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Everything You Need to Know About OxyContin Rehab

The Complete Guide to OxyContin Rehab

Don’t let opioids ruin your life. Rehab can provide the help and support you need to get clean.

OxyContin is a widely popular prescription painkiller. Made from oxycodone, this drug has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. It’s a dangerous and highly addictive substance.

This drug is a member of the opiate class. It’s a lot like fentanyl, Vicodin, and Percocet. It also shares many characteristics with heroin.

Typically, this drug is prescribed for pain relief. Doctors give it to patients for acute or chronic pain problems. But, many people use this drug recreationally. Unfortunately, many people become addicted to it.

As an opiate, OxyContin is a key player in America’s opioid overdose crisis. Each year, Oxy and other opioids cause around 33,000 fatal overdoses.

So, it’s important that Oxy addicts find help. To avoid overdosing, they should reach out to an OxyContin rehab and detox program. These programs can help them quit before their problem progresses.

We hope that this article will help you find a rehab program that can guide you toward sobriety.

Are you here because you’re worried about your OxyContin habit? Take our free online assessment to find out if you need help for your addiction:

Quiz: Am I Addicted to Prescription Drugs?

OxyContin Addiction Information

OxyContin FAQs

Before we talk about rehab, we want to answer some basic questions about this drug. Here are the answers to some common inquiries:

A lot of people ask about OxyContin vs oxycodone. What’s the difference between these two things? Is one of them stronger than the other? Is one of them more addictive?

Neither one is stronger or more addictive than the other. This is because they are basically the same thing. Oxycodone is the main ingredient in OxyContin. It’s the chemical that gives the product its pain-relieving qualities. It’s also the chemical that makes the drug addictive.

The only difference between them is that OxyContin is a brand name product. Oxycodone is a generic chemical that’s used in many products.

Hydrocodone is another popular opioid. This chemical is found in drugs like Vicodin, Lorcet, and Lortab.

Oxycodone and hydrocodone are almost identical. The effects are indistinguishable. Both drugs are classified as Schedule II substances and carry a high risk of abuse.

Like Oxy, Percocet is a popular opioid product. This product is made primarily from OxyContin.

These two products are relatively similar. But, Percocet contains a large percentage of acetaminophen (Tylenol). This chemical has mild pain-relieving qualities. So, Percs are able to provide pain relief without being made entirely from oxycodone.

OxyContin, on the other hand, contains no acetaminophen. Percentage-wise, this product contains far more oxycodone than Percocet does.

Oxy is far less common than it used to be. At one point, it was among the most popular opioids in America. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, roughly 13.7 million Americans used recreational oxycodone in 2003.

The drug’s popularity stemmed from Purdue’s promotion and marketing efforts. They pushed the drug heavily.

As the federal government recognized the drug’s addictive nature, they began to regulate it. Eventually, the FDA forced the drug manufacturer to change the formula. Their changes made the drug less powerful.

As a result, doctors stopped prescribing it as much. They began to prescribe other opioids like fentanyl in cases where they would have once prescribed Oxy.

While there are some doctors who still prescribe it, we see far less of it than we used to.

These days, very few pharmacies carry Oxys. This is partly because so few doctors prescribe it.

But, the lack of carriers also has to do with the history of crime that surrounds the drug. At one point, OxyContin robberies were one of the most common drug-related crimes. Pharmacies were robbed frequently by people who wanted to use or sell the drug.

So, many stores stopped carrying it. Today, it’s more common on the street than it is in drugstores.

Mixing alcohol with any drug is dangerous. But, mixing alcohol with opioids can be fatal.

Both oxycodone and alcohol are depressants. This means that they depress the body’s nervous system. When the nervous system slows down, the heart and lungs also slow down.

If these systems slow down too much, the body stops functioning properly. The user isn’t able to breathe, move, or even think fast enough. Their heart beats slower than usual. Their lungs pump air slower than usual. In some cases, they may even stop. This is how accidental overdoses occur.

So, the answer is “yes”. Mixing alcohol with Oxys is dangerous. Users should never do it under any circumstances.

OxyContin Detox: The First Step Toward a Better Life

In order for someone to quit using a drug, they must start by flushing that drug out of their system. Otherwise, they’ll continue to crave it.

This “flushing” process is known as drug detox. While some people detox at home by themselves, it’s best for addicts to do it in a professional facility.

OxyContin is one drug that especially requires professional detox. Opioid detox is unpleasant because it causes withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are sometimes painful. Many addicts don’t make it through withdrawals because they relapse before the process is over. And opiate withdrawals can be fatal in certain cases.

So, recovering addicts are advised to check into a professional detox program. These programs won’t just keep them safe throughout the process, but will also alleviate some of the withdrawal symptoms.

