3 Addictions

Klonopin is a drug typically prescribed to treat panic attacks and anxiety. However, doctors can also prescribe it with other medications to address seizures. When patients take it as prescribed, they can still develop a physical dependence on Klonopin. Users can also develop a tolerance to Klonopin and take increasingly higher doses to experience the desired effects.

Once you establish that you need to stop using this drug, you will need to go through Klonopin detox to taper off your current dose under medical supervision slowly. The process is not too complicated, but there may be a few risks.

When the user develops both physical and psychological dependence on Klonopin coupled with compulsive drug use, this indicates they are addicted to the drug. Thus, a professional Klonopin detox program with medical supervision is the best course of action to stop effectively and safely detoxing from the drug.

Individuals are advised to take the following steps to ensure their Klonopin detox process goes safely and smoothly:

#1 – Find a professional Klonopin detox program

Detoxing from Klonopin requires medical care and round-the-clock supervision. When you stop using the drug after developing a tolerance or dependence on it, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. Klonopin withdrawal can also lead to complications that can be life-threatening if the patient does not receive medical intervention promptly. Hence, a licensed medical detox program is the safest way to go through the process.

#2 – Stop using all addictive substances

Klonopin detox will require the patient to stop using any addictive substances they are currently taking, including Klonopin. Even if they have been using this drug primarily, taking any other drugs will hinder the ultimate goal of recovery and sobriety. Thus it is essential to avoid using all addictive drugs, including cigarettes.

Since withdrawal from Klonopin can lead to panic attacks and anxiety, recovering users are advised to avoid using stimulants such as caffeine during detox.

#3 – Disclose any underlying medical conditions, including co-occurring mental health problems

Chronic illnesses can make managing the Klonopin withdrawal symptoms harder, depending on the exact condition. It is always advisable to undergo a full medical assessment to gain a baseline for specific factors. This also helps to check for any disorders that might have been unidentified and could affect the ability to handle the withdrawal.

Co-occurring mental health conditions like mood disorders, depression, and anxiety can considerably impact each person’s Klonopin detox experience. Once you enroll in a detox program, you should report any mental health symptoms, diagnoses, and ailments you’ve experienced.

#4 – Report any medications you’re using aside from the drug of abuse

Make sure you bring any medications you are taking to the detox program in their correct containers with the doctor’s prescription. This includes any drugs you take to address mental health problems, chronic pain, or illnesses.

#5 – Take a psychiatric and medical assessment

After the patient is admitted and stable, they will typically undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation. This assessment is to check that their vital signs are normal while observing for any problems that will need to be monitored. The evaluation can be more intensive with blood tests and various screenings to ensure all patients’ medical needs are addressed as necessary.

A psychiatric evaluation will be conducted at the beginning of the Klonopin detox program to understand better the extent of the patient’s continuing mental health symptoms, especially if they do not have a current diagnosis.

#6 – Getting medical care

A personalized plan will be developed for each patient during Klonopin detox based on their medical and psychiatric evaluation, screenings, and medical history review.

#7 – Working with a therapist

The recovering patient can start therapeutic work even when dealing with the intense Klonopin withdrawal symptoms. You can talk to a therapist, nurse, or case manager during the detox process to get advice on handling the mental and emotional withdrawal symptoms experienced during the Klonopin detox. This also helps provide a solid emotional support system during detox and withdrawal.

#8 – Visit support groups

There are support groups with peers in recovery who are also undergoing Klonopin detox or have recently gone through the process. They can be beneficial in providing tips on how to get through the detox experience and what to do or avoid while offering you moral support. This will help you learn how to detox safely and efficiently.

#9 – Follow through with therapy

After the Klonopin withdrawal symptoms start fading, you will be able to concentrate on the necessary therapy to help you establish a solid recovery foundation. Even though detox is a crucial first step in addressing a Klonopin abuse problem, it is not a complete treatment program. You will still need to follow up with a comprehensive addiction treatment program.

Cold-turkey vs. Medical Detox for Klonopin

Cold-turkey detox involves stopping Klonopin use suddenly. It is common in people with a long-term addiction who run out of their drug supply. The withdrawal symptoms can be long-lasting, intense, and dangerous for the user in such a situation. Medical detox, in contrast, involves medical supervision from doctors who can place the patient on a tapering schedule.

