Oxycontin
An addiction to the powerful prescription drug Oxycontin can be one of the most dangerous and most difficult addictions to overcome. Oxycontin is an opioid agonist that was first introduced in the market in 1995. Oxycontin is a long acting form of the drug’s main ingredient oxycodone, and is very effective in treating severe pain disorders. But because Oxycontin is only recommended for patients who suffer from severe pain, it should not be taken by patients to who it was prescribed and never for recreational purposes.
However, because Oxycontin is such an effective pain reliever it is often over prescribed to patients who shouldn’t be taking the drug, or by individuals using it to get high. This has led to a serious Oxycontin drug addiction crisis in this country that doesn’t appear to be dissipating anytime soon.
Oxycontin Addiction in the United States
Oxycontin addiction is currently a major problem among teens and young adults in this country. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that Oxycontin, and other oxycodone derivatives, are currently the most commonly abused pharmaceutical drugs in the United States, and is the leading cause of teen drug overdose in this country. The problem is that many teens simply don’t realize how dangerous and powerful Oxycontin really is. Not only do the pharmacological effects of Oxycontin make it a suitable substitute for heroin, but an Oxycontin overdose is one of the most lethal drug overdoses there are. Since its creation in 1995, Oxycontin has claimed the lives of thousands of teens and young adults, with this frightening number only expected to grow exponentially in the upcoming years.
Addictive Nature of Oxycontin
Like morphine and other powerful opiates, Oxycontin is highly addictive. Many people using Oxycontin may not realize this, but because Oxycontin is made from a synthetic opiate derivative it can be just as addictive as heroin, morphine, or any other powerful opiate based drug. This is why Oxycontin is only prescribed to individuals suffering from issues with severe pain, and is usually only prescribed for short durations of time.
However, many abusers of the drug have found that by circumventing Oxycontin’s built-in time release mechanism they will experience a more sudden and powerful high. Abusers do this by either chewing Oxycontin tablets, snorting, or injecting the drug, However, by circumventing this time release mechanism not only does it make the drug much more dangerous to the user, but increases the possibility for addiction as well.
Seeking Help for an Oxycontin Addiction
If you, or a close friend, are currently suffering from an Oxycontin addiction it is never too late to seek treatment through a drug addiction rehab center. Because Oxycontin addiction is a powerful mental and physical disease, it can be very difficult to just quit the drug cold turkey. Instead, teens that are addicted to Oxycontin are recommended to go seek treatment either from a doctor, an outpatient rehab, or inpatient residential rehab facility. Because Oxycontin is such dangerous and potentially deadly drug when abused, there is no time to waste. Make the decision today to go seek Oxycontin Addiction treatment.
