Oxycodone Addiction Oxycodone works by stimulating certain opoid receptors that are located throughout the central nervous system, in the brain and along the spinal cord. When the oxycodone binds to the opoid receptors, a variety of physiologic responses can occur ranging from pain relief, to slowed breathing to euphoria. Withdrawal reactions include anxiety, irritability, sweating, trouble sleeping and diarrhea. Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by a strong craving for alcohol, a constant or periodic reliance on use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, the inability to limit drinking, physical illness when drinking is stopped, and the need for increasing amounts of alcohol to feel its effects.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.Xanax
Addiction
- As one of the class of drugs benzodiazepines Xanax has been shown to be a dangerous drug to withdraw from. The reason that Xanax withdrawal is dangerous is that as a CNS depressant that slows neural activity in the brain when the drug is abruptly stopped brain activity can rebound and accelerate out of control. Prolonged Xanax users should not attempt to withdraw from the drug without medical supervision.
Methylphenidate (MPH) which is better known as Ritalin is the prescription drug most commonly utilized to treat Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or attention deficit disorder (ADHD). It is also utilized for treatment of narcolepsy and chronic fatigue syndrome. MPH works by stimulating the central nervous system. Individuals with ADHD state that this medication has a calming effect on them, even allowing better concentration and focus. It is not understood how this stimulant works. Researchers have theorized that ADHD is caused by a deficiency of dopamine and Ritalin assists in correcting that imbalance.
Unbeknownst to many, Ritalin is actually considered a schedule II controlled substance which means that the drug has a high potential for becoming addictive. Ritalin has been used by students illegally in order to assist with concentration on exams and work. There has often been criticism of the use of Ritalin for children because many of the symptoms, such as restlessness and lack of concentration, associated with ADHD are characteristic of young children. The other major criticism is the allegation that using this medication can lead to a life of substance abuse.
In one study which looked at adult cocaine users, it was found that those individuals who used Ritalin between one and ten years of age had a percentage of cocaine abuse twice that of those who had been diagnoses with ADHD but had not utilized Ritalin. Though use of Ritalin may not explain all reasons someone may begin to utilize drugs, there is a correlation between length of use of Ritalin and later drug use.
Illicit use of Ritalin usually takes place by crushing the tablets and snorting them causing a rush by entering the blood stream that much faster. The result of Ritalin entering the system so quickly, is that it simulates the feeling users of cocaine and amphetamines get. For this reason Ritalin use can lead to addiction. If Ritalin is taken the way it is prescribed, orally in low doses, it doesn’t produce an illicit effect. However, because ADHD diagnoses are on the rise, Ritalin is easy for adolescents to obtain from fellow classmates without prescription. This can and has lead to an increased abuse of Ritalin among youngsters. In addition, the Drug Enforcement Administration has expressed concern about the ease with which prescribed Ritalin is entering the illicit drug community.
It was found that the slow clearance of Ritalin from the brain might discourage the possibility of repeated use which occurs in other types of drugs. Having said this, there are many dangers associated with converting the prescribed dose of Ritalin into another form. In some areas, where use of amphetamines is not as prevalent it is common to take Ritalin and turn it into a fluid in order to use it via the IV (intravenous) route. Though not all tablets can be easily turned into fluid, Ritalin can be easily dissolved. However, doing so can be quite dangerous as these tablets include much talc as a filler. The introduction of talc into the blood stream can result in many serious health problems, such as pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. Both of these problems can lead to breathing difficulty which can lead to, in some cases, death. [31]
In one survey study which included interviews from over ten thousand college students at the University of Michigan, up to twenty five percent of the students stated that they had utilized Ritalin non medically. These students also admitted to being more likely to smoke cigarettes and marijuana as well as utilizing ecstasy and other drugs as well.
The side effects of Ritalin include the following:
* difficulty sleeping
* stomach aches
* headaches
* lack of hunger (leading to weight loss)
* dry mouth
Less common side effects include:
* palpitations
* high blood pressure and pulse changes.
* withdrawal and depression
* Cardiovascular issues- even cardiac arrest
There have been some indications that utilization of Ritalin can lead to decrease in height acceleration. It was also indicated in one research study that the use of Ritalin may in fact be carcinogenic. It may also cause chromosomal aberrations. The more pressing issue of this scenario is the possibility of hypertension which can lead to problems regarding cardiovascular health later on in life.
At least nineteen cases of cardiac arrest in children taking Ritalin had been by 2006. For this reason, use of Ritalin by children must be carefully watched by parents and healthcare providers. Like most prescribed drugs, using them in moderation as detailed by healthcare providers, will most likely not result in any harm. However, illicit use of this prescription drug is being abused more often and as mentioned prior, can be a gateway to use of more dangerous drugs. If symptoms such as those listed above are noted by caretakers or providers, it is reasonable to suggest that use of Ritalin should be tapered and monitored. Otherwise, it is quite possible that treatment of attention deficit disorder can lead to a lifelong addiction problem which will need more than a little white pill to remedy.
This article was last modified on 9/7/2007.
References
1. Steele, M., et al. (2006). "A randomized, controlled effectiveness trial of OROS-methylphenidate compared to usual care with immediate-release methylphenidate in Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder". Cancer Journal Clinical Pharmacology. 2006 Winter;13(1):e50-62.
2. Barbaresi, W.J., et al. (2006). "Long-Term Stimulant Medication Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Results from a Population-Based Study". J Dev Behavioral Pediatric. 2006 Feb;27(1):1-10.
3. Volkow N., et al. (1998). "Dopamine Transporter Occupancies in the Human Brain Induced by Therapeutic Doses of Oral Methylphenidate". American Journal of Psychiatry 155:1325-1331, October 1998.
4. Spencer, T.J., et al. (1996). "Growth deficits in ADHD children revisited: evidence for disorder-associated growth delays?. Journal of American Academic Child Adolescent Psychiatry. 1996 Nov;35(11):1460-9.
5. Wilens, T., et al. (2005). ADHD treatment with once-daily OROS methylphenidate: final results from a long-term open-label study". J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2005 Oct;44(10):1015-23.
6. Grund T., et al. "Influence of methylphenidate on brain development - an update of recent animal experiments", Behavioral Brain Function. 2006 Jan 10;2:2.
7. Wilens, T.E.., et al. (2003). "Does Stimulant Therapy of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Beget Later Substance Abuse? A Meta-analytic Review of the Literature". PEDIATRICS. 2003 Vol. 111 No. 1:pp. 179-185
8. Russell A. Barkley, PhD,et al. (2003). "Does the Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With Stimulants Contribute to Drug Use/Abuse? A 13-Year Prospective Study". PEDIATRICS. 2003 Vol. 111 No. 1: pp. 97-109
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