Does Oxycontin Actually Lower Your Pain Tolerance?

Oxycontin has become one of the most highly abused opiate painkillers in the world. It works fast, acts for a long time, and produces feelings of euphoria and relaxation. As it kills pain, it also works on the pleasure centers and chemicals in the brain. This is why so many people take more and more. It feels better than the naturally occurring chemicals in the brain.

As the desire for the drug increase, so does the users’ tolerance. This means that they do not respond in the same way that they used to on standard doses. So they take higher doses to get the same responses and feelings. This creates both physical and mental dependence. Cravings can become as intense as those experienced when using street drugs. If the user then attempts to lower or stop their usage, they will have withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal is very unpleasant and can also be dangerous. It causes boredom, inability to rest or relax, insomnia, vomiting, diarrhea, hot and cold flashes, and twitches. Pain levels increase. Respiratory depression is the result of overly high doses and overdoses.

Because an Oxycontin abuser had significantly altered their brain receptors and chemicals that deal with pain and pleasure, then when they are not on the drug, their pain tolerance is often lowered. They will feel pain more intensely, thus they will want to take more of the drug to relieve that pain. In chronic users, these levels may never return to normal, even after recovery.

Recovery means that users must eat well, rest, and find all new ways of doing things. Anything that causes them pain, discomfort, boredom, or triggers memories of the way that they felt while using Oxycontin must be relearned and prepared for. They will need alternative methods of handling all of these issues. They often need a good oxycontin treatment in an Ontario drug rehab. They must keep busy with healthy activities.

A new lifestyle involving improved diet and exercise will need to be followed. These things may help lower the person’s pain experiences and perhaps even raise their levels of pain tolerance. Anything that is done here is helpful as it will deter them from taking the drug. They may need to use drugs that are not painkillers but result in reduced pain if their condition is chronic. Antidepressants may also be needed as some of them relieve pain and many users in recovery experience deep depression. However, a recovering addict may also develop an addiction to these, so they need to be monitored closely.

^{References:
http://www.medicinenet.com/oxycodone/article.htm}