Understanding Oxycodone Addiction
Oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it carries a high risk of addiction. Addiction can occur with oxycodone because the drug, like other opioids, triggers the brain’s reward system. It relieves pain by binding to the brain’s mu opioid receptors and causes euphoria and a pleasurable feeling, making your body crave the drug and increasing the risk of addiction.
Signs of Oxycodone Abuse
There are often signs of drug abuse when a person struggles with a drug like oxycodone. For a prescription drug like oxycodone, this includes:
- Taking more oxycodone than your doctor prescribed
- Taking oxycodone more often than your doctor prescribed
- Taking oxycodone that has not been prescribed for you
Additionally, people may start showing physical signs of oxycodone abuse, which are similar to those of other opioids and include euphoria and excessive sedation.
Signs of Oxycodone Dependence
When a person takes a psychoactive substance like oxycodone regularly, their body begins to rely on the drug to function normally. This phenomenon is called physical dependence. When a person becomes physically dependent on oxycodone, they will start to have withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly try to stop or cut back on how much oxycodone they take.
Physical dependence is different from addiction. Someone can become physically dependent on a drug they take exactly as prescribed. However, for people who abuse drugs like oxycodone, a physical dependence can also be a stepping stone to addiction. Quitting the drug gets more complicated as the body becomes more dependent on oxycodone, and addiction can follow.
Symptoms of Oxycodone Addiction
Many signs and symptoms can develop when a person starts to sink into an oxycodone addiction. These can include:
- Taking more oxycodone than intended or longer than intended
- Unsuccessful attempts to cut back on oxycodone use
- Spending a lot of time obtaining, using or recovering from oxycodone
- Cravings for oxycodone
- Not fulfilling obligations at work, school or home because of oxycodone
- Interpersonal problems caused or worsened by oxycodone
- Giving up or reducing activities because of oxycodone
- Using oxycodone even when it is physically dangerous
- Continued oxycodone use even though you know doing so is hurting you
- Needing more of the drug to achieve the same effects as before
- Withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit oxycodone