Oxycodone Addiction - A Review

Drug abuse
What is Oxycodone?

It is a semisynthetic drug made from thebaine, an opioid which is a constituent of persian poppy and a minor one of opium poppy. Opioid are basically the substances which act on opioid receptors and give you morphine like effects. It is widely used for relief over a range of pain.

Oxycodone Addiction

As we know that the effect of various drugs that we consume is different on the dopamine levels, that too by different mechanisms. Oxycodone ends up inhibiting the brain cells that inhibit the dopamine secreting cells. This enhances the dopamine levels in our body. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter compound released by the nerve cells, in brain otherwise it acts as a Chemical messenger. Oxycodone ingestion in unprescribed amounts can cause disturbances in the neural pathways.

It initiates the cycle of pleasure seeking thereby leading to addiction cultivation.

How is the addiction taking place?

Oxycodone when consumed binds to the opioid receptors and alters the way the brain reacts to the pain for which the drug was taken by the person. It does cause pain relief, but since it generates intense feelings of pleasure or euphoric feeling thereby risking psychological or physiological addiction to the drug.

Side effects of Oxycodone

Oxycodone addiction and abuse leads to many physical, mental and behavioral side effects within the body.

Some of the side effects which belong to these categories are:

– Lightheadedness

– Decrease in anxiety levels

– Headache

– Seizures

– Dry mouth,

– Nausea/ Vomiting

– Sweating

– Mood Swings

– Extreme Relaxation

– Itching etc.

Above these it causes reduction in sensitivity to pain and respiratory depressions. Overdoses of Oxycodone may lead to spinal cord infarction and ischemic brain damage due to prolonged hypoxia from suppression in breathing. Use of oxycodone recreationally has been found out to be extremely harmful. Improper ingestion of the drug leads to acceleration of its absorption thereby risking overdose. Oxycodone abuse has been found to lead to kidney or liver failure, especially when consumed with alcohol (say).

Oxycodone Withdrawal

The risk of withdrawal symptoms further increases if a person's physical dependence is high on the drug or discontinue Oxycodone abruptly.

Withdrawal basically means the consequences of abrupt stopping in consumption or bringing down the consumption drastically of a drug after its dependence is well established, on the body. It may be physical or mental side effects of the above.

There are various signs which can be observed in a person in the withdrawal phase.

For example:

- Restlessness

- Panic Attacks

- Anxiety

- Muscle Pains

- Insomnia

- Depression

- Fevers or flu like symptoms etc.

Withdrawal phase is highly intense and intolerable to the addict. Its effects start within hours of abrupt change in consumption and lasts for weeks. Hence it is always advised to seek out a professional or detoxicating service before you make the decision of quitting the drug consumption.

Seeking out a safe and a judgement free place to begin the healing process is a must for getting rid of Oxycodone or rather any drug addiction. Also, it is not necessary that whatever method to get rid of the addiction works for one person will work for others too, hence seeking professional help is extremely important.

Hence stay safe and avoid addiction.

Oxycodone addiction can be severe with intense symptoms. You can have harmful oxycodone side effects if it is consumed incorrectly. Oxycodone withdrawal phase is also not an easy path. Hence always consult a doctor before consumption.

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