10 Possible Consequences of Oxycodone Abuse

Oxycodone products such as OxyContin, Roxicodone, Percocet, and Percodan are some of the choice drugs for abuse and while the consequences of oxycodone abuse are more prevalent than ever, oxycodone products remain high on the list for diversions of controlled prescriptions drugs (CPDs).

The DEA 2014 National Drug Threat Assessment reports that “According to the National Seizure System (NSS), nearly 1.2 million dosage units of oxycodone were seized by law enforcement in 2013, up 535 percent from 2012.” Rogue physicians and “pill mills” complicate the problems by disregarding safe prescribing practices for the profitability of prescribing high volumes of medications to those who have little or no legitimate reason to obtain the drugs other than supporting their addictions or diverting the pills for sale on the street.

Oxycodone is primarily abused because it produces euphoria, relaxation, and numbness with effects quite similar to heroin if used in high enough doses. It is also abused to avoid opioid withdrawals or as an alternative opioid when other opioid drugs are unavailable or difficult to obtain. The following are 10 possible consequences of oxycodone abuse.

1. Increased Tolerance

Oxycodone abuse has always been problematic and users will often take more of the drug than prescribed leading to higher tolerance levels with a tendency to use it in ways and for purposes other than intended. Like heroin, oxycodone tolerance is quickly accelerated and abuse typically escalates to snorting, smoking, or injecting the drugs to produce a powerful “high”, but, these rapid delivery methods contribute to higher risks of overdose, addiction, and other serious health consequences.

2. Dependency and Addiction

Repeat doses of oxycodone causes physiological changes to take place as the brain and body adapt to the presence of the drug. Physical dependency results in withdrawals to the extent that the adaptations have occurred and can be present without the person being addicted to oxycodone.

Abusing Oxycodone can lead to dependence and addiction.

Addiction is a chronically relapsing brain disease of which the person has a compulsion to seek and take the drug and loses control in limiting their intake, despite the negative consequences. According to the NIDA, “Although the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, the brain changes that occur over time challenge an addicted person’s self-control and hamper his or her ability to resist intense impulses to take drugs.”

3. Overdose

Oxycodone slows respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure compounding the dangers of the drug when it is misused. Abusing oxycodone with other CNS depressants such as benzodiazepines or alcohol often proves fatal and according to the CDC, in 2013, “People who died of drug overdoses often had a combination of benzodiazepines and opioid painkillers in their bodies.”

4. Withdrawals

Oxycodone withdrawals can begin within hours of the last oxycodone dose and depending on the abuser’s state of health and dependency levels can range from mild-flu-like symptoms to severe physical pain, cramping, diarrhea, vomiting, anxiety, agitation, restlessness, and overwhelming cravings that can compel them to seek and use the drugs, despite any other consequence.

5. Physical Health Problems

Physical health problems are consequences of oxycodone abuse many abusers disregard until it’s too late and the impairments become long-term or irreversible. According to the NIDA, “The impact of addiction can be far reaching. Cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and lung disease can all be affected by drug abuse.” Intravenous abuser populations suffer a myriad of bacterial infections and communicable diseases significantly higher than the general population.

6. Mental Health Problems

Mental health problems are consequences of oxycodone abuse that occur as the brain loses its natural ability to function and regulate thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Cognitive difficulties can have long term implications in the person’s quality of life reducing their performance and advancement capabilities.

7. Emotional Instability

Emotional instability is a consequence of oxycodone abuse that frequently leads to increased confrontations, neglect, or violent episodes when the drug is unattainable. The person may lose interest once enjoyable activities and experience greater levels of anxiety, depression, aggression, or even become suicidal. According to the DEA 2014 National Drug Threat Assessment, “A recent National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-supported study indicated that individuals who use prescription opiates other than as ordered by a doctor are more likely to consider suicide than those who use these medications appropriately or not at all.

8. Damaged Relationships

Oxycodone abuse has consequences that go far beyond the user damaging relationships and the ability for others to cope with the situations that arise. Denials, frequent lying, thefts, and overall mistrust can cause an immense amount of tension and distress for others who care about the abuser. They often become co-dependents and are afraid to confront the abuser for fear of pushing them further into the abuse cycles and yet, abusers tend to use this leverage to gain momentum for their abuse. Children are significant victims in the cycle of domestic violence and neglect and may be more at risk of developing an addiction themselves when proper parenting practices take a back seat to a family member’s abuse.

9. Loss of Freedom

Oxycodone is classified by the DEA as a Scheduled II controlled substance and is illegal to possess by anyone for whom it was not prescribed. Oxycodone is often obtained through friends and family or diverted to others for sale on the street with penalties that can be life-altering consequences of incarcerations and convictions. Even after the person is released from jail or prison, their lives will be more difficult to manage with the social stigma they are generally, forced to carry for rest of their lives.

10. Financial Distress

Financial distress is a common consequence of oxycodone abuse. Even if the person is able to locate employment and maintain a job, the cost of some of these pills on the street is high because of demand. Abusers tend to reallocate import resources away from their families and other financial obligations as the abuse progresses.