Symptoms of Oxycodone Withdrawal

Oxycodone abuse starts in a very mundane way. For many people, it is part of a natural progression that involves taking larger and larger doses of a medication prescribed by your doctor. Other people begin taking the prescription medications of family of friends as a way to treat pain.

In many cases, increased pain leads to increased dosages, and then the brain becomes dependent upon the oxycodone.

If you have let your oxycodone use get out of hand, you know that you need to regain control over your relationship with the addictive opioid. It can be a nightmare to detox from Oxycodone.

In fact, many people relapse rather than continue recovery because they simply cannot stand the pain of withdrawal. However, the discomfort can be managed in a professional detox and treatment program. You will survive.

One of the best ways to make it through this period is to enter the process informed. The following post will detail possible withdrawal symptoms. You can be prepared. This will allow you to anticipate discomfort and to work through it. Nothing will feel like a complete surprise or like it will last forever.

Keep your information gathering and preparation in motion by calling Oxycodone.org and speaking to experts who can answer your questions, direct you to resources, and recommend programs that can help you ease or eliminate withdrawal symptoms. Call 888-810-2643 right now.

Duration

One of the most important things to keep in mind is how long withdrawal will last. Much like the severity of symptoms, the duration of withdrawal varies. In general, symptoms begin to set-in when the drug has exited your system. This depends upon the drug’s half-life: the period of time it takes for the amount of oxycodone in your system to fall to half of its original amount.

According to the University of Wisconsin, withdrawal symptoms set-in 2-3 half-lives after the last dose. So, drugs like Percocet with short half-lives produce symptoms as soon as 12 hours after your last dose. Whereas, OxyContin, which has a longer half-life, won’t produce withdrawal for 24-36 hours after your last dose.

The physical symptoms will reach their topmost severity between 2 and 4 days after you cease using oxycodone. Most of these symptoms will not last longer than 2 weeks. However, this doesn’t apply to cravings. Those can continue for months after you stop using, which is why detox should always be followed with formal, structured drug rehab.

Early Stage Withdrawal

Runny nose is an early stage symptom of oxycodone withdrawal.

Oxycodone, like all opioids, has 2 stages of withdrawal: early and late.

According to the US National Library of Medicine, early stage oxycodone withdrawal has the following symptoms:

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

These may seem like insignificant symptoms that would be easy to make it through. But, when you think about muscle aches, you need to think about the worst ones you have ever felt. Oxycodone fights pain and once you stop taking it, all of that pain rushes into your body and it can be debilitating. Your anxiety may be strong enough to cause panic attacks. Your insomnia may make you go without sleep for days. It is hard to endure.

Late Stage Withdrawal

According to the US National Library of Medicine, late stage oxycodone withdrawal has the following symptoms:

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

You need to be cautious because these symptoms can cause other problems to set-in. Between the diarrhea and vomiting, you may become dehydrated and your electrolyte levels could become dangerously low. Electrolytes are chemicals in the body that regulate important functions. The University of New Mexico identifies the following symptoms of electrolyte imbalance:

• Muscle spasms
• Seizures
• Weakness
• Nervous system disorders
• Twitching
• Bone disorders
• Numbness
• Blood pressure changes
• Confusion
• Irregular heartbeat
• Convulsions
• Lethargy

When you seek professional detox, a variety of methods can be employed to ease or eliminate your oxycodone withdrawal symptoms. Also, your medical health can be monitored to prevent you from developing secondary conditions.

For help seeking a treatment program, you need expert help and Oxycodone.org can help. Call 888-810-2643 to speak to a professional with experience connecting oxycodone addicts with appropriate treatment.

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