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Opiates

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What Is Oxycodone? Everything You Need to Know

Written by Opiates | Published on August 5, 2020 | Updated on August 5th, 2020

According to the CDC, oxycodone and prescription opioids caused the death of 232,000 people between 1999 and 2018. If you or a loved one is struggling with oxycodone addiction, it’s important to understand the risks that come with it and why you need to seek help.

In the guide below, we’ll go over everything from what oxycodone is to how to spot addiction and get help. Whether it’s for yours or a loved one’s health, knowing this information could help save a life.

What Is Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is a prescription opioid meant to relieve pain symptoms, similar to drugs like codeine and morphine.

While it is often prescribed on its own in forms such as Oxy-IR and OxyContin, oxycodone is also an ingredient in many prescription drugs. These include:

  • Percocet
  • Endocet
  • Oxycocet

Oxycodone is a powerful pain reliever, meaning a user only has to take a small amount for relief. This makes oxycodone much more convenient than weaker pain relievers.

Unfortunately, oxycodone is also highly addictive thanks to its pain-relieving qualities. Users typically crush the oxycodone, frequently in the form of Oxycontin, and snort it to make it act faster and harder. Oxycodone is abused by both patients and recreationally, leading to what we now know as an oxycodone epidemic in the US.

The Short Term Effects of Opiates

With almost any drug comes side effects. The same applies to oxycodone.

If you’ve been taking an oxycodone prescription for a short period of time, you may experience some of the following side effects:

  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Sleepiness
  • Unconsciousness
  • Slower breathing

Many of these symptoms go unnoticed, especially by those on the outside looking in. It’s when you keep using oxycodone and other opiates that the more serious effects settle in.

The Long Term Effects of Opiates

With continued use of an opiate like oxycodone, your short-term side effects will increase in intensity. On top of that, you’ll notice a whole new host of long term side effects, especially when you haven’t taken any opiates that day. These are called withdrawal symptoms.

Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Restlessness
  • Irritation
  • Cold flashes/sweating
  • Goosebumps
  • Insomnia
  • Diarrhea
  • Runny nose, teary eyes
  • Muscle and bone pain, aches
  • Shakes
  • Increased heart rate, mood swings
  • Depression

Another long-term effect is tolerance increase. When you take a drug often, your body adjusts to it and requires larger and larger doses to keep it satisfied. That leads the user to increase their dosage, exponentially increasing the chances of an overdose.

How to Spot Oxycodone Addiction

If you fear a loved one is addicted to oxycodone, or if you fear you’re addicted yourself, there are a few signs you can look out for. Some are easier to spot than others, but it’s important to look out for all of them as some present more than others.

Relationship Issues

When you’re addicted to opiates, you tend to blow off social situations. It may be because of opioid addiction symptoms, or in favor of taking more oxycodone. Relationships may also become strained.

Neglecting Work/School, Cravings

Opiate addicts often miss important events/roles to hide their addictions or symptoms. This includes things like weddings, school, work, and social gatherings.

Cravings are another sign of addiction and are often linked with missing gatherings. An addict may feel an intense craving and skip out on an event to satisfy this craving. If you or a loved one is craving opiates, seek out help today.

These are just a few of the most common signs of addiction. If you suspect addiction in yourself or a loved one, ask a doctor for more signs to look out for or host an intervention.

Withdrawal Symptoms, Increasing Dosage

If you notice any of the withdrawal symptoms above in yourself or a loved one there’s a higher risk of overdose. If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to get help. The same applies if you/your loved one keeps increasing the dosage to find relief.

Oxycodone Overdose Warnings

An oxycodone overdose happens when you take too large a quantity of oxycodone.

As your tolerance heightens and your withdrawal symptoms become more intense, you’ll need to take more and more oxycodone to find satisfaction. The more you take, the higher your chances of overdosing. You may not even notice you’re taking too much until the overdose begins to happen.

There are a few common signs that come with an oxycodone overdose. They include:

  • Weak, shallow breathing that eventually leads to no breathing at all
  • Vomiting
  • Pupils appear small
  • Paleness
  • Fading in and out of consciousness/unconsciousness
  • Sleepiness/fatigue
  • Extreme versions of the long and short term side effects listed above

If you think you’re having an overdose, or if you think someone around you is having an overdose, call 911 as fast as possible. You don’t have any time to waste, as overdoses can lead to death and permanent disability very fast.

Oxycodone Addiction Treatment

If you or a loved one is suffering from an oxycodone addiction, the best way to treat it is by visiting rehab.

Under oxycodone addiction treatment, you’re kept away from oxycodone and other opiates, ensuring you can’t abuse them. You’re also given a positive environment full of peers seeking treatment that will uplift you and support you in your recovery journey.

Click here to find a local addiction treatment center near you. We’ll help empower you to get through the other end of your addiction a new person.

Lowering the Oxycodone Overdose Statistics

The only way we can lower the oxycodone overdose and abuse statistics are by educating ourselves on the signs and symptoms of opiate abuse. By doing this, you’ll know what to do if you or someone you love is in danger of an overdose. It’s a long road to recovery, but it’s worth it to save a life.

If you or a loved one has an opiate addiction, browse our opiate addiction guides to find further information on addiction and recovery.