Medical professionals usually advise people suffering from Klonopin abuse or addiction to get assistance from a medical detox facility. Since this drug is a benzodiazepine, it is not advisable to quit cold turkey or alone because dangerous cardiac problems and seizures can occur. There is also an increased risk of self-harm and developing depression during detox.

People have different responses during Klonopin withdrawal, depending on several factors:

• The user’s emotional and physical health
• Metabolic rate
• Weight
• Age
• Poly-drug abuse

These factors will determine each person’s intensity and duration of Klonopin withdrawal symptoms. However, assistance from a medical detox facility is the best way to have a safe and efficient Klonopin withdrawal.

Speedball is a combination of illegal drugs. The components are a stimulant and a depressant, such as cocaine and heroin. Besides these, any two stimulants and depressants can be combined to create a speedball. Some examples include:

• Alcohol and cocaine
• Alcohol and meth
• Xanax and meth
• Cocaine and marijuana

Speedball addiction is considered polydrug abuse since you become addicted to more than one drug at a time. Polydrug abuse is more complicated to treat than addiction to only one substance. It requires special attention and different treatment routes.

If you want to know how long speedball addiction treatment lasts, read on to find out.

How is speedball taken?

The preferred method of taking speedball is through intravenous injection. Users would often dissolve cocaine and heroin powder together, then inject it with a syringe into their arms. The intravenous route produces a quick, intense high that many users want.

Another way to take speedball is by snorting cocaine and heroin powder together. While snorting is easier and painless, it does not give a very powerful high. For this reason, most speedball users would rather inject the drug cocktail directly into their bloodstreams.

What does speedball do to the body?

Speedball is a mixture of two drugs with opposing actions. Users refer to stimulant drugs as “uppers”, while depressants are called “downers.” Speedball can produce a “tug of war” effect on your brain and body. The stimulant makes you feel more alive and alert, while the depressant makes you want to relax and slow down. These antagonistic effects occurring at the same time can wreak havoc on your body.

Here is one possible consequence. Depressants like heroin and Xanax can trigger a side effect known as respiratory depression, or the slowing down of your breathing rate. On the other hand, stimulants like cocaine and meth increase activity in your central nervous system.

When the brain is more active, it needs additional oxygen to sustain the increased activity. But because of the effects of the depressant, you cannot breathe faster and your body cannot provide more oxygen to your brain. If this trend continues, your brain may shut down due to a lack of oxygen, and your entire body will be affected as well.

If you do not get medical attention, you may experience a fatal respiratory failure.

Another dangerous consequence of speedball use is overdose. Since you are taking two drugs each time, the risk of overdose is much higher than taking only one drug. In addition, speedball can trick your brain that you have a higher tolerance than you actually do. You could be easily tempted to take more speedball, further increasing your risk of overdose. Moreover, the potency of speedball can quickly trigger a potentially fatal overdose.

How is speedball addiction treated?

Speedball addiction treatment has similarities to treating other drug addictions. Types of treatment include medical detox, behavioral therapies, and medications. But because speedball addiction is a case of polydrug abuse, there are certain considerations.

Suppose you have an addiction to speedballs consisting of heroin and cocaine. When you are in treatment, the effects of both substances have to be addressed simultaneously. If not, the treatment will not be very effective.

In detox, for example, both heroin and cocaine need to be eliminated from your body. This is a more delicate process than just removing either one. Withdrawal symptoms may be more severe than detoxing from just one drug. With these in mind, medical professionals must be supervising you each step of the way when detoxing from speedball. Enrolling in an inpatient speedball addiction treatment program gives you maximum supervision not just during detox, but throughout the entire treatment process.

When dealing with a polydrug abuse problem, it is always a good idea to find out if your preferred rehab facility has personnel trained to deal with polydrug abuse. Not all recovery professionals are equipped to handle polydrug users. Dealing with polydrug abuse is a matter requiring extra attention and more careful methods.

How long does speedball addiction treatment last?

