The Dangers & Effects of Snorting/Smoking OxyContin

OxyContin, a prescription painkiller containing oxycodone, is often used to treat severe pain. While it can be helpful when taken as prescribed, many people misuse it by snorting or smoking the drug to get a faster, more intense high. These dangerous methods of using OxyContin can lead to serious health problems, addiction, and even death.

This page explains the effects, dangers, and long-term consequences of smoking or snorting OxyContin. It also shows you how to get effective, evidence-based treatment for opioid addiction [1].

What Is OxyContin (Oxycodone)?

OxyContin is a prescription medication used to treat severe pain [2]. Its main ingredient is oxycodone, a strong opioid that works by changing the way your brain and nervous system respond to pain. OxyContin is typically given to people dealing with long-term pain from surgeries, injuries, or chronic illnesses like cancer. 

OxyContin comes in an extended-release form, which means it is designed to slowly excrete oxycodone over time, providing pain relief that lasts for many hours. However, because of the euphoric high feeling it can create, OxyContin has become one of the most commonly misused prescription drugs. People sometimes take OxyContin in ways other than prescribed to feel the drug’s effects more quickly. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious risks, including addiction, overdose, and even death. 

Snorting Oxycodone

When someone misuses OxyContin by snorting it, they crush the pills into a fine powder and inhale it through their nose. This allows the drug to enter the bloodstream quicker, bypassing the slow-release mechanism designed to control how much oxycodone is released over time. Snorting OxyContin is dangerous because it floods the body with a large amount of the drug all at once, which can cause a powerful, immediate high. That said, this accelerated intake also increases the risks of overdose and other harmful effects.

Why Do People Snort Oxycodone?

Many people begin snorting Oxycodone because they’ve built up a tolerance to taking it orally [3]. This means that over time, they need more of the drug to feel the same effects. Snorting Oxycodone speeds up the drug’s impact on the body, giving people a stronger and faster high than swallowing the pill would. For some, this more intense effect becomes appealing as tolerance increases.

Beyond this, people may believe that snorting Oxycodone will help them avoid the slower onset of the drug when it is taken by mouth. Regrettably, this method often speeds up the development of addiction, and it increases the likelihood of harmful side effects and damage to the body.

What Happens If You Snort Oxycodone?

Snorting Oxycodone can cause immediate effects on the body. When the drug enters the nasal passages, it reaches the brain much quicker than if swallowed. This rapid entry produces a strong, euphoric high that can be highly addictive. However, snorting Oxycodone can also harm the nose and throat. Over time, it can cause damage to the nasal tissues, leading to chronic sinus problems, nosebleeds, and even holes in the nasal septum, which may require surgery to repair [4]. 

Additionally, because snorting bypasses the extended-release feature of OxyContin, it can cause a dangerous overdose. The body is not able to process the large amount of oxycodone that floods the system all at once, which can slow down breathing, lower blood pressure, and can even cause respiratory failure [5].

Effects of Snorting Oxycontin

The effects of snorting OxyContin are both physical and psychological. While some people may initially feel intense euphoria and relief from pain, these effects are short-lived and come at a high cost. Physically, snorting OxyContin can cause:

• Chronic nasal problems: Regular snorting can lead to persistent nosebleeds, infections, and damage to the nasal tissues.
• Respiratory issues: Oxycodone can suppress breathing, and snorting large amounts increases this risk, potentially leading to life-threatening breathing problems.
• Overdose risk: Since snorting delivers a powerful dose of the drug all at once, people are at higher risk of overdosing, which can cause unconsciousness, coma, or death.
• Addiction: The fast-acting high from snorting OxyContin can quickly lead to addiction, as the body and brain become dependent on the drug for relief or pleasure. 

The psychological effects of snorting OxyContin include cravings, mood swings, and compulsive drug-seeking behavior. Once addiction takes hold, it can be difficult to stop using without professional help. 

