Ontario’s Oxycodone Abuse – Prescriptions Can be Deadly

Oxycodone is put into many different forms of pain relief medications that are given as prescriptions and also bough illegally on the street.  The most famous of these drugs is OxyContin, which has an ability to become severely habit forming and the user can build a very dangerous tolerance to the drug.  In Ontario, Canada four years ago, there was a story published about a young man from London, Ontario.  His name was Kyle Blythe and he lived an everyday normal life; job at the Ford motor plant, wife, house, a very active lifestyle.  It was not until he developed painful tendonitis in his wrist where it all changed for him. 

Kyle tried many different forms of treatment from cortisone shots, splints, and physiotherapy.  When seeing his doctor again, Kyle was put on a new drug called OxyContin, which has the pain medication Oxycodone in it.  Unfortunately, within a few weeks, Kyle went from taking 5mg of the drug to taking 20mg.  Gradually, Kyle increased his dosage to 60mg, and eventually got himself up to 80mg.  The Doctor continued to write prescriptions for Kyle and he continued to take the drug becoming more and more physically dependent on it.  Kyle was quoted saying, "I could work without pain. I could golf without pain. I could play hockey without pain. I could live my own life, and I thought it was great, I thought it was a miracle drug."

OxyContin does come with a warning saying that the drug can become habit forming; however, Kyle did ignore this warning and did not discuss it with his doctor.  He was looking for quick relief from that pain and that is what he got.  At one point Kyle ran out of the drug, and it would take one week until he could see his doctor again for another prescription.  Within the first few days Kyle started experiencing an opiate withdrawal.  He was unable to handle the pain and discomfort, so Kyle went to go search for OxyContin on the street.  It was much easier for him find the drugs on the street, but unfortunately his habit was becoming more habit forming.  Kyle apparently went on to spend close to $100 thousand dollars and he lost his house and his wife. 

The Narconon drug rehab program encounters these types of situations on a regular basis.  OxyContin today is still a very devastating drug and causes much grief physically and mentally for the user.  If you or someone you know is struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, call the Narconon program toll free line at, 1-877-782-7409, or visit the website at, http://narconon.ca/

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