in Wall Street during the Aids epidemic. These institutions all have dirty hands,” said Alex Viteri.

    Another man was visiting from New Hampshire, one of the states hardest hit by the opioid epidemic. The man said that his brother-in-law became hooked on opioids after being prescribed OxyContin. Like many people, the brother-in-law progressed to illicit opioids and died of a drug overdose. 

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Did Abuse-Deterrent OxyContin Lead To Uptick in Hep-C Cases?

    Did Abuse-Deterrent OxyContin Lead To Uptick in Hep-C Cases?

    Researchers examined a possible link between the arrival of abuse-deterrent Oxy and the increase in hepatitis C cases for a new study.

    In 2010, concern about the opioid epidemic was largely centered around the misuse of OxyContin. That year, Purdue Pharma, which manufactures the opioid painkiller, reformatted the drug to make it harder to misuse.

    However, researchers say this caused people to use heroin instead, which ultimately let to an increase in cases of hepatitis C. 

    Officials have known that cases of hepatitis C (HCV), which can be passed through intravenous drug use, had increased rapidly beginning in 2010. In a recent study published in Health Affairs, researchers found that HCV spread more quickly in states that previously had higher than average rates of OxyContin abuse. This confirmed the connection between the reformulation of OxyContin and the higher rates of HCV.

    David Powell, the study’s lead author, said that the findings prove that well-intentioned policies can have serious effects on public health. 

    “These results show that efforts to deter misuse of opioids can have unintended, long-term public health consequences,” he said, according to Science Daily. “As we continue to develop policies to combat the opioid epidemic, we need to be careful that new approaches do not make another public health problem worse.”

    Previous research has shown that the reformulation of OxyContin—which made it harder to crush, snort or inject—led some people to turn to heroin.

    In the recent study, researchers solidified the connection between the reformulation and HCV rates. They found that in states with above-average misuse of OxyContin before the reformulation, rates of HCV increased 222% between 2010 and 2015. In states that had lower than average rates of OxyContin misuse, there was a rise of just 75%.

    Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, a study co-author, said that this steep increase in infections was concerning, although it has tapered off in recent years. 

    “Even with recent advancements in the treatment for hepatitis C, the dramatic increase in infections represents a substantial public health concern that can have tremendous long-term costs if infected people are not identified and treated,” she said. 

    Pacula cautioned that lawmakers need to consider the unintended consequences that certain drug policies may have, and plan for how those risks will be addressed. 

    “It is important that strategies that limit the supply of abusable prescription opioids are paired with policies to ease the harms associated with switching to illicit drugs, such as improved access to drug treatment and increased efforts to identify and treat diseases associated with injection drug use,” said Pacula.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • "Heroin Spoon" Art Exhibit Re-Emerges In Boston

    "Heroin Spoon" Art Exhibit Re-Emerges In Boston

    The artwork was placed as a “gift” to Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey outside of the State House.

    The massive, 800-pound “heroin spoon” sculpture has re-emerged.

    This past June, the guerrilla art exhibit sat in front of Purdue Pharma headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, for about two hours before it was hauled away by city workers.

    The spoon appears burnt and bent at the handle. The artist, Domenic Esposito, said the purpose of the massive symbol is to “protest and hold accountable the people who in our minds have created this epidemic that has killed close to 300,000 people.” Purdue Pharma is the maker of OxyContin.

    Gallery owner Fernando Louis Alvarez was arrested and charged with obstruction of free passage, a criminal misdemeanor. But a judge has since agreed to erase the charge from his record upon completion of one year’s probation.

    Last Friday (Oct. 26), the 10.5-foot-long sculpture re-appeared in front of the Massachusetts State House in Boston. But this time, the artwork was placed as a “gift” to Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey for her efforts in holding Big Pharma accountable for its part in fueling the opioid crisis.

    In June, the state of Massachusetts filed a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma, accusing the company of recklessly promoting its opioid painkillers “without regard to the very real risks of addiction, overdose and death.”

    The lawsuit is the first in the U.S. to name company executives. Many other states, cities and counties have sued Purdue Pharma as well.

    “Purdue peddled falsehoods to keep patients away from safer alternatives,” Healey stated in her complaint. “Even when Purdue knew people were addicted and dying, Purdue treated the patients and their doctors as ‘targets’ to sell more drugs.”

