What makes oxycodone so addictive?
Oxycodone is medically referred to as Oxycodone HCL, a synthetic opioid-based painkiller that is derived from Thebaine which is a component of the opium poppy. During World War I, it was developed to improve upon the effects displayed by codeine, heroin, and morphine. One of the more commonly marketed brand names for Oxycodone is OxyContin which is an extremely addictive substance that is very popular among recreational drug users because of its widespread availability.
Granted, as a prescription medication, it has met with widespread success but its massive availability and the fact that so many physicians prescribe it to relieve pain is why it has become so popular in recreational drug use circles. Oxycodone exhibits a high potential for abuse, addiction, and dependency whether it is being taken as prescribed or being used recreationally. As a result of this, most US addiction treatment and recovery facilities offer Oxycodone detox and rehab programs.
How You Become Dependent
Individuals who are more prone to addictive behavior have a greater tendency to become dependent upon Oxycodone because they tend to self-medicate themselves to manage pain for the following purposes:
- ADD, fibromyalgia, and insomnia issues
- experimenting with Oxycodone in order to get high
- physical acute or chronic pain
- psychological pain from depression or trauma
With most individuals who become addicted to or dependent upon Oxycodone, they have increased their dosage in order to gain the anesthetic benefits of the drug which in turn has led to their dependency on it.
Adverse effects of Oxycodone addiction and dependency
There are a number of adverse effects that individuals oftentimes suffer with when they have become addicted to or dependent on Oxycodone which include:
- anxiety and panic attacks
- bloodshot eyes
- constipation
- dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness
- drowsiness or fatigue
- dry mouth or “cotton mouth”
- erratic mood swings
- flushing
- headaches
- itching
- loss of appetite
- memory loss
- nausea and vomiting
- pinpoint pupils
- sweating
In higher doses or overdoses, as well as individuals who are not opiate-tolerant, oxycodone can cause more severe side effects such as apnea, circulatory collapse, cold and clammy skin, and respiratory arrest.
Getting professional help is the only option
Considering the number of individuals who wind up in the hospital ER due to prescription medication overdose or serious health conditions resulting from abusing these medications, it is no wonder that Oxycodone addiction is viewed as a serious public health threat. In addition to the health threat, it is also considered by the DEA to be one of the primary drug threats throughout the US in the family of prescription drugs they are concerned with.
When an individual finally admits to having an Oxycodone dependency, their next step is to enter an addiction treatment and recovery center for professional help. Although there have been many individuals who have been able to overcome their addiction and walk away from Oxycodone by going cold turkey, this is not advisable. The primary reason is that the Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms experienced during the detox stage of rehab can be very painful and unpleasant.
Find The Right Care
Without the proper care, monitoring, and supervision of a medical professional, Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms can be potentially dangerous. These withdrawal symptoms will vary in intensity from one individual to the next based on how long they have been abusing the drug, how much of it that they were taking at one time, and how frequently they were taking it.
Common Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms:
- abnormal sensations of the skin
- aches and pains
- anxiety and panic attacks
- appetite loss
- changes in moods or erratic mood swings
- cold or flu-like symptoms
- diarrhea
- elevated blood pressure
- fever
- Goosebumps
- hallucinations (feeling, hearing, or seeing things that aren’t there)
- headaches
- insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- muscle pain and weakness
- nausea and vomiting
- pain ranging from moderate to acute
- rapid heartbeat
- runny nose
- shivering or tremors
- sleeping difficulties
- sneezing
- sweating
Depending on the severity of the person’s addiction or dependency on the drug, some of these Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms can last for months. Another issue to be aware of is the fact that withdrawal from this drug can also damage an individual’s brain, heart, liver, or lungs. Infants may also show signs of Oxycodone withdrawal, such as respiratory depression, if the mother was taking the drug throughout the pregnancy.
If an individual has been taking Oxycodone medications for the treatment or pain and is taking it as their physician has directed, there is still the possibility of dependency occurring due to the fact that tolerances to these drugs builds up almost unnoticeably. Once this dependency is obvious, the individual should not discontinue taking Oxycodone abruptly therefore, the standard Oxycodone therapy calls for a gradual discontinuation. Individuals who use the drug recreationally, Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms can be more serious.
Get Professional Help Today
Getting professional help for Oxycodone addiction and dependency is oftentimes the only option that the individual has and may actually save their lives depending on how serious their condition is. Just remember that the more severe the addiction or dependency, the more severe those withdrawal symptoms are going to be. If you would like more information on detox and Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms, please contact Blue Water Detox at the toll-free phone number listed above.
