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Similar to heroin, oxycodone produces â along with pain management â a euphoric high caused by stimulation of the reward center of the brain. Oxycodone elevates levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is considered the pleasure chemical of the brain. On the street, OxyContin is known as âOxy,â âOC,â âOxyCotton,â âHillbilly Heroin,â and âKickers,â and is often used if heroin or morphine is not available.
OxyContin. Pharmacology: OxyContin is a sustained-release version of oxycodone, an opioid that is a morphine-derivative. It works by altering and dulling pain signals in the brain and spinal cord and provides analgesic effects similar to those of codeine or methadone.