Opiate and Opioid Addiction By: Paul Purrazzella 11/10/08

What are Opiate’s and an Opioid’s? The word “Opiate” is a broad category that all of the different forms of Heroin fall under. An Opioid is any type of narcotic painkiller (Mostly in this case OxyContin).

Similarities Heroin and OxyContin are very similar in a sense of how the drug affects people. Both of these drugs have almost the same affects and after affects on people when they are used in certain ways.

What is Heroin? Heroin is a highly illegal street drug that is made from a natural substance taken from the seed pod of various poppy plants. When Heroin is used, it affects the central nervous system, in the brain and along the spinal cord. It stimulates certain opioid receptors in these areas, and pain relief will take place.

What is OxyContin? OxyContin is a pill that is prescribed for chronic pain. This pill has a 12-hour time release. When the time release is compromised the user can receive 12 hours of medication all at once, making this drug popular in the streets. Due to its popularity among abusers, and drug dealers, OxyContin is now on the Government Controlled Substance List, making it illegal for anyone to posses without a prescription.

What does Heroin and OxyContin look like? Heroin is mostly found in powder form, colors ranging from dark brown to white. Sometimes it also comes in black stick substance known as “Black Tar Heroin”. OxyContin comes in pill forms ranging in dosages. This medication comes in 10,20,40,and 80mg.

How are they used? Heroin and Oxycontin are used in mostly the same ways. Both substances reportedly are administered by injection, smoking, or snorting. When OxyContin is used in these ways its time release is compromised and the drug becomes dangerously powerful along side with Heroin.

Short-Term Affects of Heroin Abuse. Heroin can cause many short term affects that will appear shortly after the initial use of the drug. These affects consist of: A “rush” accompanied by a warm sensation Dry mouth Heavy extremities Slowed and/or slurred speech Small sized pupils Vomiting Constipation

Short-Term Affects of OxyContin Abuse. As dosages of pain killer’s get higher, the Short and Long-term affects start looking like those of Heroin. OxyContin is one of the only Narcotic’s that has high enough dosages to even compare. Constipation Nausea Vomiting Dry mouth Constricted pupils, Drowsiness

Long-Term Affects of Heroin Heroin has many long term affects, some of which can be fatal. Chronic users can develop: Collapsed veins Infection of the heart lining and valves Abscesses Liver disease Addiction Arthritis Bacterial Infections Built up Tolerance

Long-Term Affects of OxyContin The Prescription Narcotic known as OxyContin has long term affects on a users body that are the same as Heroin. There are a range of negative health consequences associated with OxyContin abuse. Users will build up a tolerance to this drug as well. The bigger the dosage taken in one use, and if taken repeatedly, addiction and symptoms of withdrawals, long and short-term affects will get worse.

What is Withdrawal? Withdrawal takes place after an abuser of either Heroin or Oxycontin does not have this substance in their body. In order for a user to experience the symptoms of withdrawal some sort of tolerance and addiction must be present within the person. This means that the users body has been so used to having these drugs in them, that when they are taking away you and your body do not function properly. The higher the tolerance and addiction the worse the withdrawal symptoms will be.

Withdrawal Symptoms Withdrawal symptoms, on average last around 6-7 days. After the first 48 hours the next 4-5 days is when the symptoms start to peak. Someone experiencing a withdrawal might experience: Restlessness Muscle and bone pain Insomnia Diarrhea Vomiting Cold flashes (“cold turkey”) Involuntary leg movements.

How does OxyContin fall into the wrong hands? Unlawful sale from legal to illegal holders (usually physicians or pharmacists) “Doctor Shopping” (When one person goes to numerous different doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions) Theft from legal obtainers Thefts of institutional drug supplies by health-care workers.

How can Abusers be helped? Abusers can be checked into either a rehabilitation center, or a detoxification center, and they not experience the withdrawal symptoms after you are giving certain substances. Abusers can also go to their doctor, tell he/she the problem, and he/she will most likely prescribe a drug called Suboxone. This drug was invented to block any opiate or opioid if used by someone. Just go through with a withdrawal until its over.

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