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Depressants- Narcotic/Opiates:
Short-Term Effects
“The eyes are the camera to the body”
Pinpoint pupils
Dark circles under the eyes
Eyelids droopy
Eyes roll back in a strange movement
“In the nod” Nodding (chin on chest, sleepy, slow to respond)
Constipation
Dizziness
Dry-mouth
Headache
Weakness
Loss of Appetite
Weight Loss
Euphoria (strange behavior, extremely happy for no apparent reason)
Itching up and down arms and facial
Frequent blank stares
Other Side-Effects You May Notice
In and out of the bathroom frequently
Up all night, sleeps all day
High truancy rate or can't seem to hold down a job
Secretive phone calls/unfamiliar numbers in cell phone address book
Missing money, jewelry, tools, etc. (Items are usually sold at local pawn shops.)
Dishonest, lies often (typical addiction characteristic)
Withdrawal from friends (prefers to be alone in own world)
LONG-Term Effects:
As with most opiates, oxycodone abuse may lead to dependence and tolerance. Acute overdose of oxycodone can produce severe respiratory depression, skeletal muscle flaccidity, cold and clammy skin, reduction in blood pressure and heart rate, coma, respiratory arrest, and death.
Chronic use of opioids can result in tolerance for the drugs, which means that users must take higher doses to achieve the same initial effects. Long-term use also can lead to physical dependence and addiction -- the body adapts to the presence of the drug, and withdrawal symptoms occur if use is reduced or stopped.
Signs and Symptoms of OxyContin Abuse:
How can you tell if someone is using OxyContin? One or more of the following warning sign may indicate that a person is using OxyContin. However, they may also indicate problems other than use of drugs.
Behavioral signs: Changes in overall attitude/personality; decrease in motivation level; loss of interest in activities, social groups, or hobbies.
Physical signs and symptoms: Sleeping at unusual times; sweating; vomiting; coughing and sniffling; twitching; loss of appetite; sluggish or absent response of constricted pupils to light.
Environmental signs: Missing medication or unaccounted for medications. Frequent visits to multiple doctors, or making prescription drug purchases online.
Opioids: Side effects of withdrawal of opioids, such as heroin, morphine, oxycodone or codeine, can range from relatively minor to severe. On the minor end, they may include runny nose, sweating, yawning, feeling anxiety and craving the drug. Severe reactions can include sleeplessness, depression, dilated pupils, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, high blood pressure, abdominal cramps, tremors, bone and muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Doctors may substitute a synthetic opiate, such as methadone, to reduce the craving for heroin and to gently ease people away from heroin. The most recently approved medication to ease withdrawal from opiates is buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex). Buprenorphine is a milder opioid that was approved in the United States to manage cravings in individuals who decide to stop using stronger opiates. This drug is the first narcotic medication used for the treatment of addiction that may be prescribed in a doctor's office rather than a treatment center. Mayo Clinic
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