Oxycodone withdrawal draws forth several symptoms that cause varying degrees of bodily and mental discomfort. In the following article, we will look through some of these withdrawal symptoms and treatment forms. Continue reading for more details.
Oxycodone is a narcotic medication and its effects are similar to other narcotics like morphine, opiates, and heroin. That is why, the sudden discontinuation of this medication form can cause a withdrawal and lead to the occurrence of its varied symptoms. Oxycodone is a prescription drug that is used to treat several degrees of pain and is used as a common ingredient in many painkillers.
The way in which this drug works is that it enters the blood stream and desensitizes the areas of the brain that are responsible for sending the signals of pain throughout the body. When these signals that perceive pain are deactivated, and instead, the feel-good chemicals like dopamine are released in the body, the person stops feeling pain, and relief is found. It is due to this factor that an oxycodone addiction can come about very easily.
A person might start depending on the medication more and more to get away from the extreme pain that is caused and in the bargain might get addicted to it. Oxycodone withdrawal occurs when there is a sudden discontinuation or sudden lowering of the dosage. This causes certain symptoms that can lead to varied physical and mental symptoms―these can further lead to varied complications and dangers to a person’s health.
Symptoms
Going cold turkey in the way of discontinuing the use of oxycodone can lead to varied degrees of pain and discomfort, both mentally and physically. Here are some of these:
- Pain in varied degrees.
- Restlessness will follow naturally because the patient misses the familiar rush of the drug. These feelings of restlessness will want him to start the drug again and continue the usage.
- Oxycodone abuse can lead to panic and anxiety due to the same reasons as well.
- Vomiting and nausea will make way when the body starts reacting to the absence of the drug.
- A person might start suffering from insomnia or there will be a disturbance in his sleep patterns that will then have an effect on all his activities and functions.
- It might cause an opposing reaction and lead to a person feeling groggy and sleepy at all times.
- A person might experience depression and disturbing thoughts.
- Muscle pain, joint pain, and abdominal pain and aches will start to make way as one of the most common symptoms.
- Hot and/or cold flashes may come about.
- There will be instances of memory loss, loss of concentration, and lowered attention span along with general confusion as one of the oxycodone side effects.
- Hallucinations might also come about as a result of this.
- Symptoms of the common cold and flu, like fever, runny nose, headaches, chills, excessive sweating, and sneezing may make way.
- There might be instances of constipation and stomach pain as well.
- There might be an increase in the heart rate and blood pressure.
- General feelings of anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, irritation, and mood swings may come about.
- It might lead to watery eyes and dilated pupils.
Treatment
The symptoms of a withdrawal are a clear indication of what an addiction of this painkiller could do to you, that is why it is important to get rid of the addiction as soon as possible. When you realize that an oxycodone addiction is drawing closer, you need to consult your doctor and ask him/her for treatment forms. Understand what you will go through when you start out with the treatment. Having a complete knowledge of the withdrawal timeline is important before you start out on the treatment. What can one expect when they go in for the treatment? Here is what:
Medication and Detoxification
There is a need to detoxify your body of the deposits of the drug that have been deposited. This is done by starting out on other drug types that have lowered dosages and their use is discontinued after a particular time has passed such that the body has gotten used to the missing element.
Counseling
There is always the danger of falling back into the habit of taking the drug, even after the detox has been done. In this manner, it has been seen that taking the help of counseling, either as a part of a hospital set up, self help groups, or specialized counseling groups helps the patient develop certain skills that help in dealing with the addiction and the withdrawal, and help in keeping it at bay.
An oxycodone withdrawal can lead to several problems that range over the physical and mental symptoms, as we’ve seen. That’s why when one starts of with a treatment that involves the oxycodone drug, the dosage becomes an important pointer to factor in. Understanding the consequences of an oxycodone addiction and how to go about handling is of prime importance.
Disclaimer – This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
