Pick Your Poison

Oxycodone 

is in the class of medications called opiate analgesics or narcotics. It works by altering the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain (Oxycodone, 2011).

Medical Use:     
                                                             http://oxycodoneabuse.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/020509073138_oxycodone1.jpg

Oxycodone can be prescribed by a doctor and, when used properly, provides relief to those suffering from serious pain or injury. Oxycodone comes as a liquid solution that can be injected, tablets, capsules, and long-acting release tablets that are called OxyContin, which are taken by mouth (Oxycodone, 2011).

History of the Drug:

      Oxycodone was developed in Germany in 1916. It was designed to be a superior medication compared to other opiate analgesics like heroin, codeine, and morphine. Many people were becoming addicted to heroin and were experiencing extreme symptoms from abuse of other painkillers. 

      Oxycodone came to the United States in 1939, but it wasn’t until Purdue Pharmaceutical Company began manufacturing OxyContin in 1996 that it became widely used. By 2001, it was the best selling narcotic pain reliever in the country. The drug was widely available, and those who had extra pills from their prescriptions found they could sell them for a big profit. This was the start of the prescription drug abuse problem we have today. 

      In 2007, Purdue Pharmaceuticals was facing lawsuits for OxyContin due to their forceful marketing practices. Purdue also faced charges stating that they misbranded the drug in order to convince doctors and users that it did not have much potential for abuse or addiction.

OxyContin is still a very popular prescription drug today because of the ruthless marketing practices of the manufacturer, despite the troubles it has produced (The history of, 2010).

The Side Effects:

Because oxycodone can be habit-forming, users should not take a higher dose, take it more frequently, or take it for a lengthier amount of time than prescribed by their doctor. Users should not stop taking oxycodone suddenly. Stopping this medication suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms. All side effects of the drug are depicted in this image (Difference between oxycontin, 2011).

http://cdn.differencebetween.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/oxycodone.png

 

The prevalence of the Drug in the United States:

At that time the drug was created, no one thought this new drug would become one of the most widely used and abused prescription drugs ever (Oxycodone addiction symptoms, 2013). 

http://downloads.thedaily.com/ui-images/2012/07/02/070212-news-oxycontin-2-ss-662w-at-1x.jpg

Sanctions for Misuse or Abuse of the Drug:

There are various laws for oxycodone offenses. Based on New Jersey’s laws, possession of up to 4 pills of oxycodone is a Fourth Degree Crime; possession of between 5 and 99 tablets is a Third Degree Crime; and possessing 100 or more pills is a Second Degree Crime. A Fourth Degree could result in an individual spending up to 18 months in jail. A Third Degree involves up to 5 years in jail and also carries up to $200,000 in fines. A Second Degree, the most serious oxycodone charge, can result in up to 10 years in jail as well as up to $300,000 in fines. Illegal use of oxycodone could have some very serious consequences for an individual who is caught (Oxycodone offenses, 2013).

http://www.flurtsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Handcuffs.jpg
 

Addiction Treatment for Oxycodone Abuse:

      Treatment programs for oxycodone abuse focus on therapy and counseling to help addicts regain control of their lives. Many treatment facilities for oxycodone addiction focus on individuals' needs to create personal plans of action. Treatments include relapse preventions, Dual Diagnosis treatment, journaling groups, post-traumatic stress disorder counseling and intensive family therapy. While treatment often involves several different types of counseling, the first step of most programs is detox. Detox involves going through a controlled withdrawal from the drug, monitored by professionals.  The process allows the body to get rid of the drug from the body’s system (Oxycodone addiction symptoms, 2013).
 

My Thoughts:

It is very ironic to see that a drug was created to replace other addictive pain relievers, and this drug turned out to be more addictive than all of the others. How is this even possible? It is also troubling to see that such an addictive drug is still on the market and so easy to obtain. I’m glad to see that the law strictly enforces abuse of this drug and that many treatment options are available. However, this drug currently affects many Americans, and I feel as though not enough has been done to solve the problems oxycodone has caused.

