Oxycodone addiction crops up as a consequence of dependency upon a painkiller. This situation further worsens if the overuse is not looked into as soon as possible.
Oxycodone refers to an opioid analgesic medication made from opium-derived thebaine. In short, it is your friendly painkiller that’s available over the counter. It is generally prescribed for moderate to severe pain and is primarily a nervous system depressant.
This means that its modus operandi is stimulation of opioid receptors found in the central nervous system that activates the responses ranging from pain relief and respiratory depression to euphoria. The flip side, though, is that it is addictive, thanks to the substance it is derived from.
Symptoms of Addiction
Usual and common addiction signs primarily include shallow breathing and constipation. Dizziness, fatigue, lack of appetite, and allied symptoms lead to umpteen other problems. For instance, shallow breathing leads to pulmonary failure and consequent death. Circulatory collapse, impotence, enlarged prostate gland, cold, clammy skin, hypotension, and decreased testosterone secretion are few other signs and effects of oxycodone overdose.
Withdrawal Symptoms
There are several withdrawal symptoms when it comes to oxycodone drug addiction. These symptoms can be really horrific and pathetic. These symptoms are:
- Perpetual tiredness
- Hot and cold sweats
- Heart palpitations
- Constant pain in joints and muscles
- Nausea
- Cough
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Watery eyes
- Sleeplessness
- Excessive yawning
- Depression
These withdrawal symptoms are the same as those in case of other opiate-based painkillers.
Oxycodone Addiction and Pregnancy
This kind of addiction has dire consequences on the mother as well as the fetus. The effects are respiratory depression as well as withdrawal symptoms in the baby. As indicated earlier, death of the mother as well as the fetus is a possible consequence of pre-delivery addiction.
What happens when the baby is born to an addicted mom? It has to bear the brunt of the withdrawal symptoms; this leads to strain on its organs that are not even fully developed. This hampers its growth. Unfortunately, the withdrawal symptoms in infants are far more painful than they are in adults.
Treatment
One of the first things that are helpful in kick-starting the process of recovery from oxycodone addiction is detox. This is akin to any other drug detoxification. To put it simply, detoxification means getting the toxins out of the body. One thing must be kept in mind that all those who get addicted are not typical and hardcore drug addicts. In addition to detox, there is medical as well as a non-medical treatment for this addiction.
1. Detoxification is done through accelerated neuroregulation, which has by far been the most effective method. This is also called the Waismann method. What happens here is that the patient sleeps during the phases of withdrawal. This leads to elimination of cravings which come along with traditional, opiate detox treatment.
2. Needless to say, the non-medical course of treatment involves stopping the consumption of the drug. This could be done in rehabilitation centers or other patient support systems.
3. As far as medical treatment is concerned, one of the main approaches is to cut down on the dosage. Now this is done with the administration of methadone. This is a drug usually used for heroin addicts during withdrawal. Clonidine co-administration is also a common practice.
4. A behavior therapy too, could prove useful for getting out of this rut.
Primarily, the aim of every program is to lower the dose gradually, till the person no longer craves for it.
Ultimately, oxycodone addiction stories tell a lot about how difficult it is to get out of this problem. Strong determination, will power, and the strong support of friends and family can help in rapid recovery.
