Oxycodone rehab treatment: What to expect?

A review of what happens during oxycodone addiction treatment here.

7
minute read

Quit Oxycodone Safely

A good rehab program is essential to overcoming addiction. Once the immediate physical symptoms of withdrawal have passed, you need behavioral therapy to keep from using again.

In this article, we’ll review what you can expect from a reputable rehab. Continue reading for more information on what you can expect during treatment AND after you complete the program. Then, we invite your questions – candid or serious – about oxycodone rehab treatment in the comments section at the end. We try to respond to all real-life questions personally and promptly.

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Oxycodone addiction is a downward spiral.
But recovery is possible.
Just call 1-877-424-4952.
Help is one phone call away.
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Why do you need rehab?

Oxycodone is the primary active ingredient found popular prescription painkillers like Percocet or Oxycontin. This prescription opioid is very fast-acting when used alone, powerful, and very addictive. Individuals can become addicted to oxycodone, even when they take the medication as prescribed. An oxycodone addiction usually requires medical help to overcome.

Why?

  1. Oxycodone triggers strong cravings, which often lead to relapse.
  2. Oxycodone withdrawal can be more humane and is best managed medically.
  3. Addiction experts use evidence-based treatments for best results. You don’t know them.
  4. It helps to get away from the people, places, and things that trigger you.
  5. You’ll learn how to live life again…without oxycodone!

What does rehab teach you?

Many people will want to know what they should pay for a rehab that takes them away from family and work. Why go to so much trouble  when you plan to quit oxycodone for good?

While addiction recovery will be a unique experience, there are some common things you’ll get from rehab that are crucial to quitting. One important thing you’ll learn is how to change your daily habits, so you do not go back to using again. Our habits are formed by thought patterns, which makes them difficult to change. A good oxycodone rehab program includes various therapies that help you examine your thought processes and find out what led you to addiction in the first place.

Another reason to seek professional help is that you don’t need to go through the process alone. If you’re on your own, how would you even know what treatments work and what doesn’t? Rehabs offer dozens of treatment options that have been proven to work. But when you’re in a group setting…you can also benefit from the strength of others. Combining talk therapy with medications, for example, is an evidence-based practice that can lead you to freedom.

However, the key element of each medically guided recovery program is SAFETY. Receiving constant medical care and advice 24/7 is one of the greatest assets of a rehab experience. The risky nature of withdrawal and the high chances of relapse underline the need for an individualized, structured and professionally guided treatment for oxycodone addiction.

What Happens In Oxycodone Rehab Treatment?

We’re glad you asked!

Many individuals aren’t quite sure what to expect during oxycodone rehab treatment, and will often be intimidated and even ashamed to ask for help overcoming oxycodone addiction. Knowing what to expect during rehab treatment, though, can help alleviate some of the fears and misconceptions surrounding treatment.

The following services are typically offered by reputable rehab facilities.

Screenings and assessments

An addiction screening and assessment is typically performed before a person enters treatment. This is necessary in order to determine the extent of a person’s addiction and create an addiction treatment plan. A standard assessment usually includes drug testing, an intake interview, questionnaires, and a full medical and family history.

Medical detox

For many, suddenly stopping opioids such as oxycodone can cause seriously uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. These usually include nausea, vomiting, sweating, trembling, runny nose, agitation, and insomnia. During a medical detox program, you can be monitored 24-7 by medical professionals to help ensure a safe and more comfortable withdrawal.

Medications

Medications such as methadone and buprenorphine are sometimes used to treat oxycodone addiction. Treatment with these medications is usually started during detox and continued during treatment and beyond. Using medications can help reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and can eliminate drug cravings.

Psychological treatments

Individual behavior therapy is often the cornerstone of oxycodone rehab treatment. This is often combined with group therapy and family counseling to round out the treatment.

Education sessions

By learning more about the disease and how it works, you are better able to fight it. You’ll typically spend several hours of rehab treatment attending education sessions to learn about how oxycodone works in the brain, addiction (in general), and you’ll learn different relapse prevention techniques.

Supportive services

Rehab centers typically offer several different types of supportive services to recovering addicts. This can include legal help, social services, housing arrangements, and coordinating with probation officers. These services can be used to help you remain drug-free and to set up a more productive life outside of the treatment facility.

What To Expect After Treatment

Many people aren’t quite sure what to expect after treatment, and some may even be nervous when they realize that they need to leave a treatment program. Such feelings are common and bear merit. After a time in oxycodone rehab, you’ll face a number of obstacles, which can make it difficult to stay clean outside of the drug-free environment of a rehab facility.

To help minimize the risk of relapse and increase the chances of success, rehab staff try to prepare you to re-enter society in the days and weeks that lead to your medical discharge. For instance, rehabs often help create exit plans, which are written lists of goals you’d like to reach after treatment. Addiction specialists will also help you figure out and outline the steps that they need to take in order to reach these goals.

You normally create an addiction aftercare plan before you leave rehab, as well. This usually requires that you continue therapy and counseling sessions, but on an outpatient basis. You may meet with your therapists or counselors as often as a few times per week or as little as a couple of times per month after oxycodone rehab.

Visiting Someone In Oxycodone Rehab: How To Prepare?

Visiting someone in oxycodone rehab treatment can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. On one hand, you will be able to see your loved one and see the progress that they’ve made while in treatment. On the other hand, however, it can be hard to see your loved one in such a rigid and structured setting.

Before visiting someone in oxycodone rehab treatment, you should first contact the facility to find out more about their visitation policies. Most facilities will only allow a recovering addict to have visitors after they have settled into the routine of a program, which can take a few weeks. You will most likely only be able to visit your loved one on certain days for a few hours each time. However, some rehab facilities do allow much longer visits in some circumstances.

When visiting someone in rehab, you will most likely be asked to leave certain personal items, such as medications and cell phones, at home or in your vehicles. You may also be searched when you arrive, and may be required to leave your belongings in the reception area. Don’t take this personally; the protocol is in place because people try to smuggle drugs or alcohol into rehab for their loved ones.

During your visit, you will be able to spend some time with your loved one. For instance, you will be able to chat with them, take a walk around the grounds, or even play games. You may also be asked to participate in family counseling or education sessions as well. Conjugal visits are usually not allowed and some rehabs don’t even allow physical contact. We suggest that you take this in stride. Concentrate on how you can help your loved one…and trust that the rest will work itself out.

Can You Leave Oxycodone Rehab Early?

The short answer to this is: Yes.

You can leave oxycodone rehab treatment before completion.

Of course, this is strongly discouraged for a number of reasons. Even if a person believes that they are ready, this usually isn’t the case. Individuals who do not complete a treatment program typically have not gained the knowledge, strength, and tools needed to remain drug-free. Because of this, the chances of relapse are much higher for individuals that quit treatment early.

On the other hand, completing rehab can:

  • Give you a sense of accomplishment.
  • Help you live a healthier lifestyle.
  • Earn you respect and admiration from your loved ones.

Oxycodone Rehab Treatment Expectations

Taking those first steps toward recovery are often very difficult, but very necessary. We hope to have set your rehab treatment expectations straight. But we understand that you still may have some questions.

Do you have any other questions or concerns about oxycodone rehab treatment? Leave them in the comments section below; our mission is to help addicts and their loved ones make sense of this disease and learn how they can start the long process of recovery.

Reference Sources: FDA: OxyContin – Questions and Answers
NIH: Misuse of Prescription Drugs
NIH: What is Prescription Drug Abuse?
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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