The Oxycodone / Oxycontin® Detox Page

Oxycodone is a prescription pain killer that is widely available on the street from diverted prescriptions.

We are currently experiencing an explosion of oxycodone abuse in South Florida and around the entire country.

The diversion of prescriptions of oxycodone as a result of patients "doctor shopping" and unscrupulous doctors had fed a frenzy of street demand.  This highly addictive drug is robbing our population and people are becoming addicted after just a few uses of this drug.

New Beginnings Detox is doing our part to help end the madness. We are meeting this problem head on. We offer a very low cost detoxification program so that now all families affected by this blight can afford quality help.  We also offer Substance Abuse Therapy Groups for those that are affected by oxycodone addiction.  We also offer counseling for families of addicted patients helping them deal with this destructive addiction. 

Read our recently published article "OXYCODONE PRESCRIPTION CRISIS IN FLORIDA"

Drug Name

Oxycontin®, Oxycodone, Roxicodone®, Percocet®, Percodan®, OxyIR®  (oxycodone instant release IR or oxycodone extended release ER)

Street Names

OC's,OXY, OXY's, OXIES, OXYCOTTON, OXY80, PERKS, HILLBILLY HEROIN, ROXIES

Category

Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic medication synthesized from thebaine. 

Drug Type / Action

Oxycodone is a central nervous system depressant. Oxycodone's action appears to work through stimulating the opioid receptors found in the central nervous system that activate responses ranging from analgesia to respiratory depression to euphoria.

Licit Uses

Oxycodone is an effective analgesic for mild to moderate pain control, chronic pain syndromes, and for the treatment of terminal cancer pain. Oxycodone is considered to be similar to morphine, in all respects, including its abuse & dependence liabilities.

Illicit Uses

Oxycodone is abused for its opiate-like effects. As with most opiates, the adverse effects of oxycodone abuse are dependence and tolerance development. Opiate abusers have been injecting or snorting the crushed and/or dissolved tablets.  The major source of oxycodone to the street has been through forged prescriptions, professional diversion through unscrupulous pharmacists, doctors, and dentists, "doctor-shopping", and large-scale thefts.

User Population

Every age-group has been affected by the relative ease of oxycodone availability and the perceived safety of these products by professionals. Sometimes seen as a "white-collar" addiction, oxycodone abuse has increased among all ethnic and economic groups. 

DEA Status

It is a Schedule II (CII) Narcotic. 

Sources of Legal Distribution

It is available only through prescription.  Prescriptions for oxycodone cannot be refilled and can only be filled with a written prescription.

We are finding an alarming increase in the number of adolescents using oxycodone.

Oxycodone is a killer.

Here is a recent report From the Office of the Medical Examiner, Palm Beach County, WPB, FL

Upon reviewing the last 172 deaths involving the use of oxycodone in Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office in which post mortem toxicologic studies indicated the presence of oxycodone.  Benzodiazepines, detected in 96 cases, were the most common co-intoxicants in the cases of combined drug toxicity, followed by cocaine, which was found in 41. The most frequently encountered benzodiazepine was Xanax (alprazolam). This study confirms that deaths in which oxycodone is a factor are most commonly cases of combined drug toxicity.

A recent Sun Sentinel report

Rx for Death: Patients in pain overdosing in alarming numbers

Sun-Sentinel investigation documented 393 prescription drug-related deaths over the past two years in the seven-county area stretching from Okeechobee to Miami-Dade County.  The drugs showing up most often are OxyContin®. It were present in at least 224 of the 393 deaths.  OxyContin® has become the most frequently prescribed narcotic in the country, with almost 6 million people using it, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

OxyContin® use spreads
OxyContin®, when it hit the market in 1996, was touted by its maker, Purdue Pharma, as an ideal medicine for people suffering unrelenting pain, especially from cancer. The controlled-release mechanism meant that people could keep their pain at bay for 12 hours at a time, instead of having pain return every four hours while waiting for the next dose of painkiller to take effect.  After the initial launch, Purdue Pharma, of Stamford, Conn., sought to have OxyContin® more widely prescribed for lesser pain, including the aches caused by common arthritis.

OxyContin® first turned up as a serious drug of abuse in rural areas, such as Appalachia, where it was dubbed "hillbilly heroin." It has rapidly spread to densely populated urban areas, including South Florida. The drug is a form of oxycodone, which is sold under several brand names. Once absorbed into the system, it is impossible to tell OxyContin® from other oxycodone drugs

Broward County Leads Nation in Amount of Rx Oxycodone Dispensed Directly by Physicians (2/01/09)

Among the 25 physicians in the United States who received the largest quantities of the powerful narcotic pain medication, Oxycodone for direct dispensing from their offices in the first half of 2008, 18 were from Broward County. The remaining 7 physicians were from 4 other Florida counties. These 17 Broward doctors received 3.383,200 dose units (or tablets) of Oxycodone between January and June of this year. The total dose units do not include the number of dose units dispensed by pharmacies, hospital or other dispensing physicians not among the top 25 in the nation. Oxycodone is the opioid pain medication found in Percocet (with acetaminophen) or Percodan (with aspirin) or OxyContin (sustained release form).

Neighboring Palm Beach County ranked second in the nation with 852,800 dose units received by 3 of the top 25 physicians followed by Miami-Dade County with 393,900 tablets sent to 2 dispensing physicians. Hillsborough County (Tampa area) ranked 4th with 126,990 units to one physician followed by Manatee County (Bradenton area) where one physician received 116,800 dose units.

