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Prescription drug addiction has become a common issue in our society, with opioids like Oxycontin, or “oxy”, at the forefront of the crisis. What are the side effects of Oxycontin that contribute to this epidemic?
Just like morphine and heroin, it is made from the poppy. Oxycontin is one formulation of the drug oxycodone and is designed to provide slow-release or time-release effects to the user. It can release its dose for up to 12 hours from the time it is taken, differing from many other opioids that only last up to about 6 hours.
This extended duration is one of the reasons that Oxycontin addiction has skyrocketed. Oxycontin is originally prescribed for pain relief, particularly for chronic pain. This level of chronic pain would be for illnesses like cancer. This leads to it being taken for long periods, giving it a high potential for abuse.
Generally, the medication is taken orally, but that may not be the case in severe abuse or addiction. In extreme cases, the user may crush the pill to bypass the time-release function. This can include chewing, crushing, snorting, or injecting, like many other opioids.
Join us as we explore the devastating consequences of Oxycontin addiction, shedding light on the physical and emotional toll it takes on individuals, families, and communities.
What is an Oxycontin High?
Oxycontin changes how your body and brain respond to pain. When someone is prescribed Oxycontin for legitimate pain control, they usually do not experience the same type of “high” that an addict does when they abuse it.
However, once the user has developed a dependency on Oxycontin, they will receive an immediate euphoric effect and a pleasant and relaxing high that follows and lasts for 8 to 12 hours.
If someone abuses Oxycontin, they will often display signs similar to those of other opioid addictions. Some of the commonly seen effects are mostly related to the function of opioids as central nervous system depressants.
Side Effects of Oxycontin Abuse
Here’s what to expect from taking oxycontin:
- Slow or weak movement abilities.
- Extreme sleepiness or drowsiness.
- Euphoria and relaxation with reduced anxiety.
- Slurred speech of varying degrees.
Users also begin to feel a reduced appetite while using, and with the long release period of Oxycontin, it can quickly become a chronic issue. If the user takes too much, it can cause acute vomiting and persistent nausea while active in the system. This can contribute to both sudden and long-term undesired weight loss.
Other symptoms include:
- Lethargy
- Dizziness
- A state of confusion
- Itching that is not explained by any other illness or skin issue
Health Risks of Oxycontin Abuse
While OxyContin can be prescribed for legitimate pain management, it’s crucial to understand that misuse (particularly through snorting and injecting) carries severe and potentially irreversible health risks.
Snorting
When the drug is crushed to a sufficient degree, it can be snorted and inhaled similarly to cocaine. Therefore, when insufflated, Oxycontin is absorbed much more quickly than through digestion. The speedy passage of Oxycontin into the bloodstream allows for a much faster onset of the effects.
When users are frequent abusers of Oxycontin and use it in this way, there is a greatly increased chance of chronic sinus infections. Also, the sensitive nasal tissue can be damaged over longer periods with prolonged use. This breakdown of nasal tissue can significantly damage the nasal cavity itself, sometimes leading to tissue death or necrosis.
Injecting
Injecting Oxycontin can have even more dangerous effects. These users crush the pills and mix the residue with water so that it can be injected directly into their bodies. Oxycontin is often injected into skin, muscle, or veins.
This injection drug use is incredibly dangerous and carries unique and possibly deadly risks. Injecting Oxycontin can lead to blood-borne pathogens being introduced to otherwise healthy people. This includes the risk of hepatitis, HIV, and other diseases. It’s estimated that up to 10% of all new HIV/AIDS infections can be directly linked to injection drug use1.
The danger of overdose is also greater with injected drugs. This is because dosages are much harder to estimate if the drug is being injected instead of swallowed. This can lead to overdoses in new users in particular.
Another risk comes from the small bits of crushed pills that can cause circulation problems and even kidney damage.
Overdose Symptoms
If you believe that you or a loved one may have overdosed on Oxycontin, there are some signs to look for in the user. Seek medical attention immediately for these symptoms:
- Racing heart
- Excessive or unexplained sweating
- Muscle weakness
- New or sudden difficulty in breathing
- Pinpoint pupils
- Seizures
- Blueish coloration to the fingertips or lips
Do not delay seeking treatment for any of these symptoms. The person overdosing will need significant medical help and likely need to be admitted to the hospital for more observation.
What Are the Withdrawals from Oxycontin?
If you’ve been using OxyContin regularly, stopping abruptly can be tough. Your body gets used to having it around, so quitting can bring on some uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms like:
- Intense cravings: You’ll likely experience a strong desire to use OxyContin again.
- Physical discomfort: Muscle aches, chills, sweating, runny nose, and watery eyes are common.
- Stomach problems: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps can also occur.
- Restlessness and anxiety: You may find it difficult to relax or get a good night’s sleep.
For some people, things can get even worse with high blood pressure, a racing heart, or depression. That’s why it’s important to talk to a doctor if you’re thinking about quitting. They can help you find a detox program to make things easier and get you back on track.
How to Get Help from Oxycontin
When Oxycontin is taken without medical supervision, even when prescribed, it can lead to a powerful addiction and dependence. When this dependence begins to take over your loved one’s life or begins to take its toll on their health or finances, they must be able to rely on a support network.
The users must know that when this sickness is confronted and addressed without shame or judgment, the chances of success are much greater.
Furthermore, the chances are even higher when the user understands the dangers and eventual results of their abuse and accepts help.
Working with an experienced and professional treatment facility may be the most beneficial for everyone involved. Not only do many facilities offer tailored inpatient and outpatient treatment plans, but they will also help teach the user effective strategies for staying sober.
If you are ready to dismantle the powerful grip that addiction can have on your life and well-being, the time to get help is now.
Reach out to Infinite Recovery today. We can give you the support, encouragement, and guidance you need to create the future you’ve always dreamed about today.
Sources:
Infinite Recovery has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations for our references. We avoid using tertiary references as our sources. You can learn more about how we source our references by reading our editorial guidelines and medical review policy.
- World Health Organization. People who inject drugs. Accessed June 26, 2022. https://www.who.int/teams/global-hiv-hepatitis-and-stis-programmes/populations/people-who-inject-drugs
