Oxycodone is a highly potent substance that is mostly preferred by the majority of opioid users due to its fast-acting impact to produce high. Whether it is used medically or for recreation purposes, anyone taking the drug is susceptible to establishing immediate physical dependence which will, later on, cause withdrawal symptoms.
Physical health is primarily affected at the beginning of the treatment and the pain can last for a week or more. As soon as the physical symptoms begin to subside, there is a huge tendency for the psychological symptoms to show up. On top of that, strong cravings for the substance continue to persist, making withdrawal treatment more prone to failure.
How Can Oxycodone Withdrawal Affect Me
To ensure you are getting a personalized detox treatment for oxycodone, you need to consult a professional. They have the expertise and experience to help you recover. It would also be a great help if one personally prepares their mindset about the possible outcomes of the process.
The impact of the treatment depends on multiple factors. Treatment specialists would initially assess a person’s overall health condition. Do patients have any history of substance abuse? Have they ever been diagnosed with any mental health disorder in the past? Have they suffered from any serious physical illness before?
If the answer to any of these questions is a yes, it is likely for individuals to suffer complex conditions during detox. But it is important to note that there is a solution to the matter and that is working with professional care so that prescriptions can be given to alleviate the problem. Sometimes, behavioral therapies and counseling are added to the treatment plan.
Oxycodone is a drug prescribed to relieve chronic pain, however; starting withdrawal may likely cause this pain to recur at a more intense level. Considering how the drug decreases the body’s tolerance to pain, conditions can be quite challenging at this phase. Some would even resort to using the substance just to relieve the pain but this can also be too risky.
For those people who abused oxycodone intensely, they are likely to suffer from a relapse. But this can be prevented via a medically supervised detox plan. This can be caused by the powerful cravings that persist as soon as one flushes out the substance in the bloodstream. These can be very pressing during the first week and may even swing up and down for months.
When a person gives in to the cravings, the purpose of the withdrawal is defeated. With multiple failed attempts to detox, treatment becomes longer and symptoms become more difficult to endure. However, with the prescription of less-addictive opioid drugs, these cravings can be reduced, and with behavioral therapies, they can be overcome, making recovery imminent.
What Are The Physical Withdrawal Symptoms
At the height of the withdrawal treatment, patients will initially suffer physical withdrawal symptoms which can subside after a week. Some patients will even continue to experience a few ones a couple of weeks more but with medications, the severity can be less and the duration can be limited.
Cardio-respiratory problems
Oxycodone can impact a person’s cardiorespiratory function during withdrawal. High blood pressure can be triggered and individuals are likely to experience irregular heartbeat as well as rapid breathing. If they have suffered illnesses related to this system before, quitting cold turkey may be too risky and medical monitoring would be highly essential to be safe.
Pain and sickness
Body pain and headache are primarily the symptoms that appear at the onset of withdrawal treatment. This can show up within 8 and 24 hours after taking the last dose. Conditions can be extreme which oftentimes lead to fatigue. Typically, symptoms like the ones from flu can be very common during the first two days.
These symptoms can be accompanied by sickness, specifically nausea and vomiting. Some may even suffer from stomach problems and experience diarrhea. There are over-the-counter medicines that can be taken to relieve the pain but it is still important to always seek the advice of one’s attending physician.
Cramps and issues with the senses
One might find themselves extremely sweating, shaking, experiencing cramps and chills during detox. Others will also notice patients suffering from runny noses, dilated pupils, and uncontrollable tears. Keep in mind that severity varies from person to person. With medical attention and care, these physical issues can be prevented or limited.
What Are The Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms
Right when the physical symptoms begin to subside, the psychological symptoms hit hard starting on the fifth day. It can progress to intense levels if not given the proper interventions. This is the reason why therapies and counseling are recommended to be part of an individual’s treatment plan.
Mental health disorders
Anyone who undergoes withdrawal is vulnerable to suffering from mental health disorders.
For those with a history of anxiety and depression or even those who remain undiagnosed, symptoms can be worse. Suicidal ideations can be very strong in this case and if left untreated, may lead to suicide.
Problems with the mood
Mood swings can be a huge problem. Patients may struggle with irritability and agitation. Having difficulty understanding their disposition, those who experience mood swings can also strain the way they deal with others. It is important to note that these changes are part of the impact of withdrawal so patience and understanding can mean a lot to them.
Disturbed sleep and focus
Experiencing a series of disturbed sleep during withdrawal contributes a lot to the exhaustion that the body experiences that is why patients are likely to be down on the first two days of detox. Insomnia is one factor that weakens an individual’s coping condition during treatment. This is when hydration and a proper diet can boost one to continue coping.
Apart from a night of disturbed sleep, the ability to concentrate can also be affected. Patients may appear restless and might not be able to fully attend to the things that they need to do. This is when the company of close kin or a medical team can be valuable especially in helping patients work on their daily tasks.
