Oxycodone rehabilitation: How long?

Oxycodone can be addictive! In this article we summarize the duration of oxycodone rehabilitation treatment and what oxycodone rehab looks like. Questions welcomed at the end!

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Oxycodone is highly addictive!

While most people who take oxycodone as prescribed do not become addicted, those who abuse their pain medication or obtain it illegally may find themselves becoming rapidly dependent on the drug. In fact, oxycodone has been called “pharmaceutical heroin” and is thought to have been responsible for a number of deaths and robberies in areas where its abuse has been reported.

So, what can you do if you or a loved one have started to show signs of oxycodone addiction? What course of treatement is the best for you? After reading this article on the types and durations of oxycodone rehabilitation, feel free to post your questions and comments at the end. We’ll make sure to answer to you personally and promptly, or if we don’t know the answer we’ll transfer you to someone who does.

Oxycodone rehabilitation: How long does it take?

Two main types of treatment have been documented as effective in the treatment of oxycodone addiction:

a) Long-term, residential, therapeutic community type of treatment
b) Long-term, medication-assisted outpatient treatment

The minimum time established and recommended by doctors for oxycodone rehabilitation treatment is the same as the minimum time for every other drug or alcohol rehab treatment, which is 30 days. This is generally because within the 30-day stay in a residential treatment you will at least past through detoxification.

The maximum time spent in oxycodone rehab residential center is not limited and depends on your personal needs and your addiction professional’s opinion. Many people opt for a 60-90 days stay, while longer term residential community programs may take up to a year to complete. But, you can stay in rehab for as long as you feel it is helping you achieve successful sobriety and stay oxycodone-free.

A synopsis of oxycodone treatment programs and their lengths

Inpatient oxycodone rehabilitation – This type of treatment involves you moving into a residential treatment center for a certain period of time. If you decide that inpatient treatment for oxycodone is best for you, you will stay in the facility overnight and attend a program that includes detailed overlook and approach of oxycodone addiction. Inpatient oxycodone rehabilitation programs are divided in three main groups according to the duration of stay:

  • 30 DAY PROGRAMS – These one-month oxycodone treatment programs include going trough detox. This type of rehabs can be helpful because in order to think clearly and approach the reasons of your addiction, you need to become oxycodone-free in the first place.
  • 60 DAY PROGRAMS – These type of programs are considered to be a continuation of the first 30 detoxification days. They include getting to the core psycho-emotional reasons and exploring the aspects that made you oxycodone dependant in the first place. 60+ day programs give you enough time to stabilize a new sober state, establish communication and trust with the addiction treatment specalists, and also get adjusted to the new sober routine.
  • 90 DAY PROGRAMS – Also called “long-term programs”, 90+ day programs are highly recommended if the addiction specialist diagnoses a more severe oxycodone addiction. During a residential stay, you will be given the opportunity to go deeper into the physical and psychological levels of oxycodone addiction.

Outpatient treatment

Outpatient oxycodone addiction treatment includes scheduled visits to your residential treatment and regular drug testing to check that your staying oxycodone-free.

This type of oxycodone rehabilitation treatment is different than inpatient. During outpatient treatment you do not live in the treatment center. Instead you go for the therapy and counseling sessions and then return to your every day activities, such as work, school, parenting. However when facing an oxycodone addiction it is not recommended that you choose outpatient rehabilitation because of the strong chances of relapse.

Medication assisted treatment is vital!

According to the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, “Programs that do not offer medication-assisted treatment will need to refer patients who are addicted to OxyContin to programs that do.” So, you should also be able to count on medical assistance during EITHER INPATIENT or OUTPATIENT REHAB, if necessary.

Oxycodone rehabilitation: Short term vs. long term

Long term oxycodone treatment programs are more frequently recommended than short term treatment due to the seriousness of the physical and psychological dependence to oxycodone. Long term oxycodone treatment programs tend to have higher success rates and can better help you stay sober and continue to live a normal and happy life. These programs have a detailed structure about how to work on your oxycodone addiction and restore your physical and psychological stability.

If you decide to check in an oxycodone rehab program you should definitely not leave before 28-30 days. This is considered to be the least amount of time you need to detox and free your body from oxycodone. However, you should keep in mind that every drug treatment is a process and it requires time. So, short term oxycodone addiction rehabilitation should not be your option.

Oxycodone rehabilitation time questions

Do you still have questions about the length of oxycodone rehabilitation after reading this articles? If you do, we invite you to post your questions in the designated section below. We try to provide a personal an prompt response to all legitimate inquiries.

Reference Sources: NCBI: The controversy surrounding OxyContin abuse: issues and solutions
ERIC: OxyContin: Prescription Drug Abuse
NIH: How long does drug addiction treatment usually last?
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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