The popular painkiller Oxycontin has become one of the most abused prescription medications in the United States. In some areas it has even passed heroin in popularity. Some of the reasons for its popularity include the quick high that you get when you crush it into powder and ingest or snort it. Initially created as a time release pain medication, crushing the tablets negates the time release mechanism and delivers the powerful drug directly to your system all at once.

 

People who take Oxycontin for pain and follow their doctor’s instructions usually don’t become addicted. It is only when someone begins to take more than they’ve been prescribed, or take the medicine without a prescription, that addiction can occur. Those who are addicted will use the medication in a compulsive manner, and their usage will increase quickly. As your dosage rises, so does your risk of serious health problems.

 

The quick rush that you get from Oxycontin can be very difficult for a person to live without once they’ve become used to it, and quitting Oxycontin is nearly impossible without the help of a trained health provider. Withdrawal symptoms as the drug leaves your system are also unpleasant, and many facilities offer a medication-assisted detoxification treatment for Oxycontin addicts.