Since being introduced to the U.S. market in 1939, oxycodone use and abuse have grown rapidly. In fact, as of 2007, the United States has the highest total consumption of oxycodone products (82 percent of the world total). Moreover, the U.S. has the highest per capita consumption of oxycodone, followed by Canada, Denmark, Australia, and Norway.
OxyContin abuse has especially spread among American young people. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that OxyContin use by 12th graders rose 40 percent nationwide in just three years. About 1 in 20 high school seniors now acknowledges taking OxyContin and five times more 12th graders report using OxyContin than report using methamphetamine. OxyContin use has remained more stable in the lower grades, with 1.8 percent of 8th graders and 3.2 percent of 10th graders reporting annual use in 2005.
As with most opiates, OxyContin abuse can cause the addict’s body to develop a tolerance for the drug and the abuser must continually use an increased amount of it to achieve the same initial effects. As the addict abuses higher doses over time, physical dependence and addiction easily develop. At this point, the body has adapted to the drug’s presence and withdrawal symptoms will likely occur if the abuse is reduced or halted.
