If you have begun using oxycodone non-medically—in a way other than that prescribed by your doctor—you have a substance use disorder. However, you might not understand that it is a problem. A big symptom of addiction is denial. As long as you can avoid thinking about the negative consequences of your substance use, you can continue doing it without any shame or self-doubt.
But, shielding yourself from the realities of your oxycodone use is prolonging a problem that you need to face, accept, and fight. The following list of facts should be a great place to start acknowledging both that you aren’t alone (there is an epidemic that you are caught up in) and that you are facing true danger. Like the millions who have sought treatment before you, it’s your turn.
If you need help finding an appropriate treatment facility, call Oxycodone.org at 888-810-2643. You can get questions answered and get recommendations for qualified rehab centers.
1. The number of people using prescription painkillers, like oxycodone, is startling.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) 2014, roughly 4.3 million people in the United States participated in the non-medical use of prescription opiates, like oxycodone, in the previous month.
2. More Americans than you might think meet the criteria for a prescription painkiller use disorder.
About 1.9 million Americans, according to the NSDUH, met this criterion due to the patterns of their prescription painkiller use in the previous year.
3. Prescription painkiller abuse is often a precursor to heroin use.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) reports four out of five new heroin users began their drug abuse with prescription drugs. Experts believe this has caused the number of heroin deaths to quadruple between 2000 and 2013. Between 2000 and 2010 the average increase was just six percent per year. However, between 2010 and 2013, the average yearly increase was 37 percent.
4. Every year, over a million people use prescription painkillers, like oxycodone, recreationally for the first time.
The ease of access to prescriptions is a major contributor to the oxycodone abuse epidemic.
Approximately 1.4 million individuals, reports the NSDUH, used prescription opioids for the first time in the previous year.
5. People start using prescription painkillers rather early.
The NSDUH asserts the average age at which a person first takes prescription painkillers is 21.2 years old.
6. Prescription painkiller use leads many people to the emergency department.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each day more than 1 thousand people misuse prescription opioids, like oxycodone, and end up being treated in the emergency room.
7. The number of overdose deaths is on the rise.
The CDC keeps records of overdose deaths and their records indicate a 3.4-fold increase in the total number of deaths between 2001 and 2014. ASAM reports 18,893 prescription painkiller overdose deaths in 2014.
8. Overdose deaths occur more commonly for people in certain demographics.
According to the CDC, certain characteristics are more common among those who suffer from a prescription opioid overdose death. Men are more likely to overdose, as are people age 25 to 54 years old. Rates are also higher for non-Latino whites and Alaskan Natives or American Indians, when compared to non-Latino blacks and Latinos. Obviously, just because you are not part of these groups in no way means that you can’t be killed by your non-medical oxycodone use.
9. Although men die of prescription painkiller overdose more often than women, the rates are becoming more and more even.
In both populations, the number of deaths is increasing. However, ASAM reports overdose deaths among women increased over 400 percent between 1999 and 2010, while those of men increased 237 percent.
10. One factor in the rise of prescription pill addicts is the increase in prescriptions.
ASAM notifies readers 259 million prescriptions were written in 2012. This is more than enough to supply every American with their own bottle of pills.
It’s time to face the facts. You can’t keep using at this rate and remain unharmed. Yes, prescriptions feel readily available, but they won’t always be and that’s when heroin becomes an issue. Or, you might simply overdose. Don’t become a statistic. Call 888-810-2643 and get started on your recovery.
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