    A group of mothers who have lost children to drug overdose peacefully rallied beside the spoon sculpture on Friday.

    The artist Esposito has personally been affected by the opioid crisis. He described the toll that his brother Danny’s nearly 14-year addiction to heroin, which began with OxyContin and Percocet, had on his family.

    “My mom would call me in a panic… screaming she found another burnt spoon. This is a story thousands of families go through. He’s lucky to be alive,” he said according to the Hartford Courant.

    “The spoon has always been an albatross for my family,” he added. “It’s kind of an emotional symbol, a dark symbol for me.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Purdue Pharma Accused Of Targeting Seniors For Oxy Sales

    Purdue Pharma Accused Of Targeting Seniors For Oxy Sales

    The lawsuit claims Purdue had salespeople downplay the harmful risks and side effects of OxyContin.

    Oregon’s Department of Justice claims that pharmacy giant, Purdue Pharma, lied to the state and misled customers to drive sales.

    Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum filed a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma on Thursday, accusing the company of lying to the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy to obtain permission to sell in Oregon, as well as targeting senior citizens with its products.

    The violations against a settlement with Oregon goes back 10 years, according to a June 27 filing. Rosenblum’s office is demanding Purdue submit to the terms of a 2007 settlement or risk legal consequences.

    In the Thursday filing, Rosenblum’s office is demanding Purdue Pharma pay $1 million and abide by a prohibition against marketing to Oregon’s senior citizens.

    According to the lawsuit, Purdue released misleading publications and had its salespeople downplay the harmful risks and side effects of OxyContin, and specifically targeted disabled and senior citizens.

    Purdue also stands accused of lying in its application to renew its license to sell OxyContin in Oregon, erroneously claiming that the company had not faced state or federal punishment. In the past, they’ve been made to pay fines, and some of its top executives faced charges related to the company’s OxyContin marketing practices.

    “Ten years later, it is clear Purdue has flouted the judgment and ignored the severe federal penalties,” reads the lawsuit.

    Advocates for substance abuse prevention lauded the move, praising it as holding pharma companies accountable, to push them to cooperate in combating the opioid epidemic.

    “My hope is that this action will help establish some accountability and bring them to the table to help solve this,” said Dwight Holton, CEO of Lines for Life. “They ought to be helping us and they haven’t been.”

    Representatives of Purdue, however, disagree with this assessment of the situation.

    “We vigorously deny the state’s allegations,” said Purdue spokesperson Robert Josephson, according to the Oregonian. “The state claims Purdue acted improperly by communicating with prescribers about scientific and medical information that FDA has expressly considered and continues to approve. We believe it is inappropriate for the state to substitute its judgment for the judgment of the regulatory, scientific and medical experts at FDA. We look forward to presenting our substantial defenses regarding this lawsuit.”

    Working to improve its image in the shadow of the opioid crisis, Purdue has eliminated 350 sales positions, closed its “speakers” program that paid doctors and other professionals to sing OxyContin’s praises, and reshuffled its efforts towards researching cancer-fighting drugs.

    However, the opioid crisis has already damaged the state. Oregon saw a spike in opioid-related deaths in this past year, with Oregon’s Jackson County seeing a 70% increase in such deaths in just the first quarter of this year.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • OxyContin No Longer Covered By Some Insurers

    OxyContin No Longer Covered By Some Insurers

    “This is a whack-a-mole solution… I don’t believe we should be isolating one category of opioid versus another,” said one expert.

    Some insurers are taking a rather bold stand against the opioid crisis by refusing coverage of OxyContin, a popular brand-name opioid painkiller. 

    The decision, according to the Houston Chronicle, has drawn controversy as some people question whether refusing to cover one specific medication will really make a difference. 

    “This is a whack-a-mole solution,” James Langabeer, professor of emergency medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, told the Chronicle. “On the one hand, it’s good that the insurance industry is weighing in, but I don’t believe we should be isolating one category of opioid versus another.”

    OxyContin, a brand name for oxycodone, is manufactured by Purdue Pharma, a company that has faced a slew of federal lawsuits for its alleged role in fueling the current opioid crisis.

