Oxycontin Addiction

OxyContin Withdrawal

Oxycontin withdrawal made Betts feel she was losing control of her body.

“A sudden discontinued supply of opiates will cause often unbearable withdrawal symptoms including irritability, profuse sweating, abdominal cramping and diarrhea,” states detoxification anesthesiologist, Dr. Clifford A. Bernstein, M.D. “This agonizing withdrawal is the reason most of those with dependencies cannot stop taking the drugs.”

OxyContin ® produces a narcotic effect similar to other morphine-type drugs. An OxyContin dependency also produces serious withdrawal symptoms similar to other opiate narcotics.

“It is an indescribable torture that takes you to the bowels of hell and then-some,” states Betts about her OxyContin withdrawal.  “My body screamed for relief.  The vomiting and diarrhea were inconsequential to how the body flails uncontrollably.  I had small scabs all over me from writhing in bed.” She explains that when you think it is subsiding, another wave is right there to wring you out and start all over again.

Withdrawal from her addiction felt like hell on earth had begun. Her doctors only prescribed her more painkillers for the symptoms and ‘illness’ she felt.

Many patients, like Betts, develop an OxyContin dependency or addiction to avoid the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome. Severe OxyContin withdrawal symptoms can last days or weeks. Betts’ leg tremors lasted months. Withdrawal symptoms vary with the individual, yet often include:

• Aches and pains
• Cold- or flu-like symptoms
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Mood swings
• Nausea
• Sleeping difficulties
• Sweating
  

Opiate users should know that withdrawal from prescription medicine, like OxyContin ®, could be a difficult process. Withdrawal may also cause possible damage to your lungs, heart and brain. Patients who have compromised their health through drug dependency risk a traumatic--sometimes even lethal--withdrawal if not supervised by medical professionals.

Finally, Betts got off OxyContin ®, through professional treatment and, since, has become a vocal advocate for patient health and detoxification.

To mitigate the dangers of addiction and withdrawal, any opiate dependency treatment must provide safe and responsible care combined with the latest medical technology. Conventional detoxification procedures with older protocol may inflict patients with an unnecessary, debilitating and dangerous withdrawal syndrome.

The Waismann Method considers OxyContin dependency as a medical disorder that is reversible and treatable in an effective, dignified, safe and humane manner through rapid detoxification.