How Long do the Effects of OxyContin Last?
OxyContin is a painkiller that blends oxycodone, which is an opiate derivative, with another non-opiate analgesic. Like all opiate-derived substances, OxyContin generates a strong euphoric sensation shortly after it is ingested. But how long do the effects of OxyContin last? Read on to find out.
How Long Do the Effects of OxyContin Last?
The duration of OxyContin’s effects will vary significantly from person to person. In general, an individual who takes OxyContin orally will generally begin to feel its effects within twenty minutes. The drug is formulated to be time-released, and its effects after oral ingestion can last over a six-hour period. The last active traces of the drug dissipate within twelve hours. However, individuals who regularly use OxyContin and similar opiate-derived drugs have reported a wide variation in these time periods. That variation is a function of tolerances that users develop to the drug, as well as their method of ingesting it. So how long do the effects of OxyContin last in someone that takes it regularly? Some users, for example, grind OxyContin pills into a powder form and snort that powder. This ingestion method generates a quicker sense of euphoria that can last up to 30 minutes. However, the overall euphoric sensations reportedly dissipate more quickly, usually within three hours. When people take OxyContin orally, the initial sensations of euphoria will not be as strong. Oral ingestion will be more likely to cause drawn out sensations of relaxation and numbness without the strong initial euphoria that accompanies snorting.
OxyContin Tolerance
Tolerance to recommended dosages of OxyContin is typically the first phase toward becoming dependent upon or addicted to the drug. However, tolerance is not the same thing as addiction. OxyContin users will start with a low dosage tablet that includes as little as 10 mg of oxycodone. As their metabolisms adjust to the drug, they will need larger dosages of up to 80 mg or more to achieve the same pain relief effects. Pain management specialists will closely monitor a patient to manage tolerance increases. This can be a difficult balancing act. Specialists seek to help patients to handle the pain without creating an addiction problem. The specialist’s goal will be to maintain a six-hour window of pain control before the next dose of the drug is taken. OxyContin users who feel a need to take the drug more frequently will typically do so outside of the context of a pain management specialist’s care, in which case they will likely travel further down the road toward addiction.
How Do You Prevent Building Tolerance to OxyContin?
Regulators and drug addiction specialists devote substantial resources to publicize the addiction risks that come along with OxyContin use. If your physician has prescribed OxyContin or any other opiate-derived painkiller medication to control pain associated with surgery or injuries that result from trauma, you can best protect against those addiction risks by monitoring and recording your own experiences with OxyContin’s effects. You should record, for example, your frequency, dosage, and method of ingesting the drug. Note how you feel after each dose, particularly recording the elapsed time before you feel the drug’s effects and the duration of those effects. With thorough records, you will be able to see whether and to what extent you are developing a tolerance for the drug. This will allow you and your physician to control your usage and prevent long-term dependency and addiction problems.
Treatment for OxyContin Dependence and Addiction
The answer to the question, “How long do the effects of OxyContin last?” varies from person to person, depending on their tolerance level. If you are concerned that you are becoming dependent upon or addicted to OxyContin, help is available at the Last Resort Recovery Center. The programs we offer include:
Please call the Last Resort Recovery Center near Austin, Texas, at 512-750-6750. We’ll provide a confidential analysis of your use of the drug. We’ll also offer assistance in breaking patterns or habits before they become too difficult to break.