Oxycontin research paper

Oxycontin is a slow release pain medication that is often mixed with aspirin and/or other pain killers with the main ingredient called oxycodone. When used correctly the prescription drug is used to treat severe pain symptoms usually by the form of a pill. Between 2009 and 2010, a series of pop up pain clinics have been introduced to broward county florida attracting attention from people all over the country. Due to Florida being the only state to lack a prescription pill monitoring plan, those pain clinics easily became fronts for a legalized drug operation. They prescribed anyone who came through the doors oxycontin, xanax bars, percocets and any other opiates they want for cash money. The potential for profit …show more content…
They are most likely addicted to oxycodone and are selling them to make money to supply their addiction. They surround themselves with the pills making it near impossible to quit because temptation is everywhere. The short term effects of the drug are just the normal side effects of taking it. The user will feel very little pain, sedated, sleepy, and an overall good feeling. The long term affects are the scary side of the drug. It comes with emotional and physical effects. According to Drugabuse.com, a site known for trusted resources on drug abuse, the Long-term effects include severe constipation and persistent vomiting caused by its direct action on the gastrointestinal tract as well as certain brain centers. It can also cause muscle spasms, reduced reaction to stimuli, and a phenomenon called myoclonus, which entails jerky motor movements. The respiratory system is also at risk. OxyContin down-modifies cardiac and respiratory rate—potentially dangerously slowing the heart and the lungs enough to limit oxygen delivery to the brain and other vital organ systems. If OxyContin has been injected, the risk of severe heart and lung problems rise dramatically, as septic contaminants and/or solidified pieces of the crushed medication can travel through the bloodstream causing blockage, infection, and widespread inflammation. Injection sites can result in the appearance of track marks, which is where the skin …show more content…
The addiction can even get so serious that they could just be taking the pills to feel normal. It's not even to get high anymore. In the documentary “oxycontin express” an addict names Todd was taking almost 30 pills a day. After years of addiction the drugs have left him unemployed with no money and whatever money he does have goes straight to drugs. He lost custody of his daughter and has stopped going to rehab because he just relapses even after being detoxed countless times. You just begin to lose hope in yourself But it doesn't just affect him. The drugs have taken a toll on his family. His brother overdosed and died and he even got his wife addicted and she ended up dead from the drugs leaving his daughter without a mother. Todds’ mother now has to constantly check in on him just to see if he's alive and taking care of himself. You can only imagine the emotional toll this has all taken on his family and so you can see the emotional long term effects can mess up your mind quiet severely and can be just as serious as the physical