Everything You Need To Know About Roxycodone

Roxycodone : Painkillers have become one of the most abused drugs in the country and prescription opioid use has risen to epidemic levels. There are a number of different painkillers that are typically abused but one of the most highly addictive is roxycodone or “Roxy” as it is sometimes called. More than 9 percent of Americans have or will abuse opioid painkillers such as roxycodone at some point in their lifetime.

Roxy is classified as a schedule II narcotic meaning that although it has accepted medical use for treatment, it also has a high potential for abuse which can lead to severe psychological and physical dependence.

Roxycodone is considered especially addictive because it is designed to provide immediate relief which can abusers a faster high. For people with legitimate issues of pain, they must be especially cautious when prescribed it to prevent dependency.

What is Roxycodone?

Roxycodone is a prescription semi-synthetic opioid analgesic that is provided by doctors for moderate or severe pain and in some cases for chronic pain issues. It works quickly to relieve pain that affects areas of the central nervous system of the body.

Like many other opioids, roxycodone when taken for prolonged periods of time can cause the user to develop a tolerance to the drug. After some time users may no longer feel the effects and may resort to taking higher doses which can be particularly dangerous.

Roxycodone dulls the pain receptors in your brain and with too high of a dose it may also depress your respiratory system which can be fatal. Users may mistakenly believe that the drug is safe because it is prescribed by a doctor but there are many dangers associated with opioids like roxycodone.

Uses for Roxycodone

Roxycodone is an opioid painkiller. It is used commonly as a painkiller for severe pain. For example after a major operation, a severe injury or cancer-related pain.

It is also prescribed in conditions where other painkillers like paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin have not worked.

It is a prescription-only drug and comes as slow-release tablets, standard tablets, standard capsules and as a swallowable liquid. It can also be given in the form of an injection in case of an emergency.

Slow-release tablets work over either 12 or 24 hours. They release slowly over time but give relief for a longer term. For immediate relief, standard tablets, capsules, liquid and injections are your best bet.

Side effects

What causes Roxycodone addiction?

Anyone who takes opioids is at risk of developing an addiction. Roxycodone is a potent opioid that is useful when it is used judiciously for pain relief. However, being an opioid, it has the potential to cause physical dependence and addiction and even overdose in certain cases.

It is impossible to guess who is vulnerable to getting dependent and abusing drugs. But we can take intelligent guesses based on the history of drug abuse, how long has the person taken roxycodone, etc.

Roxycodone is highly addictive since it activates the powerful reward centres of the brain. It triggers the release of endorphins. Endorphins are the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters. They suppress the perception of pain and magnify the feeling of pleasure. This creates a temporary but powerful feeling of well-being.

After the feeling caused by roxycodone wears off, you will want to get back the feeling of well-being. If you take the medicine again, it is the beginning of potential addiction.

Taking opioids repeatedly over time slows down the release of endorphins and hence the sense of well-being and feeling good. This can drive you to increase the dose and abuse it at smaller intervals.

Treatment options

Quitting opioids isn’t easy. And it is not recommended to quit opioids suddenly as it may cause other side effects. It is recommended that you consult a doctor and ask him for options on how to quit your addiction.

• Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Rational emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT)

Interventions that can be woven into existing treatment:

• Detoxification
• Medication management
• Individual therapy
• Family therapy
• Group therapy

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for opioid addiction. Every patient is at a different place in their journey of addiction or withdrawal. Every patient needs a treatment plan that is designed specifically for them. Seeking professional help is the best way to move forward.

Common Co-Occurring Disorders with Roxycodone Abuse

Roxycodone is highly addictive and can result in many adverse consequences including the development of other co-occurring disorders. People with roxycodone addiction are at a higher risk of other disorders. This is because roxycodone alters the human brain and behaviour.

Substance abuse with a mental disorder is called dual diagnosis. Here are some common co-occurring diseases:

Depression:

Depression can cause a person to lose all hope, persisting sadness and lose interest in activities that were once pleasurable.

Anxiety:

Anxiety creates restlessness, irritation, non-stop thoughts and panic attacks.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder:

PTSD develops following a traumatic event. This could be military combat, natural disasters, loss of someone close etc. One may see recurring, unwanted memories of the traumatic event.

Bipolar Disorder:

The patient will experience extreme mood swings that alternate between mania and depression.

Borderline Personality Disorder:

BPD alters the capability to regulate regular emotions. This loss of control leads to impulsivity and affects relations with others.

Signs and Symptoms of Roxycodone Abuse

A person with roxycodone addiction will show a variety of symptoms including, but not limited to:

What is the Difference Between Roxycodone and Oxycodone?

The active ingredient in roxycodone is called oxycodone and it acts as the opioid component that makes the drug effective as a painkiller. Oxycodone is synthesized from thebaine, an opioid alkaloid found in the Persian poppy and opioid poppy.

Roxycodone is simply one of the many available forms of oxycodone which is also found in other commonly abused painkillers such as oxycontin. However, oxycontin is a controlled-release type of oxycodone which means it provides sustained relief over a longer period of time. On the other hand, roxycodone is an immediate release oxycodone and gives the user a more sudden rush of pleasure.

This intense and immediate high can make the drug more addictive for abusers because they will crave the experience again when it ends.

What is Roxycodone’s Street Value?

Prescription drugs like roxycodone are usually prescribed for medical reasons and some abusers may find ways to obtain them from a doctor. However, painkillers are also frequently bought and sold on the street if they become difficult to obtain through a prescription.

The street value of it can vary from city to city depending on the level of demand in that particular area. The price of roxy may range anywhere from $10 or $20 to even as much as $40 for a thirty milligram pill. The street value of a drug tends to increase when prescriptions are hard to obtain and doctors are hesitant to provide the medication for fear of misuse.

Addicts who buy the pills on the street may abuse the drug by crushing up the pills for snorting, smoking or even shooting up intravenously.

What are the Effects of Roxycodone 30?

Roxycodone is typically prescribed in a few different doses starting from 5mg, 15mg or 30 mg depending on the severity of the patient’s pain. The dosage indicates how much oxycodone is administered in the tablet along with the other inactive ingredients.

Roxycodone works to immediately dull pain in the body but for abusers without physical pain it can also produce intensely positive feelings and rewarding sensations such as extreme relaxation, reduced anxiety and euphoria.

Abusing the drug with a 30 mg dose can be dangerous especially when using methods that accelerate the absorption of the drug such as snorting or shooting it which can lead to overdose. It can also have a number of unwanted side effects especially when going through withdrawal from the drug.

Are Roxycodone Withdrawals Dangerous?

Roxycodone withdrawal is not easy. It can lead to the development of mental disorders if not undertaken with sincerity. Significantly reducing or stopping oxycodone use can trigger the onset of several physical and psychological symptoms. The following can be triggered:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Sweating
• Shaking
• Increased heart rate
• Muscle aches

It can also cause mental and emotional distress including depression, anxiety and extreme mood changes. Withdrawal symptoms usually begin within 4 to 6 hours after the last use of the drug and can continue for several days. Symptoms tend to resolve completely within 7 to 10 days.

Quitting or weaning off of a drug like roxycodone can be difficult and even dangerous to go through alone. It is important to find professional help if you are addicted to roxycodone.

Conclusion:

Roxycodone is a potent drug when it comes to pain relief in extreme conditions. But the fact that it is an opioid makes it very risky. It is a drug that should neither be started nor suddenly stopped without guidance from a doctor.