ReVIDA Recovery Offers Guide on Oxycodone Overdose

ReVIDA® Recovery Newport, an addiction treatment facility in Newport, TN, has released a blog post that provides a guide on oxycodone overdose. Oxycodone (OxyContin®) is a potent opioid that is used as a painkiller. It is usually prescribed by doctors for pain after surgery or for patients who are managing extreme pain that can’t be remedied by the usual over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen. Unfortunately, this medication also comes with a high risk of dependency.

When taken recreationally, oxycodone allows a person to feel relaxed, euphoric, and anxiety-free. This encourages people to take it in large amounts, which may then result in dependence. The problem is that the effects they are looking for diminish as the body develops a tolerance for the drug. Oxycodone users tend to increase the amount they take to achieve the effects they are looking for, and this may ultimately result in an opioid overdose.

Oxycodone is typically available in pill form, with the tablets coming in many colors, such as yellow, pink, gray, white, brown, green, or red. They are always in the form of round tablets and they are taken orally or crushed, mixed with water, and injected into the bloodstream. The powder may also be snorted by those who take oxycodone recreationally.

Meanwhile, when a person overdoses on oxycodone, the reaction of the body is to shut down. This is an opioid, and opioids bind to receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract, which means there are many areas of the body that may get damaged, malfunction, or cause pain. Some of the symptoms of oxycodone overdose are tiny pupils; nausea or vomiting; constipation; drowsiness; coma; seizures; low blood pressure; weak or thready pulse; difficulty breathing; shallow breathing; slow breathing; and blue fingernails, lips, or eyelids.

The most common cause of an oxycodone overdose is taking too much of it. Frequently, when a person takes oxycodone recreationally or outside the instructions of a physician, they are opening themselves up to the possibility of an overdose. For those who are taking oxycodone on a prescription, they may sometimes forget they have already taken the prescribed dose and then take more, which may lead to an overdose. And because oxycodone is a depressant, taking other depressants while also taking oxycodone can also lead to an overdose. Taking alcohol with oxycodone is also dangerous and can slow the respiratory rate to dangerous levels.

There is also the danger of long-term effects of a non-fatal opioid overdose, which may occasionally lead to long-term mental health problems. A recent study submitted by RTI International revealed that during an opioid overdose, the brain is exposed to hypoxia, which is a lack of oxygen that can result in long-term damage to the brain or liver. It may also result in long-term hypotension, which may result in fatigue, fainting, difficulty concentrating, and more.

Those who happen to witness an overdose are encouraged to call 911. It should be noted that under Tennessee law, an individual who asks for medical assistance for a person believed to be experiencing a drug overdose will not be charged for any drug violations. This means that even if that person has been using recreational drugs, they will not get arrested, charged, or prosecuted for having drugs in their system or in their possession. ReVIDA® Recovery wants to remind people that they offer treatment programs for oxycodone use disorder.

Founded in 2018, ReVIDA® Recovery is a comprehensive behavioral healthcare service provider that integrates medication-assisted treatment (MAT) into the treatment they provide for opioid use disorder. They want to empower every patient and help them to recover from their addiction. The ReVIDA® team offers guidance to the recovering patient to get on the road to recovery and regain their former quality of life. They always make it their top priority to assist patients with their goals and health.

Those who would like to know more about addiction treatment services and various information about addiction, such as oxycodone overdose, can visit the ReVIDA® Recovery Newport website or call them at 423-556-8868.