Roxicet is the brand name for a medicine that combines oxycodone, an opiate, and acetaminophen, a pain reliever and fever reducer. Roxicet is prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain, particularly chronic or ongoing pain from cancer, surgery, or illness. It is most often available in the form of a pill or ingestible liquid.
Abuse of prescription drugs, like Roxicet, is more common than you’d think thanks to easy access and high potential for addiction. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2011, about 52 million Americans over the age of 12 have used prescription drugs in a non-medical capacity at some point in life. In 2010, 8.76 million Americans abused prescription drugs. About 5.1 million of those people abused painkillers.
Symptoms of Roxicet Addiction
The Symptoms of Roxicet Addiction
Drug addiction works at a chemical level to force you to become dependent. Roxicet creates a flood of dopamine, the chemical normally used in pleasure, motivation, movement, and reward. Constantly flooding your body with dopamine from regular Roxicet doses causes your brain to adjust its dopamine production. This forces you to take more Roxicet to replenish dopamine supplies and also feel a sense of reward.
Common symptoms of Roxicet addiction include:
Using Roxicet to attain a high instead of for its intended prescription; Taking more Roxicet than is prescribed; Neglecting responsibilities to use Roxicet; Sudden problems at home, work, or school caused by Roxicet use; Legal or financial problems from using Roxicet; Taking Roxicet even though it is knowingly causes problems in your life
Roxicet Withdrawal Symptoms
Restlessness; Watery eyes; Nausea; Sweating; Runny nose; Flu-like symptoms; Aches and pains in muscles, joints, and bones
Effects of Roxicet Use
The Effects of Roxicet
As an opiate, Roxicet acts on the brain to change how the body feels and respond to pain. This is beneficial to those suffering ongoing pain, but it also comes with a variety of side effects. The main effect is a feeling of euphoria coupled with an intense calm and relaxation.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
Dangers of Roxicet Use
Roxicet contains oxycodone, a powerful narcotic that has a high potential for addiction. Addiction damages your brain chemicals and personal health, but it has an even greater impact on your behaviors. You may find yourself lashing out, saying hurtful things, or behaving recklessly without any control for your own actions. This can ruin relationships with friends and family and hurt education and career opportunities.
Some users may also be allergic to Roxicet and exhibit a reaction that may include rashes, breathing problems, severe dizziness, and itching and swelling in the tongue, throat, lips, or face.
Acetaminophen can also cause damage to the liver and can cause acute liver failure when taken in high doses. This may be exacerbated if you drink while taking Roxicet or combine Roxicet with Tylenol or other over-the-counter drugs containing acetaminophen.
Complications of Roxicet Use
- Mood swings
- Severe stomach or abdominal pains
- Urinating difficulties
- Seizures
- Fainting
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Difficulties getting out of bed
- Unusual drowsiness
Medical Intervention for Roxicet Addiction
Medical Intervention
Tackling any sort of addiction can feel intimidating, but medical intervention that combines medication with counseling and therapy can be highly effective for recovery. Medication brings your brain chemicals back to normal levels and can help ease cravings and withdrawals.
For opiates like Roxicet, your doctor may prescribe an opioid antagonist. These work by binding to the opiate receptors in your body, thereby blocking the effects of opiates. Some common opioid antagonists used in addiction treatment include:
- Methadone
- Subutex
- Suboxone
- Naltroxone
- Buprenorphine
RECOVERING FROM ROXICET ADDICTION
The Road to Recovery
Detox is required and often leads directly into longer rehabilitation programs. These programs usually last anywhere from 30 to 90 days and provide you with therapy, counseling, and education to target the root of your addiction and ensure long-term sobriety. Without completing a comprehensive detox program patients put themselves at risk for relapsing during independent withdrawal. By detoxing in a supportive environment with trained professionals you set yourself up for success on the road to recovery.
Find the Right Roxicet Detox Center for You
Georgia Drug Detox is here to help you find an inpatient detox center to assist you on the road to recovery. If you have any questions about insurance, treatment options, or the general process, please feel free to contact us. When you’re ready, call us at (678) 771-6411 to begin the admission process today.