Oxycodone Addiction: Signs and Side Effects of Oxycodone Abuse

Oxycodone addiction is a disease that occurs when someone becomes reliant on oxycodone to get through daily activities. It can be completely detrimental to every area of your life and can even be life-threatening. Opioid addictions, like oxycodone addiction, are a widespread issue among Americans.

There are many short-term and long-term effects of oxycodone addiction for both individuals and their loved ones. Read on to learn more about oxycodone abuse, dependence, and addiction.

Oxycodone is a narcotic analgesic (painkiller) used to treat severe pain that is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Opioids like oxycodone are highly addictive. Oxycodone has brand names such as OxyContin, Oxypro, Longtec, Reltebon, and Zomestine. Slang terms are also used such as oxy and hillbilly heroin.

Addiction is a higher risk with opioids in comparison to other substances because of the way they work. Oxycodone helps block pain signals from your central nervous system and brain by binding to opioid receptors in the brain.

Opioids mimic endorphins – natural chemicals in your body that produce pleasurable sensations. This can make the feeling of taking oxycodone very pleasurable, which people become addicted to and may start to rely on to feel “normal.”

While oxycodone addiction is a high risk for anyone using the drug, some people can become addicted faster if they have risk factors for opioid use disorders. We’ll cover more about addiction risk factors later on.

It’s important to understand the difference between oxycodone abuse and oxycodone addiction. Oxycodone is a prescribed drug, so it’s possible to use the medication without abusing it.

Oxycodone abuse refers to any misuse of the drug. This can include taking higher doses than prescribed, taking it more frequently than prescribed, or taking it without a prescription. While opioid abuse is different than addiction, it often leads to addiction.

Oxycodone addiction occurs when someone begins to rely on oxycodone to function. People begin to feel incapable of getting through the day without taking oxycodone.

Some people may abuse oxycodone on occasion or use it recreationally, but this can get out of hand quickly due to increased drug tolerance, and oxycodone dependence (“addiction”) can eventually occur. Recreational use can quickly develop into compulsory drug seeking, which can involve doing anything, even engaging in risky, out-of-character behavior to obtain more oxycodone.

Yes, oxycodone does cause dependence. Opioids are well-known for causing physical dependence.

Oxycodone use affects the brain and releases endorphins. Over time, your body builds a tolerance to the medication and needs more to feel the same effects. Physical dependence occurs when your body relies on a substance to properly function.

Once you develop a dependence on oxycodone, you’ll likely experience withdrawal symptoms if you try to stop using the drug. Physical dependence is more likely with prolonged and repeated use.

It’s important to note that physical dependence is not the same as addiction. Addiction is a psychological dependence that causes emotional and mental responses, compelling an individual to keep using oxycodone.

Identifying a substance use disorder can be life-saving. It’s vital to know what to look for in someone you love or even yourself if you suspect an oxycodone addiction. There are many different kinds of addiction signs, including behavioral, physical, and psychological signs.

It’s important to pay attention to your behavioral changes or behavioral changes in a loved one that may indicate oxycodone addiction. These can include social withdrawal, engaging in risky behavior, secretive behavior, new financial issues, or doctor shopping. Doctor shopping refers to seeing multiple doctors to obtain more oxycodone.

You may also notice your behavior around oxycodone change. For example, you may have a hard time thinking about anything other than oxycodone, start using it more frequently, or start taking a higher dose for the same effects without medical approval.

Physical signs can be easier to recognize in someone else. Physical signs of oxycodone addiction can include pupil constriction, slurred speech, drowsiness, lack of coordination, slowed movement, appetite changes, insomnia, and more.

Lastly, psychological signs can also be indicative of an oxycodone addiction. This can range from things like memory problems, inability to focus, and impaired judgment to mood swings, anxiety, and paranoia.

It’s important to understand that signs of addiction vary from person to person, so some people may only exhibit a few signs, while others may exhibit many.

Physical dependence on oxycodone results in withdrawal symptoms that can make it difficult to quit. Withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person and may range in duration.

There are physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Some are more likely to occur in the early stages of withdrawal, while others may occur in the late stages. Again, the duration of withdrawal can vary quite a bit, sometimes lasting several weeks, but it usually peaks around the third day after the last dose of oxycodone.

Physical symptoms of early withdrawal include muscle aches, insomnia, runny nose, excessive sweating, increased pain, and yawning. Late-stage physical withdrawal symptoms often include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, goosebumps, dilated pupils, restlessness, and high temperature.

As far as psychological symptoms, early withdrawal may include agitation and anxiety. In late withdrawal, you may experience depression or panic attacks.

