How Is Weaning Off Of Oxycodone Usually Done And How Long Does It Take To Wean Off Of Them?

Posted on Wed, 30 May 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 30 May 2018 Answered on

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been taking opioids (oxycodone) for about a year and a half. I have sever arthritis, and other chronic pain conditions. I have a RX for 4 a day 10MG. I usually only take three rarely four. I have never taken any more than I am supposed to, even on really bad days. I feel, deep down, that they aren't helping as much as I thought they would. Plus not worth some of the side effects. I know I have to talk to my Dr. about stopping use. How is it usually done and how long does it take to wean off of them?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Oxycodone withdrawal

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Yeah it looks to be addiction.
There are deaddiction centres which can help you come out of the opioid dependency. You would be given CBT cognitive behavioural therapy to control pain meantime and then let you off the oxycodone. There are certain drugs as well which help come off the drug.
The typical withdrawal period is a minimum of several days and it could go to 14 or even 21 days. Since it is one and half year you would require 15 days minimum. It also depends on how good you follow CBT and how committed you are getting off the drug.
I am there to reply in case of questions.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (21 minutes later)

I really don't feel like I'm addicted. I take them for pain and NEVER take more than I'm supposed to. My body may need to detox from them. I knew I couldn't just quit without medical help. I think I would say maybe my body is addicted but my brain/mind is not. I would go to a deaddiction center if there is one in the area. I would like to have CBT to help control the pain. I've tried so many pain relievers and I have found that nothing really helps.

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Deaddiction.

Detailed Answer:
I may not mean exactly addiction but your pain might not be responding to oxycodone as it was earlier. But seeking alternative therapies like CBT, Acupuncture and other non drug based pain relieving methods offer hope now.
You would definitely find a deaddiction centre with wide range of experts like Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, alternative medicine experts housed inside.

Good luck in your endeavors. Please close and rate my answer if you do not have any more questions bothering

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar