Oxycodone Addiction Symptoms
Written by: THE BALANCE
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Boss, MD
Last updated: May 8, 2026
Fact checked
Quick Summary
  • Oxycodone is often prescribed for moderate or severe pain.  It is a powerful opioid pain killer, but also easily addictive and commonly abused.
  • is oxycodone, with more than 200,000 people addicted to it, in 2023 nearly 8.6 million Americans 12 and older reported misusing prescription opioids in the past year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [1].
  • Let's learn more about oxycodone addiction symptoms and management in the upcoming sections.
Reading time: 11 min

Oxycodone is often prescribed for moderate or severe pain.  It is a powerful opioid pain killer, but also easily addictive and commonly abused.

One of the most addictive prescription painkillers in the U.S. is oxycodone, with more than 200,000 people addicted to it, in 2023 nearly 8.6 million Americans 12 and older reported misusing prescription opioids in the past year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [1].

Let’s learn more about oxycodone addiction symptoms and management in the upcoming sections.

Substance use disorder is defined as the use of an illicit or prescription drug other than as instructed by medical, social, or legal standards. Doctor-prescribed medication abuse is taking doctor-prescribed medication for any reason other than what the doctor wrote it for. In the United States, pointers of prescription οpiοid misuse and mismanagement rose at an upsetting rate in the early 2000s and mid-2010s. Since 2012, illicit opioid overdose frequency has risen as the frequency of prescription opioid overdose plateaued and declined.

People who have a history of substance abuse or addiction; mental health problems; or who are on the drug for a long time are more likely to develop oxycodone addiction. You also have a higher risk of addiction if you’re taking a large dose of oxycodone or if you’re taking it with other substances, like benzodiazepines or alcohol. [1]

As well as, healthcare suppliers, policymakers, and the general public should correctly deal with prevention and oxycodone addiction therapy. To solve this problem, we can put in place a policy that addresses the overprescription of oxycodone, increases addicts’ access to treatment, andeducatese individuals about the dangers of developing an oxycodone dependency.

Medications and behavior therapy are being devised and innovated by scientists as new management protocols for oxycodone addiction. In addition, the symptoms of withdrawal and cravings can be helped by medications such as buprenorphine and methadone, and behavioral therapies – including cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT] and contingency management – can help patients learn new and more positive ways of thinking and behaving.

Addiction and overdose of oxycodone are hazardous to the physical and mental health of a person, the relationships, and the well-being of the person. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [1], report that oxycodone is among the most prescribed but most commonly abused prescription drugs and its abuse can lead to overdose, death, and other systemic problems.

One of the biggest dangers of oxycodone addiction is the chance of overdose. At least 130 people die in the United States every day from an opioid overdose, as estimated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA, 2020] including many from oxycodone. According to the CDC, between 1999 and 2018, overdose deaths involving oxycodone grew by 500 percent – from 1,142 to 6,314 [1].

In addition to physical problems, oxycodone addiction can produce mental health problems like depression and anxiety. Individuals with an oxycodone addiction are more likely to have depression and anxiety as compared to people without oxycodone addiction [2]. Another study found that subjects with oxycodone addiction were more likely than nonaddicted subjects to score positive for suicidal thoughts and behaviors [3]. [2]

Besides these risks, oxycodone addiction also results in other physical health problems such as respiratory depression, seizures, and cardiac arrest. In 2018, there were approximately 1.4 million emergency department visits related to opioid misuse according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [4].

Additionally, oxycodone addiction is burdening our economy. In 2015, the total economic burden of opioid addiction including oxycodone was over $500 billion in 2015 [5]. Another study estimated the cost of addiction to oxycodone at $10,000 or higher per person each year [6].

Prevention and treatment options for oxycodone addiction need to be effective because oxycodone addiction is dangerous. Right now, we need to make treatment for addiction accessible to all, set policies in place to curb the overprescription of oxycodone and educate the general public about the long-term health risks of addiction to oxycodone.

Oxycodone treatment involves withdrawal from physical dependence on the drug which is often difficult and unpleasant. Withdrawal can begin in a person who stops or significantly cuts down on the amount of the medication they take [7]. (source: MedlinePlus, 2024)

Withdrawal from oxycodone usually occurs within 8 to 12 hours after the last dose and may last days or weeks. The symptoms of withdrawal can vary in severity and may include:

1. Nausea and vomiting: These symptoms stay for long, sometimes many weeks, and can be severe leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance [8].

2. Diarrhea: It is short-term, very uncomfortable, and may lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances [8]. 

3. Abdominal cramps: Symptoms are severe enough to cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance [8]. 

4. Headaches: Severe headaches with sensitivity to light and sound, [8].  [4]

5. Muscle and bone pain: However, these can be very severe and usually come with restlessness and anxiety [8]. 

6. Restlessness and anxiety: Occasionally with irritability and mood changes [8].

7. Insomnia: This can cause fatigue and lower cognitive function [8].

The intensity of the withdrawal symptoms will often depend on a couple of factors like how much oxycodone someone uses, how long they’ve been using it, how healthy the individual is overall, and any other health problems [or other types of drugs or medication use]. [5]

The symptoms of withdrawal can be managed and the risk of complications is reduced by the use of medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and clonidine [9]. Behavioral therapies in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT] and contingency management can also be successful at helping to control symptoms of withdrawal and assisting with a long-term recovery [9].

Oxycodone addiction can be treated with medications. Medications are used to help a person stop craving and avoid relapse and they also reduce withdrawal symptoms [9]. There are several medications available to treat oxycodone addiction, including: 

1. Methadone: Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist that will reduce withdrawal symptoms and craving effects [8]. It is given in a clinical setting, as a liquid, or as a tablet. 

