Snorting OxyContin | Effects, Dangers, & Treatment

Snorting OxyContin can cause health problems such as nosebleeds, impairment, and overdose. Long-term abuse of OxyContin can lead to a substance use disorder and withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using.

OxyContin is a prescription opioid analgesic that can treat severe pain. Its generic name is oxycodone hydrochloride. OxyContin is a Schedule II controlled substance with a high potential for substance abuse.

If you or a loved one are suffering from prescription drug abuse, you may benefit from an inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment program, where you can receive treatment from trained healthcare providers in a safe environment.

Snorting Oxycodone To Get High

Snorting oxycodone tablets may involve crushing the tablets into a fine powder and snorting the crushed OxyContin powder through a straw. 

Snorting oxycodone allows the drug to enter the body faster, while its effects may be more intense. This form of drug abuse may be done to get high on the sedative effects of OxyContin.

Snorting oxycodone is not an approved form of drug use. Engaging in oxycodone abuse to get high can have euphoric short-term effects with a high risk to your overall health.

Effects Of Snorting OxyContin

Snorting OxyContin can cause a rush of euphoria and analgesia (pain relief). It can also cause side effects such as:

• sedation
• drowsiness
• constipation
• impairment
• low blood pressure

These effects can occur due to oxycodone binding to opioid receptors in your central nervous system (CNS).

Dangers Of Snorting OxyContin

The positive effects of snorting oxycodone may not outweigh the negative health effects you may experience over time.

Physical Health Problems

Intranasal oxycodone use can place high stress on your nasal passages and mucus membranes. Over time, you may experience damage to your nose in the form of frequent nosebleeds, sinus infections, a decreased sense of smell, and a collapsed septum.

Repairing nasal damage caused by snorting drugs may involve costly surgery. In some cases, the damage may be irreparable.

Oxycodone Overdose

Your risk of overdose when snorting oxycodone may be higher compared to taking the drug as directed, because snorting oxycodone can bring high doses into the body faster than taking it by mouth.

An OxyContin overdose can cause severe respiratory depression, or trouble breathing. This condition can be life-threatening.

Signs of an opioid overdose in yourself or a loved one may include a loss of consciousness, shallow breathing, and gurgling noises. An oxycodone overdose can be reversed with naloxone, which can be administered by non-medical professionals.

Substance Use Disorder

Long-term opioid abuse can lead to a substance use disorder, a mental health condition where you cannot stop taking OxyContin despite worsening health. 

Substance use disorders may include physical dependence, where your body cannot function without OxyContin in your system, and withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit.

A substance use disorder can be treated at a dedicated addiction treatment center in Ohio. These centers may offer treatment options for OxyContin addiction such as opioid detox, behavioral health services, and medication-assisted treatment with methadone or buprenorphine.

To see if our inpatient opioid addiction treatment program works for you and your loved one, please contact us today.