 

http://www.oxycodoneaddictionhelp.com/images/how-oxycodone-use-can-affect-emotional-health-300x199.jpg

References:

Difference between oxycontin and oxycodone. (2011, September 06). Retrieved

from http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-oxycontin-and-oxycodone/

Oxycodone. (2011, October 15). Retrieved from 
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682132.html

Oxycodone addiction symptoms, signs and treatment. (2013). Retrieved from
 http://www.rehabinfo.net/oxycodone-addiction/

Oxycodone offenses. (2013). Retrieved from
 http://www.newjerseycriminallawattorney.com/CM/DrugCrimes/OxycodonePossession-IntentToDistribute-Forgery-Fraud.asp

The history of oxycontin. (2010, January 09). Retrieved from 
http://www.treatmentsolutions.com/the-history-of-oxycontin/

Habits - Deserting Desserts

           Over the course of the rest of this semester, I will be trying to give up one of my bad habits. Habits, like drugs, can be hard to stop. In doing this experiment, I will hopefully gain a better understanding of what addicts go through when trying overcome their addictions through personal experience.

I observed a few of my bad habits over the course of the last two weeks. After reviewing them, I have come to the conclusion that I eat way too many desserts. With the Marketplace having a large selection of desserts at every meal, I can never seem to pass them up. My best friend, Brittany, and I go up after each meal and select a dessert. It’s just part of our normal meal routine. My specific goal is to give up desserts entirely. By giving up desserts, I am changing my daily routine. This will also have an impact on Brittany. I plan to no longer go back up with her to get dessert. This way, I am not tempted to select one. I’m curious to see whether or not she will continue to get dessert without me. Brittany will be the support I need to overcome my habit. She knows about my goal and will be there to help me hold true to it.

This is an assignment for class, but to me, this is more than that. I am hoping it will help me better myself. Over the past few years, I have not been comfortable with my appearance and weight. I have been committed to going to the gym and trying to lose weight. I believe that giving up desserts will truly benefit me. I am 100% committed to my goal. I would rate my commitment a 10 out of 10. 

Photo Link: http://media.lunch.com/d/d7/248511.jpg?2

         Week 1:

Progress: 

This week was harder than I expected. However, I did not give in to my temptations. I did not have a single dessert all week. I believe I was so successful because I am very committed to my goal, and I have the support of my friends. 

Triggers of the behavior: 

In the Marketplace, I am very tempted to grab a dessert when I see one of my favorites. Thankfully, I was able to overcome my urges with the help of my friend Seth. He prevents me from giving into my urges. He tells me "No" and offers healthy suggestions instead.

Needed changes to my plan and support network: 

I am lucky to have such a good support system, and I believe my plan is working so far. Right now I do not feel that any changes need to be made. 

My thoughts:
Cutting out sweets from my diet has not been as easy as I thought it was going to be. I find myself craving them often. I truly feel that food can be an addiction.

Week 2:

Progress:

This week was pretty easy to make it through without dessert. However, I went home for the weekend. One of my friends and I went out to eat and after he wanted to get ice cream. I told him about this project and how I was giving up dessert for the semester. We still really wanted something else to eat. We decided to go to YoFresh which is a frozen yogurt place. I got low fat frozen yogurt with kiwi, strawberries, and raspberries. I would still consider this to be a dessert but I’m proud that I at least picked a healthy option.

Triggers of the behavior:

At home, the triggers to eat dessert are much stronger. I’m not surrounded by my friends all the time when I go to eat. I am more accountable for my eat habits since I have no one seeing what I’m eating. My mom had made cupcakes and they were sitting on the counter when I got home. I was very tempted multiple times to just eat one but I refrained.

Needed changes to my plan and support network:

My support system at school is much stronger than my support system at home. My parents do not offer me much enforcement for my goal. I had told my mother about this project yet she still offered me a cupcake. When going out to eat I am also very tempted to eat unhealthy. 

