Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic medication that was first developed in 1916 in Germany, as one of several new semi-synthetic opioids with several benefits over the older traditional opiates. It is very popular in the prescription pain killer market partly because of its longer release time. OxyContin is effective in releasing its active ingredient, oxycodone over a 12 hour period which provides pain relief for much longer than traditional painkillers.
OxyContin is an abuseable drug and is one of the most tightly controlled substances that have a commonly accepted medical use. People found ways of using OxyContin that would bypass the 12 hour release time so that all of the oxycodone was released at once. This led to several overdose cases that ended up in ER or in death.
So why should OxyContin be so addictive? All opiates cause their users to develop tolerance which means that their body is accustomed to the drug and is more effective at removing its effects. This means that higher and higher doses need to be used in order to get the “high”. The body develops a physical dependence on opiates like OxyContin and if the user discontinues the drug he/she will experience withdrawal symptoms. Addiction is highly likely because of these two factors.
OxyContin is addictive because of the way in which people abuse it. Instead of taking the slow release tablet that releases the dose over 12 hours they inject or snort it. This releases a great deal more of the active ingredient than the manufacturer intended. This alters the chemicals in the brain and the person starts to seek more of the drug in order to obtain the sense of euphoria they associate with it. In high doses, overdoses or in patients not tolerant to opiates, oxycodone can cause shallow breathing, bradycardia, cold, clammy skin, apnea, hypotension, pupil constriction, circulatory collapse, respiratory arrest and death.
Overdose on OxyContin is quite possible because the user is ingesting more of the active ingredient at a much faster rate than has been medically tested. This is particularly dangerous when coupled with the fact that people will need higher and higher doses as a result of building tolerance to the drug.
Oxycodone abuse is becoming more prevalent because although the public have general knowledge about its effects they lack detailed factual knowledge about its dangers. It is often obtained illegally through dishonesty at pharmacies or approaching multiple doctors.
We Do Recover understands how difficult getting off OxyContin can be. Our staff are trained to help you find an effective treatment program in South Africa that will help you get clean. Let our caring professionals help you free yourself of the emotional and psychological prison of misery and anxiety that accompanies addiction.
If you or a loved one is sick and tired of being sick and tired it is time to get help in an effective drug rehab center in South Africa. The decision about which rehabilitation center is very important and we can help you find affordable and comfortable detoxification (detox) centers and direct you towards world class rehabilitation (rehab) clinics afterwards. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like caring and expert advice in finding a drug rehab clinic in South Africa.
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Founded in 2008, WeDoRecover has evolved from an advisory service for addiction treatment into a comprehensive provider of care, following its 2019 merger with Changes Addiction Rehab in Johannesburg. Specialising in connecting patients to top-tier addiction treatment centers in the UK, South Africa and supporting individuals in recovery world wide.