Percocet Addiction:
Signs, Symptoms and Treatment
Whenever you go to the dentist or prep for any kind of surgery, there’s no question that you’ll need a prescription medicine to wear off the pain after the operation. In most cases, patients are prescribed Percocet, which helps them tide over the excruciating pain and get their much-needed relief.
However, instead of only using it on a short-term basis, some people actively seek Percocet out and use it constantly to experience the same relaxing effect. This is dangerous as this can kickstart their Percocet addiction and expose them to risks like respiratory depression (breathing shallowly) and intense withdrawal symptoms.
This guide will help you understand more what Percocet is, what the telltale signs are of Percocet addiction, and how you can treat it.
What is Percocet?
Percocet is a widely used and prescribed painkiller that has a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen, which is often used after surgery or dental operations.
Oxycodone’s properties help people feel relaxed as the opioid receptors change how the brain registers pain and releases a sense of euphoria instead. Acetaminophen on the otherhand, helps in reducing fevers and relieves pain after surgeries; you may even be familiar with it as it’s the active ingredient in Tylenol.
Because of the “feel good” effects that people experience by using Percocet, there’s a high potential for abuse and addiction. In fact, around 9.3 million people in the US were reported to have misused prescribed painkillers in 2020 alone, categorising it as a Schedule II controlled substance.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
What are the Effects of Percocet?
Percocet’s effects aren’t just therapeutic for the body; in the long run, it does more harm than actual good.
Therapeutic effects
Percocet reduces the chances of potential fevers after an operation, as well as relieves pain in the body. This can be very helpful when people experience pain outside their tolerance levels. Percocet is a huge help for individuals, especially when other painkillers have little to no effect on them.
Negative side effects
A prolonged use of Percocet can often cause negative side effects in people making them feel dizzy, drowsy, nauseus, and constipated.
Other mild and more severe symptoms caused by withdrawal and the continued use of Percocet include the following:
Depression
Jaundice
Hypothermia
Low blood pressure
Headaches
Fatigue
Anxiety
Poor sleep
Poor appetite
Poor muscle coordination
Gastrointestinal problems
Another high-risk situation when individuals have consumed a high dosage of Percocet is it can result in respiratory depression. This is when your breathing becomes shallow because of the increased carbon dioxide in the body and in turn can entirely stop your breathing with devastating consequences.
Psychoactive effects
The oxycodone present in Percocet can induce a sense of euphoria and relaxation in the body by releasing endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals that the body releases when you experience pleasurable activities like exercise, eating, massage, etc.
However, when endorphins are artificially produced constantly, this alters the brain’s chemistry and reinforces the cycle of its usage. The longer the use, the more the body builds tolerance and the more a person needs to consume Percocet in order to get the same effect.
Signs and Symptoms of Percocet Addiction
Like most addictions, Percocet addiction can manifest in the body, behaviour, and the mind. Below, you’ll find a list of the telltale signs someone might be struggling with Percocet dependence.
Physical symptoms
Sweating
Muscle aches
Jaundice
Constipation
Insomnia
Nausea and vomiting
Drowsiness or fatigue
Shallow and slow breathing
Fluctuation in weight
Fluctuation in appetite
Increased tolerance in Percocet resulting in more consumption
Behavioural symptoms
Going to doctors to get extra Percocet prescriptions
Faking their pain issues to acquire prescription
Stocking up in Percocet for “future” painful issues
Exaggerating health problems to get Percocet
Social isolation and neglecting relationships
Increased irritability and aggression
Financial issues due to the costs of acquiring the medicine
Poor hygiene and withdrawal from day to day activities
Psychological symptoms
Anxiety and agitation
Depression
Mood swings
Losing control while under the influence
Building high tolerance from Percocet
Craving for Percocet in order to function
What Causes Addiction to Percocet – Who is at Risk?
Percocet addiction isn’t caused by a single reason but more by a combination of psychological, genetic, and environmental factors.
Anyone can develop an inclination to drug use when exposed to the right circumstances. With that said, here are just some of the possible causes for Percocet addiction:
Family history of substance abuse disorders
Underlying mental health disorders that aren’t diagnosed or managed like anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, etc. (using Percocet as self-medication)
Peer pressure from friends or other people
Experiencing extreme trauma and self-medicating through Percocet
Living with chronic pain to manage their symptoms
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How is Percocet Drug Addiction Treated?
Treating Percocet addiction is exactly the same process as treating any kind of substance use disorder. The treatment process involves three crucial steps in order: detox, therapy, and aftercare.
Percocet drug detox
Detox is the first but most crucial step in treating addiction. It is the process of flushing out the Percocet chemicals in the body so the patient can be ready for therapy. During this phase, people will usually feel withdrawal symptoms like sweating, anxiety, insomnia, and muscle aches.
