How addictive is oxycodone?

What is oxy, and how does it work?

Oxycodone is an analgesic painkiller primarily prescribed to manage moderate to severe pain. It belongs to the opioid class of drugs and interacts with the opioid receptors in the central nervous system to reduce pain sensations.

It also works by raising your pain threshold so you won’t feel as much pain.

This medication is commonly prescribed to patients with cancer, severe injuries, or who have undergone surgery. It is also available in different forms, including tablets, capsules, liquids, or extended-release formulations.

Common brand names of oxycodone

• OxyContin – a long-acting tablet form of oxycodone.
• Roxicodone – a short-acting tablet form of oxycodone.
• Oxaydo – a short-acting oxycodone tablet.
• RoxyBond – a long-acting oxy tablet.
• Xtampza ER – a long-acting oxy capsule.

Oxy can also be combined with other drugs, such as acetaminophen, and sold under the following brand names:

• Percocet
• Endocet
• Nalocet
• Primlev
• Prolate

How long does oxy take to work?

The period oxycodone takes to work depends on its formulation and route of administration. Other factors may also influence how long it takes effect, such as individual metabolism, overall health, and the presence of other medications in the body.

Immediate-release formulations of oxycodone that deliver the medication into the bloodstream promptly after ingestion take about 15-30 minutes to take effect. Just as quick as they are to take effect, so do their effects fade away in 3-4 hours.

For this reason, immediate-release oxycodone is prescribed for acute pain relief.

On the other hand, extended-release formulations of oxy take effect gradually over an extended period. This sustains a consistent level of the medication in the bloodstream, providing prolonged pain relief.

Extended-release formulations might be slower upon ingestion, activating analgesic effect after 1-2 hours. These effects can last up to 12 hours or more.

Side effects of oxycodone

Like other opioids, oxy has a range of side effects which include:

• Dry mouth.
• It slows down intestinal activity, causing constipation.
• Itching or rash.
• Dizziness and drowsiness.
• Confusion or cognitive impairment.
• Respiratory depression, oxy slows down breathing.
• Hormonal imbalances.

When used in long-term the following side effects may develop:

• Due to its potency, it creates dependency and addiction.
• It alters sleep patterns.
• Potential kidney failure.
• Potential liver failure.
• Potential heart failure.
• Depression,
• Death.

Oxycodone abuse

Oxy has a long history of abuse and misuse. In the US, the misuse and abuse of prescription opioids is a public health crisis. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 2.6 million people aged 12 years and above were reported to have misused prescription opioids in 2020.

However, no patient filling an oxycodone prescription sets out to abuse it. It all boils down to their everyday use and misuse of the medication.

Risk factors and signs of oxycodone abuse

• Taking it more frequently than the prescribed dosage.
• Taking larger doses.
• Using oxy without a prescription.
• Crushing or snorting the tablets.
• Injecting the drug directly into the bloodstream for faster analgesic effects.
• Taking it in any other way than as directed.

How does oxycodone addiction occur?

The above risk factors contribute to oxycodone tolerance, where the body may need higher doses of the drug to achieve the same analgesic effect that was first felt. With tolerance, dependency develops.

The body adapts to the presence of the drug as its new normalcy. This means that certain medication dosages must be present in the body. With dependency, addiction develops.

How addictive is oxy?

Oxy addiction is characterized by doctor shopping to sustain dependency even when a prescription is complete. Statistics show that 21-29% of people who use oxycodone for pain relief fall into addiction.

At this point, quitting the drug use would lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. The risk of addiction is much higher in individuals with a history of drug abuse, mental illness, or chronic pain.

OxyContin remains one of the most harmful prescription opioids to the population, whose continued use may lead to overdose deaths.

In a study investigating the roles sex and gender play in opioid use disorder, women are at a higher risk of developing an oxy addiction than men. This means that more women receive oxycodone prescriptions than men. However, there were higher male mortality rates due to opioid overdose.

This begs the question are women more susceptible to opioid addiction? And if so, does it mean their counterparts are more predisposed to fatal opioid-related overdoses?

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proves that men have higher rates of drug overdose deaths than women. Several studies have also indicated that women are more susceptible to opioid addiction than men. They are more likely to experience chronic pain conditions that raise the need for opioid prescriptions.

Although multifaceted, one of the contributing factors to this fact is hormonal changes. Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle may alter a woman’s pain sensitivity and response to opioids. Therefore, higher doses of opioids will be required for pain relief.

What are the signs and symptoms of oxycodone addiction?

