Oxycodone Addiction | Symptoms and Effects

Oxycodone addiction is when you feel a compulsive need to take oxycodone, despite it causing harm to your health, relationships or other aspects of your life.

The risk of Oxycodone addiction is real, with the most frequent causes being either improper use of a valid prescription or using it recreationally.

Prescription oxycodone addiction…

An addiction to prescription Oxycodone often begins when you misuse the drug, either by taking more of it than prescribed or using it more frequently. This misuse often results in you becoming more tolerant of oxycodone and needing higher doses just to get the same effects. Eventually, this can lead to a physical dependence where you need to take oxycodone just to avoid withdrawal symptoms and feel “normal”. If you cannot obtain a legal supply of Oxycodone then you may turn towards illicit opioids like heroin which can be easier to access and this can lead you down a path with devastating consequences.

Recreational oxycodone addiction…

Oxycodone is often abused recreationally because it creates a blissful high, increased self-esteem, relaxation and a sense of contentment. Recreational users typically snort or inject it hoping for an intensified experience. The resulting flood of dopamine that occurs within the brain triggers pleasure signals which can lead to cravings that cause you to seek more of the drug. As with the abuse of prescription oxycodone, this can eventually result in tolerance, physical dependence and addiction.

Oxycodone addiction can be very deceptive and will attempt to convince you that your oxycodone use is not a problem. Here are some of the lies your addiction may tell you which you need to learn to see through:

• “It’s only recreational use, you’re not addicted”
• “You can stop using oxycodone any time you want”
• “You don’t need professional help, you can overcome oxycodone addiction yourself
• “Oxycodone is a prescription drug so it’s not dangerous or addictive”

All of these lies are intended to keep you trapped in your addiction and away from seeking the help that you need. That is why recognising that these are lies and admitting that you have an oxycodone addiction are the first and most important steps to recovery.

Oxycodone abuse and addiction can have a number of negative effects on both your physical and mental health.

Physical health effects of oxycodone addiction include:

• Vomiting, nausea, constipation
• Overheating and sweating
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Itchiness
• Dangerously low blood pressure
• Respiratory Depression
• Coma
• Seizures
• Cardiac arrest

Mental health effects of oxycodone addiction:

• Depression and anxiety
• Uncontrollable mood and erratic reactions
• Confusion
• Nightmares
• Erratic thoughts
• Hallucinations

Oxycodone overdose is also a serious risk which can be potentially lethal. If you notice any of the following signs of oxycodone overdose, it is vital that you seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible:

• Bluish skin or lips
• Vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing, shallow breaths or complete absence of breath
• Uncontrollable muscle movements
• Loss of consciousness

If you’re struggling with oxycodone addiction, Recovery Lighthouse’s inpatient recovery clinic focuses on addressing both your physical and psychological needs to ensure that you have the best chances of healing. Our proven oxycodone addiction recovery programmes involve three main stages:

• Oxycodone detox – This is the process of removing all traces of oxycodone from your body in a safe and comfortable environment so that your physical dependence is broken.
• Oxycodone rehab – This addresses the underlying psychological and mental health issues that led to or exacerbated your addiction, enabling you to understand why substance abuse happened and how to prevent a relapse in the future.
• Aftercare – This is the final stage of recovery and helps you adjust to living without oxycodone after you leave treatment. At Recovery Lighthouse, we provide all clients with one year’s free weekly group therapy sessions to provide vital support during difficult moments when relapse is most likely.

If you or a loved one are struggling with oxycodone addiction, Recovery Lighthouse can help. Our team of dedicated and experienced professionals are on hand to guide and support you throughout your recovery journey. Through our guidance and support, we will help you to form repair relationships with your loved ones, achieve goals and ambitions which currently seem impossible and generally live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.