Oxycontin Addiction Whose Fault is it?

Oxycontin addiction is a nationwide problem that is rapidly increasing. Since its approval by the FDA in 1995 as a painkiller, oxycontin dependency has continued to rise. Furthermore, recovering is extremely difficult, with many experts believing it is just as difficult to overcome an oxycontin dependency as it is to recover from heroine dependency. Both of these drugs are derived from opium, which has highly addictive properties.

Oxycontin is an extremely effective painkiller that can relieve pain for several hours. It is often used for people suffering from chronic and severe pain, such as that which is experienced with cancer.

People with an oxycontin dependency, however, generally do not consume the oxycontin orally in its pill form. Instead, they snort it, inject it, chew it, or crush it and dissolve it into a liquid. In this way, the person is able to gain the full effects of oxycontin almost immediately, as the time release component of the medication is destroyed.

Over time, a person will build a tolerance to oxycontin. When this happens, the person takes increasing amounts of oxycontin to gain the same feelings he felt when first taking the drug.

In a person with an oxycontin dependency, the brain blocks out the pain messages that are meant to be sent throughout the central nervous system. The oxycontin also stimulates the dopamine receptors in the brain. When these receptors are stimulated in the person, �feel good� hormones are released, resulting in a feeling of euphoria.

A person will do anything necessary to get more oxycontin. This often causes devastation to the person�s career, family, and finances. Legal problems are also a common occurrence. This is because the person will engage in illegal activities when necessary to continue the oxycontin dependency.

Oxycontin dependency develops because of the powerful physical and psychological dependence associated with the abuse of oxycontin. Therefore, it can be unbearably difficult for a person to quit its use. For this reason, it is imperative that a person receive help from drug treatment professionals to recover.

A thorough treatment program will include a detoxification program as well as a component that focuses on behavioral issues and therapy. In order to successfully recover, the person needs to learn the skills necessary to stay off oxycontin. Refusal skills and learning how to recognize triggers are among the most important skills a person needs to learn.