Oxycontin Abuse Fast Facts
Oxycontin Abuse is in all the States. Oxycontin is the ingredient oxycodone hydrochloride packaged in extended release tablets. Since the medication is in a controlled-released form, swallowing the pill whole does not give the “high” addicts are seeking. By crushing the pill and snorting or injecting the power oxyontin abuse has been allowed to spread like wildfire.
Most of the oxycontin abused on the streets is obtained through diversion. Many patients will doctor shop to get enough medication to support their own habits. The is another interesting term: “Pill Ladies” which refers to Senior Citizens who sell their medications to addicts. Teens continue their oxycontin abuse by stealing the medication from friends and family members who have not properly secured their prescriptions.
Oxycontin is a strong medication. When snorted or injected it can replace other narcotic habits including the need for vicodin, heroin, and others. The main concern with oxycontin is the risk of oxycontin overdose and death. This happens because taking too much of an opioid will cause a person to stop breathing. Here you can check 10 signs to check for oxycontin addiction.
Some common Oxycontin Abuse and Information Facts:
- What is Oxycontin? Oxycontin is a medication used to treat pain. It is classified as an opioid agonist like other narcotics. It’s a class II drug with oxycontin abuse potential being high
- How is Oxycontin supplied: Oxycontin comes in 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg tablets.
- When did Oxycontin come on the market? Oxycontin became available for general use in 1996. Soon after it was released, there was seen a large increase in Oxycontin abuse.
- Oxycontin abuse: How bad is it? In 2003 the National Drug Threat Survey indicated that oxycontin was diverted in 67% of the US more than any other prescribed medication.
- How much does oxycontin abuse cost? The average street value of oxycontin has been going for around one dollar per milligram. A 40 mg pill will cost about 40 dollars. This cost will vary with the area and availability.
- Oxycontin abuse is found in what people? Oxycontin abuse happens in every area of society including age and sex. Generally, the average oxycontin abuser is a male in a rural area.
- How many oxycontin abuse emergency visits are there? According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network, there were over 22 thousand ER visits due to Oxycontin in 2002.
- The National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicated 16 million Americans over age 11 had taken a prescription sedative or stimulant for non-medical reasons over the prior year.
- What are the street names for oxycontin? Oxycotton, 40, 80, Blue, Kicker, Hillbilly Heroin, OC’s, 40 bar, OS, OX, Cotton
- Oxycontin is so difficult to stop because of the oxycontin withdrawal.
Oxycontin Abuse Help
Use our FREE services to find help. We have three directories: a Suboxone Treatment Directory, Methadone Treatment Directory, and Oxycontin Treatment Directory. These list will help you find drug addiction treatment in your area. Dr. Rich has more articles on drug addiction including: What is methadone treatment?
Resources for Oxycontin Abuse
NPR Teen Abuse of Painkiller Oxycontin
National Drug Intelligence Center: Oxycontin page
NIDA Research Paper on Prescription Drug Use : Drug Abuse NIDA