What's the Deal With Teens and Oxycontin?

Every recent American generation has its drug of choice for teens and young adults. For mine it was ecstasy. The rave culture was in full swing and E was the rave. Many a peer floated along on a wave of emotion only outdone by the trance music that accompanied the high. While some deaths were traced to E, most damage was done to the serotonin receptor sending regular users into periods of diagnosable depression and anxiety.

Today, adolescents and young adults are using a drug that is much more dangerous, and potentially the most addictive substance modern addiction medicine has ever seen. An epidemic is at hand that no one could have imagined. Today young people are partying with Oxycontin and ending up in medical offices, rehabs, and morgues all over the Country.

I was saddened but not surprised when earlier this year a young girl named Haleigh died due to what allegedly was ingested Oxycontin. The five year old was reported to have possibly found a pill on the floor during a house party, where her young "partying" babysitter, and girlfriend of the child's father had taken her. While this story may be one of the more publicized, I assure you there are thousands more stories that are no less tragic to those involved. According to the World Press, from 1998-2005 some 5548 deaths resulted directly from Oxycontin use. This is almost double that of other addictive and potentially lethal prescribed opiods such as Fentanyl. With an estimated 80,000,000 taking some form of prescribed pain medication in the past year, its a wonder more deaths have not been recorded.

Despite the disturbing fatalities caused by the use and abuse of Oxycontin, a more startling trend emerges for the younger generation. This is the tale of Oxycontin addiction and one that any young user can tell you is a literal hell on earth. Most start taking the drug because they found it in their parents cabinet. A young patient of mine recounts his trip into the medicine chest in a "well to do" East coast home. "I fell in love that night", he stated. He grimaces as he recounts a failed rehab stint sitting in my office hoping he does not repeat this same experience a second time. Its just too strong, too easy, and too damn addictive. Everyone knows someone that has it, can get it, or is willing to take it, no matter what the cost. What starts as an amazing rush of warmth, energy, and a comfort hard to find in this cold world, ends in sleepless nights, muscle cramps, vomiting, and trips to the ER.

So how does one deal with a situation that started harmlessly enough, and ends up in rehab with track mark up and down one's arm? Answer, insight and support from all sources possible! Friends, family, medical practitioners, teachers, and clergy need to wake up to an epidemic that is picking people off like a sniper in the night. Look for that kid who has it "all together" good parents, money, and bright. Then understand when this person starts to loose weight, disappears in the afternoon for "hookups, keeps getting stomach cramps and itches their nose like its going to fall off. When this person starts selling things and is completely out of money for no good reason, it may be time to ask some hard core honest questions about Oxycontin use. Remember that this drug is easy to disguise and although most kids start taking it at parties on the weekend, within weeks, sometimes days, they will be using it daily to coast through life often giving only sight warning signs of use.

So how does one help someone get off of Oxy? Well, it is not easy. First, be honest, open, and non-judgemental. Realize many kids had no idea what they were getting themselves into and know they need help desperately but are so scarred of letting others down, especially when they comes from solid homes. Second, get some professional help. Many times detox is needed and there are some fantastic treatment centers and medications that help people come off of and help stay off of these drugs. Lastly, understand that this addiction is one of the worst and that it will take allot of time, effort, and support to get well.

So remember that this epidemic is a nasty one and unfortunately it's here to stay. Be proactive about looking for warning signs, and be available and open to discuss the potential dangers with your family and friends. Finally, for God's sake clean out your medicine cabinet. Get rid of all the old pain meds, and if you are taking them currently, lock them up! Remember a few pills found in a cabinet can lead to a life time of problems for some people, and unfortunately with Oxycontin, for some that lifetime won't be very long.

If you need any additional information, advice, or treatment referrals and reccomedations, do not hesitate to contact me. http://www.matthewbruhin.com/