Can You Smoke Oxycodone?

People can smoke oxycodone, but it is dangerous. Smoking OxyContin or any drug containing oxycodone is a form of misuse and can cause serious harm to the body.

Smoking oxycodone delivers the drug quickly into the bloodstream through the lungs, causing a fast and intense high. This rapid effect increases the likelihood of overdose, addiction, and damage to the respiratory system. Oxycodone is not designed to be smoked, and the harmful chemicals released during smoking can lead to long-term health problems. Smoking oxycodone is just as risky as snorting it, if not more, and both methods can have life-threatening consequences. 

How Do People Smoke Oxycodone?

Smoking oxycodone typically involves using a method called chasing the dragon, which refers to heating the crushed pill on a piece of foil and inhaling the fumes.  

While this method may seem simple, it’s dangerous – smoking opioids is extremely unsafe. Smoking oxycodone bypasses the digestive system and delivers a large dose of the drug straight into the lungs, where it rapidly enters the bloodstream. This can cause immediate, strong effects but also places tremendous stress on the lungs, heart, and brain. The intense high that comes from smoking oxycodone often leads to addiction and increases the risk of overdose. 

Is Smoking Oxycodone the Same as Smoking Percocet?

Smoking oxycodone and smoking Percocet are very similar because both drugs contain oxycodone, the active ingredient responsible for the pain-relieving and euphoric effects. The difference is that Percocet also contains acetaminophen, which is an over-the-counter pain reliever found in drugs like Tylenol. 

Smoking Percocet can be even more harmful than smoking pure oxycodone. When heated, acetaminophen can release toxic fumes that damage the lungs and liver. Whether someone is smoking OxyContin or Percocet, the risks are similar: both can lead to addiction, respiratory problems, and overdose. Inhaling these drugs is dangerous and can cause long-term damage to the body.

Effects of Smoking Oxycontin

Smoking OxyContin can have several short- and long-term effects on the body, many of which are dangerous and potentially life-threatening. When oxycodone is smoked, it rapidly enters the lungs and bloodstream, delivering a fast-acting high. However, this method of use also puts intense stress on the respiratory system and other organs.

Here are some of the most common effects of smoking OxyContin:

• Respiratory issues: Smoking OxyContin can cause immediate harm to the lungs, leading to breathing difficulties, chronic bronchitis, and an increased risk of lung infections like pneumonia.
• Overdose: The rapid absorption of oxycodone into the bloodstream increases the risk of overdose. An overdose can cause slowed or stopped breathing, unconsciousness, and death.
• Addiction: Smoking OxyContin creates a strong and fast high that can quickly lead to addiction. Once addiction takes hold, stopping without help becomes incredibly difficult.
• Lung damage: Long-term smoking of OxyContin can lead to chronic respiratory diseases like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and lung scarring.
• Heart problems: Smoking the drug can increase the risk of heart problems, including heart attack, due to the strain it places on the cardiovascular system. 

The immediate effects of smoking OxyContin may feel pleasurable to those misusing the drug, but the long-term consequences can be devastating to both physical and mental health.

Dangers of Snorting/Smoking Oxycontin

Snorting or smoking OxyContin comes with serious risks. These methods of misuse bypass the extended-release design of the drug, releasing large amounts of oxycodone into the body all at once. This increases the likelihood of overdose and causes immediate and long-term damage to the body.

Both snorting and smoking OxyContin are dangerous because they deliver high doses of oxycodone quickly, which can overwhelm the body’s ability to cope with the drug. This often results in hazardous side effects, severe health problems, and, in some cases, death.

Addiction Risk

One of the greatest dangers of snorting or smoking OxyContin is the increased risk of addiction. OxyContin is already highly addictive when taken as prescribed, but snorting or smoking it intensifies its effects, creating a faster and more powerful high. This method of misuse leads to stronger cravings and a higher chance of developing dependence on the drug. 

