Oxycodone is a powerful prescription opioid used to manage moderate to severe pain but it also carries with it a significant risk for misuse and addiction. Classified as a Schedule II narcotic under the Controlled Substances Act due to its potential for abuse, oxycodone affects the body’s central nervous system to alter how the body perceives pain.
While effective in pain management, the relaxing, euphoric effects of taking oxycodone make it prone to misuse and abuse. People have been known to take higher doses than prescribed, combine it with other substances, or use it in dangerous ways such as crushing the tablets for inhalation or injection. This can lead to physical dependence and, ultimately, addiction.
What Is Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is a powerful opioid medication that is commonly prescribed for the management of moderate to severe pain, usually following surgery or an injury1. A semi-synthetic narcotic analgesic that acts on the body’s central nervous system, oxycodone works by altering the way the body responds to pain signals1. This makes it effective for moderate to severe pain relief following surgery, injury, or when managing chronic pain conditions like arthritis.
Oxycodone is available in various forms, including tablets, capsules, and liquid solutions1. It can be taken orally as a standalone medication or in combination with other pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen1. Several brand-name medications contain oxycodone, including Oxaydo®, OxyContin®, Roxybond®, Roxicodone®, and more2. These medications are prescribed based on the type and severity of pain, as well as the user’s individual needs and their history of substance abuse.
Oxycodone Abuse and Addiction
The most common oxycodone effects are feelings of euphoria and relaxation3. For this reason, oxycodone has a high potential for abuse. Oxycodone abuse can occur orally and intravenously. The tablets can be crushed and snorted or dissolved in water and injected3. Others heat the oxycodone tablet on a piece of foil and inhale the vapors3.
Oxycodone abuse can lead to serious health risks, including dependence and addiction. Abusing an oxycodone prescription—whether that means taking it at higher doses, using it more frequently than prescribed, or combining it with other substances to attain a more intense “high”—increases the likelihood of developing a physical dependence on or addiction to the drug.
Dependence and addiction are different conditions. Dependence is characterized by the body’s physical adaptation to the drug, leading to increased tolerance, or the body’s ability to process ever-larger doses of the drug, and symptoms of oxycodone withdrawal after the usage is stopped.
Addiction, or, in this case, opioid use disorder (OUD), goes beyond physical dependence and involves compulsive drug-seeking behaviors and continued use despite negative life consequences. According to the DSM-5, OUD is diagnosed based on one or more of the following criteria5:
- Using opioids in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended
- Multiple unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control one’s opioid use
- Spending an inordinate amount of time obtaining, using, and recovering from effects of the drug
- Continued opioid use despite social, health, or legal problems
- Recurrent opioid use in situations where it may be physically hazardous (driving, operating heavy machinery)
- Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced in favor of using opioids
If this criteria applies to you or a loved one, please seek professional treatment at a rehab facility near you. Empowered Recovery Center can help patients in the Atlanta area recover from Oxycodone addiction.
Effects of Oxycodone
Because oxycodone is a powerful opioid prescribed for the management of pain, its physical and mind-altering effects can be significant. These effects are even more pronounced when oxycodone is misused, like when the user takes a larger than prescribed dose or combines it with other substances. Common effects of oxycodone use include1,2:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Sweating
- Itching
- Respiratory depression or shortness of breath
- Abdominal pain and constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Mood changes
Risk of Oxycodone Overdose
Like other opioids, oxycodone carries an elevated risk of overdose, particularly when misused or abused. When ingested in larger-than-prescribed doses or merely for the “high,” oxycodone can depress one’s vital functions, including breathing and heart rate.
The risk of oxycodone overdose is heightened when the drug is used in ways other than prescribed, such as crushing oxycodone tablets and snorting the powder, or injecting the dissolved substance3. These methods cause oxycodone to enter the bloodstream quickly, possibly overwhelming the body’s ability to manage it.
Meanwhile, combining oxycodone with other substances like benzos, other opioids, or alcohol, further increases the danger of overdose. Such combinations can intensify the effects of oxycodone on the body’s vital functions, potentially causing respiratory failure. Common oxycodone overdose symptoms include1,2,3:
- Muscle weakness
- Confusion
- Extreme drowsiness or inability to stay awake
- Slowed heart rate
- Lowered blood pressure
- Respiratory depression (slow, shallow, or stopped breathing)
- Loss of consciousness
- Fainting
- Seizures or convulsions
- Cold or clammy skin
- Coma
If you suspect someone is overdosing on oxycodone or another opioid, it’s important to call 911 right away and administer naloxone if available.
Oxycodone Withdrawal and Detox
Quitting oxycodone can lead to withdrawal symptoms for those who have developed a dependence on or addiction to the drug. When the body grows accustomed to the presence of oxycodone, quitting or reducing one’s use can lead to uncomfortable, sometimes intense physical and psychological reactions1,2.
Some common oxycodone withdrawal symptoms include2:
- Muscle aches and cramps
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Restlessness and irritability
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Yawning
- Watery eye and runny nose
- Chills
For those who have developed a dependency on oxycodone, these withdrawal symptoms can feel overwhelming. Without the proper medical support, relapse is possible.
Medically supervised oxycodone detox programs provide a safe, supportive environment for people who want to quit oxycodone. These programs often utilize medications for the treatment of oxycodone withdrawal symptoms and to reduce drug cravings. Medication-Assisted Treatment helps to stabilize the patient, making the detox process more tolerable and decreasing the risk of relapse. In this way, people can safely and successfully navigate withdrawal and continue with their recovery.
Oxycodone Addiction Treatment in Atlanta
At Empowered Recovery Center in Atlanta, we know from experience that recovering from oxycodone addiction is about more than just breaking a few bad habits. It’s about embracing a new way of living. Our opioid rehab facility in Atlanta is specifically designed to help you take those necessary first steps toward a healthier, more positive future. We offer a variety of rehab programs designed to fit your needs including outpatient (OP) rehab, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). We also provide one year of recovery coaching to offer you continued support after finishing your program.
Our rehab admissions team is available to answer any questions you have about insurance coverage, so you’ll have all the information you need when it comes to paying for addiction treatment. We can verify your benefits and can assist with out-of-network coverage as well.
If you’re ready to learn more about our comprehensive oxycodone addiction treatment program, contact us today.
References
- National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Oxycodone misuse and addiction: Epidemiology and treatment strategies. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved September 19, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482226/
- MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Oxycodone: Drug information. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved September 19, 2024, from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682132.html
- Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020). Oxycodone. DEA. Retrieved September 19, 2024, from https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Oxycodone-2020_0.pdf
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Oxycodone (oral route) description. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved September 19, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/oxycodone-oral-route/description/drg-20074193
- American Society of Addiction Medicine. (n.d.). DSM-5 criteria for opioid use disorder. ASAM. Retrieved September 19, 2024, from https://www.asam.org/docs/default-source/education-docs/dsm-5-dx-oud-8-28-2017.pdf
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