Oxycodone is a potent opioid pain medication often prescribed to treat patients with chronic or severe pain. The drug works by binding specific brain and spinal cord receptors to reduce pain.
However, oxycodone is a highly addictive medication that can lead users to psychological and physical dependence—even when used as prescribed. Unfortunately, this leads to many users becoming addicted and suffering severe withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to stop or reduce their medications.
Are you or a loved one suffering from oxycodone addiction? Buena Vista Recovery is here to help. Below, you can explore some quick oxycodone facts and statistics, review the short- and long-term effects of oxycodone, and learn more about effective addiction treatment.
Oxycodone Quick Facts & Statistics
Here are some quick statistics and facts about Oxycodone:
- Common Oxycodone brand names include OxyContin, Oxydose, Roxicodone, Oxyfast, Roxybond, and Dazidox.
- Oxycodone is classified as an opioid—like heroin, methadone, opium, and fentanyl.
- As many as one in four patients taking prescription opioids, including Oxycodone, struggle with addiction.
- More than 11.5 million people in the United States reported misusing prescription opioids in the last year.
- In 2020, more than 16,000 Americans died from overdoses involving prescription opioids.
Oxycodone and Addiction
Oxycodone is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for moderate to severe pain. Prescriptions are often written following surgery, an acute injury, or for patients dealing with chronic pain when other medications have not worked or are not tolerated well.
Unfortunately, this highly addictive substance often creates difficult-to-detect overreliance by patients, even if they use their medications as directed. Oxycodone addiction can make it difficult for patients to reduce or stop using their medication. Additionally, patients experiencing chronic or acute pain may need more and more of the drug to alleviate their symptoms, leading to further dependence.
The Short- and Long-Term Effects of Oxycodone
While every patient is different, some of the short- and long-term effects of Oxycodone include:
| Short-Term Effects | Long-Term Effects |
|---|---|
| Constipation | Decreased testosterone |
| Difficulty concentrating | Dependence and difficulty reducing or stopping Oxycodone |
| Dizziness | Financial, work, or relationship difficulties |
| Drowsiness | Menstrual problems |
| Dry mouth | Mood swings |
| Euphoria or negative mood | Needing more Oxycodone to achieve the same effect |
| Nausea | Reduced libido |
| Pain relief |
Oxycodone Addiction Treatment
If you are struggling with Oxycodone addiction, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans struggle with addiction each year, and it can be incredibly difficult to quit on your own.
But real help is available.
At Buena Vista, we take an individual approach to each of our patients. No two cases of addiction are the same, and we provide an extensive array of treatment options so you can get the help you need and prevent future relapses.
The first step in overcoming oxycodone addiction is a medically supervised detox. Our professionals help patients get through distressing withdrawal symptoms, eliminate the possibility of relapse during detox, and keep you as comfortable and safe as possible.
After detox, Buena Vista works with you to safely transition into a treatment program that works best for you—including individual and group therapies—to help you achieve life-long recovery.
Are you ready to take back control of your life? Contact Buena Vista today to learn more about your oxycodone addiction treatment options and start your recovery.
