Oxycodone Withdrawal, Treatment, and Rehab: Finding Help in Orange County
Orange County Oxycodone Withdrawal, Treatment, and Rehab
Oxycodone is commonly sold under the brand name OxyContin. It is an opioid medication used to treat moderate to severe pain, but it can be habit-forming. A medically supervised rehab program is a proven way of dealing with withdrawal symptoms and the addiction itself. Here in Orange County, our oxycodone rehab facility can help you overcome your addiction and set you on a path toward long-term sobriety.
Oxycodone Addiction
Oxycodone is a medication prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain among people expecting pain medications for long periods, but cannot be treated with other types of drugs. It is classified as an opiate, which means that it can change the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. Long-time users, however, can develop a tolerance to the drug, compelling them to take larger doses to feel any significant effect. This is where dependence begins.
Being dependent on oxycodone has harmful effects, but trying to sever this dependence is as painful. A person hooked on the drug who is trying to quit will feel discomfort and potentially pain owing to withdrawal symptoms. People who go through these experiences sometimes relapse just to make the symptoms go away, and some just continue to use oxycodone to feel some semblance of normalcy.
Symptoms of Oxycodone Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms usually manifest within 8 to 12 hours after the last dose. These symptoms often include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, anxiety, muscle aches, depression, mood swings, diarrhea, increased heart rate, and inability to concentrate and feel pleasure. Since oxycodone is an active ingredient in a number of painkillers, the symptoms it induces are similar to those withdrawing from similar drugs.
The duration of withdrawal symptoms varies from user to user. It can be determined by how long the individual has been taking the drug, the amount he or she takes, frequency and method of taking, and personal medical and mental health history.
Once withdrawal symptoms take effect, they can last from a few days to a week, peaking at the 72nd hour before subsiding. Post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) are symptoms that last longer than this timeframe. Common types of PAWS include depression, mood swings, poor sleep and concentration, agitation, and lack of energy, among others. These can last for months and sometimes years.
Those looking to quit oxycodone or are already suffering from withdrawal symptoms can benefit from a good outpatient or inpatient treatment program.
Treatment of Oxycodone Addiction
Like other addictive substances, oxycodone can induce painful and uncomfortable symptoms to those attempting to abstain from it. This is why going “cold turkey” on it is not advised, instead of recovering users gradually reduce their intake to make the detox process more tolerable. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), or medicating while undergoing counseling and behavioral therapies, is often used in tandem with an opioid treatment program to treat oxycodone addiction.
MAT commonly employs Suboxone or Subutex, followed by Naltrexone once the detox process is completed. Suboxone is a prescription drug used to treat those who are dependent on opioids by blocking receptors activated by opioids. Naltrexone, on the other hand, has been proven to decrease cravings, which further improves the chance of staying sober.
Doctors and clinicians prescribe specific medications to alleviate certain withdrawal symptoms. Most of these medications work by making the brain think it’s still receiving oxycodone. For oxycodone treatment, the most common types of medications include the following:
Symptoms of Oxycodone Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms usually manifest within 8 to 12 hours after the last dose. These symptoms often include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, anxiety, muscle aches, depression, mood swings, diarrhea, increased heart rate, and inability to concentrate and feel pleasure. Since oxycodone is an active ingredient in a number of painkillers, the symptoms it induces are similar to those withdrawing from similar drugs.
The duration of withdrawal symptoms varies from user to user. It can be determined by how long the individual has been taking the drug, the amount he or she takes, frequency and method of taking, and personal medical and mental health history.
Once withdrawal symptoms take effect, they can last from a few days to a week, peaking at the 72nd hour before subsiding. Post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) are symptoms that last longer than this timeframe. Common types of PAWS include depression, mood swings, poor sleep and concentration, agitation, and lack of energy, among others. These can last for months and sometimes years.
Those looking to quit oxycodone or are already suffering from withdrawal symptoms can benefit from a good outpatient or inpatient treatment program.
Treatment of Oxycodone Addiction
Like other addictive substances, oxycodone can induce painful and uncomfortable symptoms to those attempting to abstain from it. This is why going “cold turkey” on it is not advised, instead of recovering users gradually reduce their intake to make the detox process more tolerable. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), or medicating while undergoing counseling and behavioral therapies, is often used in tandem with an opioid treatment program to treat oxycodone addiction.
MAT commonly employs Suboxone or Subutex, followed by Naltrexone once the detox process is completed. Suboxone is a prescription drug used to treat those who are dependent on opioids by blocking receptors activated by opioids. Naltrexone, on the other hand, has been proven to decrease cravings, which further improves the chance of staying sober.
Doctors and clinicians prescribe specific medications to alleviate certain withdrawal symptoms. Most of these medications work by making the brain think it’s still receiving oxycodone. For oxycodone treatment, the most common types of medications include the following:
Clonidine:
This medication belongs to the antihypertensive medicine class and is often prescribed to help with withdrawal symptoms. Clonidine makes the withdrawal process more tolerable by blocking certain chemicals in the brain that causes sympathetic nervous system activity. As a result, symptoms such as sweating, restlessness, and hot flashes are reduced.
Suboxone:
Suboxone is the brand name of buprenorphine, an opioid used to treat opioid addiction. Buprenorphine works by blocking opiate receptors, reducing the patient’s urges. Suboxone’s second ingredient, naloxone, is used to reverse the effects of opioids. Suboxone is used to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and as part of medication management. Those who have used it for six months have reported better outcomes than those who did not.
Naltrexone:
This medication is a commonly prescribed medication for opioid addictions after the detox process. It can block receptors in the brain that bind with oxycodone, negating the drug’s euphoric and sedative effect. Moreover, continued use of naltrexone can help restore the brain’s chemical balance. Naltrexone is prescribed after the detox treatment because taking the medication while other opioids are present can result in severe side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. This medication should be taken as part of a comprehensive recovery program supervised by a doctor or addiction treatment specialist.
First Step to Oxycodone Addiction Treatment
The journey to fully overcoming oxycodone is a long and difficult one. The challenge is often due to the temptation to use again owing to memories of previous use. Relapse is dangerous because of the high risk of overdose. This is because tolerance drops considerably after detoxing. When a user, for instance, tries to take the same amount he had been used to taking, the body finds itself unable to deal with the drug owing to the lack of tolerance. This can lead to overdose.
For heavy oxycodone users, an addiction treatment program from a reputable facility is the best course of action. Rehab facilities offer the right environment and round-the-clock support for recovering addicts, making their journey toward recovery safer and more likely to succeed. If you are suffering from oxycodone abuse, find a treatment center now.
Orange County Oxycodone Rehab
Our treatment programs in Orange County offer a complete treatment program that integrates mental health, substance abuse, and primary care services. We offer alcohol and drug detox, both 12-step and SMART recovery groups, and a comprehensive drug treatment program. We are not a “one-size-fits-all” treatment facility, and this is one major aspect that sets us apart from other treatment centers. Our treatment programs in Orange County are customized to each patient’s needs and levels of addiction and are administered by our staff of highly motivated and dedicated professionals.
We Can Help
We believe and have proven many times that addictions can be effectively and safely treated. Our Orange County oxycodone rehab facility offers inpatient and outpatient care for addiction and our aftercare programs ensure that you have the tools you need to maintain sobriety when the formal treatment is through.
We can help you find the recovery you’ve been looking for, and all you need to begin is call.
Contact us to find out more about how we can help you take back your life from addiction.
