What is Oxycontin Addiction?

Oxycontin Addiction

What is Oxycontin Addiction?

In 1995, medical researchers devised a way to decrease the number of people who abused prescription painkillers. Morphine and Oxycodone had previously been prescribed in large doses that made it simple to achieve an extreme high. Pharmacies started to offer these drugs in time-released capsules with the expectation that the medicines would be harder to abuse. Unfortunately, their efforts backfired. Substance abusers found a way to use the time-released feature to their advantage. When they crushed these pills before using them, the high of the drug lasts much longer.

In 2008, the FDA found that about half a million people older than 12 were new abusers of Oxycontin, also commonly known as Oxycodone. This drug is meant to serve as an opioid analgesic to treat those who are in chronic pain. Being that Oxycodone is widely available, this augments substance abuse issues. Any person taking this drug needs a doctor’s prescription, but there are more than a few abusers who access this drug via illegal trafficking. When compared to other opioids, Oxycodone tolerance increases at a faster rate, which is why abusers become addicted so quickly.

It should be noted that not all people addicted to Oxycodone abuse the substance. Still, even if users take it exactly as prescribed, addiction and dependence are still possible. Signs of Oxycodone addiction are relatively simple to spot. An addicted person will usually go to any means possible to acquire the drug. His or her entire life will revolve around getting the drug, taking the drug, and finding ways to acquire more. It’s not uncommon for these people to steal money or household items and sell them to raise money so that more Oxycodone can be purchased. Oxycodone abusers readily visit multiple doctors to acquire several prescriptions for the drug. In addition, many people addicted to Oxycodone have trouble staying awake after abusing the drug. As they walk or talk, they seem to be in a daze. They may also miss work or school often.