If you or a close one is consuming prescription opioids, thinking of stopping can be worrisome. The symptoms of withdrawal from oxycodone, including the likes of intense flu-like reactions, severe muscle aches, gastrointestinal distress, as well as crippling anxiety – are the physical response of the body to the drug’s absence. When a person becomes physically opioid-dependent, suddenly stopping or lowering the dosage leads to the nervous system going into a state of hyperactive shock. 

In this detailed guide, we will go through what precisely happens to the body during withdrawal from oxycodone, the expected timeline, and how medical-care that is evidence-based can aid in guiding you safely through the procedure. Let us get started. 

What Leads to Oxycodone Withdrawal? 

Oxycodone is a powerful medication that is prescribed to handle modern-to-intense pain. Whether consumed as a tablet of instant-relief (such as Percocet or Roxicodone) or a formulation of extended-release (such as OxyContin), long-term use fundamentally alters how the brain functions. 

Opioids bind to the brains’ opioid receptors as well as the central nervous system. With time, the body establishes a tolerance, needing higher doses in order to achieve the same amount of relief from pain. More importantly, the human brain adapts to the drug’s constant presence, slowing down certain chemicals’ natural production, like noradrenaline. 

When oxycodone gets suddenly removed, a region at the brain’s base known as the “locus coeruleus” goes into overdrive. It starts releasing significant amounts of noradrenaline, causing intense autonomic hyperactivity that characterizes the withdrawal of opioids. The body is seriously trying to reclaim its chemical balance, leading to profound physical & emotional distress. 

Oxycodone Withdrawal’s Physical & Psychological Symptoms 

As per the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) & SAMHSA clinical guidelines, the symptoms of withdrawal are classified into mainly two categories, namely physical and psychological distress. 

Though the experience can actually feel like an illness that is life-threatening, it is the human’s body’s natural, although agonizing, healing attempt. 

Physical Symptoms

Withdrawal’s physical presentation generally mimics an intense case of the flu that is compounded by intense stomach distress. Some of the common physical symptoms include: 

• Flu-Like Reactions: Frequent yawning, excessive eye-tearing or lacrimation, and a persistent runny nose or rhinorrhea. 

• Temporary Dysregulation: Alternating hot as well as cold flashes, intense sweating or diaphoresis, as well as piloerection (usually referred to as “goosebumps” or “gooseflesh”). 

• Gastrointestinal Distress: Intense nausea, persistent vomiting, severely painful abdominal cramping, as well as diarrhea.

• Musculoskeletal Pain: Intense, generalised muscle aches, discomfort in the bones and joint, as well as involuntary twitching of muscles (especially in the legs). 

• Autonomic Hyperactivity: Dilated pupils, very fastened heart rate (also known as tachycardia), and elevated blood pressure or hypertension. 

Psychological Symptoms

Numerous patients report that withdrawal’s mental tool is harder to handle as compared to physical pain. Without having medical support, these psychological symptoms often drive individuals back to using substances: 

• Intense Anxiety & Agitation: An intense feeling of extreme restlessness, frantic energy, as well as an inability to remain seated still or find comfort. 

• Profound Insomnia: The inability to fall or remain asleep, even when experiencing overwhelming physical fatigue. 

• Mood Fluctuations: Sudden crying spells, extreme irritability, as well as feelings of hopelessness or depression. 

• Overwhelming Cravings: A highly-obsessive, compulsive need to take opioids to put a stop to physical discomfort.

The Timeline of Oxycodone Withdrawal 

The precise timeline of your withdrawal symptoms depends heavily on the oxycodone’s formulation you were consuming, the dosage, as well as your usage’s duration. 

Instant-release formulations leave the body very quickly, triggering a fast-paced outset of numerous symptoms. Extended-release formulations are known to process at a slower pace, thereby delaying the onset but prolonging the overall period of withdrawal. 

Stage 1: The Onset Phase

• Immediate Release: Symptoms start within 6-12 hours of the last dosage. 

• Extended-Release: Symptoms exhibit within 24-36 of the last dosage. 

• What to Expect: Early signs of warning include anxiety, frequent yawning, runny nose, watery eyes, as well as muscle aches. 

Stage 2: The Peak Phase

• When it Happens: Generally between 48-72 hours (Days 2-3) for instant-release, and days 3-8 in the case of extended-release. 

• What to Expect: this is deemed the most intense withdrawal period. Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, intense sweating, as well as intense physical restlessness reach topmost severity. 

Stage 3: The Subsidence

• When it Happens: Usually between days 5-10.

• What to Expect: The acute, intense physical symptoms start to fade gradually. However, tiredness, low energy, as well as sleep disturbances might linger. 

PAWS or Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome 

While the intense physical symptoms generally get resolved within one or two weeks, numerous individuals experience PAWS (Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome). This involves a protracted time period encompassing neurological adjustment. 

Patients might experience cyclical anxiety, sleep-related issues, low mood, as well as cravings that come and go for numerous weeks or in some cases, even months. This makes long-term clinical support paired with counseling crucial to sustained recovery. 

AllianceMD’s Compassionate, Evidence-Based Treatment

At AllianceMD, we are of the firm belief that the recovery journey should not have any disruptions in your life. We provide comprehensive, outpatient-based addiction care specifically crafted to your unique requirements. You are not required to check into a medical facility to stop taking opioids safely. 

Our Board-Certified Addiction Medicine Physicians as well as specialized APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurses), FNP-C leverage FDA-approved MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) to handle withdrawal as well as offer support for long-term sobriety. 

Addiction is a very complex condition that has an effect on both the mind as well as the body. Healing the physical withdrawal symptoms from oxycodone is only deemed the first step. Our LCACs (Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselors) offer premier counseling as well as dual-diagnosis support to aid you navigate co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD (trauma). 

Take the First Step Towards Recovery Today With Us!

You do not need to live in fear regarding withdrawal, and you do not need to walk the path to recovery alone. If you or a close one is struggling with dependency with oxycodone, AllianceMD is here to aid you in building a foundation for long-lasting, free-of-stigma recovery. 

We proudly cater to the communities of NWI (Northwest Indiana), Lake County, and LaPorte County. With premier clinic locations in Munster, Merrillville, and Michigan City, top-notch outpatient care is readily within reach. 

Your life is waiting. Get in touch with our team at AllianceMD today to set up an appointment, and safely start your recovery journey!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. How long does the withdrawal from oxycodone last?

A. Acute symptoms of withdrawal from oxycodone generally peak within 48-72 hours and resolve within a period 5-7 days for instant-release formulations. Extended-release oxycodone withdrawals might take up to 10-14 days to completely subside. However, lingering psychological symptoms as well as cravings, referred to as PAWS (Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome), can persist for numerous months, which is why clinical support is highly recommended. 

Q. Can you safely detoxify from oxycodone at home? 

A. Detoxifying from oxycodone at home “cold turkey” is highly discouraged because of the risks of intense dehydration from vomiting as well as diarrhea, and a very high risk of relapse & subsequent overdose. However, you can safely recover while residing at home via medical outpatient programs. An outpatient clinic can prescribe MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) such as Suboxone to safely handle withdrawal of symptoms without needing inpatient hospitalization. 

Q. Does Suboxone aid with oxycodone withdrawal symptoms? 

A. Yes. Suboxone is renowned as the gold-standard treatment when it comes to opioid withdrawal. It contains buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that securely attaches to the opioid receptors of the brain. This mechanism, in an effective manner, eliminates the withdrawal’s physical symptoms and suppresses serious cravings without creating the euphoric “high” that is generally associated with full opioids such as oxycodone.