HEADLINES ADDICTED TO OXYCODONE

Photo: iStock 

Oxycodone is a "hot" drug on the market with a heavy illegal distribution. Beyond the money making industry it has produced, there are multiple side effects to the usage of Oxycodone, such as, heavy allergic reactions, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, slowed or difficult breathing, tremors and vision changes. Oxycodone is also one of the most abused prescription drugs and, according to the DEA is "certainly the most dangerous." 

• Two Rochester residents plead guilty to drug conspiracy charges involving oxycodone – Fosters.com 
• Oxycodone Child Case Goes To Court - MetroNews 
• Deputies: Man trespassing on railroad tracks found with 45 Oxycodone Hydrochloride pills – news-press.com
• West Virginia man pleads guilty to dealing in contraband cigarettes, oxycodone tablets – CB Online 

These are only 4 of the numerous headlines flooding the breaking news feeds as of late. Across the globe, we are seeing a major outbreak of Oxycodone addiction and illegal distribution that has caused fatalities, jail sentences, broken families, and thousands of dollars in legal investigation fees. 

This just in! 

Photo: vosizneias.com

The United States Government is also on the brink of closing up shop over budget disputes. This means our troops aren’t getting paid, tax returns will be put on hold, between 800,000 and 1.9 million government employees will be furloughed and “it will be open season for anyone wanting to defy the Securities and Exchange Commission, because it will most likely shut down” (Cohan, DailyFinance). 

But what else could turn into an “open season?” Drug trade? Cartels? A quasi legalization of illegal substances? Without government regulations the skies the limit and with the recent death toll on such drugs as oxycodone, are we on the brink of a drug addiction epidemic? 

What are your thoughts on the current debacle within our government? What do you think could ensue without normal regulations in place? 

Know someone struggling with an oxycodone addiction? Call us today! 


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KNOWING YOUR ENEMY

Regional drug and alcohol addiction issues were the focus of The Recovery Place blog in January.  This month we want to take an look at some specific drugs and substances that are abused and can lead to addiction.

Humans are sadly creative in their ability to find substances to misuse and abuse.  Often these substances were originally created with a “do no harm” philosophy, but to some addicts and their families “do harm” is more the catch-phrase. 

In our February blog series we’ll take a closer look at various classes of drugs that have addictive qualities, such as opiates (painkillers), benzodiazepines (sedatives or tranquilizers), alcohol and stimulants.  

Understanding what is out there can help us educate ourselves and others about the potential dangers in commonly prescribed medications, as well as the absolute danger of street-based drugs.  Education is an important way that we can battle the enemy of addiction in this generation and the next.  This knowledge is important for all of us. 

Opiate Addiction Rehab Admissions on the Rise 

Opiates are drugs that are made directly or indirectly from parts of the opium poppy.  

Opiates were originally used (and still are) to treat pain and suppress some kinds of coughs.  Along with these medicinal properties, a feeling of euphoria (or “high”) and sedation is also experienced.  

People began to misuse opiates for the euphoric physical effects that they experienced, and it was soon apparent that opiates were also physically addictive. 

Addiction to prescription painkillers is on the rise in the United States. 

Oxycodone (the generic name for Oxycontin and Roxycodone) and hydrocodone (trade names include Vicodin and Lortab) are commonly prescribed opiate painkillers that are now in great demand as street drugs.  

Even patients using oxycodone or hydrocodone for legitimate medical conditions may become physically dependent on these drugs, and it is important that their prescribing physicians monitor them closely. 

Oxycodone, an opiate painkiller that is available in a timed-release form, was introduced in the United States in 1996.  It made a huge difference in the lives of cancer patients dealing with extreme pain, by keeping a steady level of pain medicine in the blood. 

Unfortunately, addicts soon found that by crushing timed-release painkillers they could get a higher immediate dose of the drug, sometimes a fatal dose. 

Heroin, also an opiate, is one of the most addictive of all recreational drugs.  Although originally created as a non-addictive alternative to codeine for the control of coughs (this is a bit hard to imagine with all that we know about heroin now!), it was banned in the United States in the 1920s because of its extremely addictive nature. 

Another side effect of opiates is their effect on the respiratory system of the body.  The body does not perceive the need to take breaths as readily, and fatal overdoses from not getting enough oxygen are one of the most common causes of death among heroin addicts. 

Heroin withdrawal is difficult and can be extremely uncomfortable.  Medical detox is an addict’s best chance of withdrawing from heroin (and other opiates) in a more controlled way and supportive way.

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