My thoughts:
Cutting out something that was just part of my routine has been tough. Eating food is so easy to do without even thinking about it. Over the course of this experience, I am becoming more conscious of what I am putting into my mouth. 

Week 3:

Progress:

This week was the easiest week so far. I was not even tempted to eat desserts in the Marketplace. I believe this is due to the fact that it is becoming a routine not to eat dessert. Getting dessert is something I think less and less about.

Triggers of the behavior:

I believe a lot of my triggers stem from being off campus. When I leave campus, I am not as conscious of what I am eating. If I go out to eat, I just get whatever sounds good. My friends wanted to go to Rita’s over the weekend and I went along but I did not get anything. These temptations are the hardest to resist.  

Needed changes to my plan and support network:

I am holding strong to this goal, but I need more enforcement when I am off campus to eat healthy. Working on this support system is important and will help me eat healthier over the summer when I am back at home.

My thoughts:
I am taking this goal very seriously because it could really help my health and weight loss goals. I hope that addicts of all other kinds can find motivation to stop their addictions. However, I can appreciate how hard it must truly be. Giving up desserts has not been the easiest, and desserts are not even that addicting to me.

Week 4:

Progress:
This week was the easiest week so far. I said that last week, but it is true this week too. I do not even feel hungry for dessert anymore.

Triggers of the behavior:
I am only ever even a little tempted to eat dessert when it is one of my favorites. This week, there was eclair cake. This is one of my absolute favorites, but I passed it up.

Needed changes to my plan and support network:
I am holding very strong to this goal. I do not feel like I have to change anything.

My thoughts:
This goal means a lot to me, and I feel better about myself. I feel like my exercise makes more of an impact since I am not working to burn off extra calories from desserts.

Update!

Over the past few weeks I have made some great progress! My urge to eat sweets has greatly reduced, and I have not given in to any temptations. Most days I do no even desire dessert. I would say that I am currently in the maintenance stage. 

Update!

Over Easter break, I was home with my family and I was surrounded by sweets and desserts. I unfortunately relapsed. At home, I was around people that are not as supportive of my goal. Instead of encouraging me not to eat desserts, they offered me them. There came a point where I could no longer say "No" and I ate peanut butter eggs and other candy. Now that I am back at school, I am getting back on track with my goal. I feel like I have failed, but I am pushing forward and starting over. I have made great progress, and I am not going to let one slip up send me spiraling back into my old habits.

Update!

Since my relapse, I have not been taking this habit change as seriously. I have really cut back on the desserts, but I eat them on rare occasion when they are my favorite. For example, cannolis are my all time favorite and I had one in the cafe this past week.

Final Update!

See Summary of Habit Change post. 

Decades of a drug

Methamphetamine

is an extremely addictive drug. It goes by street names such as speed, meth, ice, crystal, and glass. It comes in two forms. One is a white, odorless, unpleasant tasting powder that can be taken orally, by snorting or injecting. The other is a rock form, usually known a crystal meth, which is heated and then smoked (Methamphetamine, 2013).

http://www.lakeviewhealth.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Crystal_Meth.jpg      

http://www.stopyouraddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/meth-powder-300x208.jpg

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/art/bodyp1.jpg

"There are a whole variety of reasons to try methamphetamine," explains Dr. Richard Rawson, associate director of UCLA's Integrated Substance Abuse Programs. "However, once they take the drug … their reasons are pretty much the same: They like how it affects their brains." Users have explained the feeling they get as a sudden rush of pleasure that lasts for several minutes, followed by a euphoric high that lasts between six and 12 hours, and it is the result of the drug causing the brain to release large quantities of the chemical dopamine, a neurotransmitter that controls pleasure. "All drugs of abuse cause the release of dopamine, even alcohol and nicotine", explains Rawson, "but methamphetamine produces the mother of all dopamine releases (How meth destroys the body, 2011)."