Opioid withdrawal is an uncomfortable process. Addicts in withdrawal typically experience several of the following symptoms and side effects:

  • Intense cravings
  • Anxiety/panic
  • Depression
  • Exhaustion
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Muscle cramps
  • Stomach cramps
  • Flu-like symptoms (fever, shakiness, etc.)

Detox doctors can’t eliminate these symptoms. But, they are able to alleviate or lessen some symptoms.

What Happens in an Oxycodone Detox Program?

Detox programs are similar to hospital stays. Addicts “check-in” to a hospital and live on-site for a few days while they wean off their drug of choice.

An OxyContin addict, for example, spends a few days taking smaller and smaller doses of the drug. During that time, they live in the detox facility and are supervised by doctors. These doctors monitor their progress to ensure that they are safe throughout the process. They may also administer medications to ease withdrawal symptoms.

At the beginning of the program, a doctor works with the patient to determine the best course of action. They decide whether the patient can quit all at once or requires a slow-taper detox. They also determine whether or not the patient requires medication. Through a check-up and interview process, the doctor helps the patient to detox in the safest and most comfortable manner.

Many types, addicts transition directly from a detox program to an OxyContin rehab program.

OxyContin is a dangerous drug. Our drug detox program can help you overcome your drug habit. Learn more here:

Northpoint Washington Medical Detox Program

The oxycodone detox process is different for everyone. Some people are able to get off the drug in 3 days while others take up to a week. The exact timeline depends on a number of different factors (see the “Which Factors Affect the Withdrawal Timeline?” below).

Under normal circumstances, the withdrawal period goes something like this:

Days 1-2: Within a few hours after the addict stops using, they start to feel withdrawal symptoms. The get nauseous. They feel anxious. They have strong cravings and may lose their appetite. These symptoms persist on a mild level for around a day before progressing.

Days 3-4: Over the new couple of days, withdrawal symptoms worsen. The addict begins to vomit more and more as their body works to expel the drug from its system. They may also experience diarrhea. They also sweat profusely because the body flushes the drug out through the sweat glands.

Days 5+: Withdrawal symptoms get to the worst point toward the end of the week. This is known as the “peak” period. Once an addict peaks, their symptoms start to diminish. At this time, it becomes easier for them to eat sleep, and function without using drugs. They should transition to an OxyContin rehab program from there.

As we pointed out above, there are a number of factors that increase or decrease the length of detox. Some of those factors include:

Liver health: One of the liver’s many functions is processing drugs. Whenever a toxic chemical enters the body, the liver is involved in flushing it out. Therefore, if someone has an unhealthy liver, they’ll also have poor opioid metabolism. So, it’ll take them a few days longer to detox from the drug.

Other addictions: Drugs have a severely negative effect on the liver. They’re especially bad when mixed. If, for example, an addict struggles with alcohol and drug abuse at the same time, their liver tends to deteriorate at a rapid pace. There, they might have a more difficult struggle with detox.

Age: One of the tragedies of life is that our bodies deteriorate over time. Unfortunately, older people tend to have poorer liver health. This is not always the case, of course. But, most older addicts have a worse opioid metabolism, especially if they’ve been using for a long time.

Nature of addiction: As you might imagine, the severity of detox corresponds with the severity of an addict’s habit. The more someone uses, the longer it takes them to detox. Opioid byproducts accumulate in the liver over time, so it takes a while for the body to flush them out entirely. Normally, long-term users have a harder time detoxing than those who’ve only been addicted for a few months.

OxyContin Detox FAQs

Thinking about opioid detox? Well, you probably have some questions.

OxyContin Addiction Information

Here’s a short Q+A section that we hope will answer all of your detox inquiries.

The half-life of OxyContin is 3-5 hours. This means that every 3-5 hours, 50% of the total amount a person used leaves their system. So, if they took an Oxy 80mg pill, it’ll take up to 5 hours for them to eliminate 40mg. Then, it’ll take another few hours to eliminate an additional 20mg. This pattern repeats itself until all of the chemicals are flushed out.

Detox lasts as long as it takes for the addict to get clean. As we pointed out in the “Withdrawal Timeline” section above, this usually means 5-7 days.

Patients are allowed to leave detox whenever they want. If a person decides that they don’t want to be in detox, they are free to go home. These programs are intended to help people, not to punish them.

However, if a patient is sentenced to court-appointed detox, the program is required to notify the court. This can have legal implications for the addict (ie. jail time, fines, etc.).

There are ways to detox from OxyContin naturally. For example, some people change their diets. Others start exercising. For some people, these techniques help to ease withdrawal symptoms and expedite the detox process.

While a healthier diet and more exercise benefit everyone, they should never be the sole method of detox. They work best in conjunction with professional treatment.

Even if someone starts exercising, they’ll still experience withdrawal symptoms. Thus, they run the risk of relapsing. So, addicts should seek out professionals who can treat their withdrawal symptoms and help them avoid a relapse.

