The Dangers Of Oxycontin And Other Prescription Drugs

OxyContin is a controlled release formula for oxycodone, a narcotic analgesic, used to treat chronic severe and moderate pain. When used properly, the drug provides pain relief for up to 12 hours; however, OxyContin addiction is very common with reports of unscrupulous doctors dealing the drug for profit, addicted celebrities and a number of overdose deaths. 

 

Prescription Drug Addiction

The number of people suffering from prescription drug addiction is steadily growing as more and more people use them for nonmedical reasons. Due to the bad publicity associated with this drug, many patients suffering from chronic pain are shying away from it for fear of addiction. Access to the drug is more difficult due to strict enforcement laws, fear among healthcare providers and the climate of suspicion surrounding the drug.

Because of the drug's potential for abuse, OxyContin is a Schedule II controlled substance, subjecting it to strict distribution guidelines. As a member of the agonist opioid group of painkillers, which produce better effects the more a patient consumes, it is tailor made for patients with chronic pain. It stimulates opioid receptors in the brain, central nervous system and in the spinal cord, offering relief to chronic pain. 

 

Ways OxyContin Is Abused

Addicts aim to counter the controlled release feature of the drug by snorting, chewing or directly injecting the drug in order to achieve an instant high. As with most other addictive narcotics, with prolonged use, addicts require larger amounts of the drug in order to get high.

 

Oxycontin and Other Prescription Pill Dangers 

OxyContin is just one among many prescription pills that people today are abusing. Other commonly abused drugs include Vicodin, Valium, Ativan and many more. In addition to certain celebrities, addition to prescription drugs is common with students and business people who use them to deal with the pressure and competitiveness in college and in business. Addiction to prescription medication has greatly affected all areas of the society.

 

Dangers Of Prescription Drug Abuse

 

• Addiction is one of the biggest dangers of prescription drugs. When a person becomes addicted, the body develops an uncontrollable craving and needs more and more quantities of the drug in order to function. The lack of access to the drug results in a range of withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, among others.

• Misuse of prescription medication can lead to various serious health problems.

• Prescription drugs can be a danger to other people. Some of these drugs cause symptoms such as drowsiness and poor judgment, which may interfere with actions such as driving, possibly resulting in accidents.

• Abuse of prescription drugs may lead to future legal trouble.

Strict control of OxyContin and other prescription medication by qualified medical practitioners is essential in order to lower the chances of prescription pain pill dangers.

Generic OxyContin Ban – What Are The Side Effects?

Though banning less expensive, generic Oxycontin may seem like a “win” in the fight against drug addiction, there is much debate as to the side effects yet to be seen.

Critics of the FDA’s decision to ban generic forms of Oxycontin argue that it may ultimately promote the use of less effective substances without eliminating addiction risks. Oxycontin went off patent this past April.

In most cases, the end of a drug patent will usher in an era of generics. Following the FDA’s decision, drug-makers must now work to create abuse-resistant versions of the substance in order to compete in the market.

The number of deaths associated with prescription opiates more than tripled from ’99 to ’06. In 1997, Purdue Pharma LP – the maker of Oxycontin - pleaded guilty to federal charges of misbranding the substance as a less addictive and safer alternative to narcotic drugs such as Percocet and Vicodin. By 2010, Pharma had developed an abuse-resistant version of the drug to help diminish the risk of overdose and death.

The new “abuse-resistant” Oxy includes an ingredient that makes it difficult to crush and inject or snort to achieve the desired effect - one similar to that found in heroin use.

But just because a drug is “abuse-deterrent” doesn't make it harmless…

In fact, nearly one third of users polled say they've figured out how to beat the system. Those who have not, still stand the risk of procuring or maintaining an addiction by swallowing the pills to excess.

Moral of the story: Where there’s a pill, there’s a way. 

Need Help?

Considering rehabilitation? Pick up the phone and call Above It All Treatment Center! With a team of seasoned addiction specialists available to assess and address your individual needs, you can count on Above It All to have you on the fast track to recovery in no time. Call now!

Oxycontin and Women

OxyContin addiction can be extremely harmful for females, especially those who believe they are aware of the substance abuse risks. There are a great number of ways that women find themselves addicted to prescription medications. Some take these drugs following surgery or an injury. Others begin popping pills as a way to supplement an existing addiction. Still others will use medications in a casual manner at the insistence of a loved one or close friend. While OxyContin is only legal when prescribed by a certified physician, many users find ways to score it without physician approval.

Many women dealing with an addiction to OxyContin may not even realize they have an issue. Though use frequency may be heightened, users often find it difficult to come to terms with why they are actually using the drug. OxyContin, as with many other types of drugs, can cause users to engage in activities and exhibit behaviors that would normally be deemed inappropriate.

Pregnant women dealing with OxyContin addiction impose a variety of risks on their children en utero. Pregnancy often works to affect habits and lifestyles, with many women seeking help following a positive testing.

If you are a woman and suffering from addiction, please find yourself a medical detox program. OxyContin withdrawal symptoms can include anything from nausea and insomnia to vomiting, body aches, seizures and convulsions. When left untreated, these symptoms may result in death. A medically monitored detox program provides addicts with medical supervision to help ensure an easier transition into sobriety.

Once you have successfully completed the detox, seek out a local outpatient support group for narcotic addicts in recovery. Outpatient groups such as these offer support and social interaction addicts intent on kicking the habit. Participants are provided with the tools necessary to achieve and maintain a long-lasting recovery while helping others to achieve the same.

If you feel you need further help, the answer is simple. Ask. Sometimes determination is simply not enough to overcome the weight of addiction. If you are intent on a true and long-term recovery, the first step is reaching out. You are not alone; Help is simply a step towards the freedom you deserve.  One of the best places to find all of the above help is the Above It All Recovery and Treatment Center.  We deal with your problems on a one to one basis and design a program that meets your needs.  Contact us today and let us help you on the road to recovery.

The Effects Of Prolonged OxyContin Abuse

One of the most frightening aspects of OxyContin abuse is that the effects may pop up randomly during the addiction cycle. First time users can easily overdose due to over consumption causing excessive binding of the neurotransmitters. As such, even in instances where abuse does not occur initially, the side effects associated with use can include confusion, pupil dilation, breathing issues, fatigue and weakness.

The later stages of abuse can result in a slowed heart rate, nausea, gastrointestinal issues and loss of consciousness. It is in these types of instances that addicts should consider detox by way of a reputable substance abuse rehabilitation facility.

Additionally, prolonged OxyContin abuse works to alter the chemical makeup of the addict’s brain; ultimately rerouting particular neural pathways. In some instances, it may take months following detox for the effects on the neural pathways to wear off… though specialists debate whether the alterations to the brain can ever be completely rectified.

Perhaps the scariest association with prolonged OxyContin abuse lies in post-detox patients. Many addicts who relapse back on OxyContin following detoxification will do so with the same amounts used prior to their initial recovery. Because the tolerance of the individual has worn down, the addict faces a high risk of overdose, respiratory failure and death.

If you or someone you know are dealing with an OxyContin addiction, your best option is to contact a specialized OxyContin rehab facility to help you address the addiction in a safe and healthy manner. Not only will these facilities be able to provide you with detox services, but education and techniques to help counter to addiction long-term. And over time, many facilities are able to help addicts gain an understanding of happiness, fulfillment and clarity without the addiction distraction.