generic name
Oxymorphone Hydrochloride
strength(s)
availability
5, 10, 15, 20, 30mg
Prescription Only
CSA Schedule
potential for abuse
Approval history
2
high
First approved by FDA in 1998
CSA Schedule
potential for abuse
2
high
Approval history
First approved by FDA in 1998

how

Ronny

quit

00:00
00:00

P.01187.

That’s the number of the green little pill which contained 15 mgs of what I thought was love, safety, and energy.

My name is Ronny and this is how I quit oxycodone, I call them the green 15s.

P.02Um, it started pretty innocently, I guess you could say, with a car accident that left me with excruciating pain. Uh the doctor prescribed me Percocet to manage it for a while. And it worked like magic. I mean, I had no idea what this feeling was that I felt, but immediately the physical pain went away, but at the same time I felt an overwhelming sense of security and joy. Three months of the prescription were my go-to, right.

The doctor prescribed me three months and then after that they abruptly stopped it. But by that time, I was physically and mentally dependent. Umm, but because I wasn't prescribed them anymore I had to find them out on the streets – and that's what I did. I traded my values for them. I sold my camera. I lied to my family. Every paycheck uh was simply just to get the pills to go to work, to get the pills to go to work.

P.03Ummm, but there came a point where I truly realized I, I couldn't go on like this anymore after I had a lost my connections with family. my apartment, uh my dream job.

So how did I quit? I mean, it wasn't easy, that's for sure. After years of trying to go to local meetings, therapies, and rehabs, umm it wasn't until I told myself enough is enough. A mind made up is the most powerful thing.

One step at a time, I was able to change my life. And slowly but surely, I started to see glimpses of the person I used to be before I took these pills over and over.

P.04It wasn't easy, there were setbacks along the way, but with each passing day I grew stronger and – over time I've been able to change my life. I'm married, I live in a house with my partner, I have a great job and you know, have a new car, and those are all superficial things, but those are all things that I truly cannot imagine being able to obtain while trapped in the grips of addiction due to these pills. Umm, so here I am no longer defined by those numbers, no longer a slave to those green 15s.

I am Ronny and I am free.

the end

How It Affects You
Opioids work by triggering the release of dopamine in your brain, which is your brain's feel-good neurotransmitter. These muffle your perception of pain and for some people cause feelings of euphoria.

The more you take, the more tolerance you build, the more you need to get that same feeling. With this tolerance also comes dependence, and your brain and body will crave opioids. This also means that when you stop taking opioids, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms as your brain and body have to relearn how to function without them.
In Case of Overdose
When someone overdoses on opioids, their blood oxygen levels decrease and eventually vital organs like the brain and heart stop. It’s essential to act fast. If you do not have Naloxone available and the person is unresponsive, call 911 immediately.

If you do have Naloxone available you’ll find SAMSHA’s guide below for first responders, but it is still highly recommended to call 911 and/or consult a medical professional as well.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit

In case of medical emergency call 911.