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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.
In general, the more intense the high the greater the effect on brain chemical functions, which greatly increases OxyContin's addiction potential compared to regular oxycodone. For these reasons, drug manufacturers have come up with a new OxyContin formulation that prevents users from abusing it in powder form.