When someone misuses OxyContin, their body and brain quickly become used to the drug’s effects. Over time, the person will need more and more of the drug to feel the same high, which leads to increased use and a higher risk of addiction. Addiction to OxyContin can cause people to lose control over their drug use, leading to compulsive behaviors that revolve around getting and using the drug. The powerful hold of addiction can destroy relationships, careers, and physical health, making it difficult to live a normal life without the drug. 

Addiction also increases the risk of other dangerous behaviors, such as mixing OxyContin with alcohol or other drugs to enhance the high. These combinations can be deadly, especially when combined with the already risky methods of snorting or smoking. 

Long-Term Health Effects

Snorting or smoking OxyContin doesn’t just cause immediate damage – it can also lead to long-term health problems that may be permanent. The damage to the body from regularly misusing OxyContin in these ways can be devastating. 

Some of the most common long-term effects of snorting OxyContin include:

• Nasal damage: Constant snorting can cause nosebleeds, chronic sinus infections, and even holes in the nasal septum. This damage can make breathing difficult and may require surgery to fix.
• Respiratory issues: Smoking OxyContin puts heavy stress on the lungs, leading to chronic lung diseases COPD, lung infections, and long-term breathing problems.
• Mental health issues: Long-term misuse of OxyContin can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders [6]. Addiction often worsens these problems, trapping people in a cycle of drug use and emotional pain.
• Organ damage: Snorting or smoking OxyContin can cause harm to major organs like the liver, kidneys, and heart. Over time, this damage can lead to organ failure and life-threatening complications. 

The long-term health effects of snorting or smoking OxyContin are often irreversible, and the sooner someone seeks help, the better chance they have of avoiding permanent damage. 

Deaths

One of the most severe risks of snorting or smoking OxyContin is the potential for overdose and death. OxyContin is a powerful opioid, and when improperly used, it can slow down breathing to dangerous levels. When too much of the drug enters the bloodstream at once, especially through snorting or smoking, the body can’t process it quickly enough, leading to respiratory failure, coma, or death. 

Overdose deaths from OxyContin misuse have risen dramatically over the years, as more people turn to risky methods of using the drug to achieve faster highs. The combination of respiratory depression (slowed breathing) and the high doses that result from smoking or snorting can be deadly. Even mixing OxyContin with other substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines can greatly increase the risk of overdose. 

Signs of an overdose include:

• Slow or shallow breathing: OxyContin suppresses the respiratory system, and an overdose can stop breathing altogether.
• Extreme drowsiness or unconsciousness: The person may become unresponsive or slip into a coma.
• Pinpoint pupils: Small, constricted pupils are a common sign of opioid overdose.
• Bluish tint to lips or skin: This is a sign of a lack of oxygen, which can quickly lead to death if not treated.

Overdosing on OxyContin is a medical emergency and getting immediate help can save a life. If you or someone you know is misusing OxyContin, seek treatment before it’s too late. 

Get Compassionate Oxycodone Addiction Treatment at Renaissance Recovery

Do you need help for yourself or a loved one fighting opioid abuse? If so, reach out to Renaissance Recovery today. We have welcoming and inclusive rehabs by the beach in California and Florida where you can get compassionate and effective opioid addiction treatment.

Every opioid addiction is unique, so all Renaissance treatment plans are personalized. Therapies include:

• Counseling
• Talk therapy
• Motivational therapy
• MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
• Family therapy
• Holistic treatments
• Group therapy
• Aftercare

Get insurance-covered treatment for oxycodone addiction today by calling our team at 866-330-9449.

Sources

[1] https://www.apa.org/topics/substance-use-abuse-addiction/evidence-based-treatment-opioids

[2] https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs6/6025/6025p.pdf

[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11224198/

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3550247/

[5] https://www.pediatrics.wisc.edu/education/sedation-program/sedation-education/sedation-respiratory-depression/

[6] https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/ebp-kit-building-your-program-10112019.pdf