Neurotransmitters, Pain, and Opioids
Oxycodone is a member of the opiate drug class and, as is the case with all opioid drugs, interferes with the way that neurotransmitters respond to pain.
There are two main agents that control pain as a natural function of a healthy body:
Endorphins and enkephalins are natural chemicals that the body creates and releases into the bloodstream that have a powerful ability to kill the sensation of pain. These natural chemicals can block pain so thoroughly, that should a severe injury occur, the victim may be absent of pain for a period of time. Natural hormones can produce a sense of euphoria, which can be moderately addictive. For instance, a person may become chemically addicted to the rush of strenuous exercise, or the rush of endorphins that can accompany compulsive behaviors, such as “cutting” and gambling.
4 The exact mechanisms of how opiates provide pain relief are not completely understood, but the depression on respiratory effects have been traced to suppression of activity in the brain stem.10
When the body is exposed to synthetic analogs, such as oxycodone, the body responds by stopping the production of these natural chemicals. This creates a pain control deficit — a major factor in the extremely painful withdrawal symptoms that occur when quitting a drug like oxycodone.
What Is Oxycodone Used For?
Oxycodone is used to control pain ranging from moderate to severe. Many compound drugs contain oxycodone, sometimes compounded with other analgesics, such as Vicodin and Percocet. Oxycontin is an extended-release form of oxycodone. Uses for these various medications have expanded to include certain “off-label” uses, such as Fibromyalgia, and treating mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.5
Veterans returning from active duty are often at high risk for TBI (traumatic brain injury), chronic pain, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Despite clinical guidelines advising to the contrary, a study published by NIMH showed that veterans with chronic pain, TBI, and PTSD were at a significantly higher risk of being prescribed opioids.6
Common with PTSD, patients will have been subjected to a threat, usually repetitive in nature, which acts as a continuing or repeating danger to survival. This constant threat strains the levels of endorphins and can cause a depletion of them. This is the engagement of a natural survival mechanism to increase the ability to perceive threats in the environment. This endorphin depletion may explain some of the chronic pain issues that often accompany PTSD, and also supports the caution that opioid treatment for this disorder may in fact worsen the condition, as stated by the aforementioned National Institute of Mental Health report.
Oxycodone Alternative Names and Slang
Oxycodone and drugs containing oxycodone have developed a significant street presence due to their addictive, euphoric effects. Some of the street or slang names include:
- Hillbilly heroin
- Blues
- Kickers
- Oxy
- OC
- Ox
- Oxycotton
- 40s or 80s (referring to the strength in mg)
- Killers
Oxycodone Side Effects
Oxycodone produces pain relief and a temporary sense of joy or euphoria. These effects make the drugs high risk for abuse when used as prescribed, or used recreationally. Most persons become addicted to opiates unintentionally.
Oxycodone side effects include:
- False or unusual joy or euphoria, mood swings, crying, despondency, irritation
- Drug cravings
- Dizziness, syncope, lightheaded feeling
- Fever, chills, cold sweats, perspiration, flushing
- Difficulty or labored breathing, tightness across the chest
- Lowered heart rate
- Mental fog, confusion, impaired thinking
- Pain in abdomen, chest, painful urination, headache, muscles
- Convulsion, shaking, trembling
- Swollen face, lips, tongue, hands, arms, legs and feet
- Numbness or tingling, rashes, hives, itching
- Cough, runny nose, flu-like symptoms
- Dry mouth, inability to swallow
- Tachycardia
- Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, sour stomach, hiccups
- Constipation (can be severe requiring medical intervention)
- Increased thirst
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Sunken eyes or facial features
- Miosis (pinpoint pupils)
- Tender painful lymph glands (neck, armpit, groin)
- Extreme fatigue, drowsiness, tiredness
Discontinuing/Quitting Oxycodone
Since synthetic opiates shut down the body’s ability to produce natural endorphins for pain control, quitting oxycodone reveals a state of deficiency in these chemicals, which results in not only physical pain but also elevated emotional distress and sensitivity. This state will last until the body can normalize its production of endorphins and enkephalins. Alternative to Meds Center’s oxycodone withdrawal program employs orthomolecular medicine as part of the protocols in recovery to assist in neurotransmitter rehabilitation.
Without assistance, the pain levels, both physical and emotional, can be quite severe and very difficult to bear. It is helpful to employ short-term bridge medications and deep tissue cleansing as well as therapeutic massage and other comfort therapies to ease these withdrawals for our clients at the center.
Fact Checked Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
If a person has normal and adequate levels of natural endorphins, this provides something of a buffer against emotional upheavals and pain. Without adequate endorphin production, a person may experience too much emotional or physical pain.
