Oxycodone Addiction | Abuse, Effects, Warning Signs, & Treatment

As one of the most popular prescription opioids, oxycodone treats moderate to severe pain. It’s often prescribed under the brand name OxyContin. In addition, it’s a main ingredient in the painkiller Percocet.

Like other opioids, oxycodone poses a high risk of abuse and addiction. Luckily, oxycodone addiction is treatable.

What Is Oxycodone Abuse?

Oxycodone abuse occurs when you use the medication in a manner not prescribed. For example, you might:

• take it more often than prescribed
• take higher doses than prescribed
• mix it with alcohol or other drugs
• take it without a prescription
• crush the tablets into a powder and snort it

Some people abuse oxycodone because they want greater pain relief. Other people abuse it to self-medicate stress, grief, or mental illness. Indeed, the drug can make you feel relaxed and happy (or “high”), especially at large doses.

Effects Of Oxycodone Abuse

Oxycodone abuse poses serious health risks, including increased side effects, overdose, and addiction.

Increased Side Effects

People who abuse oxycodone are much more likely to experience the drug’s side effects. The most common side effects include:

• drowsiness
• headache
• dry mouth
• stomach pain
• mood changes

Rarer, more serious side effects include:

• fever
• nausea and vomiting
• trouble breathing or swallowing
• changes in heartbeat
• chest pain
• confusion
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t really there)
• decreased sexual desire or ability
• irregular menstruation
• muscle stiffness or twitching
• rash, hives, or itching
• swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, throat, lower legs, ankles, or feet
• seizures

Overdose

As a central nervous system depressant, oxycodone slows down your breathing. If you use too much oxycodone, or if you mix it with other drugs, your breathing may slow to the point of a life-threatening overdose. Common symptoms of oxycodone overdose include:

• extreme drowsiness
• choking or gurgling sounds
• pale, clammy, or bluish skin
• bluish lips and/or fingernails
• smaller pupils
• slowed or stopped breathing
• slowed or stopped heart rate
• loss of consciousness

If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, call 911 right away, and administer naloxone if you have it. Naloxone (brand name Narcan) is a medication that can quickly and safely reverse an opioid overdose. It’s available at most pharmacies without a prescription.

You face a higher risk of oxycodone overdose if you buy the drug on the street. That’s because street drugs are often laced with fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that’s up to 50 times stronger than heroin. It’s been linked to numerous fatal overdoses.

Addiction

Like other opioids, oxycodone is highly addictive. That’s why many doctors only prescribe it for short-term use. If you take oxycodone longer or more often than your doctor prescribed, you will likely become addicted to it.

Oxycodone addiction is a serious disease that makes you feel unable to stop using the drug.

Warning Signs Of Oxycodone Addiction

One of the most common signs of oxycodone addiction is tolerance. Tolerance means your body gets used to the effects of oxycodone over time. As a result, you will need increasingly higher or more frequent doses to feel the desired effects.

Another common sign is physical dependence. That means your body starts relying on oxycodone to function normally.

If you don’t use it, you may experience oxycodone withdrawal symptoms such as:

• irritability
• anxiety
• trouble sleeping
• runny nose
• watery eyes
• muscle aches
• nausea and vomiting

Other common signs of oxycodone addiction include:

• mood swings
• strong cravings for oxycodone
• isolation from friends and family members
• loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• loss of motivation
• doctor shopping (visiting multiple doctors to get multiple prescriptions of oxycodone)
• frequently borrowing or stealing money
• decline in personal hygiene

Oxycodone Addiction Treatment Options

Like other types of addiction, oxycodone addiction is treatable. Some people receive outpatient treatment, while others receive inpatient treatment.

During outpatient treatment, you live at home and regularly visit a treatment center. During inpatient treatment, you live at a treatment center and receive 24/7 care. Your doctor can help you determine which option is right for you.

Whether you choose outpatient or inpatient care, you will receive a personalized treatment plan. Most plans include the following services:

Medical Detox

During medical detox, doctors help you slowly taper off oxycodone to minimize your withdrawal symptoms. They may also prescribe medications to ease certain withdrawal symptoms, such as anti-nausea medications or sleep aids.

Therapy

In therapy, a mental health professional will teach you how to cope with oxycodone cravings. They can also help you manage any co-occurring disorders that may have contributed to your oxycodone abuse, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or bipolar disorder.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

During MAT, doctors prescribe medications to ease opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the following medications to help treat opioid addiction:

• methadone
• buprenorphine
• naltrexone

Support Groups

In a support group, you can discuss your recovery experiences with people facing similar challenges. You can also learn important coping tips from people further along in recovery.

Aftercare Planning

Before you leave your treatment program, your doctors can help you create a personalized aftercare plan. This plan will include strategies to reduce your risk of relapse, such as ongoing therapy, regular physical activity, and assistance with housing, education, or employment.

To learn more about oxycodone addiction treatment, please reach out to Bedrock Recovery Center. Our board-certified healthcare providers offer comprehensive, evidence-based treatments to help you or your loved one stay healthy.

Keep Reading:

• How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Your System?
• Oxycodone Dosage & Formulations
• What Is An Oxycodone High?
• What Do Oxycodone Pills Look Like?