When you become dependent on or addicted to an opioid such as Oxycodone, your brain gets angry and will begin to rebel when the Oxycodone begins to leave your system.
As a result, you will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms unless you take more Oxycodone.
These withdrawal symptoms can begin to occur as soon as eight to 12 hours after your last dose was taken and can be unpleasant and even dangerous if not properly monitored and treated.
Common symptoms and side effects of opioid withdrawal include:
One of the reasons why medical detox is one of the safest ways to withdraw from Oxycodone is that doctors and treatment professionals can give patients FDA-approved medications to help address some of the more severe and possibly dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
Medications are typically administered when opioid withdrawal symptoms are at their peak (days 2-4).
Methadone: Methadone helps cut down on cravings as well as relieves the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. It is a long-term treatment medicine and typically continues to be administered after detox.
Buprenorphine: Buprenorphine treats withdrawal symptoms and can also cut down on detox time. It has also been known to be combined with Naloxone to help prevent future cravings. Per the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Buprenorphine is the first medication used to treat Oxycodone addiction that can be prescribed in physician offices instead of exclusively at specialty facilities.
Over-the-counter medications: In some cases, over-the-counter medications such as painkillers, anti-diarrheal medications, or sleep aids may alleviate symptoms of your drug use.
During this peak stage, you may be given medications to cut down on cravings and alleviate some of the more severe and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
The length of time it takes a person to detox and the severity of their symptoms can vary based on a variety of factors including:
Withdrawal symptoms can begin within eight hours after your last Oxycodone dose. Since everyone experiences withdrawals differently, you will want to come in and start the detox process as soon as possible after you take your last dose.
Once you are admitted you will begin your detox program. During the first few hours, you may experience mostly psychological symptoms of withdrawal such as anxiety or agitation. You may also experience cravings that can be intense at times. These feelings are centered around the fact that you want to take Oxycodone and can’t.
Opiate withdrawal symptoms typically begin to peak within the first 48 to 72 hours after you stop taking Oxycodone.
At this point, the withdrawal symptoms will be the most severe and require monitoring by medical professionals.
After your symptoms peak, the physical withdrawal will subside, but psychological symptoms may linger due to Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS).
Once detox is successfully completed, typically after seven days, you’ll transition to inpatient or outpatient treatment. At Restorations Health Care in Anaheim, CA, our team ensures a comfortable detox process, administering necessary medications to ease withdrawal.
Contact us if you or a loved one is ready to begin Oxycodone detox in Southern California.
