Last Updated:

July 22nd, 2025

Oxycontin Rehab Treatment | What to Expect

Few drugs have caused as much harm or as much outrage as OxyContin. While OxyContin is a powerful painkiller, nefarious marketing techniques and over-prescription led to its approval being described as “the greatest mistake in medical history”. OxyContin addiction was the single biggest driver of the American Opioid Crisis and while the UK has not seen the same levels of destruction, many people have still been affected. Professional OxyContin addiction treatment offers a lifeline and the chance to break free from a deadly addiction. Understanding what treatment is available and what it involves is the first step to changing and potentially saving your life.

Oxycontin-tablet-stripe

What is OxyContin addiction treatment?

OxyContin addiction treatment is the full-circle care you need to stop using, stay safe and get your life back. Effective treatment involves three key stages:

  1. OxyContin detox: Prescription drug detox gives your system time to adjust and remember how it functioned without OxyContin. It slowly flushes all the drug and its toxins with a medical team safely managing OxyContin withdrawal symptoms.
  2. OxyContin rehab: Once you are physically and mentally stable again, you will begin rehab treatment. This means working with a team of therapists and support staff to explore the emotional, behavioural and environmental factors behind your prescription drug addiction.
  3. OxyContin aftercare: Once it’s time to go home, you will then need ongoing support for the transition. This many involve aftercare therapy sessions, relapse prevention strategy planning and alumni events and resources.

If you notice any of these signs, you may benefit from OxyContin addiction treatment:

  • You need more OxyContin now to get the same effect you used to.
  • You feel anxious or panicked if your OxyContin supply is running low.
  • You’ve lied to your doctor or exaggerated pain to get more.
  • You’ve tried to stop taking OxyContin but the withdrawal was too much.
  • You feel ashamed or guilty after taking OxyContin but still keep going.
  • Deep down, you know something isn’t right but don’t know how to ask for help.

 

Stage one: OxyContin detox

OxyContin detox is a medical process where you slowly stop taking the drug while your body adjusts to not having it anymore. This is crucial because when you’ve been using OxyContin regularly and for a long time, quitting sparks withdrawal symptoms, which are uncomfortable, unpleasant and sometimes dangerous reactions.

During prescription drug detox for OxyContin, your doctor will usually create a plan to lower your dose gradually. You might not even feel it at first but this slow reduction helps your brain and body rebalance without going into the shock of severe withdrawal.

At the same time, you may be given other medications to help you through the process. Some are designed to ease withdrawal symptoms, while others work on the same receptors as OxyContin but don’t cause a high. These are called opioid replacement medications and they help bridge the gap.

OxyContin withdrawal symptoms and detox timeline

OxyContin has a long half-life, which means it stays in your body longer than fast-acting opioids like heroin or codeine. That also means OxyContin withdrawal symptoms take longer to begin, can last longer and may vary in intensity.

Here’s a general outline of the OxyContin withdrawal timeline so you’re not caught off guard when you start detox:

First 12–48 hours
Because of the drug’s extended release design, you may not notice any OxyContin withdrawal symptoms for the first day or two, except for some mild cravings. When they do start, however, you may experience:

  • Yawning
  • Watery eyes
  • Muscle aches or a heavy feeling in your body
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Anxiety or restlessness
Days 2–4
This is when OxyContin withdrawal symptoms tend to hit hardest, with physical and emotional reactions often including:

  • Intense flu-like aches and chills
  • Stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Sweating and goosebumps
  • Irritability or agitation
Days 5–10
Most of the acute symptoms of OxyContin withdrawal begin to improve around this point but you may still be affected by:

  • Mood swings
  • Depressive symptoms
  • Ongoing sleep difficulties
  • Lingering OxyContin cravings (sometimes managed by ongoing opioid replacement therapy)
  • Fatigue or mental fog
Post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS)
Even after the worst is over, you may still face emotional or mental challenges for weeks or even months. This is called PAWS and it sometimes includes:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Poor concentration
  • Low energy
  • Trouble staying focused on recovery

These symptoms can be frustrating but they are usually not very intense. If you do experience any ongoing issues, you will be supported through them by your prescription drug rehab team.

Stage two: OxyContin rehab

OxyContin rehab usually follows on from detox and often happens in the same place, as part of one complete programme. That is a big advantage because you’re already settled, will have started building trust with the staff and your care team will know exactly what you’ve been through.

While detox clears OxyContin from your body, rehab helps you figure out what to do with everything that’s left behind. You will look at your thoughts, behaviours, relationships and patterns so they don’t drive substance abuse in the future.

What to expect from OxyContin rehab

 

Every OxyContin rehab programme is different but the best programmes combine a mixture of therapies for different challenges and insights. Here are some of the things to look for in an OxyContin rehab programme:

  • One-to-one sessions where you can talk openly about your OxyContin use, your past and your worries for the future
  • Group discussions where you’ll meet others going through similar things and share stories and support
  • Practical therapies like CBT to help you change old habits and develop new ones that don’t revolve around OxyContin
  • Family sessions to work through difficult relationships and learn better ways to communicate
  • Motivational Interviewing to help you stay focused and remind you why you started treatment
  • Creative activities and calming sessions like art, yoga or meditation to help you relax and express what’s hard to put into words

Crucially, OxyContin rehab won’t fix everything overnight but it gives you the chance to start again and rebuild one day at a time.

Oxycontin-tablet-in-doctors-hand

Step 3: Aftercare for OxyContin relapse prevention

Rehab lays the foundation but staying off OxyContin takes follow-through and onward support. Aftercare helps you stay grounded, prepared and connected when the structure of rehab is no longer there. Here are some of the most important support processes:

Relapse prevention planning
Before you leave rehab, you will sit down with your support team and put together a plan. This might include writing out a list of triggers, identifying patterns to watch for and building new routines to protect your sobriety.
Continued therapy
Once you’re home, ongoing therapy can keep you grounded. Regular sessions, either at your original centre or through local services, can help you stay focused, handle difficult days and feel heard as you continue rebuilding your life.
Alumni services and community support
Many rehab centres invite you to join alumni programmes, where you can stay connected with your care team and others in recovery. These groups are a chance to talk openly, share advice and attend fun sober events.

Seek OxyContin addiction treatment today

OxyContin is incredibly powerful but so are you. If you are ready to take back control of your life, Call us now for confidential advice and take that first brave but life-changing step.

Reclaim Your Life Today

Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does OxyContin addiction treatment take?
The time you’ll need in OxyContin addiction treatment depends on your situation. Detox can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks, depending on how long you’ve been using OxyContin and how your body reacts. Most inpatient OxyContin rehab programmes last around 28 days but some people stay for 60 or 90 days if they need more time. Ongoing therapy and aftercare are also available to keep you supported after rehab ends.
Is it safe to detox from OxyContin without professional help?
Detoxing from OxyContin at home might seem like a way to avoid disrupting your life but it can be risky and very uncomfortable without medical support. Withdrawal symptoms like muscle aches, diarrhoea, restlessness, nausea, cold sweats and intense cravings can be hard to manage alone and may lead you straight back to using. In a professional OxyContin detox centre, you will have 24/7 care and medications that ease symptoms or replace OxyContin gradually to avoid a sudden crash.
What OxyContin addiction treatment is available in the UK?
There are both inpatient and outpatient OxyContin services in the UK. Inpatient OxyContin is usually done through a private rehab centre while the NHS provides outpatient treatment. For most people, inpatient OxyContin rehab is more effective because you will stay at the centre, away from drugs, alcohol and anything that triggers you. Therapists and support staff will guide you through different forms of therapy and help you build strategies for life after rehab.

(Click here to see works cited)