A reader warns against Oxycontin addiction
Q: I’m a divorcee, 32, with two young children. I bought a house with my father, got my degree and a great job.
However, a postpartum depression led to clinical depression, which runs in my family.
Eight months ago, my antidepressant medication stopped working. I started taking my dad’s pain medication. Within two weeks, I was addicted to OxyContin. It’s exceptionally addictive.
I want people to know: It can happen to anyone, anywhere. It’s not something to be ashamed of, but it must stop. Doctors give out these opiates like candy and soon you can’t stop. I realized what was happening, checked myself into detox and got clean.
I’m more awake, a better mom, and I still have my job, my house and my children.
There’s a lot of help out there if you only ask for it. I went to my family doctor, got referred to a psychiatrist, and fixed my medications again.
OxyContin’s tricky and dangerous. It’s a surprisingly short step into addictions. But there’s help. Ask for it. Clean Again A: Thanks for your personal experience and warning. According to Toronto’s Centre for Addiction
and Mental Health, OxyContin (called “Oxy” or “OC” on the street), a time-release pain medication, contains oxycodone — an opioid drug, like morphine, codeine, heroin and methadone. Your experience has happened to many; you’re lucky to get clean. Last winter, Purdue Pharma replaced OxyContin (in easily crushed pill form) with OxyNeo, which is harder to abuse, but it created a crisis for addicts who need help withdrawing. Q: I want to end a friendship with my best friend of 10 years. I can no longer trust her and we have less in common now than we used to. I can’t trust her because whenever she gets into a relationship she forgets I exist. My phone calls and text messages go unanswered for days. This has gone on for four years. Whenever I have raised it, she’s apologized and said she’d get better at balancing both relationships. I recently had surgery and everyone close to me visited. Not her. She was leaving for vacation a week later and said she’d stop by (a 10minute trip) but didn’t. Last year, when she and her boyfriend of two years broke up, I immediately went over to her house to help her through it. She again apologized for being a bad friend while dating him. I’m in a five-year relationship but have other interests and can talk to my other girlfriends about things other than men. When we met we were both single and just starting university. We don’t share many of the same interests today. She’s been calling and texting me once a week, which is more than usual, but I’ve been ignoring her. I’m not sure that’s the best way to deal with this situation. I truly no longer wish to be friends but wouldn’t mind parting as acquaintances. But I know a conversation about why I’m ignoring her will be plain awkward. Hate Confrontation A: Don’t confront, just state the facts — you feel you have little in common, would like to be on pleasant terms, but no longer wish to only hear about her love life and know she won’t change.
She’ll naturally be hurt, and may again promise to be a better friend. Say you’d rather be honest with each other and just part amicably.
Don’t expect kudos, and don’t be surprised if she tries to start up again, the same old way.
But ignoring her is just plain immature and looks bad on you.
TIP OF THE DAY
Do not self-medicate for depression. Get medical and counselling help. Email ellie@thestar.ca. Ellie chats at noon Wednesdays at thestar.com/ elliechat. Follow @ellieadvice.