Plugging Oxycodone | Rectal Percocet And Oxycontin Use

Oxycodone is a powerful prescription opioid painkiller most commonly sold under the brand name OxyContin. Doctors prescribe it to treat severe pain following surgery, injuries, or for chronic pain conditions. When taken exactly as prescribed, oxycodone can provide important pain relief. However, it has an extremely high potential for abuse and addiction, leading many people to misuse it in dangerous ways.

One particularly risky method of oxycodone abuse is plugging, or inserting the drug into the rectum. While this is less common than swallowing, snorting, or injecting opioids, some people use rectal administration because it produces a faster, more intense high than taking pills orally. Plugging oxycodone is extremely dangerous and carries serious risks including difficulty breathing or respiratory failure, seizures, severe damage to rectal tissues and membranes, intestinal damage and infections, rapid development of addiction, and fatal overdose. Oxycodone overdose deaths have increased dramatically in recent years, and methods like plugging that intensify the drug’s effects make overdose even more likely.

How Do Opioids Work?

Opioid analgesics like oxycodone, oxymorphone, fentanyl, codeine, and hydrocodone may be able to relax the body and relieve pain. In other prescription medications, oxycodone is combined with drugs like acetaminophen. In the United States, these drugs are generally used to treat pain that may range from moderate to severe. Drugs like these work with opioid receptors that are found on cells throughout the body. Specifically, they affect the brain, spinal cord, and other areas that work with pain and pleasure.

The active chemical in OxyContin binds to opioid receptors and stops the brain from sending signals of pain to other places in the body. Additionally, a large amount of dopamine is released. This is what causes the desired effects of the drug. Oxycodone typically comes as extended-release or immediate-release tablets, capsules, or a liquid solution. If a person abuses opioids rectally, the ultimate effect of the drug is the same, but the method of ingestion works a little differently. When inserted into the rectum, the drug is absorbed through the membrane. Then, it travels to the brain much more quickly which leads to a faster onset time.

Side Effects Of Oxycodone

Whether oxycodone is being abused or taken as prescribed, there are a few unpleasant side effects that may be associated with it.

Common side effects of oxycodone may include:

• dry mouth
• pain in the stomach
• extreme tiredness
• flushing
• headache
• changes in behavior or mood

These side effects may be worsened if oxycodone is being plugged. Oxycodone can also be especially dangerous if it’s mixed with other central nervous system depressants, including alcohol.

Dangers And Risks Of Plugging Oxycodone

Oxycodone can be a dangerous drug, even if it’s taken as prescribed at the recommended doses. Unfortunately, it can be particularly dangerous if it’s being abused.

Some of the most potentially severe and dangerous risks associated with oxycodone use may include:

• risk of addiction
• nausea or vomiting
• hives, rash, or itching
• drop in blood pressure
• increased risk of seizures
• sexual problems
• chest pain
• difficulty breathing
• extreme drowsiness
• respiratory depression
• withdrawal symptoms

Plugging oxycodone is one particularly risky method of drug abuse. In addition to the dangers listed above, plugging oxycodone may also lead to an increased risk of addiction and overdose.

Oxycodone Overdose Risk

An oxycodone overdose occurs when a person takes too much of the drug and experiences unpleasant, potentially life-threatening effects. Oxycodone overdoses may take the form of a seizure, respiratory depression, or sudden death due to an adverse reaction.

It can be easy to accidentally overdose on a substance when it’s being taken rectally because the effects of the drug may wear off before the drug has completely left a person’s system.

Common symptoms of an oxycodone overdose may include:

• difficulty breathing
• extreme sleepiness
• limp or weak muscles
• changes in pupil size
• cold or clammy skin
• unconsciousness or coma

If you notice these symptoms in yourself or someone around you, seek emergency healthcare immediately. Naloxone can sometimes be used to treat an opioid overdose in an emergency situation.

Other Dangers Of Plugging Oxycodone

In addition to the side effects and risks listed above, there are additional dangers associated with plugging oxycodone. While taking drugs orally, snorting them, or injecting them intravenously may typically be more common routes of administration, plugging drugs happens more than you may realize.

The risks of plugging can be potentially severe:

• constipation
• poor blood circulation
• death of rectal tissue
• increased risk of getting STDs
• increased risk of contracting HIV or AIDS
• high potential for addiction
• high risk of overdose

When a person plugs opioids like oxycodone, they may experience a more intense high. This is because the bioavailability of drugs taken rectally is decreased in general, which can lead to a faster onset time. This may also mean the desired effects wear off much faster. Even after the effects have worn off, there’s usually still a significant amount of the drug in the body. This can cause a person to take more oxycodone before the first dose has been cycled out. Because of these factors, plugging opioids may lead to an increased risk of opioid addiction and opioid overdose.

Treatment Options For Oxycodone Abuse

If someone is plugging oxycodone, they’re likely struggling with a serious substance use disorder that requires professional treatment. The extreme nature of rectal drug administration indicates that addiction has progressed to a dangerous level. Fortunately, effective treatment options exist that can help people safely stop using oxycodone and build a foundation for lasting recovery.

Treatment options for oxycodone abuse include:

• Medical Detox: supervised withdrawal with medical monitoring and medications to manage symptoms safely
• Inpatient Residential Treatment: living at a treatment facility for intensive 24/7 care and support
• Outpatient Treatment Programs: attending scheduled therapy sessions while living at home
• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): more frequent outpatient care for people needing extra support
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): using medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone to reduce cravings and prevent relapse
• Individual Therapy: one-on-one counseling to address underlying issues and triggers
• Group Therapy: peer support sessions with others in recovery
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): learning to identify and change thoughts and behaviors that lead to drug use
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment: addressing both addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders
• Aftercare Programs: ongoing support and relapse prevention after completing primary treatment

Recovery from oxycodone addiction is possible with the right treatment and support. Medication-assisted treatment has proven particularly effective for opioid addiction, helping people manage cravings and withdrawal while they work on the psychological aspects of recovery through therapy.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff