What is Percocet?
Table of Contents
- What is Percocet?
- What Makes Percocet So Addictive?
- Can Percocet Addiction Occur if it is Prescribed?
- The Side Effects of Percocet Abuse and Addiction
- Percocet Overdose: The Signs and Symptoms
- What are the Symptoms of Percocet Withdrawal
- How is Percocet Addiction Treated?
- FAQs About Percocet Rehab and Percocet Addiction:
- Find a Percocet Rehab Center Today!
Percocet is a prescription medication that is commonly used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It is a combination of Oxycontin, a highly addictive opioid, and Acetaminophen, which is also used to relieve pain but is not an opioid.
Percocet was originally created as a “safer” alternative prescription painkiller to other opioid medications. However, while prescription opioids like Percocet can be very effective for chronic pain management, they also pose a significant risk for drug abuse and addiction.
Keep reading to find out more about effective opiate treatment, and get details on finding a Percocet rehab to meet your needs!
What Makes Percocet So Addictive?
Many people will build a tolerance and addiction to Percocet fairly quickly, especially if they are taking this medication in larger doses or for longer periods of time than prescribed. This can lead them to continue abusing this drug in excess in order to achieve the same effects.
Currently, Percocet is one of the most commonly abused drugs in the U.S. This is because, while it can be helpful for pain management, it can also produce a euphoric and pleasurable high for those who take it.
Percocet affects the brain and central nervous system, causing it to produce large amounts of feel-good-chemical dopamine. This is what creates the soothing and euphoric feeling that makes many people pine after the drug when not using it for pain relief.
Can Percocet Addiction Occur if it is Prescribed?
Even those with a prescription for it can abuse Percocet. This includes taking a higher dose of the drug than recommended, or for longer than their doctor originally prescribed. Over time, your body will form a physical and/or chemical dependency on the drug.
This means that it will be unable to function without it, making it difficult to carry out basic tasks or feel normal unless Percocet is used.
Once you have developed a Percocet abuse problem or addiction, you will need to seek out a professional addiction treatment center and recovery support services in order to overcome this condition and regain a sober lifestyle.
The Side Effects of Percocet Abuse and Addiction
Abusing Percocet can have multiple negative side effects, both physically and mentally, with some of these even having the potential to become life-threatening if not properly addressed. These may include:
- Constipation
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Itchiness
- Respiratory Depression
Some people, particularly those with a co-occurring mental illness, may also develop suicidal ideations or behaviors as a result of their Percocet abuse. This can make it even more important to seek out professional treatment for Percocet addiction as soon as possible.
Percocet Overdose: The Signs and Symptoms
One of the biggest risks for someone with substance abuse issues of any kind is the risk that these habits can potentially lead to a drug overdose. Unfortunately, with Percocet’s many addictive properties, the risk of overdose is significant for this drug.
Many people may begin using Percocet by snorting or injecting the drug, or by mixing it with other substances. All of these behaviors can significantly increase the risk of overdose, as can abusing this medication with another underlying medical condition.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), deaths related to opioid abuse increased by an estimated 6/% in the U.S. between 2018 and 2019. Unfortunately, these numbers and those related to substance abuse and addiction are only growing.
This is why it is so important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of Percocet and opioid overdose, so that the suffering individual can receive the right help.
The most common signs of overdose for Percocet include trouble breathing, confusion, nausea and vomiting, and intense stomach pain. More severe symptoms may also take place, such as:
- Low blood pressure
- Slowed or weakened heart rate
- Coma
- Seizures
- Bluish lips and nails
- Loss of consciousness
If you or another individual is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek emergency help immediately in order to prevent possible coma or death from occurring.
What are the Symptoms of Percocet Withdrawal
Someone with a Percocet addiction will have developed a dependency on this drug, which will make stopping their use of it incredibly difficult without the proper help.
In fact, this is the case with most forms of addiction, as stopping the use of an abused substance can cause many uncomfortable and potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
This is the case with Opioid withdrawal, as this process can cause an individual to develop many negative side effects, including:
- Reduced Appetite
- Excessive Weight Loss
- Reduced Mental Clarity
- Reduced Cognitive Function
- Muscle Aches
- Insomnia
- Chronic Fatigue
- Excessive Sweating
- Chills
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Seizures
For someone with a more severe Percocet addiction, their withdrawal symptoms may last over longer periods of time than others, making it even more difficult to regain control over his or her life.
This is why it is highly recommended that those struggling with Percocet addiction seek help through a professional recovery center that is capable of addressing all of their personal care needs.
How is Percocet Addiction Treated?
There are several treatment types available for managing addiction to Percocet, each of which will follow its own treatment process and recovery approach. When treating opioid abuse in particular, this recovery process will typically begin with a medical detox program.