The duration of treatment depends on a few things such as:

• Severity of your addiction
• Frequency of speedball usage
• Your dosage of speedball per intake
• Your current health condition
• Your mental health status
• Previous history of substance abuse

Often, treating a speedball addiction requires more time and effort than treating an addiction to a single drug. Since speedball consists of two substances, addiction to it is known as polydrug abuse. Cases of polydrug abuse are more complicated to treat, which is why it often takes longer.

It also depends if you are in an inpatient or an outpatient treatment program. Outpatient programs typically last longer – three months or more – because you are not in a rehab facility the entire time. You only have to be there during scheduled therapies. Inpatient programs, on the other hand, are more intensive. You need to live inside a rehab facility for anywhere between one to three months.

The rehab facility is a controlled environment free of potential drug triggers. This environment allows you to focus on activities that promote your recovery. These include:

• One-on-one therapies
• Group therapies
• Support groups
• Family therapy
• Recreational activities (e.g. sports, art, etc.)

All of these activities are designed to reduce your tendency to use drugs.

Your daily schedule in the rehab facility will also be managed. This way, you can develop healthy routines like consistent sleep and wake times every day, as well as having defined meal times. Your meals will consist of well-balanced diets, as eating healthy will also help you develop a sober lifestyle.

Eventually, you will be equipped to avoid drug triggers and actively pursue sobriety on your own. You will have learned healthy habits and better coping strategies for stress and negative emotions that do not involve substance use.

The decision to seek codeine addiction treatment can be challenging, and the process can trigger fear and anxiety in the affected individuals. This is even before you decide on the best treatment plan.

Once you start looking into available rehab programs or recovery facilities, you will probably have to deal with treatment costs, which can be a significant roadblock for many people.

It would be best to consider how you’ll pay for the treatment or whether health insurance can cover the treatment costs. If you consider using health insurance, and any plan does not cover you, you’ll need to consider alternative means to foot the costs.

Addiction treatment costs can range from anywhere between $10,000 and $21,000, and not many people might be able to afford it, so this can be incredibly discouraging. Fortunately, the Affordable Care Act was passed and mandated that all health insurance plans cover substance abuse disorder and mental health services.

The Affordable Care Act applies to Medicaid, which helps millions of people who need healthcare services. Anyone who has found health insurance to be unaffordable in the past can join the Medicaid insurance program, which affords them opportunities to get assistance.

Medicaid is a health insurance program administered by each state and partly funded by the federal government. The main aim of its existence is to make sure that qualifying and low-income individuals can access coverage for healthcare services. Fortunately, Medicaid offers some coverage for addiction treatment in every U.S. state.

Addiction Treatment Services Covered by Medicaid

Medicaid can pay for part of your codeine addiction treatment. State-funded health insurance usually covers rehab costs for most recovering individuals. However, even though Medicaid typically helps protect addiction treatment services, the coverage can differ based on the specific insurance plan. Medicaid coverage of your codeine addiction treatment costs can vary from state to state.

The amount of coverage offered can differ depending on the following factors:

• One’s insurance plan level
• The duration of one’s treatment stay
• Whether the treatment facility is out-of-network or in-network
• The state you live in

The costs of codeine addiction treatment are different for each person and rely on the rehab facility, the exact services provided, and the kind of program you attend. Medicaid coverage for addiction treatment is currently accepted at multiple rehab centers in the country.

Keep in mind that Medicaid might or might not cover the entirety of your codeine addiction treatment costs, but it can make the services more affordable in facilities accepting it. Medicaid coverage can include:

• Mental health services
• Outpatient and inpatient care
• Screenings
• Addiction intervention
• Medical detox

Usually, individuals will not have a co-payment for drug addiction treatment, but some states need a co-pay. However, they will have a maximum co-pay that you cannot exceed.

Rehab Services Covered by Medicaid

Medicaid plans can cover part of drug addiction treatment costs, which can influence the frequency and intensity of the rehab process and the types of treatment services taken.

Detox

Medical detox is the first stage of addiction treatment. It is crucial because assistance is necessary when detoxing from codeine to monitor for potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms or complications.

