Oxycontin is a prescription medication used as a pain reliever. It comes in several dosages but with the rise in dependency on the drug, the highest dosage is no longer available in most areas. The time-release medication is meant to help a patient get through the pain of a physical ailment such as back pain or something else sustained in an accident of some kind. Whether it is the back, an arm or leg or something else causing physical pain, oxycontin is meant to help a patient feel minimal discomfort during the time the body takes to heal.
Unfortunately for some, this can lead to addiction.
The opioids in the drug can lead to a dependency because of the relaxation and euphoric feeling oxcontin gives the brain. At the same time that it gives the patient the misguided feeling of euphoria, it is also settling him into a feeling of depression that he is initially unaware of.
Because of this, oxycontin needs to be taken strictly under a physician’s care. The use of the prescription must be monitored and regulated as it can be addictive and harmful, leading to death if not taken properly.
The use for which oxycontin was created is a good one. It does work exceptionally well as a pain reliever, helping people through bouts of physical pain brought on by life occurrences. Some people can and do take oxycontin for a period of time without ever getting hooked on it. Yet others who never had a drug problem in their lives can fall victim to the addiction of oxycontin in a matter of weeks. Just why this happens with some and not others isn’t as known or as relevant as the important factor of weaning a patient off the drug itself.
Oxycontin is a lot like morphine.
When one hears of morphine, it is likely we are thinking of someone in such severe pain as a patient in his last days being given morphine to make his final hours as pain free as possible. This is how serious an addiction to oxycontin can be. It is not something to ignore or turn away from.
The good thing about oxycontin is that it can and does work with chronic physical pain. Diligent monitoring of its use can result in a patient coming off the drug just fine. It is important to be aware of the risk of addiction involved with the drug and if taken as directed, in most cases the patient does quite well. It is up to the patient, the doctor and loved ones to make sure this continues to be the case in an individual situation.
