What does oxycontin addiction look like

Its powerful pain relief properties make it an easy target for abuse and addiction. Knowing the signs of oxycodone abuse can help you take notice when someone you love is slipping into addiction. Some common signs of oxycodone use include:. Learn More. Although oxycodone brings relief for many people suffering from traumatic pain, the dangers of the drug are becoming more clear than ever. Due to the euphoric effects of oxycodone, many people abuse the drug despite the risks.

Oxycodone is extremely addictive because it is derived from opiates, making it similar to morphine and heroin. The greatest danger of oxycodone is a potentially fatal overdose. This can lead to seizures, comas or cardiac arrest especially when ingesting, snorting, or injecting crushed tablets.

When oxycodone is taken with alcohol or any other depressant drug, the risk of fatal overdose is greatly increased. Since the s, the number of prescriptions for opioid drugs more than doubled. This rise was markedly escalated in , when OxyContin, a common brand formulation of oxycodone, was first introduced.

Tragically, the rise in oxycodone use and availability has caused an increase in fatal overdoses. According to Dr. Nora Volkow in a testimony to Congress, prescriptions opioids were responsible for more deaths than either cocaine or heroin by In response to the growing abuse of opioids generally, and oxycodone in particular, many oxycodone products are now designed with abuse deterrent mechanisms, such as invariable ingredients that will make you sick if you take too much. Many extended release versions now have film coatings or beads that make injecting or snorting the drug either very hard, almost impossible, or at least less desirable and feasible.

Edwards, CO. View Center. Lake Worth, FL. The immediate side effects of oxycodone abuse range from mildly uncomfortable to potentially deadly. Even someone who only uses oxycodone as prescribed may experience side effects, including: Headaches Seizures Depressed breathing rate Nausea and vomiting Low blood pressure Dry mouth Blurred vision Drowsiness Loss of appetite Constipation Flushing Sweating Weakness Mood changes.

Someone who has used oxycodone for a long period of time may experience complications with their physical and mental health as a result of their drug use. Make a Call Even when people start using oxycodone painkillers by prescription, continued use can lead to abuse. Those abusing oxycodone can develop a tolerance to it, leading to more abuse and eventual addiction as time goes on.

It is important to recognize when you or someone you care about is struggling with an oxycodone addiction. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, there are 11 criteria for diagnosing an oxycodone addiction. The more symptoms that are present, the more severe the problem. Here are the criteria. In order to be diagnosed with an oxycodone use disorder, you must meet two or of these criteria within a month period.

If you meet two or three of the criteria, you have a mild oxycodone use disorder. Four to five is considered moderate, and six or more is considered severe. The risks and consequences of oxycodone addiction are undeniably deadly.

Staging an intervention for someone struggling through an addiction is the first step toward potentially saving their life. Fortunately, treatment can reduce the risk of these problems and improve the quality of life for those suffering from oxycodone addiction. Oxycodone is marketed under the brand names OxyContin and Percocet. Since it is a prescription drug, it may be difficult to tell if someone is abusing it or has become addicted to it, but there are some things to look for that can indicate a problem.

We can help you overcome addiction and get your life back. Like other opioids, oxycodone is a central nervous system CNS depressant. This means that it slows the nervous system to produce a calming effect, which can be quite profound at high doses.

CNS depressants slow breathing and heart rate, which may cause sleepiness. Some side effects associated with oxycodone can be serious and require immediate medical care, according to the U. National Library of Medicine. Using oxycodone frequently, taking high doses and prolonged use can increase the risk of these side effects and their severity. Opioid overdoses have been on the rise across the United States in the past few years, and oxycodone is no exception.

Taking too much of this drug or taking it too often can cause it to rise to toxic levels in the body. As a CNS depressant, oxycodone can cause severe respiratory depression, loss of consciousness, coma, and death when too much is present in the bloodstream.

Combining opioids with other depressants, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines or other opioids, makes overdose even more likely. Oxy addiction can be treated and managed with the right therapies and proper medication management. OxyContin has only been available by prescription since , but this potent narcotic has major addiction potential.

By the year , estimates are that 8. Causes and Risk Factors. Most addictions do not have a clear-cut reason for the development of an addiction to a substance such as OxyContin. Most researchers suspect addiction is a multifaceted disease comprised of many factors. Genetics : Many individuals who grow up with a parent or sibling who is addicted to a narcotic painkiller such as Oxy or struggle with other addictions are at greater risk for developing an addiction later in life.

Biological: Individuals who are struggling with chronic pain disorders are at greater risk for developing an addiction and tolerance to narcotics as many conditions require narcotic pain relief such as OxyContin in order to function. Environmental : Individuals who grow up in troubled homes or suffered trauma as a child may abuse opioid narcotics such as Oxy in order to emotionally numb the pain from their abuse. Psychological : Individuals who are struggling to treat the symptoms of an undiagnosed mental health condition such as depression or anxiety may attempt to self-medicate with OxyContin in order to control their symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms. Symptoms of OxyContin abuse do vary among individuals, the length of time a person has been addicted, and the amount of Oxy an individual uses, but general symptomatology of oxycodone includes:.

The effects include:. Co-Occurring Disorders. Most addictions have some roots in an untreated mental illness. Some of the most common mental illnesses associated with OxyContin abuse include:. The effects of withdrawal from long-term Oxy abuse can be extremely unpleasant, especially if the drug is discontinued abruptly rather than tapered down.

Withdrawal from OxyContin should always be performed under the careful eye of trained medical professionals. Withdrawal symptoms include:. Amazing staff and exceptional living conditions.