Detoxing from an addictive substance like oxycodone can be very challenging and even dangerous. It’s best to do so under professional medical supervision. There are detox programs designed to make the process as safe and comfortable as possible.

Oxycodone abuse has many side effects, much like the abuse of any medication. There are two kinds of side effects: short-term and long-term.

Short-term effects are those that you may experience right after you use oxycodone, whereas long-term effects occur with repeated, prolonged use.

Short-term effects of oxycodone abuse:

• Sedation
• Respiratory depression
• Constricted pupils
• Cough suppression
• Pain relief
• Muscle weakness
• Confusion
• Cold or clammy skin
• Fainting
• Coma
• Slow heart rate
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Euphoria

Long-term effects of oxycodone abuse:

• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Cognitive problems
• Hyperalgesia
• Oxycodone overdose
• Chronic constipation
• Increased risk of bone fractures
• Sleep-disorder breathing
• Memory problems
• Mental health disorders
• Death

While some of these side effects are merely uncomfortable, some of them can be very hazardous to your health, create long-lasting damage, and affect your day-to-day life. In addition to altering your routine and functionality, many people find oxycodone abuse side effects place a strain on their relationships with their family and loved ones.

It’s important to also emphasize the risk of overdose with oxycodone abuse, especially when used long-term. People often take more oxycodone over time to experience the same effects, which can quickly lead to an overdose without the individual even realizing it.

Organ damage, brain damage, and death are all possible overdose outcomes, which is why overdose is a medical emergency. If you notice cold and clammy skin, unconsciousness, nausea and vomiting, shallow or absent breathing, irregular heartbeat, or pinpoint pupils, call 911 immediately as they may be signs of overdose.

Anyone who takes oxycodone may be at risk of developing addiction, but there are risk factors that make this condition much more likely.

People who have a family history of addiction are often at higher risk of developing an oxycodone addiction. This can be for a couple of reasons. There may be a genetic predisposition that causes addiction to run in the person’s family, or they may be exposed to addictive substances at a young age.

The social environment an individual grows up in can also increase their risk of addiction. For example, if they experience peer pressure to use drugs or lack family involvement, they may be more likely to use addictive substances.

Mental illness is another common risk factor, unfortunately. Having a mental health condition like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or depression can drive people to use addictive substances and end up developing an addiction.

Similarly, if someone has a history of substance abuse with another drug or alcohol, they may be more prone to oxycodone addiction.

Specific risk factors for oxycodone addiction include:

• Being prescribed oxycodone
• Being prescribed a high dose of oxycodone
• Being prescribed oxycodone for a long period
• Being in your teens or 20s
• Chronic pain
• Taking part in risky or thrill-seeking behavior
• Taking oxycodone unprescribed
• Environmental factors such as easy access to opioids

While it’s possible to identify signs of an oxycodone addiction in yourself or someone you know, you can only obtain a true diagnosis through medical evaluation performed by a healthcare professional.

Encouraging a loved one who is demonstrating signs of addiction to seek out professional help is always best. If you need additional confirmation, screening tools and online assessments can help identify possible addiction.

During a medical evaluation, your healthcare provider will analyze several factors and areas of your life to determine whether or not you have an oxycodone addiction. This can include questions about how frequently you use oxycodone, how much you take, and questions about other behavioral patterns.

They will also use oxycodone addiction criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to help diagnose you. During your evaluation, it’s important that you are honest about your oxycodone use to ensure you are properly diagnosed.

DSM-5 criteria include:

• Opioids are often taken in larger amounts or over a longer time than
  intended.
• There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control opioid
  use.
• A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the opioid, use the
  opioid or recover from its effects.
• Craving or a strong desire to use opioids.
• Recurrent opioid use resulting in failure to fulfill major role obligations at work,
  school or home.
• Continued opioid use despite having persistent or recurrent social or
  interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of opioids.
• Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced
  because of opioid use.
• Recurrent opioid use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.
• Continued use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or
  psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by
  opioids.
• Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
  • (a) a need for markedly increased amounts of opioids to achieve intoxication or desired effect
  • (b) markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of an
    opioid
• Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
  • (a) the characteristic opioid withdrawal syndrome
  • (b) the same (or closely related) substances are taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms

Oxycodone addiction can be very hazardous to your health, both physically and mentally. It can also impact your career, relationships, and more.

If you or a loved one is ready to take the first step toward treating addiction, give our helpline a call today.

For additional free and confidential help, check out our list of treatment centers by state for reputable and accredited care facilities.