OxyContin is the brand name for a timed-release formula of oxycodone, which is a narcotic analgesic. Both are powerful pain relievers. Oxycodone, a morphine-like drug, is found in numerous prescription drugs, such as Percodan and Percocet . These drugs are highly addictive and thousands of people overdose from them each year.
Educational video and transcript used with permission from Hopelinks
What are Oxycodone and OxyContin?
Developed in Germany in 1916, Oxycodone is an opioid created to improve the effects of already existing medications like morphine to make them more tolerable. It is still prescribed to relive severe and chronic pain and has been known to help those suffering with severe IBS. Anyone taking Oxycodone, whether addicted or medically prescribed, can experience negative effects such as nausea, memory loss, nightmares, constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, itching, heavy sweating, and more.
What are the effects of Oxycodone and OxyContin?
Long-term use of Oxycodone alters dopamine levels in the brain creating an increase in tolerance to the drug resulting in a user to find and get more each time. Oxycodone is most commonly recognized as medications that are administered in tablets or capsules. When misused, these medications are sometimes crushed and snorted, or broken down with liquid and injected.
High doses can cause severe shallow breathing, clammy skin, restricted breath, resparatory arrest, and even death
Oxycodone & Oxycontin Addicts Can Recover
The first step is detoxification and can take place in a medical or residential setting. This is ideal for a person who wants to live 100% clean and sober. In attempting to stop the use of Oxycodone, a gradual reduction of dose, or “weaning”, is highly recommended to reduce withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, and fevers.
This process is done in a medical detox program involving monitoring of vital organs and other symptoms as the substance is cleared from the body. After complete detoxification most addicts who choose complete abstinence have better outcomes committing to a residential treatment center for thirty to ninety days.
Be sure to visit our entire Drug Education Videos series and learn more about drug abuse, drug addiction and alcoholism
References
STREET DRUGS: a drug identification guide 2010
National Institute on Drug Abuse:
http://drugabuse.gov/
Medline Plus:
http://nih.gov/
The Vaults of Erowid:
http://www.erowid.org/pharms/oxycodone/oxycodone.shtml
DrugFree.Org:
http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/depressantsv
