It is crucial to seek professional help when attempting to get off oxycodone successfully, especially if you’ve become dependent. Since discontinuing this medication can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, those who quit it face a high risk of relapse. Therefore, getting off oxycodone without medical supervision is not recommended under any circumstances.
Keep reading to learn how to get off oxycodone safely and what makes ANR the most effective oxycodone dependence treatment.
What Is Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic prescribed for moderate-to-severe pain that cannot be managed with non-opioid pain relievers.
As a semi-synthetic opioid, it is derived from thebaine and comes in immediate- and extended-release formulations. Available both as a single-entity and combination drug, oxycodone is sold under different brand names, such as OxyContin® (extended-release oxycodone tablets) and Percocet® (immediate-release acetaminophen/oxycodone tablets).
Although oxycodone products—primarily OxyContin®—were marketed as safe and effective in the 1990s, overprescribing them led to the first wave of the U.S. opioid epidemic.
Today, hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. continue to battle oxycodone dependence and addiction every day. Tragically, between 10,000 and 15,000 Americans lose this battle every year since 2015.
Oxycodone vs. Other Opioids
Oxycodone is among the most potent opioids. It is roughly two times more powerful than morphine and produces greater analgesic effects.
Although oxycodone is effective in relieving pain, it has a high potential for opioid abuse, dependence, and addiction. Because of this, it is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, much like the majority of prescription opioids.
In 2023, oxycodone products were the second most frequently misused prescription pain relievers in the United States after hydrocodone. Around 2.6 million Americans over the age of 12 abused drugs containing oxycodone that year.
Risks and Dangers of Oxycodone Dependence
The greatest risks and dangers of oxycodone dependence are:
Oxycodone dependence is the physical dependence anyone taking this medication for a prolonged time risks developing. Characterized by tolerance and the presence of withdrawal symptoms upon drug discontinuation, opioid dependence occurs due to the neurochemical changes caused by repeated opioid exposure.
Since prolonged oxycodone use causes the brain to create more opioid receptors, eventually, the usual dose becomes less effective. If this happens, talk to your doctor. Do not take more medication than prescribed, as this can result in a potentially fatal oxycodone overdose.
Furthermore, withdrawal symptoms from opioids can be unbearable, which is why thousands of people continue taking these drugs, even when they no longer need them. However, treating opioid dependence is of utmost importance; otherwise, it can develop into an opioid use disorder (OUD), commonly known as opioid addiction.
Unlike dependence, oxycodone addiction is largely psychological. Those addicted lose control over their impulses and cannot get off oxycodone, even when it harms their well-being.
Oxycodone Withdrawal Symptoms & Timeline
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Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms occur in opioid-dependent people when they stop taking this drug or cut back on it.
Some common oxycodone withdrawal symptoms include:
- Chills
- Fever
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Tremors
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Yawning
- Sweating
- Depression
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Appetite loss
- Mood swings
- Goosebumps
- Muscle aches
- Enlarged pupils
- Opioid cravings
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased sensitivity to pain
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
The onset, duration, and severity of these symptoms depend on several individual factors, such as the type of oxycodone taken, the amount and frequency of opioid use, and so forth. The withdrawal symptoms from immediate-release oxycodone set in faster but last a shorter time than those of extended-release formulations.
In most cases, acute oxycodone withdrawal lasts 7–14 days. However, it’s not unusual for cravings, anxiety, and other psychological withdrawal symptoms to intensify once the physical symptoms fade away.
Some people continue to struggle with withdrawal symptoms for several weeks, months, and even years after quitting oxycodone. This is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).
If you’re planning to get off oxycodone, it’s in your best interest to do so under medical supervision. Otherwise, you may be at a heightened risk of dangerous complications, such as dehydration, as well as relapse.
On this note, let’s discuss how to get off oxycodone and find out the safest and most effective way to do so.
How to Get Off Oxycodone
Quitting “cold turkey,” tapering off, and seeking professional treatment are the most common ways to get off oxycodone. However, not all of these methods are effective, and some can even be dangerous.
Let’s explore these different ways of how to get off oxycodone in greater detail:
#1. Quitting Taking Oxycodone
Although simply quitting taking your medication might look like the easiest way to get off oxycodone, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Quitting oxycodone “cold turkey” is the worst way to stop opioid use, as it exposes you to a high risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, relapse, and even death.
While home remedies could help you manage certain oxycodone withdrawal symptoms, abrupt cessation of oxycodone use tends to lead to particularly intense withdrawals. Some of the symptoms may even lead to dehydration and other potentially life-threatening complications without medical supervision.
Furthermore, suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms considerably enhances the risk of relapse. After all, most people relapse because they can’t bear the physical discomfort and emotional distress of opioid withdrawals.
Tragically, relapse after a period of abstaining from oxycodone can have fatal consequences. Due to reduced tolerance, you may overdose even by taking your usual dose. This alone explains why you should never stop taking opioid medications abruptly.
If you want to learn how to get off oxycodone safely, discuss your options with your doctor.
#2. Tapering Off Oxycodone
Tapering off oxycodone, or gradually reducing the dosage until you can safely quit it, is among the most common ways to get off this drug. Yet, this doesn’t mean it is the most effective method.
To safely taper off opioids, it is crucial to work closely with your doctor and stick to the tapering schedule they provide. Do not attempt to taper off oxycodone by yourself since this enhances the risk of relapse.
