Oxycodone Withdrawal | Symptoms, Timeline, & Detox

Oxycodone is a powerful and widely prescribed semi-synthetic opioid agonist used in brand-name pain medications including OxyContin, Roxicodone, and others.

Widespread over-prescribing and abuse of these medications in the late 1990s and early 2000s is often faulted for the onset of the American opioid epidemic, which is ongoing.

While oxycodone is effective in treating moderate to severe pain and chronic pain, it also has a high potential to produce physical dependence, side effects, as well as opioid use disorder (opioid addiction).

Once a person becomes dependent on oxycodone, especially if the drug has been abused, they may experience uncomfortable or even harmful withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing the drug.

As a result, oxycodone withdrawal may require professional management and support through tapering and/or medical detoxification services.

Symptoms Of Oxycodone Withdrawal

As a prescription opioid/opiate painkiller, oxycodone works by binding to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, changing how the body responds to stress and pain and also depressing/reducing mental and physical activity.

The most common symptoms of oxycodone withdrawal include:

• drug craving
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• muscle aches and pains
• stomach cramps
• runny nose and watery eyes
• yawning
• sweating
• insomnia
• anxiety
• depression
• irritability
• restlessness
• dilated pupils
• increased blood pressure and heart rate
• chills and hot flashes

Timeline Of Oxycodone Withdrawal Syndrome

The severity of oxycodone withdrawal symptoms vary depending on a number of factors. For example, using extended-release medications may lengthen the withdrawal process while taking higher doses of a drug for a longer period can intensify symptoms.

Likewise, mixing oxycodone with other drugs of abuse, including alcohol, can intensify and complicate the withdrawal process as well as greatly increase a person’s risk of experiencing a life-threatening drug overdose.

Here is a generalized timeline of oxycodone withdrawal:

8-12 Hours After Last Dose: Withdrawal Begins

Within a day of discontinuation, the concentration of oxycodone active in a person’s body will drop, triggering the first onset of withdrawal symptoms.

Symptoms will likely start gradually and then intensify, producing drug cravings, feelings of illness, and other physical and psychological symptoms.

72 Hours After Last Dose: Withdrawal Peaks

Acute oxycodone withdrawal symptoms will generally peak around three days from one’s last dose of the drug, potentially producing flu-like symptoms such as sweating, feelings of pain, stomach cramps, diarrhea, runny nose, and excessive yawning.

Sleep problems, agitation, and continued cravings are also common.

1 Week After Last Dose: Withdrawal Subsides

Acute opioid withdrawal is a difficult but, thankfully, short-lived process in most cases.

While timelines can vary, most people’s symptoms lighten steadily after the first few days and are fully resolved by the end of a full week, though some lingering psychological symptoms can remain even after the body is finished establishing its new chemical balance.

PAWS

In some cases, especially those involving prolonged and heavy oxycodone abuse, individuals can experience recurring periods of psychological opiate withdrawal symptoms that may last for months or years after acute withdrawal has concluded.

These post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) can involve difficulties with concentration, depressed mood, problems experiencing pleasure, low energy, and sleep problems.

Fortunately, PAWS symptoms will also improve and resolve with time, support, and continued sobriety.

Oxycodone Detoxification

Medically assisted detoxification, or medical detox, is a service offered by addiction treatment providers like Bedrock that allows individuals who are opioid-dependent to work through their withdrawal symptoms safely while being closely monitored by health care providers.

While opioid withdrawal syndrome is not typically life-threatening on its own, medical detoxification is strongly recommended for those attempting to discontinue oxycodone abuse as it can dramatically reduce a person’s risk of serious or life-threatening complications, including:

• relapse
• oxycodone overdose
• dehydration
• other psychological distress
• suicide

Why Medical Detox Works

Medical detoxification offers participants a safe and comfortable environment, accountability, emotional support, a sense of security and compassion, and treatment for some of the worst symptoms of opioid withdrawal like anxiety, depression, and digestive distress.

This support may include the prescription of comfort medications like clonidine and lofexidine, as well as counseling and supportive treatment provided by trained clinicians.

Medical detox also acts as an on-ramp for a personalized addiction treatment program that’s intended to help participants come to terms with their addiction and build positive coping strategies and motivation to sustain a long-lasting recovery and a better, healthier lifestyle.

Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Options

Once a person completes opioid detoxification, they will likely be recommended to other substance abuse treatment services that may include:

• short- or long-term inpatient treatment
• intensive or non-intensive outpatient treatment
• medication-assisted treatment using methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone
• dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health issues
• aftercare support, which may include peer support groups, case management, and other long-term interventions

At Bedrock Recovery Center, we’re a leading inpatient addiction treatment and mental health services provider serving adults from our Canton, Massachusetts, treatment center.

If you or a loved one have been struggling with harmful drug use, please reach out to our team today for professional, discreet, and compassionate medical detox and drug addiction treatment services.