In 2007 there were 57,066,602 dose units of Oxycodone shipped to Pharmacies, Hospitals and dispensing physicians in Broward County. While many legitimate physicians may directly dispense some medications, most do not offer the highly controlled Schedule II opioids directly to patients. Rather they would write a prescription to be filled at a pharmacy. Physicians directly dispensing Schedule II narcotics are frequently associated with so called "Pain Clinics" offering "pills for pay" unlike legitimate pain management doctors. Pain Clinics have emerged as Florida has become a key source state for pharmaceuticals diverted from appropriate medical use. Florida's failure to enact a Prescription Monitoring Program over the past 6 years makes it the largest of only a few states without such a system.

There were 119 Oxycodone-related deaths in Broward County in 2007 including 85 where the drug was considered the cause of death and 34 where the drug was detected in the deceased person. Across Florida, there were 1,253 Oxycodone-related deaths including 705 where the drug was considered the cause of death.

United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse

We specialize in treating oxycodone addiction.

Since relapse on oxycodone is common, a multi faceted approach to recovery is necessary to reduce the likelihood of relapse.

Our oxycodone treatment program consists of the following:

Medical Detoxification with use of Suboxone®

We offer effective, safe detox with virtually no withdrawal symptoms.  The Suboxone® dosage is tapered for a period as little as 5 days and as much as 12 weeks.  Depending on the severity of the symptoms and other factors, the length of time can be shortened or lengthened.  Treatment at NBRC is highly individualized and each patient's specific needs are addressed and medications are prescribed and dosed accordingly. Our team treats more oxycodone addicted patients on an out-patient basis than any clinic in Palm Beach County. 

Alternative Non Suboxone® Accelerated Opiate Detox

This semi-rapid detox protocol is offered as an alternative to the Suboxone® treatment.  The Accelerated Non-Suboxone® Opiate Detox protocol offers the patient a cost effective alternative to the more lengthy Suboxone® detox protocols.  Through the use of milder opiate like medications administered over the course of 15 days, patients can now be drug free in a brief amount of time.

Counseling and Coaching During Detoxification Process

Patients are coached and counseled at every office visit at no additional charge.

Optional Individual and Group Counseling

Group and individual counseling has been proven to be the best environment for laying a strong recovery foundation.  Our groups are usually small, consisting of many patients struggling with oxycodone addiction.  Intensive Out-Patient Therapy (IOP) group counseling with licensed and certified counselors is offered optionally as an adjunct to the detox program.

Effective Post Treatment Program

Our Post Treatment Program consists of pharmacologocal (medication) intervention (treatment) with latest preventative medications such as Naltrexone® and Vivitrol to curb cravings and inhibit the effect of oxycodone in the event of a relapse, plus continuing counseling sessions on a group and individual basis.  Lastly, specifically targeted nutritional supplements are introduced to address the replenishment of amino acids, depleted vitamins and minerals treat any Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS) etc.

How the Oxycodone Detox Program works:

Intake Interview and Psychosocial Assessment

A preliminary assessment is conducted and the patient is evaluated to determine if they are eligible for the Out-Patient Program.  The NBRC Program requirements, the various treatment options, length of treatment, and the fee structure are all discussed.  A confidential interview and intake and orientation is conducted.  Afterward, a psychosocial assessment is performed by a member of our staff. 

Pre-Procedure Medical Evaluation

The detoxification process begins with all NBRC patients receiving a complete medical history and physical examination. This may include a laboratory analysis and urine toxicology screen. Our clinicians remain a part of the multi-disciplinary team that cares for the patient throughout detoxification 

Induction Phase - Beginning the Process of Detoxification

The Induction Phase is the medically monitored startup of therapy.  Medications may be prescribed at this time to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, assist with sleep and reduce anxiety.

Stabilization Phase – Controlling the Cravings

The Stabilization Phase has begun when the patient no longer has cravings for sleep aid medications.

Taper Phase – Getting Free

The Taper Phase is reached when the patient is doing well on prescribed medications and cravings have been minimized.  The patient is then stepped-down from the medications until they are drug-free.  Medications may be gradually switched in order to ensure a greater level of comfort during the detox

The Post Acute Withdrawal Phase

The Taper Phase is followed by the Post Acute Withdrawal Phase.  Suboxone® and other medications handle the "acute" symptoms during the Taper Phase.  After patients "jump off" Suboxone® or other symptom managing medications, different medications are introduced to manage the Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS).  These symptoms, although much milder than the acute symptoms a patient might have experienced before the detox, can still be present for a period of time after the "jump off".  NBD utilizes a host of medications to address any conceivable PAWS.  We also start patients on a regimen of various amino acids and vitamins during the Taper Phase to promote brain health and to prepare the brain for the ultimate event of stopping all forms of opiates.

FACT:

There is significant research that reveals the fact the medical detoxification without a rigorous program of recovery that includes Psycho-Therapy and Substance Abuse Group Therapy, may have little lasting effect. The rate of recidivism (relapse) is extremely high with those that choose to forego therapy in conjunction with medical detoxification.

Side Effects Of Oxycodone Usage

Consider the dangers in continued oxycodone usage after reading the above list.

Withdrawal Symptoms of Oxycodone Usage

Below is a statement for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)