Oxycontin Addiction
Oxycontin is Oxycodone in its time-releasing form. Oxycontin is the time-release form and brand of the Oxycodone variety of drugs. Oxycodone is a potent analgesic opioid pain reliever originally developed to ease chronic pain of terminal cancer patients. This prescription drug is an opiate-based semi-synthetic drug similar to hydrocodone but more powerful in its pain-relieving properties and consequently more addictive. Oxycontin pills are time-released which sustains a determined level of Oxycodone in the human body, capable of managing pain for up to 12 hours. Moreover, Oxycodone has been used for decades for the relief of moderate to severe pain, such as post surgical pain,broken bones, arthritis, migraines and back pain for millions of people. Some brands of Oxycodone like Percocet and Percodan use 5 to 10 milligrams of the drug whereas Oxycontin
contains 10,20, 40, 80 and even 160milligrams of Oxycodone.
Addiction to Oxycontin is considered to be one of the top
five drug abuse and drug addiction problems in the US. And
it is easy to get on the street. Pills range from $5 to $20
depending on the milligram dosage. It is also relatively easy
to obtain Oxycontin in clinics. For a brief visit and the appropriate
description of a physical ailment, patients can leave the clinic
with a prescription for Oxycontin. Well-meaning physicians
are not trained to recognize drug-seeking behavior. The most
common way of using Oxycontin is by crushing the time-released
tablets and snorting the powder, or mixing it with water and
injecting it. Thus, the total milligrams of the tablet can
be accessed immediately into the blood stream resulting in
a “rush" similar to morphine or heroin. The quick
and intense "rush" has made Oxycontin a very popular
street drug. It doesn't take long to become fully addicted
to Oxycontin and withdrawals from the drug are physically and
emotionally more painful and difficult than withdrawals from
heroin.
Several deaths nationwide have resulted from Oxycontin abuse
through an overdose or in combination with other drugs such
as sleeping pills, anxiety medication, marijuana, and alcohol.
When used in combination this way, the effects of the drugs
are intensified can lead to death.
Oxycontin can, indeed, be a miracle drug when properly prescribed
for severe pain like that experienced by cancer patients. The
problem is that Oxycontin is too often improperly prescribed,
prescriptions are forged or, because it is cheaper than heroin
it can be readily obtained on the street. The most desirable
Oxycontin pills are the highest dosages and these are the most
dangerous. Not only is dependency to Oxycontin developed quickly
but the high dosages snorted or injected can kill.
Regular usage of opiate pain killing prescription
medication can easily cause addiction just as hard-core drugs
like heroin, opium and cocaine. Oxycontin
addiction can be more difficult
to cure and would require intensive Oxycontin
treatment. Just
because drugs are legally prescribed does not make them any
less dangerous or harmful.
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