Taking Oxycodone for an extended period leads to dependence and tolerance whether or not you have been using it as recommended. Once this happens, you can experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug. The drug has euphoric effects for the user, so it is common for many people to abuse Oxycodone, leading to addiction if it goes on for longer.

Withdrawal treatment is typically the first stage of Oxycodone addiction treatment during detox to help the affected individual progress toward recovery. Oxycodone addiction is best addressed in an inpatient rehab setting so the medical staff can observe the recovering user during the withdrawal period as they will experience withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms can be managed successfully through medical intervention.

Medical Detox

One way to get the user clean from Oxycodone during withdrawal is by tapering them off the drug gradually by slowly reducing the dosage intake every day. Doing this is effective in minimizing the oxycodone withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from Oxycodone can be an uncomfortable and painful process, so tapering is the most efficient way to detox. Tapering off the drug usually has reduced withdrawal symptoms compared to quitting cold turkey. Oxycodone tapering during medical detox is generally conducted in an Opioid Treatment Program or OTP and is referred to as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). MAT can also be employed for long-term medication maintenance for people who have a history of chronic relapse.

There are prescription drugs that can be given to recovering users to help them stop taking Oxycodone during addiction treatment. These medications can keep being administered during rehab and recovery in some situations. These medications include Buprenorphine and Methadone, which are artificial opioids that can stop Oxycodone cravings. Naltrexone and Naloxone are also drugs used in Oxycodone addiction treatment after medical detox to help patients reduce drug cravings and increase their chances of staying sober. They both work by restricting the body’s ability to take up Oxycodone. The user will also receive Naltrexone IV shots once a month if they struggle with medication management.

Clinicians and doctors will prescribe specific drugs to help patients with particular withdrawal symptoms. These drugs work by tricking the user’s brain into thinking it is still receiving Oxycodone, which reduces or prevents the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Medications used in medical Oxycodone detox include the following:

Buprenorphine

This long-acting opioid is also given to recovering patients in Oxycodone addiction treatment to reduce or prevent withdrawal symptoms during medical detox. Buprenorphine is typically found in combination with Naloxone, an opioid agonist also known as Suboxone. Most physicians are qualified to prescribe Suboxone for recovering patients when detoxing at home as it is helpful after the withdrawal symptoms occur. People who take Buprenorphine for longer than six months may experience better results than patients who only took it to help with detox.

Methadone

This is a long-acting opioid drug that is taken once daily to prevent the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms. When properly used, it can prevent drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms without resulting in sedation and euphoria. However, it can only be given to recovering users at certified clinics, so one needs to attend daily sessions.

Naltrexone

This medication is typically used for medication maintenance and detox. Its chemical composition is opposite to that of opiates as it works by blocking the brain’s receptors that bind to Oxycodone, minimizing the drug’s euphoric effects. This helps to prolong lasting recovery in the user and reduce their drug cravings. Using Naltrexone for an extended period of up to one year after medical detox may help to bring back the brain’s chemical balance.

On the other hand, if the patient still has Oxycodone in their system, they cannot take Naltrexone because it can suddenly cause acute, severe withdrawal. It is dangerous to use opioids while taking Naltrexone in any form because one can end up using too much to experience the euphoric effects, possibly resulting in an overdose.

Suboxone

This medication is made from Naloxone and Buprenorphine and helps relieve Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms without producing any euphoric effects. Suboxone is used during detox in Oxycodone addiction treatment to reduce cravings and the discomfort of withdrawal. It can be used as medication management for an extended period. However, Suboxone also has the potential for abuse, so there are risks to using it.

Lucemyra (Lofexidine Hydrochloride)

This is a new non-opioid drug that the FDA has approved to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms. Since it is opioid-free, it can be prescribed for use at home.

It usually takes some time for the body to get used to stable doses of Buprenorphine or Methadone. The user might have mild withdrawal symptoms during this period, so the following drugs can help with that.

• Clonidine: This is a hypertension medication that is typically used for the treatment of opioid withdrawal symptoms. It can be found as a transdermal patch or a pill. Users taking Clonidine have reported having a more manageable withdrawal process which enhances their likelihood of moving towards lasting recovery. Clonidine helps ease Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms such as: cognitive defects, anxiety, anger, restlessness, agitation, and irritability.
• Over-the-counter painkillers such as Advil or Tylenol: These are used to treat pains and muscle aches.
• Benzodiazepines: These medications are used in treating short-term anxiety
• Ondansetron: This drug is used to help with vomiting and nausea
• Loperamide: Used for the treatment of diarrhea.

Users experiencing trouble with sleep can take Over-The-Counter antihistamines such as Benadryl if a doctor approves it. Anyone who has an antihistamine allergy and prefers an alternative remedy can speak to their doctor to give them prescription sleep aids.

Withdrawal from opioids such as Oxycodone can be very uncomfortable, but these medications can make the process just a little bit easier. Having the proper detox support during Oxycodone addiction treatment is essential for encouraging long-lasting recovery.