Percocet treatment can heavily rely on medical detox, as this process will allow an individual to be gradually and safely weaned off the abused substance while under constant supervision from a medical professional.
This allows their body to re-adjust to functioning without this or other drugs, as well as helps manage and reduce any symptoms of withdrawal. Multiple doctors may be a part of this process, as well as medication management services to further help with withdrawal and reducing cravings.
The Foundations for Sobriety at an Inpatient Treatment Center
Once this process has been completed, many individuals will be encouraged to move on to an inpatient treatment facility.
This level of care features constant support from a caring and compassionate staff, as well as individualized treatment plans to help ensure all of their clients’ needs are being properly addressed.
Inpatient treatment facilities help to ensure that their clients can recover in a safe and supportive environment while having access to various treatment benefits. Individuals with co-occurring disorders, whether these be mental health disorders or underlying medical conditions, may particularly benefit from this intensive, 24/7 care.
However, for those with unavoidable time or financial constraints, outpatient programs may be the best option for them. Traditional outpatient treatment can be a good long-term recovery option, providing access to sober support groups and recovery tools to those who are re-adjusting to an independent sober lifestyle.
Each of these treatment options will also offer various dual diagnosis and relapse prevention services, which focus on addressing the underlying causes of a person’s Percocet addiction. These may include:
- Individual therapy sessions
- Group therapy sessions
- Family therapy sessions
- Behavioral therapies
FAQs About Percocet Rehab and Percocet Addiction:
What are the Risks Of Developing a Percocet Addiction?
As with any other form of substance abuse, Percocet does not differentiate between its users. Anyone is capable of developing an addiction to this medication. Of course, this does not mean that there are not certain risk factors associated with the abuse of Percocet.
Currently, those who are considered to be the most at-risk for forming habits of abuse with Percocet are those who are taking this medication for medical purposes. While perhaps necessary for managing their pain, Percocet’s chemical rewiring of the brain can easily cause these individuals to form an addiction to it.
There is also the fact that prescription medications can also easily fall into the wrong hands. For example, there have been many cases where children or other household members swipe an individual’s prescribed medication from the medicine cabinet.
How Does Percocet Addiction Develop?
Unfortunately, when a prescription medication like Percocet is used without a real need for it or in an unmonitored environment, this can pose various dangers, including overdose and the development of abuse habits.
Another significant risk factor for Percocet abuse is if a user has a family history of addiction, or is living with someone who is struggling with this issue.
Finally, individuals that have untreated or undiagnosed mental disorders may also be at a greater risk of abusing Percocet due to its euphoric and soothing effects. The most at-risk conditions for this include depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can both cause symptoms of emotional and physical pain or discomfort.
How Do I Know I Need to Go to a Percocet Rehab?
Admitting that you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and needs help can be difficult. However, if you do have an addiction to Percocet, it is important to recognize this problem and seek the proper help for it, before it can cause permanent damage.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5), there are several signs and symptoms that can be looked out for when attempting to identify painkiller addictions. These include:
- Having different Percocet prescriptions with multiple doctors, also known as “doctor shopping”
- Having constant cravings for Percocet
- Continuing to use Percocet despite this having negative personal, physical, mental, and/or social consequences
- Wanting to stop taking Percocet use but being unsuccessful on your own
- Losing interest in social or professional obligations due to Percocet use
- Developing legal, financial, or other issues due to continued substance use
- Developing withdrawal symptoms when attempting to reduce or stop use of Percocet
What can I expect from treatment for Percocet Addiction?
No matter the treatment facility you attend, you can expect individual and group therapy following detox, as well as family therapy if desired. Many treatment centers also look at alternative ways of dealing with severe pain, without the use of narcotics. You can expect to learn more about yoga, mindfulness, and other forms of treatment for Percocet addiction that focuses on lessening the symptoms that led to misuse of the drug.
Find a Percocet Rehab Center Today!
If you or a loved one is struggling with Percocet addiction, help is available to overcome these habits and regain your sobriety. At Rehabs Of Armerica, we are dedicated to helping people who are suffering from addiction get the help they need to overcome the grips of drug abuse.
Our hotline is available 24/7 to help you find a Percocet addiction treatment center that can provide for your unique needs. No matter what your personal struggle with addiction is, we are here to provide you with recovery tools and resources, anytime you need them.
Call now, and one of our recovery representatives will help get you started on your path to recovery from addiction. Begin your journey to becoming happier and healthier today!
Charles F. has been an active part of the Florida recovery community for over 5 years. He began as a behavioral health technician at an addiction treatment facility in Ocala, Florida and has since begun training as a Licensed Addiction and Chemical Dependency counselor in Boca Raton. Charles’ passion involves the promotion of recovery and helping spread the hope of recovery to as many readers as possible!