[BCCA]

I have a roommate who seems to be pretty into the pain killers. He has to drive like an hour away to get these Oxy pills from his dealer, but he still goes almost every day. Sometimes, he stays home and does nothing because he is so out of it, and there have been times where I cant even understand what hes saying because hes so F'd up.

I've taken a couple extra vicodin here and there, but these things seem to be on another level all together. I've never seen a drug that could turn people into zombies, and he seems to be addicted.

My question is, how bad is this addiction and can people shake it? My concern is that, since we live together and all, he has access to all my stuff and could easily steal/pawn it to get pills (which he told me before are like $40 EACH). Do I have a real concern, or is this an addiction like weed? (I would never have stolen even a dime for some weed).

[Sweetcheripie]

Oxycontin addiction is very serious. Your roommate needs professional help.

[BCCA]

Originally Posted by Sweetcheripie

Oxycontin addiction is very serious. Your roommate needs professional help.

Pardon my ignorance, but I really have no experience with this stuff at all. When I was growing up, it was weed, coke, X, etc...pain killers weren't even on the map, really.

The only caveat to this story is that he has money from a wealthy family, so I almost feel like him stealing wouldnt really be an issue. Problem I have now is that I just dont know what to expect (is he going to get violent?), and I would obviously like to help him.

I've spoken with him about it, and he seems to be perfectly fine with his life, but I cant see how. I went out to get something to eat with him the other day, and he looked like a bum, and when I mentioned it, it was like he didnt even care any more.

[Sweetcheripie]

I'm hoping it is ok to post a link but here is a good start to get info on the addiction.

Several kids in our local high school started with Vicodin and then bumped up to Oxy - it is not easy to stop the habit and yes it can be expensive.

http://www.recoveryconnection.org/dr.../oxycontin.php

[melodymatters]

Another name for it is Hillbilly Heroin, and it has the same addictive properties as H and is easier to get.

My friend who is an MD's older brother who was a respected cardiologist, lost his home, business and family after getting so addicted that he prescribed it for his patients, then drove them to the pharmacy in his porsche and waited outside for half the script. He was a multi millionare.


On the other hand, a friend who's wife had just died gave me enough liquid oxy to kill an army once, and I just did it recreationally a few times, used it for pain management for friends, pets and family and never got addicted, so I'm not going to jump on the "OMG everything is so scary and addicting" train either.

[LakesideDream]

I have "pain management" issues.. and try to stay away from meds. Fairly successfully.

I had a wonderful friend who got onto the OXY merry go round. She had a doctor that was very .. "liberal". She passed from an overdose in July. I miss her, she was a wonderful friend. Her three daughters, brothers, and grandchildren miss her as well.

OXY took away her problems... rather enough OXY kept her from caring that she had problems. Now she doesen't have any more problems. That stuff is very powerful and addictive.