Recognizing The Most Common Oxycodone Detox Side Effects

The US National Library of Medicine estimates that 9 percent of the population will misuse opioids (like Oxycodone) over the course of their lives. This doesn’t seem like a lot, but the numbers are growing because prescription drug abuse is on the rise. If you are taking Oxycodone (in any of its forms: Percocet, Percodan, Tylox, or OxyContin), you are using a Schedule II drug. That means that the US Department of Justice recognizes Oxycodone as a drug with a high potential for abuse, which can lead to extreme physical or psychological dependence. If you are dealing with just such a dependence, you will likely experience oxycodone detox side effects if you try to quit using.

The first step in any drug addiction treatment is ridding your body of the drug or detoxing. It is important to note that detox isn’t a form of treatment. It is a component, the first component, and it gives you a greater chance of succeeding at other treatment. What follows is a discussion of the side effects you will likely feel during detox, but these can and should be managed by pursuing detox through a qualified detoxification program.

If you are interested in pursuing Oxycodone detox and you have questions about the process or need help finding a program that will meet your requirements, call our helpline at 800-996-6135(Who Answers?) .

What is Detox?

Detox can take many forms, but every one of them has the same goal: managing acute intoxication and withdrawal. Detox transitions you from a state where your body is full of intoxicants to a body free of them.

Some people attempt to detox cold turkey, without the aid of structured program, but this is incredibly risky. You are better off pursuing a medical or social model. Medically assisted programs use nursing staff, physicians, and medications to safely guide patients through withdrawal. Social programs are non-hospital environments where you will be guided through by supportive staff and peers.

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3 Stages of Detox

According to the SAMHSA, detox should always have 3 steps: evaluation, stabilization, and fostering a patient’s entry into treatment.

During the evaluation stage, you will be tested for the presence of drugs in your system and those levels will be measured. You will also be screened for additional mental and physical problems that will affect your treatment. Be prepared for a thorough assessment of your medical, social, and psychological condition.

Stabilization is the stage that most people think of when they think of detox. It is the medical and psychological methods used to transition you from intoxicated to a “medically stable, fully supported, substance-free state.”

The final stage indicates the degree to which detox is only the first step of treatment. A detox program should emphasize the importance of seeking rehabilitation treatment after you have completely detoxed.

Oxycodone Detox Side Effects

The chance that you will experience withdrawal symptoms while detoxing is extremely high, especially if you quit cold turkey. Even people who take Oxycodone in a medical setting can feel withdrawal when they stop taking the medication. Many assume they have the flu. But, the reality is that they are experiencing withdrawal.

The US National Library of Medicine identifies the following symptoms of withdrawal, which typically begin between 12 and 24 hours after the last dose of Oxycodone:

Early symptoms of withdrawal include:

Oxycodone Detox Side Effects

Anxiety and nausea are common symptoms of oxycodone withdrawal.

  • Agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Increased tearing
  • Insomnia
  • Muscle aches
  • Runny nose
  • Sweating
  • Yawning

Late symptoms of withdrawal include:

  • Abdominal cramping
  • Diarrhea
  • Dilated pupils
  • Goose bumps
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Although these symptoms can be severe, they are generally not life threatening and you will make it through them. Participating in a detoxification program will alleviate or lessen many of the symptoms.

If you are prepared to fight your dependence on Oxycodone, you should get help. Detox.com is there to do just that. Let us guide you to reputable programs and answer your questions. Just give us a call at 800-996-6135(Who Answers?) to get going.

Sources

  1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2009). Appendix C—Excerpts From Quick Guide for Clinicians Based on TIP 45, Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment- Incorporating Alcohol Pharmacotherapies Into Medical Practice.
  2. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2016). Opiate and Opioid Withdrawal. 
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