Medical detox helps recovering patients withdraw from addictive substances as they get 24/7 medical supervision. Qualified medical staff can also administer drugs to help minimize withdrawal symptoms.

Therapy and Addiction Counseling

Medicaid usually offers coverage for therapy and addiction counseling for some people. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) is one of the most recent legislation requiring health insurance providers to provide equal benefits for Substance Use Disorder and mental health services as they do for other medical care services.

Inpatient Treatment or Residential Care

Inpatient rehab centers offer codeine addiction treatment services as the patient stays on-site in the facility. Inpatient or residential care programs usually have a duration of 15 to 90 days, depending on your treatment needs and the program you’re taking. Medicaid can cover inpatient codeine addiction treatment based on the duration of the program.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)

IOPs comprise going for treatment sessions regularly for several evenings a week. With such a program, you will get to stay at home and attend to other responsibilities like work or school during the day. PHPs also allow you to stay home and attend treatment sessions during the day.

Outpatient Rehab

After completing inpatient codeine addiction treatment, most recovering users attend outpatient treatment to give them continuous support on their recovery journey.

An outpatient treatment schedule involves living at home while going for addiction support and therapy for 10 to 12 hours weekly at the rehab facility. Most people often choose between outpatient and inpatient treatment for addressing codeine addiction.

It depends on your treatment needs and what works for you. When deciding to get codeine addiction treatment, you can work with your doctor to find out the proper means of rehab care based on your preferences and needs.

Checking your Medicaid Coverage

Before settling on a suitable treatment facility, it is essential to check the benefits of your exact Medicaid plan. This way, you’ll know what costs the insurance company will cover and what you will have to pay out-of-pocket.

Contact Medicaid offices and speak to a representative to get more information about your policy plan coverage.

Once you find out what benefits your Medicaid plan covers, you will have peace of mind during the entire addiction treatment process. This way, you’ll be free to concentrate on recovering without worrying about the financial aspects or unexpected costs of rehab.

Klonopin addiction treatment typically focuses on detox and helping the affected individual learn to live without having the drug. Rehab facilities can give recovering users all they need to help sort out the hidden problems leading to their addiction.

For a user to overcome a Klonopin addiction, they will need to go through several treatments, which can help them with the physical and psychological elements of addiction. People suffering from a Klonopin addiction will start experiencing withdrawal symptoms roughly one or two days after taking the last dose of the drug. A majority of users will experience restlessness, depression, mood swings, and some degree of anxiety. Depending on the severity of Klonopin withdrawal, the symptoms experienced can be fatal for the user.

Heavy Klonopin users are strongly advised to go through medically supervised detox, during which medical professionals can help them taper off Klonopin safely to reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications. After detox, support groups and therapy sessions are involved for the recovering user to help them deal with any co-occurring mental disorders and drug cravings. To overcome a Klonopin addiction, the user has to deal with the underlying causes of their addiction first. This is because when you only address the Klonopin addiction without dealing with the person’s triggers, there is still a possibility that the addiction will resurface again. After all, the roots are still intact. Dealing with the user’s addiction triggers helps overcome the addiction for good.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

This type of therapy is used in Klonopin addiction treatment programs to help recovering users identify the things, places, and people that their minds link to drug use. Additionally, therapists can help clients closely monitor patients’ conscious and unconscious thoughts regarding their Klonopin use to help them treat the hidden causes of their addiction. After the user can determine the trigger situations that push them to use Klonopin, this can help them develop a plan of action for when they get drug cravings.

These users can beat their use patterns with time before they even surface. Even though Klonopin addiction and mental illness aren’t typically connected, some people develop addictions to self-medicate feelings of discomfort and pain. Klonopin gives the user a euphoric feeling that can seem like the perfect quick fix for anyone looking to find some semblance of joy.

Integrated treatment programs or dual diagnosis programs are developed to help people suffering from both addiction and mental health problems. Therapy in these programs helps patients understand how their co-existing conditions are linked and support each other. It can be beneficial for anyone who is used to dealing with mental illness alone without any assistance.

