Oxymorphone Addiction: Signs and Side Effects of Oxymorphone Abuse

Oxymorphone addiction is a serious condition that can alter your life entirely. And without proper care, substance addiction can be life-threatening.

Because opioid addictions like oxymorphone addiction are such a widespread issue in the U.S., many people suffer from the consequences of drug misuse. Treatment programs for drug addiction are plentiful, making recovery an individualized experience. Many people seek out a range of treatment services on their addiction recovery journey.

Read on to learn about oxymorphone addiction, including the effects of oxymorphone abuse, risk factors, and why oxymorphone leads to addiction.

Oxymorphone hydrochloride is an opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is a Schedule II controlled substance, similar to OxyContin (oxycodone), codeine, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, and is associated with a high risk of abuse and addiction.

Formulations include immediate-release and extended-release tablets. Oxymorphone is typically ingested for its analgesic effects, but illicit use can involve injecting or snorting the drug.

Opioid medications, like oxymorphone, often lead to addiction because of the way they work and interact with your brain. To relieve pain, these medications bind to opioid receptors in your brain to block pain signals from the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of your spinal cord and brain.

This, along with the release of endorphins like dopamine that occurs when you take an opioid, can cause addiction as your body can become reliant on the chemical and physical effects of these processes. Over time, your brain chemistry can even become altered by opioid misuse.

Oxymorphone, also known by brand names like Opana, Opana ER, or Numorphan, is a prescription analgesic drug that can be safely used to treat pain when proper instructions are followed.

However, it can also be abused and cause addiction. It’s important to note that addiction and substance abuse are different conditions. Let’s discuss what sets them apart.

Opioid abuse is any use of oxymorphone that is not recommended or prescribed. This can include taking the drug without a prescription, taking a higher dose than prescribed, or taking the drug more frequently than prescribed. Opioid abuse is very dangerous and often leads to addiction.

On the other hand, oxymorphone addiction is a condition that occurs once you start to mentally rely on a substance to function. In other words, your brain may convince you that you are unable to get through your day without an oxymorphone.

Yes, oxymorphone misuse can cause dependence. Above, we discussed psychological dependence, which causes addiction and is very dangerous. However, many people also develop physical dependence when they abuse a drug. Physical dependence causes the body to rely on oxymorphone to work properly.

Physical dependence occurs alongside oxymorphone abuse frequently because, over time, the body builds up a tolerance to the medication. This is particularly common with repeated, long-term abuse. The higher your tolerance to a drug gets, the more of the drug you’ll need to feel its effects.

On top of this complication, physical dependence is associated with withdrawal symptoms. When individuals try to stop abusing a drug their body is dependent on, they often experience unpleasant side effects called withdrawal symptoms. As your body adapts to having oxymorphone in your system, the risk of withdrawal increases. This can exacerbate addiction.

When it comes to opioid addiction, several signs and symptoms can point to the condition. Becoming familiar with the signs of opioid addiction can save your life and even someone else’s. Signs of addiction can present physically, psychologically, and behaviorally.

Physical signs of oxymorphone addiction can be easier to identify in yourself than in someone else but are still important to look out for. They can include nausea, sweating, dizziness, vomiting, constipation, decreased heart rate, weight loss, neglected hygiene, sleepiness or drowsiness, and restlessness.

As for psychological signs, you may notice symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or an obsession with oxymorphone. The inability to stop thinking about oxymorphone or planning your day around it is a heavy indicator of addiction.

When looking for signs of addiction in others, behavioral signs may be easiest to identify. Behavioral signs of oxymorphone addiction can include social withdrawal, party-seeking behavior, secrecy, doctor shopping, or mood swings. Changes in oxymorphone use, such as frequent use or higher doses, can also point to addiction.

Addiction may also show up in an individual’s social life. Many people struggling with drug addiction experience work issues, legal problems, and relationship struggles as a result.

Opioid drug abuse also comes with withdrawal symptoms. Essentially, withdrawal symptoms are your body’s reaction to the lack of a substance it has become reliant on. They can be very uncomfortable, unpleasant, and even dangerous in some cases.

Like signs of addiction, withdrawal symptoms can also present physically and psychologically. Common physical withdrawal symptoms are muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, yawning, runny nose, dilated pupils, shaking, increased pain, sweating, increased body temperature, hyperventilation, and goosebumps. You may notice psychological withdrawal symptoms like irritability, depression, cravings, and anxiety.

