Accepted Answer

Dear taken back,

 

Thank you for writing to JustAnswer with your health concern.

 

It is actually recommended that men drink no more than 2 drinks per day a few times per week, and women 1 drink per day a few times per week. In excess of that there can be long term damage. There are problems besides liver function such as a type of dementia called Wernicke's encephalopathy that can occur from higher than recommended alcohol ingestion.

 

Oxycontin is a time released opiate similar to morphine which is meant to be taken by those with severe pain and tolerance to lower level opiates. It is not supposed to be chewed as this leads to a sudden intake of a high dosage than can potentially be fatal, especially if used with other substances that can be sedating or those that especially can decrease respirations.

 

Most people chew it to get a bigger "high."

 

Especially if you were to take all 3 of these substances together, there is the possibility of going to sleep and not waking up. This combination is similar to what some people in the media (Heath Ledger, Nicole......) did. They never woke up after taking a certain amount of medications together due to sedation of the brain's respiratory center.

 

You may tolerate doing these things and you may be lucky and not show damage. But likely over time, this dose will not be enough and you will seek stronger doses. Likely you will have some liver damage over time as well. What you are engaging in now appears to be a sign of addiction.

 

If you are having difficulty with pain control it would be best to talk to your doctor honestly and get recommendations. A pain clinic offers evaluations and methods to help with pain along with medications. This might be an option for you.

 

You could also go to a 12 step meeting and get opinions there whether what you are doing is addictive behavior or not.

 

Additionally, an option would be for you to see an Addictionologist (a Psychiatrist with a specialty in Addictions) who could evaluate you and see if there are underlying issues that could be treated better and less dangerously with different medications.

 

I hope this helps you. If you have questions or comments please reply so that we can address them.

 

Here is a reference about oxycontin: http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2001/20553s022lbl.htm

 

NA: http://www.na.org/basic.htm

Expert:	Susan Ivy
Pos. Feedback:	99.2 %
Accepts:
Answered:	2/3/2009

Nurse (RN)

BSN, MSN, CNS