Oxycodone detox requires a very controlled environment so withdrawal symptoms can be safely managed.
During the oxycodone detox process, your body rids itself of the drug, and a treatment program should address the physical and psychological effects of withdrawal.
At Costa Mesa Detox, we specialize in oxycodone detox, providing a supportive, safe environment to help you begin your recovery while managing the unique challenges of oxycodone withdrawal.
What Happens During Oxycodone Detox?
Oxycodone withdrawal is what happens once your body has developed a physical dependence on the drug. Your brain and body, over time, adjust to the powerful effects of the opioid, especially how it influences neurotransmitters like dopamine. Oxycodone primarily affects neurotransmitters that control pain and pleasure.
Oxycodone creates a sense of intense euphoria because it floods the system with dopamine. With prolonged use, the body starts relying on it to function normally, diminishing its ability to naturally produce these chemicals.
Without oxycodone, once the body and brain depend on it, the natural balance of neurotransmitters is disrupted. It takes time for the body to adjust to functioning without the drug. The imbalance then leads to a series of physical and psychological symptoms collectively known as withdrawal.
During opioid detox, the body resets itself after having relied on oxycodone to regulate pain, mood and bodily functions.
Specific things that happen during detox include:
- Neurotransmitter imbalance: Oxycodone causes the brain to release large amounts of dopamine, and when stopping the drug, levels plummet. This causes mood disturbances, anxiety, depression and cravings.
- Nervous system hyperactivity: Oxycodone suppresses the central nervous system, slowing down functions like heart rate, digestion and breathing. When the drug is removed, the nervous system becomes hyperactive, causing symptoms like muscle pain, sweating, shaking and rapid heartbeat.
- Rebound pain and sensitivity: Since oxycodone blocks pain receptors, when the drug isn’t present anymore, the body can become hypersensitive to pain, causing cramps, muscle aches and discomfort, referred to as rebound pain.
- Cravings: Oxycodone withdrawal triggers strong cravings for the drug because the brain associates it with pleasure and relief. The brain’s reward system has been taken over by the drug, driving the person to seek out oxycodone to stop withdrawal symptoms and restore euphoric feelings.
- Physical symptoms: Other physical symptoms during detox include gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms such as runny nose, chills, and watery eyes. Disruptions in sleep patterns may also occur as the body tries to adjust to oxycodone’s absence.
Without proper care, symptoms can become overwhelming, leading to relapse or, in severe situations, dangerous complications like dehydration or heart issues.
Oxycodone Detox Timeline
The timeline for withdrawing from oxycodone varies depending on things like use history, dosage and overall health. Still, the potency and short half-life generally lead to withdrawal symptoms quickly—often within hours of the last dose.
The stages of oxycodone withdrawal include:
- Early phase (6-24 hours): The early phase of withdrawal can feel like the onset of the flu. Symptoms may include anxiety, excessive sweating and muscle aches.
- Acute phase (days 1–7): The acute phase of oxycodone withdrawal can be the most challenging. During this time, symptoms peak. Intense cravings, nausea and vomiting, insomnia and rapid heart rate and blood pressure can occur.
- Protracted phase (weeks 2-4+): The prolonged phase of oxycodone withdrawal can last for several weeks or more. Most of the intense physical symptoms have gotten better by this time, but a person may still experience lingering cravings, mood swings, fatigue and sleep disturbances.
Treatment Options During Oxycodone Detox
Oxycodone detox requires a comprehensive, medically supervised approach. At Costa Mesa Detox, we offer treatment options to manage both the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal in a supportive environment.
Treatments may include 24/7 medical supervision for safety and comfort. Constant oversight helps stabilize vital signs, manage withdrawal symptoms and provide immediate care when needed.
Medications can also be used to reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and make detoxing more manageable. Medicines that may be used include buprenorphine, which is a partial opioid agonist that reduces cravings and other symptoms, or naltrexone. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist. It works by blocking opioids’ effects. This helps reduce cravings and lowers the risk of relapse.
Oxycodone detox isn’t only about managing physical symptoms. It’s also about addressing the psychological effects of addiction so that a treatment plan may include behavioral therapies and other forms of therapeutic support.
In addition to medical treatments, holistic care to support the mind and body may be offered during oxycodone detox in California, such as relaxation techniques and nutritional support.
Oxycodone Detox at Costa Mesa Detox
At Costa Mesa Detox, we provide a blend of expertise, personalized care and a peaceful environment to support individuals during oxycodone detox.
Our staff includes trained medical professionals, addiction specialists and therapists who are all experienced in managing the challenges of oxycodone withdrawal. Their expertise ensures each patient receives the highest standard of care, with constant monitoring to safeguard against complications.
We take a personalized approach to detox with the understanding that every individual’s journey is different.
The importance of a supportive community during detox can’t be overstated. At our Costa Mesa, California detox facility, patients are surrounded by a compassionate team and peers on the path to recovery for encouragement, reduced isolation and connections vital to long-term recovery success.
Reach out to Costa Mesa Detox today to learn how we can help you through this healing phase.