2. Buprenorphine: A partial opioid agonist, buprenorphine can eliminate or reduce withdrawal symptoms or lessen cravings [10].

3. Naltrexone: An opioid antagonist, naltrexone, can block the effects of oxycodone, and help prevent relapse [11]. Naltrexone is usually given in a clinical setting and is available in several formulations, including tablet form and injectable form. [6]

4. Clonidine: An alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, clonidine, has been shown to reduce symptoms of withdrawal, for example, anxiety and agitation [12]. Clonidine is available in a number of formulations and is usually given in a clinical setting, but may be dispensed as a tablet or transdermal patch.

They may be used alone or with other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT] and contingency management, that encourage long-term recovery [9].

Several studies have shown that medications are effective for oxycodone addiction. For instance, in the article from the Cochrane database [13], it was reported that methadone and buprenorphine helped people with oxycodone addiction avoid their withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Another study showed naltrexone is effective for those with oxycodone or morphine addiction [11].

As with any other drugs, medications for the treatment of oxycodone addiction should be used only under the supervision of a doctor and as part of an overall treatment plan. In addition, medications can have side effects, and people should be watched closely for any adverse reactions. [7]

The National Institute on Drug Abuse [9] states that therapies can be useful for people working to avoid relapse and recover from opiate dependence caused by oxycodone abuse. There are several therapies available to manage oxycodone addiction, including: 

1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy [CBT]: CBT is a therapy that equips the person mentally to identify and change negative thinking and behavior associated with the addiction [15]. People who have an oxycodone addiction can use CBT to reduce cravings and stop relapses [16]. 

2. Contingency Management [CM]: Therapy that involves giving and reinforcing rewards or incentives for doing things that you have been conditioned to say, do, or not do is known as CM [17]. However, the individuals with oxycodone addiction who follow CM have increased treatment retention and reduced substance use. 

3. Motivational Interviewing [MI]: MI has been shown to help resolve uncertainty and to boost motivation to change behavior [18]. MI without rigorous evidence yet can increase treatment engagement and reduce oxycodone use in those with oxycodone addiction [19]. 

4. Family Therapy: Family therapy is a therapy that includes the individual’s family members in the treatment process [20]. In particular, Rowe and Liddle [21] suggest that family therapy improves treatment outcomes and substance use in those with oxycodone addiction.  (source: WHO, 2023)

5. Group Therapy: Therapy that occurs in a group is known as group therapy, where a group of people with similar problems [here for instance oxycodone addiction] meet at the same time [22]. Group therapy decreases substance use and treatment outcomes in those with oxycodone addiction [23].

These therapies may be used alone or in combination with methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone to help people achieve long-term recovery [9].

Several studies have shown that therapies for oxycodone addiction are effective. According to a study, for instance, CBT and CM could decrease cravings and forestall other signs of oxycodone addiction [16]. Another study indicated that MI did increase treatment engagement and opioid use in those with oxycodone addiction [19].

Oxycodone addiction therapies can be delivered in an outpatient clinic, inpatient rehabilitation center, or residential treatment program. Whether the setting suits the individual’s specific needs and varying circumstances or the depth of the individual’s addiction, determines the decision about the setting. [9]

Outpatient clinics provide individual and group therapy sessions, and management of medication. Higher intensive care is available at inpatient rehabilitation centers; you are under 24/7 supervised support.  The residential treatment programs are not only for people to recover from this disease, but happen in a structured and supporting environment.

Other than routine therapies, alternative ways to control oxycodone addiction include acupuncture, yoga, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.  These can help people deal with stress and anxiety, get their moods up, and lower their oxycodone cravings.

Oxycodone addiction therapies must be individualized to the individual and his/her needs, s and circumstances.  If you have the help of a healthcare professional, they will help you decide what treatment you will follow and also help and guide you through the recovery period.

Recovering from Oxycodone addiction will be a long haul, and will require commitment, dedication, and support.  We can promise you that if you are suffering from the disease of addiction with the right treatment and support, you can, and will overcome it, and live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

FAQS

Can Oxycodone Addiction Damage A Person’s Relationships With Their Loved Ones?
Indeed, oxycodone addiction can ruin all sorts of relationships with your loved ones. The addiction may act to isolate the person from others, and if it progresses, cause relationships with family and friends to become strained. It may also involve secretive behavior on their part – hiding their medication or lying about their use— which can destroy a relationship by trust tampering.
What Does Oxycodone Addiction Do To The Brain's Reward System?
The brain’s reward system is hijacked and overwhelmed with large amounts of dopamine [the neurotransmitter that causes the feeling and reception of pleasure], which causes the brain’s patterns to become dysfunctional. Repeated use of oxycodone over time can lead to long-term changes in the brain’s reward system (such as changes in levels of dopamine) making it harder for the individual to find pleasure from things like social interaction or hobbies. The development of addiction would help and detox would be harder to recover from.
Can Oxycodone Addiction Lead To Other Mental Health Disorders?
It’s also possible to develop other mental health problems including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] due to oxycodone addiction. Use of oxycodone repeatedly can change your brain chemistry, and how your brain works and may contribute to these disorders. Another risk factor is the stress and trauma of being addicted, which can also increase your risk of other mental health problems.
What Physical Harm Does Oxycodone Addiction Do To The Body?
Physical health effects of oxycodone addiction include liver, kidney, and cardiovascular damage. Oxycodone aids used in the long term, can cause constipation, has an effect on pregnant women and the fetus, can also affect your hormonal balance, and causes respiratory depression. Additionally, oxycodone addiction may make people more likely to become sick or catch an infection because of a weakened immune system.

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