How to Get Off Oxycodone

It is no secret that prescription drug abuse is a very serious problem faced by many members of society. Most people know that oxycodone is an opiate pain reliever that is prescribed to combat severe pain. It is very effective when used properly, but, unfortunately, it is often misused or abused and has a high potential for dependence and addiction. This leaves many people wondering how to get off oxycodone. There are a number of options available for those seeking treatment.

Tapering

One method of getting off of oxycodone is tapering. In this method, you slowly reduce the amount of oxycodone you take over time. Eventually you will be oxycodone free. This method eliminates the unpleasant side effects of withdrawal, but is extremely unlikely to be successful unless it is done under close medical supervision, and you have an very strong desire to quit.

Cold Turkey

Cold turkey is a phrase that refers to stopping the use of a drug suddenly and completely. However, suddenly stopping the use of an opiate, such as oxycodone, that you are addicted to, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, results in severe withdrawal symptoms that can be dangerous and life-threatening.

Going through this process while in treatment is much safer, as you will have medical supervision and can receive help with the most dangerous symptoms of withdrawal.

Methadone

It is true that tapering and quitting oxycodone cold turkey are not very successful, but there are other options. One of these is methadone maintenance. Methadone is a different kind of opioid, administered under tight medical supervision,which is very hard to get high from, but keeps you from suffering withdrawal.

Methadone is then slowly tapered off until you are drug free. If you want to get off of oxycodone, call us at 888-810-2643 and let us help you get the treatment you need.

Buprenorphine

You can be prescribed medications that will help you get off oxycodone.

Buprenorphine is similar to methadone in the way that it works and the way it is administered. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Maryland, it is generally considered to be safer than methadone, because it has fewer side effects, has a lower occurrence of dependence, and is less damaging in event of an overdose. For this reason, it is becoming more common in oxycodone treatment.

Suboxone

Suboxone is the combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Naloxone blocks specific receptors in the brain, preventing opiates from functioning. This makes it all but impossible to overdose on Suboxone and prevents it from being used illicitly. These factors are making the use of Suboxone in treatment far more prevalent in recent years.

Inpatient and Outpatient Options

All of the various treatment options may be done in inpatient or outpatient treatment centers. Inpatient centers involve residing in the facility for a certain period of time at the beginning of recovery. Outpatient centers have you come for regular appointments in order to receive the treatment prescribed for you.

There are also combination centers that begin your treatment as an inpatient, and then transition you to outpatient treatment. Regardless of what treatment option works for you, the most important thing to do in order to get off oxycodone is to seek treatment. Call us today at 888-810-2643 and let us assist you in finding the treatment option that is best for you.

Getting Off Oxycodone