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.

California Senators Urge Purdue Pharma To Name Suspect Physicians

Two California senators are calling on OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to name physicians suspected of liberal prescription practices.

The action was made in response to a recent LA Times article describing a 10 year effort by the corporation to I.D. problematic prescribers of its highly addictive and potent pain killer. Purdue Pharma was able to amass a database of over 1,800 physicians who showed signs of reckless prescribing.

Purdue has appeared to keep its concerns to a minimum, referring a total of 154 cases to medical regulators and authorities since the investigation began in ’02. Legal counsel for Purdue said that the decision as to whether or not to refer a physician was “essentially a judgment call” determined on a case-by-case basis following corporate review.

President of the Medical Board of California, Sharon Levine expressed her approval of the senators’ request and is hoping for Purdue compliance.

“We would be thrilled to have that information,” Levine said. She also stated that although the database would likely lack physical evidence of wrongdoing, that it could offer some valuable leads down the road.

As seen in many other areas of the country, California is struggling with a prescription drug death issue – deemed an “epidemic” by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Purdue’s introduction of a tamper-resistant OxyContin in 2010 sought to make the drug more difficult to abuse. In a recent study performed by Purdue, maximum-strength OxyContin prescriptions – favored by addicts – was shown to have plummeted by a whopping eighty percent following the new pill’s introduction.

Coincidence? We think not.

If you’re struggling with a pain pill addiction, Above it All Addiction Treatment Center is the place to turn. With a team of seasoned rehabilitation 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 today!

Do I Have A Prescription Addiction?

Prescription drug abuse is not uncommon. What begins as a physician prescribed pain management solution may quickly lead to a full-blown addiction, impacting relationships, employment, finances and health. In this entry, we will provide you with a few tips to help recognize a prescription pill addiction.

1 – It is important to understand that this type of addiction is not limited to any one type of pill. In fact, recent studies have uncovered that many OTC medications can also lead to addictive problems. When it comes to abuse and dependency, no pill or substance should be underestimated.

2 – One of the main ways to determine a prescription drug addiction is a growing tolerance for the substance they are taking. When a users begins to develop a tolerance, they must use more of the substance in question to achieve the desired effect.

3 – Prescription drug addicts will often exhibit from poor performance at school and/or work. A once well organized individual may begin losing the ability to perform at the same level.

4 – Interest levels in activities or hobbies once held dear may begin to wane. Individuals who once interacted with others on a regular basis may alienate themselves and become withdrawn.

5 – Prolonged drug addiction may ultimately begin to impact healthy legal and relationship statuses.

6 – Wild mood swings. Not just a bad day…

7 – Financial troubles are common in those who are drug dependent… Whether due to habit support or general irresponsibility.

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