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Abuse Proof OxyContin Pushes Addicts to Heroin and Other Opioids, Survey Finds

(7/19/2012)

Abuse-Proof OxyContin Pushes Addicts to Heroin and Other Opioids, Survey Finds
By Maia Szalavitz
TIME
July 12, 2012

In August 2010, the maker of the prescription painkiller OxyContin released an abuse-resistant formulation of the drug to deter addicts from crushing it and inhaling or injecting it. The new pill had a dramatic effect: OxyContin went from being the primary drug of abuse for 36% of prescription-drug misusers to just 13% about 21 months later, according to a letter published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

View the full article:

http://healthland.time.com/2012/07/12/new-abuse-proof-oxycontin-formula-pushed-addicts-to-heroin-and-other-opioids-survey-finds/

Keywords: abuse proof, OxyContin, addcits, heorin, opioids, survey

Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery for substance use and mental disorders, celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers, and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible. Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover.

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Behavioral Health is Essential to Health
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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration • 1 Choke Cherry Road • Rockville, MD 20857 • 1-877-SAMHSA-7