Oxycodone is a strong opioid painkiller used to treat people suffering from intense and often debilitating pain. Oxycodone is prescribed by a medical doctor in an extended-release formula, releasing into the bloodstream slowly, which causes hours of pain relief. Oxycodone is most often prescribed under the name “OxyContin” often called “oxy,” “OxyCotton,” “OC,” and “Hillbilly heroin” on the street, however the drug is also available under a number of other prescription names.
Oxycodone has been under fire from many sides for its potential for abuse, due to the drug’s ability to manage chronic pain in a time-release formula to provide patients with proper pain management. Unfortunately, this formulation has increased the allure of oxy as one could achieve a better high by crushing and snorting or injecting the drug directly into the body. In 2013, the FDA approved an “abuse-deterring” reformulation of the original drug that contains physical and chemical properties that do not allow for the same effects if the drug is crushed. This was enacted to reduce the risks for overdose and death associated with crushing Oxy and snorting or injecting it.
Although many take OxyContin as prescribed by their physician, this substance can still cause addiction problems. Drugs in the opiate class cause tolerance, or the need for higher amounts of the drug to obtain the same pain relief or high. As a result, someone who has taken Oxy for a long period of time may need a much higher dose to continue to be effective. When pain relief isn’t obtained by the prescribed amount of oxycodone, a man or woman may begin to seek other avenues of obtaining the narcotic.
Others may begin abusing Oxy and become easily addicted to the pleasurable feelings caused by the narcotic painkiller, especially as a means to end emotional suffering and pain.
Statistics
Oxycodone abuse is a growing problem in the US and worldwide. It’s estimated that 9% of all people living in the United States have or will abuse an opiate narcotic, such as oxycodone in their lifetime. Oxycodone addiction is running rampant with over 13 million people in the US alone having used or abused oxy for a nonmedical purpose.
Co-Occurring Disorders
Many people who struggle with addiction to oxycodone or other narcotics suffer from co-occurring mental illnesses. These include:
- Alcoholism
- Other substance abuse
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Conduct disorder
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
Causes
The exact reason one individual develops oxycodone addiction and another does not is not entirely understood. Researches have concluded that as with most addictions, OxyContin addiction is caused by a number of factors working together. These factors include:
Genetics: Individuals who have a parent or close relative with an addiction problem are more prone to development of addiction during their lifespan.
Biological: It has been hypothesized that certain individuals may be born lacking certain neurotransmitters that are responsible for mood. They may attempt to correct these deficiencies by abusing drugs that mimic these neurotransmitters.
Environmental: Individuals who grow up in chaotic households where substance abuse is prominent may be at greater risk for developing addiction problems later in life. Also, hanging around individuals who abuse drugs creates a greater risk developing a substance abuse problem.
Psychological: Most people who struggle with addiction have an additional mental illness that they may or may not be attempting to self-medicate. For example, someone who is depressed may use opiates like Oxy to increase pleasurable sensations to mask the symptoms of depression.
Symptoms of Oxycodone Abuse
While men and women who have an addiction to Oxycodone does not display each of the symptoms, the most common symptoms of oxycodone abuse are as follows:
Mood symptoms:
- Euphoria
- Rapidly-cycling moods
- Depression after an oxy binge
- Anxiety especially if oxy is not available
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Anger
- Aggression
- Restlessness
Behavioral symptoms:
- “Doctor shopping” for a number of prescriptions for oxycodone
- Stealing oxy from others
- Social isolation
- Financial problems
- Legal problems
- Lying to obtain more of the drug
- Forging prescriptions for oxycodone
- Acting high
- Hiding the drug in various places around the house
- Drowsiness
Physical symptoms:
- Constricted pinpoint pupils
- Weight loss
- Kidney problems
- Liver disease
- Tolerance – needing more of the oxy to get high
- Physical dependence on the drug
- Withdrawal symptoms if drug is stopped
- Respiratory depression
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Sedation
- Hypotension
- Constipation
- Itchy skin
Psychological symptoms:
- Worsening emotional health
- Loss of concentration or interest
- Alcoholism and other addictions
- Psychological dependence – the belief that one cannot function without the drug
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
Effects of Oxycodone Abuse
Long-term usage of oxycodone is strongly correlated with negative consequences and lasting effects. These may include:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Respiratory depression
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Interpersonal relationship problems
- Financial problems
- Insomnia
- Incarceration
- Problems at work or school
- Death from overdose or suicide
Withdrawal Effects
Prolonged abuse of OxyContin can cause an individual to become physically and psychological dependent upon the drug. If a person who is dependent upon Oxy attempts to stop using he or she may develop symptoms of withdrawal that can begin as early as a few hours after the last dose and may last for several days. These symptoms include:
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Aches in the muscles and joints
- Cramping
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Seizures
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Suicidal ideations