Question:
A good friend of mine has recently started using Hydrocodone and some
oxycodone. He is using it all day, taking 10-20 mg at a time. He
understands the problems with the APAP in it, and uses an extraction method
to get rid of it. He also seems to have very easy access to it. I was
talking with him about my concerns around his use. He tells me there is no
negative long term physical effect, and if he can easily obtain it and
afford it, he does not see why he should not use.
I'm having hard time coming up with reasons to tell him why he shouldn't be
using like this other than he's walking around in a state of 'being high'
all day long. Can anyone offer me any advice on what to tell him? I'm
pretty worried.
Answer:
Based on what you have posted, he is well aware of the only concerns about
opiate abuse: acetaminophen and physical addiction. He extracts the
acetaminophen so that is not a worry. As long as he is prepared to deal with
withdrawal if and when he decides to stop using, addiction is nothing to worry
about either. The bottom line is that, as long as he doesn't try to drive or
operate heavy machinery while high, you should probably leave him alone.
