Oxycontin rehab in the United Kingdom
OxyContin, authorized by the FDA in 1995, is an opium derivative, which is the same active ingredient in Percodan and Percocet. OxyContin is meant for utilization by terminal cancer patients and chronic pain sufferers. OxyContin has been related to at least 120 overdose fatalities nationwide.
OxyContin (oxycodone hydrochloride controlled-release) tablets are an opioid analgesic supplied in 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg tablet strengths for oral use. The tablet strengths describe the amount of oxycodone per tablet as the hydrochloride salt. The chemical formula is 4, 5-epoxy-14-hydroxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one hydrochloride.
Oxycodone is an extremely strong drug and pain reliever similar to morphine. OxyContin is intended so that the oxycodone is slowly released over time, allowing it to be administered twice daily. You should never break, chew, or crush the OxyContin tablet since this causes an important quantity of oxycodone to be released from the tablet all at once, potentially resulting in a dangerous or deadly drug overdose.
Oxycodone is a white, odourless crystalline powder derived from the opium alkaloid. Oxycodone hydrochloride dissolves in water (1 g in 6 to 7 mL) and is lightly soluble in alcohol (octanol water partition coefficient 0.7). The Oxycodone tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: ammonio methacrylate copolymer, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, povidone, red iron oxide (20 mg strength tablet only), stearyl alcohol, talc, titanium dioxide, triacetin, yellow iron oxide (40 mg strength tablet only), and some other ingredients.
OxyContin is an opiate agonist. Opiate agonists give pain relief by acting on opioid receptors in the spinal cord, brain, and more likely in the tissues directly. Opioids, natural or synthetic drugs that act like morphine, are the most effective pain relievers. Oxycodone is produced by altering thebaine, an alkaloid found in opium. Oxycodone has an elevated abuse potential.
Oxycodone is a central nervous system depressant. Oxycodone's action seems to act through stimulating the opioid receptors found in the central nervous system that activate responses ranging from analgesia to respiratory depression to euphoria. Individuals who use the drug repeatedly can develop a tolerance or resistance to the drug's effects. A cancer patient can take a dose of oxycodone on a regular basis that would be deadly in an individual never exposed to oxycodone or another opioid. The majority of individuals who abuse oxycodone seek to gain the euphoric effects, mitigate pain, and avoid withdrawal symptoms related with oxycodone or heroin abstinence.
The power painkiller OxyContin is being abused by more and more individuals across the country. The heroin-like effects of OxyContin attract both legal and illegal users.
When administered correctly, OxyContin contains a time-release mechanism that spreads the release of the drug over a 12-hour period. The time-release mechanism may be circumvented by crushing the tablet and OxyContin can be used in one of the following ways:
- The OxyContin tablets may be chewed
- The OxyContin tablets may be crushed, then snorted like cocaine
- The OxyContin tablets may be crushed, dissolved in water, then injected like heroin
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OxyContin abuse is spreading for different reasons. First, the high opiate dosage makes it extremely addictive. Second, in opposition to drugs like cocaine or heroin that can be laced with other substances, with OxyContin you know how much of the drug you are getting; the dosage is consistent, so it is a dependable high. Finally, OxyContin is covered by the majority of health insurance plans, so it is significantly less expensive than street drugs. (OxyContin has been referred to as "hillbilly heroin" or "the poor man's heroin.")

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