History of the Drug

            Methamphetamine was developed in Japan in 1919. In went into wide use during World War II because troops, particularly pilots, used it to stay awake. After the war, abuse reached extreme highs when the methamphetamine supply for the military became available to the Japanese public (History of methamphetamine, 2013). Many soldiers returning from war were addicted and continued use at home.

            In the United States, in 1950s, methamphetamine was prescribed as a diet aid and to battle depression. Because it was easily available, some college students, truck drivers and athletes used it recreationally. The abuse continued to spread. By 1970, the US government realized the consequences of the drug and deemed it an illegal drug. Motorcycle gangs then controlled most of the production and distribution. By the 1990s, Mexican drug traffickers set up large meth labs in parts of California. Over time continuing into today, small meth labs have been set up in apartments, basements, and even kitchens because meth is now very easy to make (History of methamphetamine, 2013). By 2007, recipes to make the drug could be found on the Internet. All a "cook" needs is to get his or her hands on pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient that can be found in many cold medicines. Since pseudoephedrine was so easy to obtain, states began to pass legislation aimed at knocking out these small labs by making medicines with pseudoephrine prescription-only or limiting the quantity allowed to be purchased. Problems with small labs and crime had seen a reduction (Methamphetamine today, 2012). The actions of the government have helped to reduce the ease of use. However, based on the National Survey on Drug Use and Heath done in 2009, 1.2 million Americans age 12 and older had abused methamphetamine at least once in the year prior to being surveyed (Methamphetamine, 2013). Methamphetamine addiction and use is still a large problem that is affecting many lives, not only in the United States, but in many countries all over the world.

My Thoughts

I knew a good amount about methamphetamine before conducting this research. I know and have seen what meth can do to a person and their family. The news, television shows, the Internet, and other forms of media have exposed me to the real consequences of this drug and many others. Because of everything I know, I cannot help but to question "Why would anyone want to try meth?" As Dr. Richard Rawson states in his quote, people do it for a variety of reasons. My life has never put me in a situation where this drug would ever be considered. I am honestly shocked to see that so many Americans have recently used meth. I can understand how this trend had started. Back when this drug was used for military purposes, its symptoms and consequences were not fully known. As time progressed and the drug spread, the research on the drug has increased. Since more laws have been instated, more drug awareness is present and rehab clinics are more readily available, one can hope that methamphetamine use will dramatically decrease over the coming years.

Government Influence:

          The reaction of the government does have an impact on the use of substances. When the government decides to make a drug illegal, it prevents many people from using because they do not want to take the risk of being penalized. However, there are many individuals that choose to do drugs no matter what the consequences. Because this is known, other laws can be enforced to try to stop or make it harder for these individuals to continue to use. Research does seem to indicate that laws and government influence do in fact lower, even if only slightly, drug usage and the factors associated with them. 

 Resources:
 

History of methamphetamine. (2013). Retrieved from

http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/crystalmeth/history-of-methamphetamine.html

How meth destroys the body. (2011). Retrieved from

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/body/

Methamphetamine. (2013). Retrieved from

http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/methamphetamine

Methamphetamine today. (2012). Retrieved from

http://www.narconon.org/drug-information/methamphetamine-today.html

Reasons for taking this course

Why did you choose to take this course?

There are multiple reasons as to why I decided to take this course. It fit into my schedule when not many other classes did. I also needed the credits. However, I am a social work major. As a social work major, I can pursue a career working with a multitude of different populations and work in many different settings. I have a personal interest in working with addiction in my future.

By the end of the course, what do you want to know?

By the completion of this course, I want to have gained a better understanding of addiction and how it affects individuals, their families and society as a whole. I also hope to know if working with addiction is the right career path for me. 

Introduction

This blog is dedicated to a class in which I am currently enrolled, Addiction and Society.  My postings will illustrate what I am learning about addiction and its impacts on all aspects of society.