How to Detox From Oxycodone Safely
Oxycodone, sold under brand names like OxyContin, is a prescription opiate used to treat severe pain. While oxycodone is highly effective when used as a pain medication under the supervision of a doctor, opiate addiction is an epidemic. Oxycodone addiction is dangerous and can lead to severe consequences.
If you’re looking for information on oxycodone detox and addiction treatment, understanding the detoxification process and withdrawal symptoms is an essential first step.
If you or someone you love is suffering from oxycodone addiction, Zinnia Health can help. Our caring team can answer your questions — call us at (855) 430-9439 to have a confidential conversation about your treatment options.
What is an Oxycodone Detox?
Because oxycodone is highly addictive, opioid dependency can form in as little as two weeks. Dependency is marked by a change in the brain’s chemistry as it adapts to painkillers in the body. Once physical dependency forms, psychological dependence becomes a significant risk.
Once physical dependence begins, it’s challenging to quit oxycodone “cold turkey.” Instead, you must gradually taper off the drug to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
Due to the severity of opioid withdrawal symptoms, an individual addicted to a drug like oxycodone may be given the option of undergoing a medical detox program at an addiction treatment center. These programs are also common for people using methadone, fentanyl, etc.
A medical detox, also known as the detoxification process, is the first step in healing from a substance use disorder. This consists of the various types of therapy you could expect in recovery — including behavioral therapy, individual therapy, and group therapy — but it also involves specific medications.
One of the most commonly used medications in a medical detox is known as Suboxone. This medication was designed to help block pain signals while also interacting with receptors in the brain to prevent the euphoric feeling associated with opioids.
How Long Will an Oxycodone Detox Last?
Oxycodone has a half-life of just 3.2 hours for immediate-release formulations and 4.5 hours for extended-release formulations.
You can expect to experience oxycodone withdrawal symptoms in as little as 4-8 hours that can last for days or weeks.
Symptoms typically peak within 72 hours, which is why it’s crucial to seek a structured, supervised environment.
Since oxycodone is a fast-acting opioid, withdrawal symptoms tend to come on fast but do not last as long as the symptoms associated with long-acting opioids.
The initial oxycodone withdrawal period refers to acute withdrawal symptoms, and while this process lasts day to weeks, post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) can surface.
PAWS affects a significant amount of opioid users, with symptoms lasting up to 18-24 months. The severity of PAWS symptoms can vary depending on the user.
What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms During an Oxycodone Detox?
The severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on how much oxycodone a person has taken and for how long.
The withdrawal process impacts everyone differently, but there are a few commonalities that most people experience during opioid withdrawal:
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Nausea and vomiting
- Intense drug cravings
What Types of Treatment Are Used During an Oxycodone Detox?
One of the first aspects you should think about is whether you’re interested in inpatient, residential, or outpatient care.
- Inpatient treatment takes place at a hospital and is generally only a short-term program (1-2 weeks) to help you get through the detox process
- Residential treatment may last many months, depending on your needs and preferences, and involves living at a full-time recovery facility
- Outpatient treatment is the last intensive and allows you to continue living at home
If you start in an inpatient hospitalization program, you’ll likely be discharged to a residential or outpatient program to continue the recovery process.
Likewise, if you enroll in a residential facility for some time, you might participate in an outpatient program to ease the transition back home.
Through traditional therapies, including talk and behavioral therapy, along with modern techniques, like music therapy, we seek to treat the whole person.
If you’re interested in a residential or outpatient facility, some of the key factors you should consider when choosing a detox center include:
- Seek out a team with experience treating opioid addiction and withdrawal
- Look for a facility with a variety of programs that align with your needs and interests, like music therapy
- Narrow down your options to facilities that will develop a customized treatment program based on your unique needs
- Consider if the facility is equipped to address any co-occurring disorders you may be suffering from, such as anxiety
- Inquire about medication-assisted detox (MAT), if you think such a program could be valuable to your recovery journey
- Ask the center about long-term support that they can provide to support a sober life, like ongoing text support once you leave the facility
Easing this process is especially important if you’re recovering from a substance use disorder with a dual diagnosis. A dual diagnosis means you need to find a detox center with the capacity to treat co-occurring mental health disorders (like depression, anxiety, or PTSD) with care.
Can You Detox from Oxycodone at Home or Not?
Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable and even dangerous, with cravings increasing your risk of relapse and overdose. For these reasons, it is not recommended to attempt to detox yourself from oxycodone at home.
Managing withdrawal symptoms will help protect your physical and mental health while ensuring lasting recovery. However, it isn’t easy to face withdrawal on your own.
How to Find an Oxycodone Detox Center Near Me
Substance abuse treatment demands a caring, professional team of subject matter experts capable of answering your questions, addressing your unique challenges, and guiding you through the recovery process.
Zinnia Health has made it easy to find an oxycodone detox center near you. We offer addiction treatment programs at facilities around the country.
To find one near you, click here and type in the kind of treatment you’re looking for and your state.
Recovering from oxycodone addiction takes personalized treatment — Zinnia Health can help. Contact us at (855) 430-9439 to learn more about oxycodone addiction and recovery.
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