Oxycodone Addiction: Signs, Effects, and Treatment

Oxycodone is a prescription opioid used to treat pain, and like many other prescription opioids, is often misused for its euphoric and pain-relieving effects.¹ This particular prescription opioid is one of the most widely misused, with 12.6% of people prescribed oxycodone in 2023 misusing it for purposes ranging from using it to feel good, achieve a high, relieve tension, and address sleep issues.²

This article will provide in-depth information about several topics pertaining to oxycodone addiction and misuse, including what oxycodone is, what the signs of oxycodone addiction are, and what the potential risks of overdose may be.

What Is Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain, typically from injuries, surgery, cancer, and chronic pain.³ It is available in immediate-release capsules, extended-release tablets, and in liquid form, and it can be combined with other painkillers such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Percocet).¹ According to the CDC, prescription opioids like oxycodone were prescribed at a rate of 39.5 per every 100 persons in 2022.⁴

Oxycodone products are labeled as Schedule II controlled substances, meaning that they have valid medical uses, but also a high potential for misuse and dependence.^1,5 The misuse of a substance includes taking it in a dose or manner other than how it was prescribed to you, taking it for purposes of getting high, or taking someone else’s prescription.⁶

Chewing, crushing and snorting pills, dissolving them in water to inject them intravenously, or heating them and breathing in the vapors are common methods of misuse.¹ Oxycodone is often referred to by street names such as OC, Oxy, and Hillbilly Heroin.¹

Is Oxycodone Addictive?

Yes, oxycodone can be addictive, as it carries high potential for misuse.⁶ Over time, the misuse of oxycodone can lead to the development of opioid use disorder, the clinical term for opioid addiction.⁶ The addictive potential of this prescription opioid stems from how it interacts in the brain.

Opioids bind to receptors throughout the body and brain, leading to changes in how the body processes pain, releasing a flood of dopamine, which causes feelings of euphoria and relaxation. These pleasurable experiences reinforce the repeated use of oxycodone and may contribute to the development of an oxycodone addiction.^3,6

Addiction is a chronic condition that causes changes to how the brain works, leading to a compulsive need to use, impaired impulse control, and difficulty stopping even after experiencing negative outcomes due to misuse.^6,7

Signs of Oxycodone Addiction

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic, progressive disease that can affect you physically and mentally, and change your behavior. There are characteristic symptoms of an OUD that a medical or psychiatric professional can use to formally diagnose a person.

If you’ve experienced 2 or more of the following symptoms of an OUD in the past 12 months, consider reaching out to your healthcare provider for further guidance:⁸

1. Taking opioids in larger amounts or for longer periods of time than originally intended
2. Having a persistent desire to want to cut down or control opioid use, but being unsuccessful in doing so
3. Spending a great deal of time obtaining, using, and/or recovering from the effects of the opioid
4. Experiencing cravings for the opioid
5. Failing to fulfill responsibilities at work, home, or school due to opioid use
6. Using opioids despite having continued interpersonal problems that are caused or exacerbated by opioid use
7. Giving up or reducing important social, recreational, or occupational activities because of opioid use
8. Continually using opioids in situations that are physically hazardous
9. Continually using opioids despite knowing that it causes or exacerbates a physical or psychological health problem.
10. Tolerance, as defined by a need for increased amounts of opioids to achieve the same effects*
11. Withdrawal, which manifests with the onset of withdrawal symptoms when unable to use*

*The criterion in numbers 10 and 11 are not considered to be met when a person is taking prescription opioids while under appropriate medical supervision.⁸

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Health Effects & Risks of Oxycodone Use

The possible health effects of oxycodone misuse can be painful and potentially dangerous. While it is commonly misused to experience happiness, relaxation, or even pain relief, oxycodone can also produce negative health effects, including:

• Confusion.³
• Constipation.¹
• Nausea.³
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy.¹⁰
• Headaches.¹⁰
• Itchiness.¹⁰
• Sleepiness.¹
• Slowed or stopped breathing.¹
• Vomiting.¹⁰

Oxycodone Withdrawal

Dependence is a physiological adaptation of the body to a substance, wherein the body becomes so used to the drug being present in the system that when the individual cuts back on their use or quits, withdrawal symptoms emerge. In other words, a person feels like they need this drug to feel and function normally. With significant levels of physiological dependence, a person may continue to compulsively drink or use drugs to avoid unwanted withdrawal symptoms.⁶

If you stop using oxycodone when you are dependent, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms occur.³

There can be potentially dangerous complications associated with opioid withdrawal, so medically supervised withdrawal is recommended to identify these issues early and address them.¹⁴ Opioid withdrawal generally begins within 6 to 12 hours of last use, with symptoms peaking within 3 days and slowly improving over the course of a week.⁸

Oxycodone Withdrawal Symptoms

The withdrawal symptoms a person experiences when they stop their prescription opioid use can vary, however some of the most common symptoms include:^6,9

• Chills.
• Muscle and bone pain.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Sleep problems (such as insomnia).
• Cravings.
• Restlessness.

Oxycodone Overdose

If you think someone may be overdosing on opioids, call 911 immediately. 

An opioid overdose, such as one that can occur with oxycodone, is when a person takes enough of a substance to cause symptoms that may be fatal.^6,12 Across the United States, prescription opioid overdose remains an ongoing issue, with a reported 14,716 Americans dying of this type of overdose in 2022.¹⁵

Opioids suppress breathing, and an oxycodone overdose typically causes the breathing to slow to dangerous levels or stop completely.^6,13 When this happens, the brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen, which can cause permanent brain damage, coma, and even death.^6,13

Common signs of an overdose on prescription opioids include, but are not limited to, the following:¹

• Dilated pupils
• Depressed breathing
• Decreased level of consciousness
• Skin that is clammy, cold, pale, or blue
• Slowed heart rate

Risk Factors for Oxycodone Overdose

An oxycodone overdose can happen to anyone, but some risk factors can make an overdose more likely. These factors play a role in how strongly oxycodone affects you. Common risk factors for prescription opioid overdose include:

• Being over 65 years of age.¹⁶
• Combining opioids with other drugs or medications, especially depressants.^13,16,17
• Getting illicit oxycodone pills, which may include other substances.¹⁷
• Having one or more mental health disorders.¹³
• History of overdose.¹⁷
• Injecting opioids.¹³
• Misusing opioids or having an OUD.^9,13
• Some types of medical conditions, including HIV, kidney problems, liver disease, or respiratory problems.^13,16
• Taking high doses, especially if they are not prescribed.^13,16
• Using after a period of abstinence where tolerance has decreased.^13,17

Treating Oxycodone Overdose

If you suspect that someone might be having an overdose, there are some steps you can take to help. The first thing you should do is to call 911 immediately, and request medical attention.⁶

Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist medication that binds to opioid receptors to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and block opioids from having an effect. In other words, administering naloxone to someone with opioids in their system will put them into opioid withdrawal.^3,6 This medication can often be obtained through local pharmacies, although this can vary depending on your state, and is available as a nasal spray or an injection.^3,6

Even if you administer naloxone, it is still important to get medical help, since the effects of naloxone can wear off before the effects of the opioid.¹⁸

After you have called 911 and administered naloxone, try to keep the person conscious and breathing.^12,16 If the person is unconscious, turn them so that they are laying on their side to keep their airway clear.^12,16 Finally, stay with the person until paramedics get there.^12,16

Oxycodone Addiction Treatment

Although opioid use disorder itself is incurable, signs and symptoms can be treated effectively and as a result, the individual can live a healthy and meaningful life. Treatment should ideally be individualized for your unique needs, addressing all the ways in which addiction has affected your life, including physically, mentally, socially, legally, financially, and professionally.⁷

This is often done by using a combination of behavioral therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, community reinforcement, and family behavior therapy), medication, and other treatment interventions.^3,7

Available types of addiction treatment include:⁷

• Medical detox, where you go through withdrawal in a supervised setting.
• Inpatient addiction treatment, where you stay at a facility for intensive treatment.
• Outpatient addiction treatment, where you attend scheduled appointments regularly while living at home.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)

Medications are often used as part of the treatment process. Methadone or buprenorphine can be used to manage or ease symptoms of withdrawal during the detox process and can also be used as long-term maintenance to help with cravings and urges.³

Get Help for Oxycodone Addiction

If you or a loved one are struggling with oxycodone addiction, American Addiction Centers (AAC) is here to help. Call one of our caring admissions navigators at to learn about treatment options and check your insurance at our facilities. Recovery is possible and we’re here to support you on your journey.