Every individual will experience oxymorphone withdrawal differently. Withdrawal can be dependent on several factors such as the length of time you’ve abused oxymorphone, the severity of your addiction, and more.

Typically, withdrawal symptoms start about 12-30 hours after you’ve taken your last dose of oxymorphone. Early symptoms can include symptoms like muscle aches, increased pain, sweating, and nausea.

For most people, withdrawal symptoms peak about three days after their last dose and can include things like intense cravings, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe anxiety. Withdrawal may last several days to weeks. In some cases, people develop post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS), which are symptoms that linger for several weeks to months after detox. For opioid addiction, they can include insomnia, irritability, anxiety, depression, and fatigue.

Going through opioid withdrawal on your own can be very difficult, but most importantly, it can be very dangerous. It’s important that you have the proper medical supervision and care to make your detox as safe and comfortable as possible.

Opioid abuse can lead to addiction and even death, along with many serious short-term and long-term side effects.

Short-term effects can include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Euphoria
• Pain relief
• Sedation
• Clammy skin
• Impairment
• Stomach pain
• Blurred vision
• Stiff muscles
• Appetite suppression
• Low blood pressure
• Decreased heart rate
• Respiratory depression
• Pupil constriction
• Opioid overdose

Long-term effects may include:

• Organ failure
• Chronic constipation
• Sleep-disorder breathing problems (sleep apnea)
• Mental illness
• Memory problems
• Hyperalgesia
• Increased risk of bone fractures
• Increased risk of overdose

Many people who abuse oxymorphone may also abuse other addictive substances simultaneously. It’s important to note that this is very dangerous and can greatly increase the risk of overdose.

An overdose is a medical emergency that can cause long-term damage even with proper care. If you notice signs of overdose like nausea and vomiting, loss of consciousness, cold or clammy skin, shallow breathing or trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat, or pinpoint pupils, call 911 right away.

Several risk factors can make it much more likely for you to develop an opioid addiction. However, anyone who uses oxymorphone has the potential to abuse it or become addicted to it.

One factor that increases your risk of developing a substance addiction is a preexisting mental illness. Mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety are all commonly associated with addiction. People may use drugs or alcohol to try to mask the symptoms of their mental illness, slowly leading to addiction.

Another risk factor for oxymorphone addiction is a family history of addiction. Some genetic factors can make you more likely to develop an addiction. Similarly, if you were exposed to addictive substances early on, you may be more likely to abuse them later in life.

Peer pressure to use drugs and alcohol, as well as lack of family involvement, can also lead to teens and young adults developing abusive and addictive behaviors early on.

It’s also important to note that a personal history of substance abuse or addiction also increases your risk of oxymorphone addiction. If you are prescribed addictive medications like opioids, you must tell your doctor about your history of addiction so they can prescribe you something with a lower risk of abuse.

Risk factors for oxymorphone addiction in particular include:

• Being prescribed oxymorphone
• Being prescribed high doses of oxymorphone
• Taking oxymorphone for an extended period
• Having chronic pain
• Engaging in risky behavior
• Being in your teens or 20s
• Having easy access to oxymorphone

Though some signs and symptoms can heavily indicate an oxymorphone addiction, substance addiction can only be properly diagnosed by a licensed healthcare provider.

If your loved one is hesitant to see a professional, you may want to consider using self-assessments or online screening tools first to help them identify concerning behaviors. This can help encourage them to get the help they need.

When seeking a substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis, you’ll want to find a medical professional who can provide an addiction evaluation. During this evaluation, they’ll ask you questions about your oxymorphone use, behaviors surrounding the drug, and questions about your mental health. They’ll also look for any signs of addiction.

The gold standard for diagnosing drug addiction is criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5. DSM-5 opioid addiction criteria help evaluate your behaviors surrounding opioid use to determine if they constitute an addiction. It’s vital that you are honest with your doctor during this evaluation.

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 failing 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

From there, they may start by prescribing certain treatment methods or rehab programs.

Opioid use disorders (OUD) are serious, and getting a proper diagnosis can be life-saving. If you suspect addiction in yourself or a loved one, encourage them to seek professional support.

Many Americans develop opioid addictions like oxymorphone addiction after abusing a medication. It can be incredibly dangerous and completely change your life. With the right treatment, it’s possible to start anew and live a life of sobriety.

Ready to take the first step in your journey to recovery? Give our helpline a call today.

We also offer lists of rehab facilities by state for your convenience. Check out your state’s list for recommendations of reliable and reputable treatment centers.