In theory, tapering off oxycodone is supposed to make the withdrawal process more bearable by allowing your body to adjust to lower medication doses slowly. However, opioid tapering takes a long time; depending on the extent of your oxycodone use and dependence, it may take months or even years.
While this is a major disadvantage of this method, what makes it worse is that opioid tapering doesn’t address the neurochemical causes of oxycodone dependence.
Therefore, ongoing cravings and relapse remain significant risks for those opting for this method. A study by Kuntz et al. suggests that tapering outcomes depend on various factors, including the patient’s motivation and personal circumstances. While oxycodone tapering may work for some people, not all patients complete the taper.
#3. ANR Treatment
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is an ultra-modern opioid dependence treatment that can help you get off oxycodone safely and effectively by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system. Developed by Dr. Andre Waismann, ANR addresses the underlying causes of opioid dependence, thereby eliminating the risk of relapse.
The ANR procedure takes 4–6 hours and is performed under sedation, which minimizes the discomfort of going through opioid withdrawal. Besides blocking opioid receptors, ANR allows the body to resume normal endorphin production. After completing the procedure, patients experience no cravings or other withdrawal symptoms.
Unlike other opioid treatment programs, ANR is a comprehensive treatment that tackles the root of oxycodone dependence rather than its symptoms.
Therefore, patients don’t have to rely on potentially addictive opioid replacement drugs, such as methadone or Suboxone, after undergoing it. By re-balancing the endorphin system, ANR enables patients to enjoy healthy, opioid-free lives after a short hospital stay.
Now that we’ve looked at different methods of how to get off oxycodone, let’s find out how long it typically takes to do it.
How Long Does It Take to Get Off Oxycodone?
How long it takes to get off oxycodone varies individually based on several factors, including the type of oxycodone taken and the extent of oxycodone use.
In most cases, it takes roughly 10 days for acute withdrawal symptoms from oxycodone to subside. However, cravings and other psychological symptoms tend to last much longer. Although tapering off oxycodone can make these symptoms milder, this method can take anywhere between several months and years.
If you’re like most people, you may be wondering how to get off oxycodone and make a lasting recovery as quickly as possible. While opting for a professional oxycodone dependence treatment can make your recovery significantly safer and faster, not all treatments are equally safe and effective. Some, such as rapid detox, lead to more relapses than recoveries.
On the other hand, ANR treatment stands out as the quickest, safest, and most effective way to get off oxycodone. The average hospital stay for ANR patients lasts only 36 hours. Therefore, unlike traditional methods, ANR can help you get off oxycodone within days, regardless of how long you’ve been taking it.
Start Living an Opioid-Free Life Today with ANR Clinic
As the first and only treatment that targets the chemical causes of opioid dependence, ANR has an unparalleled success rate. As of today, it has supported nearly 25,000 people worldwide in achieving lifelong recovery from opioid dependence.
Designed with patient safety in mind, ANR is scientifically proven to be highly safe and effective. The treatment is tailored to each patient, making it suitable even for those with co-occurring health conditions.
Furthermore, ANR is carried out in an ICU setting of fully accredited hospitals with state-of-the-art medical equipment. The ANR team includes highly trained and compassionate board-certified healthcare professionals, including anesthesiologists and critical care physicians, dedicated to ensuring your comfort and safety before, during, and after the procedure.
To get started with ANR, contact us for a free, fully confidential consultation.
Key Takeaways
By now, you should have a better idea of how to get off oxycodone safely and effectively, and why you should never do it abruptly or without medical supervision.
Let’s reiterate the key points we covered today:
- Oxycodone is a potent semi-synthetic opioid used to control moderate-to-severe pain that can lead to abuse, dependence, and addiction.
- Getting off oxycodone can trigger physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, such as vomiting, muscle pain, cravings, and sleep disturbances.
- While tapering off can help reduce the intensity of oxycodone withdrawal symptoms, it takes a long time, doesn’t eliminate the risk of relapse, and doesn’t resolve the cause of dependency.
- ANR is the best way to get off oxycodone, as it addresses the root of the problem by restoring the brain to its pre-dependence state.
How to Get Off Oxycodone FAQ
You can only stop the effects of oxycodone by administering opioid antagonist medications, such as naloxone. It is the only drug that can reverse an opioid overdose.
Oxycodone is very addictive. Therefore, it is treated as a Schedule II controlled substance and can only be obtained by prescription. Although taking it as prescribed reduces the risk of dependence and addiction, it does not eliminate it. Since prolonged use increases the risk of dependence, it’s best to limit oxycodone use to the shortest duration necessary.
Your body enters a state of withdrawal when you stop taking oxycodone after becoming dependent. As your body flushes oxycodone out of the system and tries to adjust to the absence of the drug, you may experience uncomfortable physical and psychological symptoms, such as fever, cravings, and depression.
While your doctor can help you figure out how to stop taking oxycodone, ANR is undoubtedly the best way to get off it. Even if you’ve been struggling with oxycodone dependence for years, ANR Clinic can help you return to a happy, opioid-free life within a matter of days by restoring normal brain function.
It is not safe to taper off oxycodone at home. Tapering off oxycodone without medical supervision significantly increases the risk of relapse, which can result in a fatal overdose. To increase the chances of recovery, consult with your doctor on how to taper off oxycodone safely; they can create a taper schedule tailored to your unique circumstances.
