Oxycodone Detox

Medical Detox for Oxycodone Addiction

Medical detox for oxycodone addiction is often the very first step in quitting this drug. Through detox, you or your loved one can get crucial support by managing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, helping you avoid relapse and encouraging your overall healing.

How Oxycodone Detox Programs Work

When detoxing from oxycodone, you can receive care through an inpatient or an outpatient program. Most people can manage their withdrawal symptoms at an outpatient level without needing to enter a treatment center. However, you should seek medical advice before quitting your oxycodone use to ensure your safety.

The length of detox and the severity of the withdrawal symptoms you experience will depend on many factors, such as:

• Severity of the addiction
• Length of time oxycodone was taken
• Amount of oxycodone taken

Oxycodone Detox Withdrawal Timeline

Everyone reacts differently to detoxification treatment. The amount of time someone spends in detox will also vary based on a variety of factors, including:

• Overall health
• Severity of the oxycodone addiction
• Co-occurring disorders

While everyone’s detox experience is different, below is a general outline of what you can expect during oxycodone detox.

Early Stage of Oxycodone Withdrawal

Symptoms of oxycodone withdrawal can begin to occur as soon as 8-12 hours after the last dose. Oxycodone is a short-acting opioid, so withdrawal symptoms can set in quickly it leaves your bloodstream.

One of the first early withdrawal symptoms when quitting oxycodone is intense cravings. You might also experience intense anxiety as your body recalibrates.

Peak Stage of Oxycodone Withdrawal

Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms typically peak within 48 to 72 hours after your last dose. During this stage, withdrawal symptoms are usually at their most intense and can be hard to manage without some kind of medical support.

The most common peak-stage symptoms include:

• Flu-like symptoms
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Hopelessness
• Increased blood pressure
• More intense cravings
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Chills
• Nausea and cramping
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Rapid heart rate
• Runny nose
• Teary eyes
• Excessive yawning

During the peak withdrawal stage, people in recovery are at risk for dehydration and other complications. Others may feel overwhelmed by the uncomfortable symptoms and feel tempted to return to abusing oxycodone just to make the symptoms stop.

Therefore, seeking medical guidance when quitting oxycodone use is strongly recommended, both to lessen your discomfort and help prevent temptation to relapse.

Late Stage of Oxycodone Withdrawal

During the later stages of oxycodone detox, you will notice that your physical withdrawal symptoms will begin to subside. Psychological side effects can linger for weeks or even months after the physical symptoms have gone away.

Some of the long-term psychological symptoms you might continue to experience include:

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Inability to experience pleasure
• Memory loss
• Concentration issues
• Trouble sleeping

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Oxycodone Addiction

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, most chronic opioid users require medication-assisted treatment to manage their withdrawal symptoms.

If you are undergoing medical detox for oxycodone addiction, your doctor will likely prescribe an FDA-approved medication to help cut down on cravings and alleviate some withdrawal symptoms.

Common medications used for treating opioid withdrawal include:

• Methadone
• Buprenorphine
• Suboxone
• Naltrexone
• Lofexidine
• Clonidine
• Ondansetron
• Benzodiazepines
• Loperamide
• Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol, Advil, and Alieve

Oxycodone Tapering

Your doctor or addiction treatment provider may have you taper off your oxycodone. Over a pre-set amount of time, you will take smaller doses of oxycodone over time, which will help you avoid some of the more acute withdrawal symptoms.

Oxycodone Addiction Treatment

Once you complete medical detox, the next step is entering a drug rehab program. Your doctor or healthcare provider may suggest an inpatient or outpatient treatment program based on your individual needs.

In addition, individual counseling, group therapy, and support groups (such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and SMART Recovery®) can offer you additional tools to manage your recovery journey.

Signs of Oxycodone Addiction

Oxycodone addiction can occur even when taken as medically directed.

Oxycodone works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, which control pain, reward, and emotional responses. This causes your brain to release dopamine, which creates feelings of calm and sometimes euphoria.

Over time, however, the brain gets used to having the drug create these feelings, in turn leading to dependence and eventually addiction—even if oxycodone use is starting to cause problems in their lives.

Some common signs of oxycodone addiction include:

• Lying about your oxycodone use
• Hiding empty pill bottles or drug paraphernalia
• Ignoring responsibilities to take oxycodone
• Struggling at work or school
• Getting into financial trouble as a result of buying oxy pills
• Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Changes in social groups
• Taking oxycodone in potentially dangerous situations
• Neglecting personal hygiene

Additionally, some physical symptoms of oxycodone addiction can suggest a person is abusing this drug. These side effects include:

• Muscle aches or bone pain
• Trouble sleeping
• Chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Mood swings
• Paranoia
• Drowsiness
• Dilated pupils
• Slowed movement
• Anxiety
• Spasms
• Overdose

Get Help for Oxycodone Addiction

Oxycodone detox is the crucial first step in the recovery process. Due to the symptoms associated with oxycodone withdrawal, detoxing should be done under the care and supervision of trained medical professionals.

Call the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or visit their online program locator to find opioid and oxycodone addiction treatment options in your area.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
• Editor

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.