Some behavioral signs of oxy addiction to watch out for in you or your loved ones include:

• Continuous cravings for the medication.
• The individual is often preoccupied with sourcing the drug.
• Depending on higher dosages to feel ‘normal’.
• Outsourcing oxy without a prescription.
• Lack of motivation or interest in other activities.
• Failure to meet their obligations at work, school, or home.
• Financial strain and mismanagement through acquiring the drug on the black market.
• Legal conflicts.
• Family and relationship strain.

Physical signs and symptoms include:

• Slow breathing rate.
• Weight loss.
• Poor motor coordination.
• Pinpoint pupils.
• Reduced heart rate.
• Poor personal hygiene.
• Withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit.
• Overdose episodes.

An oxy overdose would look like:

• Respiratory depression that manifests through slow, irregular, or shallow breathing or difficulty breathing.
• High sedation and drowsiness.
• Cold, moist, and clammy skin. The addict might also have a pale bluish tint on their skin.
• Speech and cognitive impairment.
• Disorientation.
• Pupils miosis – the pupils are very small, even in dim lighting.
• Muscle weakness.

Oxycodone withdrawal

Withdrawal often occurs when an oxy addict abruptly reduces their dosage or completely stops taking the medication. Withdrawal symptoms and intensity may vary depending on several factors, such as:

• Dosage and frequency of use.
• Duration of use – individuals who have used oxycodone for longer may experience more severe symptoms.
• Physiology – body metabolism rate, underlying health conditions, and genetics of the user.
• Polydrug abuse – mixing oxy with other drugs, the multiplier effect, poses additional risks.

Generally, withdrawal symptoms may kick in within 6 to 12 hours after the last use of immediate-release oxy and 24 to 48 hours after the last use of extended-release oxycodone. Even so, this timing may vary on an individual basis.

Signs and symptoms of oxycodone withdrawal

• Intense cravings.
• Gastrointestinal problems, including nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
• General muscle aches and joint pains.
• Restlessness and irritability.
• Violent mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
• Flu-like symptoms – runny nose and watery eyes.
• Dilated pupils.
• Profuse sweating and chills.
• High blood pressure and increased heart rate.
• Insomnia.

How to treat oxycodone addiction

Although addiction may seem far away from recovery, help is available through proper and early treatment. For most people, it is difficult to pull themselves or their loved ones away from oxycodone dependency. This is why professional help is imperative to regain sobriety.

There are various treatment options that can help one recover from addictions. They are:

Oxycodone detox

A detox program may take several days, with the patient under medical supervision. A medical detox program would involve clearing the body of its drug dependence while managing withdrawal symptoms.

This plan would be tailored to each individual overall health condition, supporting their needs. Depending on the facility offering the detox program, the following are the steps involved:

1. Assessment – this is the first step where the severity of the addiction is examined and other medical needs present.
2. Detoxification – this is the process of taking medication to help manage withdrawal.
3. Aftercare planning – once the detox process is complete, an after-treatment plan will be developed to help maintain the sobriety of the addict and prevent relapse.

The detox process is made seamless through a combination of medication, therapy, and support groups.

1. Medication

Some of the medications incorporated to help manage oxycodone withdrawal symptoms include:

• Methadone – this is a long-acting opioid that is used to manage withdrawal cravings. It is a very effective treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) and binds to the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord to block the effects of other opioids to reduce cravings.
• Buprenorphine – this is an alternative to methadone, available in tablet, film, or injection. It helps reduce cravings during withdrawal.
• Naltrexone – this is a medication that blocks the effects of opioids and reduces relapse rates by up to 50%. It is often prescribed after detoxification.

2. Therapy

This is an integral part of the program that helps individuals understand their addiction, develop coping mechanisms, and make lifestyle changes. The various types of therapy used in oxycodone detox programs include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy – CBT is fashioned to help addicts identify and change the thoughts and behaviors contributing to their addiction.
• Motivational enhancement therapy – MET helps addicts increase their motivation to change their behavior.
• Contingency management – CM uses rewards and incentives to help people achieve their treatment goals.

3. Support groups

Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), SMART recovery, and Anon Family Groups are ideal for people struggling with oxy addictions as well. They provide the addicts a safe and supportive environment to share their struggles and experiences and learn from each other.

Inpatient rehab

Inpatient rehab offers 24/7 supervision and support to oxycodone addicts while simultaneously exploiting the above-mentioned detox programs.

Takeaway

As demonstrated above, oxycodone addiction is treatable. Although it can be highly effective in managing pain, it carries a significant risk of abuse, addiction, and overdose. Therefore, its use should be closely monitored by a healthcare professional.