Therapy helps recovering users get to know effective methods to help them turn their lives around for the better. A study by the Journal of World Psychiatry determined that more than two-thirds of recovering users managed to attain improved social functioning and stable abstinence through a dual diagnosis treatment program.

Medication-Based Treatment

Medication therapy combined with talk therapy has benefited some recovering users. People suffering from anxiety or depression taking Klonopin might be better off with medication management treatment. They can also use advanced non-addictive anxiety treatment drugs or antidepressants.

Not everyone can take medication, and some people may be skeptical about using more drugs when that is what got them into rehab in the first place. The best option is to speak to addiction specialists or medical professionals about your concerns beforehand to ensure you make the right choices about the proper treatment approach for you at the time. Some people need medication to make the recovery process smoother and easier, while other recovering users may not need it.

Inpatient or Outpatient Rehab

After detox, some recovering users can opt to go on with Klonopin addiction treatment through outpatient or inpatient rehab. Long-term drug rehab will be a necessary part of the process to maintain long-term sobriety and lasting recovery. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) advises recovering users to go through a minimum of 90 days of continuous treatment for addiction to achieve positive, lasting results.

Even though all drug rehabilitation programs will offer various types of behavioral therapies, amenities, and treatment methods, there are other similar elements of successful Klonopin addiction treatment programs. These include:

• Behavioral therapy
• Life skills development
• Relapse prevention
• Education on chemical dependency
• 12-step programs
• Group therapy
• Individual therapy

Inpatient rehab programs require patients to stay at the treatment facility during the duration of the program. There is restricted access to the outside environment, including family and friends, but there can be arranged visits. There is also a rigid daily schedule for patients comprising personalized therapy activities, personal free time, physical activity, meal times, and group and individual therapy. Inpatient rehab offers recovering Klonopin users 24-hour medical supervision and support. Since most Klonopin users tend to use other addictive drugs, an inpatient rehab treatment approach is best equipped for treating co-occurring mental disorders and addictions.

Outpatient rehab programs are more flexible and less structured, allowing recovering users to attend to personal, family, and work responsibilities. These programs include various group meetings at a treatment facility facilitated by a medical professional or an addiction treatment specialist.

The duration of time spent in inpatient or outpatient rehab will depend on the extent of the patient’s Klonopin addiction. The longer one has been using the drug, the longer they will have to stay in rehab.

After rehab, users can opt for continued Klonopin addiction treatment programs, which include aftercare or a sober living program. Both of these programs can help recovering individuals develop a sober support network while offering them accountability and helping them sustain their recovery.

Deciding between outpatient or inpatient rehab for Klonopin addiction treatment is entirely up to you and dependent on your needs. Either way, make sure you speak to a medical professional once you decide to seek treatment to determine the best recovery plan for your requirements.

The duration of Tramadol withdrawal typically differs in each individual but generally ranges from 3 days to a few weeks. The intensity, initial onset, and period of withdrawal symptoms will rely on factors including:

• Whether the person quit cold turkey or tapered off the drug.
• The amount of the person’s last Tramadol dosage
• Whether the individual took Tramadol along with other substances
• The form of the drug taken e.g., injection, powder, or pills
• How long the individual has been taking Tramadol

Tramadol Withdrawal Timeline

As the individual gets used to a life without the drug, their cravings will go away slowly and disappear eventually. The duration taken for the cravings to go away is based on the amount of effort put into recovery. However, this period ranges from one month to more than a year depending on the user’s situation. The timeline for Tramadol withdrawal typically looks like this:

The first 6 to 12 hours: During this time after the last dose of Tramadol, the user will start experiencing minor symptoms of withdrawal which can look like the flu. This includes body aches, a runny nose, watery eyes, and sweating.

Day 1 to Day 3: This will be the most difficult period for the user as the symptoms will peak at this stage. The body is experiencing pain and discomfort as the drug reduces in the system. The user experiences the onset of the withdrawal symptoms such as Tramadol cravings, sweating, insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, depression, nausea, nervousness, and generally feeling “on edge.” More flu-like symptoms experienced at this point include stomach cramping, chills, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Day 4 to Day 7: By this time most of the drug is out of the individual’s system so there will be a significant reduction in the symptoms even though there will still be some discomfort. Symptoms such as insomnia and cravings will persist aside from confusion and disorientation. The person may also experience more cravings, anxiety, mood swings, fatigue, and intestinal problems. On the other hand, the quality and quantity of sleep will have improved during this period.

