DEAR DR. GOTT:
Please provide your professional opinion on the following extreme concern I have.
My 45-year-old son is prescribed Oxycontin monthly. He suffered a brain aneurysm eight years ago that left him partially disabled. He has no use of his left arm and has a bad gait on the left leg. He also had surgery for Crohn’s disease when he was 14 years old. He’s used numerous drugs since the age of 12, most of which I don’t even know the names or types. As of this date, he only uses the Oxycontin, but he doesn’t use it according to physician direction.
I know this addiction has to be extremely dangerous. Please print your response as soon as possible so I can prove to him that he is killing himself.
DEAR READER:
Oxycontin is a habit-forming narcotic similar to morphine that can be prescribed in liquid or pill form for the treatment of severe pain. The pills should not be crushed, chewed, mixed with water, or broken. Breaking a pill will cause too much of the narcotic to be released at one time, giving a faster “high” that doesn‘t last long. This often results in a patient taking the next dose sooner than recommended, ultimately consuming more than is prescribed. Mixing pills with water for injection can literally result in death. Oxycontin overdose in any form can be fatal.
I can only hope your son’s physician is careful in his prescribing methods, as you are correct that taking the drug differently than recommended is dangerous. Your son might be appropriately prescribed this medication because of the constant pain he is in, but I doubt his physician is aware he is misusing it.
While you can show my response to your son, I can — in all likelihood — assure you he will not stop until he is ready. He’s had a 32 year history of drug consumption and there isn’t much you can say or do that will make him see the light. He will have to be the one to reach the conclusion that enough is enough.
There are support groups, pain clinics and other facilities available, no matter where you live. While he might not have an interest, I recommend you take care of yourself by connecting with a support group. Regular meetings are held across the country and will be an excellent means to teach you to cope with the problem. I’m sorry for what you are going through and wish you luck with this scary dilemma.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Mental/Substance Abuse”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
About Dr. Gott