Oxycodone is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs to those who are dealing with moderate to severe pain. Unfortunately, there are people who take this drug illegally as they enjoy how it makes them feel.
According to statistics compiled by the International Narcotics Control Board, the United States was the top country in terms of oxycodone consumption from 2006 to 2008.
For more than 100 years, people have been using oxycodone for medical purposes. Over time, however, the number of people abusing the drug has increased.
Here are some additional statistics related to oxycodone abuse:
Oxycodone is a dangerous opiate which contributes to many overdose deaths each year.
- The US Department of Health and Human Services notes that roughly 11 million people will consume one dose of oxycodone for non-medical purposes.
- Oxycodone abuse impacts people in all age groups with the trend pointing towards those in the lower to middle class. This is due in large part to the fact that it is easier than ever before to access this drug.
- In the United States, roughly 100,000 people are admitted to hospitals every year for misusing oxycodone and other pain killing drugs.
As if the statistics above are not alarming enough, here is one from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that should open your eyes as to how dangerous prescription painkillers can be:
- Approximately 12 million Americans abused some type of prescription painkiller in 2012. Along with this, about 15,000 people die every year from overdosing on this type of drug.
This information shows that when abused, painkillers can lead to injury, illness, and even death.
Who is at Risk?
Anybody is at risk to develop an oxycodone addiction. That being said, research has proven that some groups are more vulnerable to abuse. These groups include:
- People who have a mental illness and a history of addiction or abuse.
- Low-income people.
- Those who take a high daily dosage of oxycodone or another painkiller.
- People who obtain multiple oxycodone and painkiller prescriptions from several medical professionals.
The statistics alone show that oxycodone abuse remains a major problem in the United States.
This drug has many benefits when used in the appropriate manner, allowing a person with moderate to severe pain to get the comfort they need. On the other side of things, entirely too many people are abusing the drug for the way it makes them feel. This includes those who “doctor shop” for prescriptions as well as those who obtain oxycodone in an illegal manner.
History -
Oxycodone is a synthetic drug that is commonly prescribed for the treatment of pain that is moderate or severe. Painkillers such as Percocet, Percodan, Roxicodone, Roxicet and Oxycontin all contain Oxycodone in some formulation often paired with ibuprofen or acetaminophen. The drug was first synthesized in Germany in 1916 but was not widely used or even made ... 
10 Possible Consequences of Oxycodone Abuse -
Oxycodone products such as OxyContin, Roxicodone, Percocet, and Percodan are some of the choice drugs for abuse and while the consequences of oxycodone abuse are more prevalent than ever, oxycodone products remain high on the list for diversions of controlled prescriptions drugs (CPDs). The DEA 2014 National Drug Threat Assessment reports that “According to the ... 
Street Names -
Oxycodone is found in a variety of different medications including Roxicodone, Oxycontin and Percocet. Most of the time, the street names used to describe Oxycodone are directly relevant to the specific type of drug that is being used. For instance, if Roxicodone is being used the street names may include Roxi, Blues or IR. Why is it ... 
10 Signs a Person is High on Oxycodone -
For some people, taking Oxycodone is extremely important as this allows them to better deal with pain in relation to an injury, illness, or surgical procedure. Others, however, take this drug in an illicit manner. Rather than using it to deal with pain, they do so as a means of getting high. If you are ... 
Uses -
Oxycodone is an opiate analgesic that is synthesized from thebaine which comes from the poppy plant. Because this drug is an opiate, it has a high potential for abuse and use of the drug may be habit forming. Oxycodone is primarily used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain such as the pain that may be ...