Day 8 to Day 14: The withdrawal symptoms will start reducing but psychological symptoms including irrational thoughts, anxiety, and depression may continue.

Week 2 to Week 3: The individual’s sleep quality will continuously get better over the next following weeks, but they might still experience mood swings. Physical aches will have dissipated by now but again, psychological symptoms might continue.

Tapering

The physician may opt to ease the user off their physical dependence on the drug by tapering them off Tramadol. This can make Tramadol withdrawal much smoother but it can extend the timeline since it usually takes weeks or months to get over this dependence. If the medical professional tapers the user off of Tramadol properly, then the withdrawal symptoms should only last for five to seven days. However, if they do not taper properly the withdrawal symptoms might last longer and be more intense.

Any symptoms extending beyond one week are seen as post-acute withdrawal symptoms and they might comprise irritability, insomnia, mood swings, depression, anxiety, etc. Based on how serious the person’s Tramadol addiction is, the symptoms can go for 18 to 24 or more months as the harshness of the symptoms gradually reduces with time.

Factors Affecting Tramadol Withdrawal Timeline

The extent of the user’s physical dependence on the drug will determine the severity and duration of Tramadol withdrawal. This is because the brain depends on Tramadol significantly and might need some more time to get back to normal and restore its balance which was probably affected by extended, chronic Tramadol use. As such, people who have been taking particularly large doses of Tramadol for quite a while might be more dependent on it as compared to other users.

The user’s biology, genetics, and physiology also contribute to drug dependence as some people might easily become more dependent than others. Any co-existing mental or physical health conditions might also impact drug dependence while genetics are thought to influence drug dependence about 50% of the time. An individual with addiction and substance abuse in their family history might be more susceptible to Tramadol dependence compared to users lacking this risk factor.

The mode of taking the drug also influences Tramadol dependence and withdrawal. For example, users who have been taking the drug as recommended have a lower chance of being as dependent as users smoking, snorting, or injecting Tramadol.

Tramadol stays in the user’s body for 3 to 5 days after their last dose. However, long-term users might require up to one week to eliminate the drug from their bodies. The symptoms of Tramadol withdrawal usually start 2 to 3 days after the person’s last dose and will be over after approximately one week. The detox symptoms often become gradually worse from the first week after the last dose and peak when the drug is eliminated from the user’s system.

Afterward, the physiological withdrawal symptoms will quickly start to go away while psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety may stay on for a few weeks after quitting Tramadol. The recovering user might also experience Tramadol cravings for a few months. The urges will reduce gradually with time because there is a significant difference between the cravings experienced during the initial stages of sobriety and detox.

Abuse, chronic stress, neglect, and trauma may also lead to the onset of substance abuse problems. This also applies to the age at which an individual starts abusing or using drugs.

During the initial weeks of being off Tramadol, it is important to get professional help to keep the recovering individual from relapsing. This allows them to gain the relevant support necessary to handle any underlying problems and keep walking on the path towards recovery.

Oxycodone is an opioid used in the treatment of severe pain. Some of the situations that could prompt a prescription for Oxycodone include pain from surgery, cancer, or severe injury. The drug is also used for treating chronic pain in patients who don’t respond to weaker painkillers such as aspirin, paracetamol, and ibuprofen.

Other terms used to describe Oxycodone include Oxycontin and Oxynorm.

Various Forms of Oxycodone

Oxycodone is available in multiple forms:

1. Capsules. The capsules are available in quantities of 10mg, 5mg, and 20mg. The milligrams denote the amount of Oxycodone found in the pills.
2. Tablets. These are slow releasing medicines and can contain 20mg, 5 mg, 20mg, 15mg,40 mg, 60mg, 120mg or 80mg of oxycodone.
3. Liquid. The liquid form of Oxycodone is available in 5mg, 10mg, 5ml, and 1ml of liquid Oxycodone.