Also, recovering addicts are advised against detox drinks and pills. Most of these products don’t work and will only instill a false sense of hope in the addict.

Pregnant women should meet with a doctor before they attempt to get off drugs. Detoxing while pregnant is potentially dangerous. It can cause problems for mothers and their unborn children.

If a pregnant woman is addicted to OxyContin, she can get off drugs. However, there are many potential side effects. In order to limit these side effects, she should seek professional help.

Drug detox is the only tool that can help you get opioids out of your body. After a detox program, you will be able to pass a blood or urine drug test.

Typically, oxycodone stays in your system for less than 24 hours. If you have any abnormal health conditions or a particularly bad addiction, it may last longer.

But, opioid withdrawal symptoms are very painful. So, a lot of people who try to detox before a drug test are unable to do it without relapsing.

Thus, the best way to pass a drug test is to attend a detox program. This helps addicts to commit to the process and finish without going back to their pills.

Learn how Northpoint’s drug detox program can help you through drug withdrawals.

OxyContin Rehab: Helping Addicts Start Their Lives Over

Drug rehab is the second stage of recovery. This stage helps to treat the mental and emotional aspects of addiction disorder.

Remember, drug addiction is a two-part condition. Detox helps addicts overcome the physical side of addiction. Rehab helps them overcome the psychological side.

It works this way by introducing addicts to therapy. In rehab, addicts meet with several therapists each day. In their sessions, they work toward understanding why they have a tendency to use drugs and why they use drugs as a coping mechanism. Therapy teaches addicts how to manage stress in order to avoid relapse.

This is a valuable resource for recovering addicts. A few weeks in rehab can help addicts avoid re-entering the addiction cycle.

What is Oxycodone Rehab Like?

Every rehab program has a different structure. Each program takes a different approach to addiction treatment and is based around a different philosophy. For example, some programs are based around medication treatments while others use natural, organic treatment methods instead.

The best drug rehab programs are the ones that offer several different treatment options. This allows doctors to develop a customized treatment plan. This allows them to meet the addict’s needs on an individual basis.

A good rehab program offers the following treatment options (at the very least):

Therapy is integral to a strong rehab plan. OxyContin addicts gain immense benefits from meeting one-on-one with a therapist.

In these meetings, the therapist helps the addict to determine the underlying factors that drive their addiction. The therapist helps the addict to overcome these roadblocks so they can move forward in a healthier way.

There are many specialized therapies that support addiction recovery. Good OxyContin rehab programs offer a range of therapy options.

For example, some addicts benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Others benefit from psychoanalysis. It’s good for addicts to have access to the treatment methods that can best help them.

Almost every rehab center facilitates group therapy sessions.

In these sessions, addicts get together to open up about their experiences. They share their feelings and get honest about their regrets. Everyone listens and supports each other as they all work to get sober together.

It’s beneficial for people to build a sense of community with others in recovery.

Experts point out that stress is the leading cause of relapse. In order to stay sober after OxyContin rehab, addicts must learn to cope with stress.

After all, life is very stressful. If an addict learns to manage their emotions, they have a better chance of staying clean over time.

A good diet can do wonders for a person in recovery.

By eating healthy foods, addicts can improve their state of mind. This helps to reduce the risk of relapse. And, it helps them to replenish their bodies after years of putting unhealthy chemicals in their system.

Many rehab centers offer diet counseling to teach addicts how to take care of their bodies.

How to Find the Best OxyContin Rehab Program

According to expert data, there are more than 14,000 addiction rehab programs in the US. So, it can be a bit difficult to pick the perfect treatment center.

Below, we’ve outlined a few questions that every addict should ask themselves before committing to treatment. These questions will help anyone pick the best treatment center for them.

There are several different types of rehab. Each one is designed to meet the needs of different people.

For example, some treatment centers offer inpatient rehab services. These programs offer residential treatment where addicts live for a few weeks. They sleep in a dorm and eat meals with other patients. During the day, they undergo intensive therapy and counseling sessions, usually for the entire day.

Inpatient rehab works best for people who have a difficult time avoiding relapse on the outside. These programs eliminate the temptation to use because no illegal drugs are present. They give patients the time and space to focus on recovery.

Other people prefer outpatient rehab. These programs are more like day camps. Patients attend treatment during the day and head home at night.

This type of rehab works well for OxyContin addicts who can’t afford to leave their lives. Some people can’t attend inpatient rehab due to school, work, or family. For these people, outpatient rehab is best. There are even intensive outpatient rehab programs (IOP) that involve 20+ hours of treatment every week.

Read more here: Inpatient Drug Rehab vs Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Obviously, it’s important to consider the location. Most people attend rehab in or near their hometown. Typically, they do this out of convenience.

