Oxycodone Abuse Side Effects & Symptoms

It’s common for those addicted to oxycodone to exhibit changes or problems in these areas of their life:

• Work
• School
• Finances
• Personal relationships
• Hobbies, clubs or activities

Oxycodone addiction is defined as the physical and psychological need to use oxycodone. Psychologically, a person will crave the drug. Physically, the person will go into withdrawal without the drug. As a result, the person’s main focus in life is obtaining more oxycodone, getting high off of it, and repeating the process.

When this happens, the person will often begin to perform poorly at school or work. They may avoid their normal routines, such as arriving at school or work by a certain time. Students may skip classes in order to go buy or use drugs, or employees may cut out of work early or in the middle of the day for the same purpose. Because of oxycodone’s effects on the body, the person addicted to the drug may also have problems thinking or focusing while at school or work. As a result, students may earn poor test scores, failing grades or possibly be excluded from graduation. Similarly, full-time workers may be reprimanded for low job performance or let go from their position.

Loss of job will cause serious money problems for most people who misuse oxycodone, but it is only one of several financial issues they will likely experience. Depending on how much oxycodone they are taking and how frequently they get high, a person could be spending an exorbitant amount of money on drugs. When high, people are also more likely to make impulse purchases, such as buying food to satisfy the “munchies.” These expenses can quickly add up, especially when added to a person’s existing bills and financial responsibilities.

After losing their job, it’s not unusual for a person to be evicted from their home or have to declare bankruptcy when they are misusing substances. Some people will also cash out savings accounts, retirement accounts and sell treasured family heirlooms to pay for oxycodone or similar drugs. If they get caught with or are selling the drug, the person may also have to pay for bail or legal fees.

As this is happening, it’s not uncommon for personal relationships to become strained. A person using drugs may face questions or criticism from loved ones or may ignore friends and family entirely, choosing to spend time getting high with new friends instead. They may also become more distant with friends from their hobbies or activities as they drift away from these interests, choosing to get high instead.

Physical symptoms of using oxycodone include:

• Sedation
• Pain relief
• Cough suppression
• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Stomach pain
• Flushed complexion
• Dry mouth
• Respiratory depression

Psychological symptoms of using oxycodone are:

• Feelings of relaxation
• Feelings of euphoria
• Mood swings

For some people, oxycodone can also cause more adverse reactions. Some of the most serious side effects of oxycodone include:

• Heartbeat changes
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Erectile dysfunction
• Low sex drive
• Irregular menstruation
• Hives or rash
• Itching
• Swelling
• Extreme drowsiness
• Seizures
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Hallucinations
• Diarrhea

Coupled with the social changes in a person’s life, noticing these symptoms makes it easier to confirm a hunch and confront someone who may be misusing oxycodone. If you think a loved one is abusing oxycodone, and they’ve shown several signs and symptoms of abuse, it’s time to have a conversation with them. In some cases, they may admit to the problem. In other cases, they may insist they don’t have a problem, act insulted or put the blame on you. It’s important to remember you did the right thing by confronting the person, and if they don’t come around, an intervention may help you get through to them.