“ I
got a call that my friend had overdosed on OxyContin and was in
a coma. The doctors only gave her a 50 percent chance of living.
Seeing her hooked up to tubes and machines to help her breathe,
I thought I’d never see her again.”- Mike, 21-year-old
college student.
What is OxyContin?
OxyContin is a medication prescribed
to treat severe pain. However, it is often misused as a way to get “high.” When
abused, OxyContin, like other opiates and opioids, can be addictive
and
potentially fatal. Frequent and repeated use of the drug can cause
respiratory problems, which may lead to overdose and death.
Fast Facts
• Approximately 1.9 million persons aged
12 or older had used OxyContin non-medically at least once in
their lifetime during
2002. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health, SAMHSA).
• Lifetime non-medical pain reliever
prevalence among young adults age 18-25 increased from 19.4%
in 2001 to 22.1% in 2002.
• OxyContin and alcoholic beverages may
have dangerous interactions that can result in serious injury
or death.
• The number of oxycodone emergency cases
increased nearly 36% in a single year, from 3,369 in January
to June 1999 to 5,261
in January to June 2000 (ONDCP).
• As of November 1, 2001, medical examiner
offices in 31 States reported 1,096 overdose deaths involving
oxycodone, 117
of which were related to OxyContin.
What should I do if a friend is misusing OxyContin?
• Talk to them. Let your friend know you are concerned in
a supportive and careful way. Here are some tips: Use “I” statements,
such as “I’m worried about your safety,” rather
than “you” statements such as “You’re out
of control.” Avoid giving overly simple solutions such as “If
you just stopped, everything would be okay.”
• Give advice in the form of options. Help your friend see
ways to get help – recommend the campus counseling center
or suggest support groups you think may help your friend work through
the problem. Remember, you cannot make someone get help or change
his or her attitudes or behaviors but you can make a difference
by sharing your concerns, providing support, and knowing where
to get information.
• Seek support. Your friend may deny the problem; in this
case you may feel the need to tell someone else. Consider speaking
with your friend’s parents, a resident advisor, or counselor,
or another trusted adult.
To find help or get more information, start with your student
health center or counseling service on campus, or a local Mental
Health Association. In addition to those services and the organizations
listed below, ask friends and family for help and support. Most
people who care about you will be glad to support your efforts
to stop your drug abuse.
• Center for Substance Abuse Treatment:
www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov/facilitylocatordoc.htm
• Narcotics Anonymous: www.na.org
• 1-800-DRUGHELP: www.drughelp.org
• National Institute on Drug Abuse: www.nida.nih.gov
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