Snorting Oxycodone – Opioid Dependence - North Jersey Recovery Center - a pile of crushed oxy pills sits next to a bottle on its side with pills spilled out.

Can You Snort Oxycodone?

Snorting Oxycodone is a dangerous practice that often leads to opioid dependence. Users perform this dangerous practice by first crushing their Oxycodone pills. They do this because snorting the drug speeds up its effect on the central nervous system. While the high is more intense than it would be after swallowing a pill, there is also an increased risk of overdose. Snorting Percocet is a common practice, particularly among younger drug users. In any of its forms, snorting Oxycodone is never a good idea. If you are facing an addiction to Oxycodone, we can help.  

What is Oxycodone Normally Used for?

Oxycodone is a powerful prescription opiate that, when medically administered, is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It is an active ingredient in several prescription drugs, including OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, and Tylox.

Oxycodone is more often referred to as one of its street names, like Roxy. Many young drug users refer to this type of Oxycodone abuse as snorting Roxy. Other street names for Oxycodone include Perc, Oxy, Ox, and Hillbilly Heroin.

When taken appropriately, Oxycodone can ease chronic pains and improve the quality of life for patients with cancer, arthritis, or severe injuries.

Illicit use of Oxycodone

But it is much more frequently used in illicit settings. And its euphoric effects can be addicting, especially when abused. It is easy to build a chemical dependence on Oxycodone. Snorting the substance only increases its risks. And when taken this way, its effects are similar to those of heroin. Oxycodone is a schedule II drug, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. While it has some approved medical uses, it carries a high risk of abuse and addiction.

Snorting Oxycodone – Opioid Dependence - North Jersey Recovery Center - A bottle sits on its side with pills spilled out.

What Other Ways Can You Take Oxycodone?

Prescription painkiller misuse is the second most common form of illicit drug use in the United States. Snorting Oxycodone is one of the most dangerous ways to misuse this particular opioid.

Percocet is often the drug of choice. Snorting it allows it to pass through the lining in your nose and right into your bloodstream. It ensures that most of the drug starts to circulate through your system almost immediately.

Prescriptions for Oxycodone usually dictate swallowing the pill. This method is less dangerous and less likely to lead to addiction or overdose. Snorting Oxycodone is the most common abuse method.

Other users might mix Oxycodone with water to inject it or chew the pills to get them to kick in faster.

The Opioid Epidemic

Since the 1990s, prescription pain relievers and illicit opioids have turned the abuse of opioids into an epidemic. This epidemic has occurred in waves.

In the 1990s, before many medical professionals knew the true dangers of these pain relievers, opioids were prescribed in record-high numbers. Some experts suggest that we are still facing the impact of this unwise decision.

However, others point to the second wave of the opioid epidemic. In 2010, our focus shifted to the alarming rise in heroin-related deaths. Drug-induced overdoses related to both heroin and prescription painkillers were rising.

Studies revealed that up to 86% of respondents had used prescription opioids before trying heroin. And then, we saw what experts call the third wave of the opioid epidemic just a few short years later.

A drastic uptick drove this wave in deaths caused by potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The opioid epidemic is one of the most concerning modern health crises we have faced.

Opioid overdoses have impacted millions of American families over the last three decades. In 2018 alone, there were 46,802 opioid-related overdose deaths. Snorting Oxycodone heightens the risks associated with opioid abuse. But it does not have to be this way.

Side Effects of Snorting Oxycodone

Snorting Oxycodone is linked to a wide variety of troubling mental and physical health concerns. While the most pressing is the high correlation to overdose deaths, there are other complications to be aware of.

The short-term side effects of opioids include pain relief and feelings of relaxation and happiness. But other, more troubling side effects appear the longer you abuse opioids. Some of these harmful effects include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Euphoria
  • Slowed breathing

Slowed breathing due to opioid misuse can cause a condition called hypoxia. Hypoxia occurs when too little oxygen is reaching your brain.

The short and long-term psychological and neurological effects of this condition can be fatal. These effects can also include coma and permanent brain damage.

Snorting Oxycodone is not worth the risks that are associated with it. Choose a better way to live. We can help you get there.

Recovering from Snorting Oxycodone

Depending on your addiction level, withdrawal symptoms, and other individual factors, we will work with you to build a customized treatment plan. Our goal is to suit your individual needs, not recommend pre-planned treatment programs that we think will work for everyone. Each person and addiction is unique. We offer a wide variety of treatment settings and methods to reflect individuality. Inpatient and outpatient treatments are two of the most common. But we also offer intensive outpatient services, support group meetings, aftercare planning, and several other supplemental care settings.

What works best for one person may not necessarily work best for the next. We work with you to ensure that we provide the right types of care at the right times. We will not leave your recovery up to chance.

We will provide you with high-level, customized care throughout your recovery journey. If you are trying to stop snorting Oxycodone and fail, the solution may be right here at North Jersey Recovery Center.

A small group of men and woman sit in group therapy for Oxycodone and discuss ways to stay sober.

Insurance for Addiction Treatment

Many people who decide against seeking addiction treatments will cite the costs as the reason for their reluctance. But what many people do not know is that addiction health care is more affordable than you might think.

If you have health insurance, you may find that your treatments are partially or fully covered. Most major health insurance providers offer some extent of coverage.

If you are not sure of your plan coverage, please call our admissions specialist. They will review and confirm your coverage so that this step is out of the way. If you do not have insurance, ask about alternative payment options. Costs should not stand between you and a healthy, successful recovery. You deserve high-level, customized care, support, and guidance.  

Get Help With Opioid Addiction Treatment at North Jersey Recovery Center

If your goal this year has been to stop snorting Oxycodone, the dedicated experts at North Jersey Recovery Center can help. We provide high-quality drug and alcohol addiction treatment that works. We understand that addiction is a three-fold disease that affects you physically, spiritually, and mentally. And by addressing each dimension of addiction, we can provide you with holistic, unique, and effective care.

Whether you need round-the-clock care, weekly check-ins, or something in between, we have a program available for you. Help is right around the corner.

Contact us today for more information.