In 1996 OxyContin, a potent narcotic pain reliever hit the market. OxyContin is a time-release product of oxycodone manufactured by Purdue Pharma. The goal of this drug was to manage chronic pain patients, producing a long lasting painkiller that also stimulates the pleasure receptors in the brain for maximum relief and comfort. Because of its genetic make-up of opiate, it has similar characteristics of morphine and heroin, making it a highly addictive drug. Because it is extremely addictive it is commonly prescribed to terminal cancer patients. Many patients of serious injuries are being prescribed OxyContin as well. Most of them are uneducated of the reality of addiction they may succumb to. The addiction stats of OxyContin are showing emerging amounts of non-medical abuse of the drug, and fatalities resulting of OxyContin addiction.
Addiction Stats of OxyContin
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported the addiction stats of OxyContin, the reports shined a scary reality on non-medicinal use of prescription pain killers:
- Over 31 million Americans have at some point abused prescription painkillers.
- In 2004 alone, 2.4 million Americans abused prescription painkillers, for the first time. They were as young as 12 years old.
- The addiction statistics of OxyContin show more first time abusers than marijuana or cocaine.
As an attempt to decrease OxyContin abuse, the Purdue Company re-manufactured the drug in 2010. The new drug has binders added to prevent crushing the pill to be snorted or injected, reinforcing the time-release function as well.
Treating OxyContin Addiction
Because of the intense withdrawals, it is highly recommended that an OxyContin addict undergo medical detox. Because of the mental and physical addiction to OxyContin, extended treatment for OxyContin addiction is also very valuable. Addiction is a life-long disease and if gone untreated can damage all lives touched by this disease. If you or a loved one is battling OxyContin addiction, recovery is an option.