    One concern, Langabeer says, is that denying access to OxyContin won’t necessarily force individuals to stop abusing opioids. In fact, he says, some may even begin using heroin instead, as it’s cheaper and more accessible.

    The Chronicle reports that last week, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Tennessee announced that it will discontinue coverage at the start of 2019, stating it was “drawing a line that we will not continue to pay for this.”

    Previously, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare also announced the same. 

    A Cigna spokeswoman told the Chronicle via email that Cigna will consider covering the medication in some situations if a doctor feels it is “medically necessary.” She added that those using the medication for hospice care or cancer treatment will be allowed to continue use.

    UnitedHealthcare ceased to cover OxyContin in employer-sponsored plans beginning January 2017, according to the Chronicle.

    “There are therapeutically equivalent, covered alternatives that can be used for pain indications,” a spokesman for UnitedHealthcare told the Chronicle via email.

    Cigna, as well as insurer Florida Blue, will be replacing OxyContin with Xtampza, which they claim is more difficult to abuse. 

    Purdue Pharma has not been silent as insurance companies have rolled out these decisions. The company, according to the Chronicle, argues that it has been working to make the medication harder to abuse. It has also accused insurers of supporting its competitors for “financial gain.”

    “These recent decisions by insurance companies limit prescribers’ options to help address the opioid crisis,” a company spokesman told the Chronicle via email. “Unfortunately, these decisions appear to be more about pharmaceutical rebates.”

    Katharine Neill Harris, a fellow in Drug Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute of Public Policy, tells the Chronicle that she has mixed feelings about the involvement of insurers. 

    “They do have a role and I don’t think they have done enough yet,” she said. “The easiest way to say we’re doing something is by stopping covering a drug.”

    For Harris, a better alternative is for insurers and doctors to look into long-term solutions for chronic pain, such as physical therapy.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Former Purdue Pharma Exec May Profit From Opioid Addiction Drug

    Former Purdue Pharma Exec May Profit From Opioid Addiction Drug

    Richard Sackler’s involvement with a new formulation of buprenorphine has drawn a wave of criticism. 

    A new formulation of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction, is due to hit the market—but some have taken issue with one of the inventors’ ties to Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin.

    Richard Sackler is listed as one of six inventors on a patent for a new formulation of buprenorphine issued in January, the Financial Times reported. Sackler is also the former chairman and president of Purdue Pharma, according to the Washington Post, and the son of Raymond Sackler, one of the company’s founders.

    Purdue Pharma is the target of more than 1,000 lawsuits from cities, states, counties and tribes across the United States. The pharmaceutical giant and maker of OxyContin is accused of exaggerating the benefits and downplaying the risk of the opioid painkiller, and fueling the national opioid addiction epidemic.

    “It’s reprehensible what Purdue Pharma has done to our public health,” says Luke Nasta, director of Camelot, a New York-based treatment center. The Sacklers “shouldn’t be allowed to peddle any more synthetic opiates—and that includes opioid substitutes.”

    According to the patent, unlike the tablet or film formulation that’s currently available, the new drug will come in a fast-dissolving wafer that is placed under the tongue.

    According to the inventors, the fast-dissolving formula will make it less likely for the drug to be abused and sold on the black market.

    Colorado recently added to the mounting lawsuits against Purdue Pharma—accusing the company of playing a “significant role in causing the opioid epidemic.”

    “Purdue’s habit-forming medications coupled with their reckless marketing have robbed children of their parents, families of their sons and daughters, and destroyed the lives of our friends, neighbors, and co-workers,” said state Attorney General Cynthia Coffman in a statement. “While no amount of money can bring back our loved ones, it can compensate for the enormous costs brought about by Purdue’s intentional misconduct.”

    Members of the otherwise little known Sackler family have come to light for their ties to Purdue Pharma.

    This past March, a group of about 50 people came together at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to protest members of the Sackler family’s alleged involvement in perpetuating opioid abuse. Led by artist Nan Goldin, the protestors threw pill bottles marked “OxyContin” into the reflecting pool in the Sackler Wing of the museum, named for the family’s contributions to the museum.

    The family has donated millions of dollars to arts institutions like the Met over the years.

    View the original article at thefix.com