Puerto Rico Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Rehabilitation Categories
Addiction
Addiction implies that a drug dependency has developed to such an extent that it has serious detrimental effects on the user (referred to as an addict). They may be chronically intoxicated, have great difficulty stopping the drug use, and be determined to obtain the drug by almost any means. The term addiction is inextricably linked to society's reaction to the user, and so medical experts try to avoid using it, preferring dependence instead.Oxycontin Addiction: Oxycontin is a prescription painkiller used for moderate to high pain relief associated with injuries, bursitis, dislocations, fractures, neuralgia, arthritis, lower back pain and pain associated with cancer. It contains oxycodone, an opium derivative and is produced in a time released tablet. Oxycontin commonly referred to as OC, OX, Oxy, Oxycotton and kicker, was introduced in 1996 and has had a rapid escalation of abuse. The tablets can be chewed, crushed and snorted like cocaine, crushed and dissolved in water and then injected like heroin. The most serious side effect is respiratory depression, particularly dangerous for the elderly. Oxycontin addiction and demand has resulted in pharmacy robberies and forged prescriptions. The estimated number of people aged 12 or older with an oxycontin addiction has increased from 1.9 million in 2002, to 3.1 million in 2004. The largest increase occurred among young adults aged 18 to 25. Inpatient Treatment is most often residential in that they require that the client live within the facility during treatment. Inpatient treatment centers and programs are a higher level of care than outpatient programs and provide more intensive services and treatment than lower levels of the care continuum. |
