Drug and alcohol addiction and abuse. Recognition. Prevention. Treatment
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Oxycodone
A Commonly Abused Prescription Drug
Narcotic painkillers prescribed by a medical doctor are often considered ‘wonders of modern medicine’ in their ability to alleviate serious pain. Unfortunately, many also have a high abuse potential. Increasing in abuse popularity is oxycodone – a semi-synthetic opiate drug.
Oxycodone is the active ingredient in many prescription drugs such as Percocet, Tylox, Percodan, and Oxycontin. As an opiate drug, Oxycodone produces a potent analgesic, euphoric and sedative effect. Some individuals will use it in a quest to alleviate or prevent the onset of opiate withdrawal from methadone or heroin.
Though the tablets are designed to be swallowed whole, many abusers chew or crush them – either to ingest or to snort. Because of its water solubility, crushed tablets can be dissolved in water and injected. Snorting or injecting oxy leads to rapid release and fast absorption.
When used illicitly, there is a huge potential to become addicted to oxy. Oxycodone, like that of heroin, alcohol, and marijuana, elevates a persons dopamine levels (the neurotransmitter linked with pleasure experiences). Regular and prolonged use can decrease the level of dopamine the brain produces naturally, resulting in a ‘need’ for more of the drug.
Oxycodone has seen a high number of deaths due to overdose, with some abusers mixing it with alcohol in order to achieve a greater high.
There are various street terms for oxycodone, depending on its derivative. Percocet is Percs or Percodoms. Oxycontin may be called Oxy, O.C.’s, Oxycet, Oxycottons, Oxy 80’s, Killers, or Hillbilly Heroin. A person is referred to as Jammed when under the influence of Oxycontin.
If you are a parent who uses Oxycontin for menopausal or pain symptoms please keep them out of sight from children and teenagers. This is "usually how youths get their hands on it" according to Blair, Nebraska police in this article: Teens Face Judge In OxyContin Overdose.
If you know or suspect someone you care about is abusing Oxycodone in any form, encourage him/her to seek help.
Click on the following source/resource links for more information:
http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/oxycodone.asp
http://www.ccsa.ca/NR/rdonlyres/0657A20F-6F24-4383-AEEC-AFD12D09D504/0/ ccsa0036422006.pdf