When it’s in liquid form, capsules, or injections, the drug works faster and is therefore used to manage pain that doesn’t last long or help find the correct dose once someone is introduced to Oxycodone by a doctor.

On the other hand, the tablets are slow releasing, and it can take between 12 to 24 hours before you feel the effect of the drugs. While the tablets are slowly released into the system, their effects last longer, making them ideal for managing chronic pain.

In some cases, a physician will prescribe both fast-acting and slow-acting Oxycodone meds to a patient.

How soon will I feel the Effects after taking Oxycodone?

Simple forms of Oxycodone are taken every four to six hours, but the slow-release forms of the drug are administered every twelve hours. Upon ingestion, pain relief will be experienced within 10 to 15 minutes. Most individuals experience a peak of the drug after 30 minutes to an hour after ingestion.

After ingesting the slow-releasing variant of the drug, you can expect a second peak of effects after seven hours. The first time you take Oxycodone, you will experience its effects steadily for 24 to 36 hours. The plasma levels of the drug found in women tend to be higher in the elderly, women, and those suffering from liver or renal impairment.

Once you ingest Oxycodone, the drug is eliminated from your bloodstream within 22 hours. For some, it might take over 24 hours to completely get rid of Oxycodone from the system. It is important to note that even after being eliminated, the drug can still be detected in your body through various tests.

How and where can Oxycodone be detected in My Body?

Depending on when the Oxycodone was ingested, it can be detected in different parts of your body over some time.

• Urine-Traces of Oxycodone can be found in urine three to four days after ingesting your last dose. Standard urine tests cannot detect Oxycodone, and therefore advanced tests are required.
• Blood- Oxycodone can be traced in your blood 24 hours after your last dose.
• Saliva- Oxycodone can be traced in your saliva one to two days after ingesting your last dose.
• Hair- Oxycodone lasts in hair much longer than in any other body part. It can be detected 90 days after your last oxycodone dose.

How often should I take Oxycodone?

It would be best if you took Oxycodone as prescribed by a medical doctor. Capsules should be taken four to six times a day. Slow discharge tablets are taken one to two times within 24 hours, and you should take liquid Oxycodone four to six times a day.

Oxycodone can be taken at any time of day or night, but it is essential to try and ingest it at specific times every day.

A doctor will usually start you on a low dose, and if your pain is still out of control, the dosage will be increased until the pain is manageable. Once the pain has been controlled, your doctor might decide to switch your medication to slow releasing Oxycodone. This helps reduce the number of doses that one can take daily.

Most doctors don’t stop prescribing the drug at once. They cut down the prescription until you’re completely weaned off the medication.

What happens if I forget to take my Oxycodone?

Depending on the form of Oxycodone prescribed for you, you can do several things. Should you forget to take your medication, first check through the information that comes with your prescription. More often than not, they detail what one should do if they forget to take their medication.

Alternatively, you can consult with your pharmacist or doctor. Most importantly, never take two doses simultaneously to make up for a missed dose.

To avoid problems, set alarms that help remind you when to take the medication.

Can I take Oxycodone with other meds?

It is safe to take Oxycodone with some medications such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, and aspirin. It should, however, never be taken together with medicines that contain codeine because it can cause undesirable side effects.

Painkillers that have Co-codamol, Nurofen plus, Solpadeine and Co-codaprin should also be avoided.

 What Side Effects Should I Expect?

Side effects are not unusual when people take Oxycodone. Although there are many possible side effects, you may not experience any. You might also experience minor effects that are easy to manage. It is important to note that the likelihood of experiencing side effects is heightened if you’re on a high dose of Oxycodone.

Some of the common side effects include:

• Extreme fatigue and drowsiness
• Stomach upset
• Feeling dizzy (vertigo)
• Headaches
• Difficulty coordinating
• Itchiness or rashes
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting

Although rare, you could also experience severe side effects. These include muscle atrophy, difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure (hypotension), difficulty breathing, and slow heart rate.

Ultimately, Oxycodone is a potent opioid that you should take under the supervision of a qualified physician. If taken as prescribed, it will offer relief without producing any adverse effects.