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Oxycontin may help individuals with psychiatric conditions

By Staff Writer

In 2006, more than 2 million Americans were Oxycontin abusers, according to Drug Addiction Support, a statistics site. Many people enter rehabilitation facilities to detoxify after using Oxycontin for an extended period of time. However, new research shows that when used properly, the drug may be able to help individuals suffering from psychiatric disorders, according to Fox News.

Experts now say that Oxycontin's ability to adjust the wiring in the brain may have a positive effect on people with conditions, such as post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and schizophrenia. Some believe that the drug may even be able to improve the social abilities of individuals with autism. Clinical trials of Oxycontin have already begun and are showing promising results.

Kai MacDonald, a psychiatry professor at the University of California, says doctors are still far from being able to administer the drug for such treatment. Researchers are still unsure of how much of Oxycontin needs to be prescribed to help individuals with these specific diseases. Oxycontin also does not travel through the bloodstream to the brain very easily.

Rehabilitation facilities can help individuals suffering from psychiatric conditions. However, prescription drug treatment may also be able to improve their quality of life over time.