Oxycontin is near the top of the list of prescription drugs of concern to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. It is part of an emerging trend across the United States of abuse of prescription drugs, especially opiate painkillers like Oxycontin. Over 7 million people (2.8% of the U.S. population) used prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes in 2007. Over 5.5% of all high school 12th graders had abused Oxycontin at least once in 2007.

Prescription Drug Abuse—March 2008
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Oxycontin is a highly effective analgesic, an opioid used for the relief of chronic or long-lasting pain like arthritis. It contains high doses of oxycodone, which makes it attractive to abusers, who crush the tablets and inject or snort the residue to overcome the timed-release built into the tablet. The effect is an instant euphoric “rush” followed by a sustained feeling of well being. Oxycontin abuse eventually leads to dependency as the body builds up tolerance to the drug. Addiction to Oxycontin is often so strong that addicts resort to “doctor shopping,” illegal prescriptions, and outright theft from pharmacies to obtain it.

The first reports of Oxycontin abuse came from rural areas of Kentucky, Maine, Virginia, Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, where it was widely prescribed to relieve the pain of labor intensive jobs like farming, mining, and logging. It is still a widespread rural problem, belying the notion that drug abuse of any sort is strictly a big-city concern.

Normal usage of Oxycontin does not constitute abuse. However, when patients take more than required, or past the normal time length, when pain is no longer an issue, they have crossed the line into abuse. Continued Oxycontin abuse may lead to outright addiction, when the cravings become intolerable and stoppage of the drug induces withdrawal symptoms. These people have fallen victim to an opiate addiction and will require detoxification and long-term counseling and behavior modification to overcome it.

Signs to watch for if you suspect Oxycontin abuse:

• Insomnia
• Muscle and bone pain, muscle twitching
• Diarrhea
• Sweating
• Vomiting and nausea
• Stomach cramps
• Very slow breathing
• Pinpoint pupils
• Excessive drowsiness and apathy
• Confusion

Oxycontin abuse may mimic drunkenness to those unfamiliar with it. However, allowing someone to “sleep it off” may result in death for an addict, because of Oxycontin’s depressive effect on the respiratory system. High doses can simply shut down the person’s breathing. Seek treatment as soon as any abuse is suspected.
Treatment for Oxycontin addiction is similar to that used for most opiate addictions. It is not a matter of detoxification alone to remove the drug residue and eliminate the physical craving. Oxycontin withdrawal symptoms, while seldom fatal, can be highly unpleasant and often must be managed via drug therapies. This is accompanied by intensive counseling to deal with the emotional dependency, and behavior therapy to prevent relapse. All of this should be done in coordination with a drug treatment facility which is certified for opiate addiction treatment and specifically experienced with Oxycontin abuse.