Oxycodone is a potent opioid drug that is commonly prescribed to alleviate symptoms of pain. While this substance is effective in treating the symptoms of pain, it is also highly addictive. Over time, individuals who use oxycodone develop a tolerance to the drug, which means that they need more of the substance to experience an effect.
While some people become addicted to this medication while taking it as prescribed, others abuse the drug on purpose. Both methods of use can lead to severe addiction.
When someone is suffering from prescription opioid addiction, their body becomes accustomed to the presence of the substance. If the person runs out of their medication or attempts to stop taking it, they will experience symptoms of withdrawal. This happens because their system is not used to the absence of the drug.
If you or a loved one are struggling with oxycodone addiction, Mandala Healing Center’s opioid detox center in West Palm Beach, Florida can help.
What are the Symptoms of Oxycodone Withdrawal?
The symptoms of oxycodone withdrawal can be extremely unpleasant, often causing individuals to relapse without the help of an opioid detox program where they can receive medications to soothe their symptoms.
Depending on how often and how much oxycodone a person used, the symptoms of withdrawal typically begin 8-12 hours after their last dosage. People who used the drug heavily will experience worse symptoms than mild users of the drug. The symptoms of oxycodone withdrawal almost mimic the symptoms of the flu, similar to that of heroin withdrawal.
Symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Teary eyes
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Shaking
- Increased heart rate
- Body aches
- Irritability
- Poor concentration
- Mood swings
- Inability to feel pleasure (anhedonia)
Because the symptoms of withdrawal can lead to relapse, anyone struggling with oxycodone addiction can benefit from going to a drug detox center in West Palm Beach. Detox centers provide people with medications to soothe symptoms of withdrawal and prevent cravings during the detox process.
How Long Does Oxycodone Withdrawal Last?
Withdrawal symptoms typically begin between 8 to 12 hours after a person’s last dosage of oxycodone. Once the withdrawal symptoms set in, they can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. In most cases, the symptoms are at their worst during the 72 hours and gradually subside, lasting about a week.
It is important to note that the length of oxycodone withdrawal depends on a variety of personal factors. These factors include:
- How long someone has been using oxycodone
- How much they took each dosage
- The frequency in which they took oxycodone
- Whether they mixed the substance with other drugs
- Their mental health and medical history, including weight, gender, and age
- How they took oxycodone (e.g. snorting, swallowing, smoking, or injecting)
While symptoms can last longer than one week, this is less common. Individuals who experience symptoms after a week are suffering from post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). This condition can last anywhere from 18 to 24 months.
Common symptoms of PAWS include:
- Poor concentration
- Increased anxiety
- Depression
- Inability to sleep
- Anhedonia
- Lack of energy
- Mood swings
- Irritability and agitation
What to Expect During Oxycodone Detox in West Palm Beach, FL
Oxycodone withdrawal can be extremely difficult to deal with, as many of the symptoms are painful and uncomfortable. Because of this, most detox programs use a method of treatment known as MAT (medication-assisted treatment). This process includes the use of tapering medications that limit the symptoms of withdrawal and prevent cravings, allowing patients with the comfortability and safety they deserve.
Medications
Methadone is often used to treat the symptoms of oxycodone withdrawal. This medication is an opioid agonist, meaning it binds to opioid receptors in the brain to block symptoms of withdrawal and cravings. Methadone can eliminate most or all of the symptoms of withdrawal. However, the most commonly used opioid detox medication is buprenorphine.
Buprenorphine reduces withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings but has a lower risk potential for abuse than methadone. This drug is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it binds to opioid receptors just enough to provide relief without providing a high feeling. This is usually the preferred medication within an oxycodone detox program.
In addition to methadone or buprenorphine, clonidine may be used to alleviate symptoms of withdrawal associated with hypertension or anxiety. This medication works by blocking chemicals in the brain that trigger sympathetic nervous system activity, reducing the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal.
Symptoms alleviated by clonidine include:
- Excessive sweating
- Watery eyes
- Hot and cold flashes
- Restlessness
- Sleep issues
Holistic Treatments
In addition to medications, holistic treatments may be used to manage symptoms of withdrawal that persist. For example, yoga can help people center their minds and be present in the moment, allowing them to learn how to breathe through their symptoms and manage them naturally.
Exercise may also be used to help with any symptoms of depression or anxiety. Exercise releases endorphins that produce feelings of happiness and stress relief which can be extremely helpful for someone recovering from oxycodone withdrawal.
Other examples of holistic detox treatments include:
- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Mindfulness meditation
- Exercise
- Yoga
- Art and music therapy
Start Your Recovery at our Oxycodone Detox Center in West Palm Beach, FL
If you or a loved one suffer from oxycodone addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. Contact us for more information on our drug and alcohol detox center in South Florida.