If the Percocet addiction is severe, the person may undergo hypothermia, hallucinations, or seizures. If ever that happens, medical professionals will usually administer medicines that help manage the worst symptoms.
If detox is done at home, the worst withdrawal symptoms might be potentially life-threatening, and no one will be there to mitigate it. This is why it’s highly important to do this only with medical supervision, as detox can be safer, secure, and more effective.
Therapy approaches for Percocet addiction
There are different modes of therapy in treating addiction. In this case, there are three that can greatly help treat Percocet addiction.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT is a widely used evidence-based therapy where the focus is on uncovering the thought patterns and behaviours driving the addiction. In this approach, people get to talk about their childhood, their environment, and their beliefs, and eventually learn how to cope in a healthy way without depending on drugs.
- Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)
DBT is another form of CBT and the only difference is it combines Eastern meditative practices. In DBT, people learn to regulate their emotions, tolerate distress, and practice mindfulness in different ways.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
In order to reduce cravings and also manage withdrawal symptoms from detox, medication like methadone, naltrexone and buprenorphine is used. MAT helps in stabilising people after detox which also helps them to focus on therapy.
- Counselling and support groups
Drug addiction can be incredibly isolating and treating it also means giving emotional support. In this case, people also get to join a community that intimately knows where they are coming from and they can also offer mutual support.
Percocet addiction aftercare and relapse prevention
Last but not the least is the aftercare and relapse prevention treatment plan. It’s crucial to understand that sobriety is a long-term process, and along the way, it’s normal that people can experience relapse.
The important thing is to equip people with the right mental tools in order to avoid relapse. It can be very hard, but the real fight towards recovery begins outside the walls of a treatment facility.
In a relapse prevention plan, people learn the following techniques:
- Identifying triggers
Here people become aware of feelings, situations, and people that can cause distress and lead them to cope unhealthily again.
- Developing healthy coping strategies
Here people get to combat their triggers by using strategies like mindfulness, practising a healthy lifestyle, and stress management techniques as opposed to using Percocet.
- Building a support network
Connecting with friends, family, and peers is a very important part of recovery as this helps people realise that they’re not alone and no longer have to isolate when triggers crop up.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
In-Patient vs. Out-Patient Rehab Treatment Options
These two treatment options are beneficial in different ways, and choosing the “right one” really depends on the specific conditions of the patient.
In-patient rehab treatment
With inpatient treatment, people get to access 24/7 medical and psychological support which is perfect for those who have severe Percocet addiction. It’s also highly beneficial when it comes to the detoxification process, as extreme withdrawal symptoms can be managed immediately with medication.
Inpatient treatment is the ideal solution for people with severe Percocet addiction, those who have underlying mental health disorders, and also those who have used multiple recreational drugs.
Out-patient rehab treatment
Out-patient treatment is another treatment option where individuals are treated in the facility but can get back to their home afterwards for their continuous recovery. The key requirement is that they have a supportive network that can help them at home and that their addiction isn’t severe.
This is perfect for people who also want the opportunity to continue their work and be with their families while receiving treatment for their addiction.
The benefits of in-patient rehab for Percocet addiction
Rehabilitation centres are highly beneficial because they provide more comprehensive and holistic treatment for addiction. In this kind of environment, people’s needs are met in multiple ways before they can get back outside.
Individuals can access 24/7 medical assistance from professionals who can guide them through their worst withdrawal symptoms. In rehab facilities, people can address their underlying mental health issues which contribute to their addiction, that can only be uncovered in therapy with an expert counsellor.
The calm and peaceful environment is also designed to help them feel safe and secure. In this case, they also have less exposure to possible triggers and distractions that may affect their treatment process.
Last but not least, rehab facilities create personalised treatment plans specific to every patient’s needs. This can range from different modes of therapy (individual counselling, group therapy, art therapy, DBT, etc.) to educational workshops, nutrition plans, stress management, and developing healthy coping skills.
Your Next Steps
If you or a loved one is struggling with Percocet addiction, the first step you can do is talk to them with patience and compassion. They won’t open up to you if you automatically judge them. There are many reasons why people fall into addiction, and the best way to uncover this is by being a source of support.
Next, you should seek the professional advice of a doctor or an addiction specialist. Here you get to learn more what treatment options are available and facilities to consider. Afterwards, it’s all about checking the facilities and preparing for treatment.
And lastly, one should commit fully to recovery. If people are only forced to go to treatment and it’s not in their hearts, then recovery will only be futile. The first but most crucial step anyone can do is to decide for themselves that they want to be better.
Remember, addiction can be treated, and with the right support and treatment, healing can be possible for anyone.
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