Opiates Q&A

Both codeine and oxy (oxycontin) are opiates, used to treat pain. Both are very likely to lead to tolerance/withdrawal/addiction. Some people will not be able to control their use, and some will die from opiates. They both are safe for short term use for treatment of pain, and both are very dangerous if used to get high.

Addiction to pain killers starts quickly after starting them. Opiates (pain killers) start to produce changes in the brain in less than a week after starting, and loss of control often follows soon after. Anytime a person uses opiates to get high (instead of using them to reduce pain), they will become addicted very quickly, in one to two weeks. It can take months to years to return to normal after opiate addiction.

Intravenous opiates produce the strongest high, but even oral opiates (Vicodin, Percocet, oxycontin) also produce a very strong high. Intravenous methamphetamine and intravenous cocaine produce abnormal levels of intoxication and easily damage the pleasure system. Smoked cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine also produce extreme high.

The term “pain killers” usually refers to opiate medications prescribed to treat pain. Vicodin, oxycontin, norco are common pain killers. In doses that are beyond that's needed to reduce pain, they can cause a high and become seriously abused. Often they are a first step in development of opiate addiction which often progresses to heroin and fentanyl, drug injection, OD.

Most pain killers are safe to use for up to a week, unless very high doses are used. It is only safe to use painkillers if they are used properly to relieve pain, not to get high. It can take years to safely get off painkillers, so only short term use is safe. Recent research shows that Tylenol and ibuprofen work as well as opiate pain killers like Vicodin or oxycodone.

Yes. “Contin” refers to a form of oxycodone designed to be released continuously.

Opiates, including oxy, produce a very strong high. It is moderately effective for treating pain, and the high is a side effect. Used to get high, oxy is far too strong; this induces the neuroadaptation process and quickly lead to tolerance/withdrawal and addiction.

No. The addiction won’t heal by itself but exercise and fun activities promote healing.

In doses that just relieve pain they don’t feel pleasurable. If doses above the pain-relieving threshold are used, they produce a feeling of euphoria. Once someone has gotten high from pain killers they will want that feeling for the rest of their lives.

Opiate drugs injure the chemistry in the brain that allows you to have a good time, enjoy yourself, get motivated. Very short-term use leads quickly to the need to continue taking them, causing trouble for the user, the appearance of craving.