One of the first drugs widely publicized as being part of the addiction crisis in America was Oxycontin. Prescribed for major pain and a number of health conditions, it has become synonymous with drug abuse. Let’s take a look at how this medication meant to help has become so harmful to so many people.
The Origins of OxyContin
When taken as prescribed, Oxycontin is not dangerous. There are side effects, but if used as intended it can be an effective and safe reliver of pain associated with surgical recovery and more. There are a number of drugs prescribed for similar circumstances, but OxyContin is the purest form of oxycodone available. It is also much longer-lasting than drugs like Percocet, which makes it especially desirable to those seeking a lasting high. This has led to its popularity as a street drug, and the addiction of millions of Americans to medications that were never intended to be harmful.
The Effects of Abuse
Misuse of any medication can be harmful, but controlled, prescription medications like OxyContin can be especially dangerous. The cycle begins when a person overuses or abuses the medication, creating a dependency in the brain’s reward system. The user then becomes dependent on the drug, and feels terrible when they attempt to stop using it. This cycle becomes a full-blown addiction very quickly.
One reason that Oxycontin rehab treatment is so widely-needed in the United States is because the symptoms of withdrawal from opiate drugs like OxyContin can be very uncomfortable, and even dangerous when not monitored by a medical professional. By offering former addicts a safe, drug-free environment in which to recover – and the medication that may be necessary to ease the symptoms of withdrawal – detox and rehab centers give people a chance to break free of their addiction one and for all.
Florida area residents struggling with Oxycontin addiction or looking for more information on Oxycontin rehab treatment can contact Addiction Alternatives.