However, a lot of people leave home for addiction treatment. This allows them to step away from their lives to put all of their focus on recovery.

Sometimes, it’s difficult to rehabilitate in your own town. Oftentimes, there are too many triggers and temptations around. So, some people benefit from leaving home for rehab treatment.

Before you choose an OxyContin rehab program, think carefully about whether or not you’ll be able to get clean in the place where you’re accustomed to doing drugs.

Many addicts suffer from co-occurring disorders. This is a diagnosis given to people who struggle with drug addiction and a mental illness simultaneously. This condition is also known as “comorbidity” or a “dual diagnosis”.

As you might imagine, it can be difficult to treat this type of individual. Oftentimes, mental illnesses require medicated treatment. But if someone has a tendency to use drugs, they may be tempted to abuse their prescription.

For example, someone might take OxyContin to cope with their depression disorder or anxiety disorder. If they attempt to quit, it could impact their mental health.

So, the addict must be supervised by a doctor when they try to quit. This doctor will find the proper treatment for their condition. And, they can connect the addict with therapists who can help them manage their addictive tendencies.

If you or a family member struggle with mental illness and addiction, it’s crucial to find a good program. Co-occurring disorder rehab will help you overcome both conditions.

Don’t Let OxyContin run your life any longer. Check out our drug rehab program and get the help you need today!

OxyContin Rehab FAQs

We get a lot of questions from patients and their families. Below, we answer some of the most common questions about drug rehab.

Most drug rehab programs are completely confidential. Northpoint Washington won’t release your name or information without your permission. We do not take or share any pictures of our patients without their permission, either.

If you attend our OxyContin rehab program, your identity is safe with us!

Employers are not allowed to fire employees for seeking rehab treatment. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, all employees maintain the right to seek treatment for a medical condition. Thus, workers are able to attend rehab without having to worry about termination.

There are a few exceptions. For example, employees lose their right if they fail a drug test before seeking treatment. If someone decides to get help because they failed a test, their employer is entitled to fire them.

Most rehab programs last for 4 to 6 weeks. Some are longer. Others are shorter. Typically, the addict enrolls for as long as it takes them to get confidently sober.

In some ways, inpatient rehab is like camp. You have to pack enough clothing that you won’t have to do laundry every other day. When packing for rehab, we recommend that you bring:

  • 7 days of comfortable clothing
  • A notebook for journaling your experience
  • Photos of your family and pets
  • 1-2 books for entertainment

It’s important to keep in mind that rehab is about recovery. It’s not about showing off your jewelry and fancy outfits. It’s not about distracting yourself with gadgets.

Therefore, you should bring the bare necessities and leave the rest at home. It’ll be there when you get back.

The cost of rehab varies. It depends on the program, the location, and the patient’s insurance plan.

Check out the “How Much Does OxyContin Rehab Cost?” section below for a more complete answer.

Most insurance providers cover the cost of addiction treatment. See the “How Much Does OxyContin Rehab Cost?” section below.

After rehab, addicts should seek continued support. It helps to have people who can guide you through the first few months of sobriety.

There are many different aftercare options. Some people live in sober housing with other recovered addicts. Many people attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

Whatever the venue, addicts should seek some kind of aftercare support. These resources can help them to transition back into a normal, drug-free lifestyle.

Unfortunately, relapses are possible. Some people just can’t manage to stay sober after their first rehab stay.

If you relapse, don’t worry. The important part is that you work hard to get sober again. Don’t give up hope just because you relapsed one time. You still have the opportunity to overcome your addiction.

How Much Does OxyContin Rehab Cost?

Many people avoid going to rehab because they’re worried about paying for it. This is unfortunate. Addicts should never let cost deter them from getting the help they need.

In some cases, rehab can be expensive. But, it isn’t always costly. There are many ways to go to rehab for free (or very little money).

Many cities have free detox and rehab programs who can’t afford treatment. And, even for-profit programs offer payment plans. These plans allow addicts to get treatment when they need it. Then, the addict has the chance to pay over time.

But, the best way to pay for OxyContin rehab is to use insurance. Most insurance providers cover addiction treatment. If you subscribe to an insurance plan, you are most likely entitled to free rehab services.

Click here to find out if your insurance provider covers the cost of addiction treatment.

OxyContin Addiction Treatment

Northpoint Washington: Professional Rehab for OxyContin Addicts

If you or a family member are addicted to oxycodone, you need to find help. This is a dangerous drug that takes thousands of lives.

OxyContin rehab can help you find a happier life.

At Northpoint Washington, we provide expert detox and rehab services. We offer some of the best drug addiction resources in Washington State.

Don’t give up hope. The road to recovery is a long and difficult one. But, we want to hold your hand and help you take the first steps. There’s a brand new life waiting for you just around the corner. Contact us today.
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