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Percocet Addiction

9 Minutes

Edited & medically reviewed by THE BALANCE Team

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CONTENTS

The prevalence of prescription drug abuse has skyrocketed since the 1990s. Today, the widespread abuse of these medications, whether stimulants or opioid painkillers, is recognized as a serious national problem in the United States. Surveys suggest that more than 6.5 million Americans take prescription medications for non-medical users, and around 4 million reportedly abuse painkillers like Percocet.

Comprising oxycodone, a potent opioid with acetaminophen, an over-the-counter painkiller, Percocet is a prescription opioid medication that doctors recommend to relieve pain and discomfort following an injury or surgery. When taken as recommended, this medication works wonders to help individuals gain the relief they need to enjoy their lives. However, due to the enticing high it can induce when abused, Percocet also carries a risk of severe addiction.

Painkiller addiction is a widespread problem and continues to be a more pervasive issue than before. Individuals belonging to all races, age groups, social circles, and economic classes are at equal risk of abusing these medications. Percocet addiction particularly stems from prescription use that ultimately leads to tolerance, dependence, and a tenacious addiction. Even those using it on a legitimate prescription can quickly develop a tolerance leading to problematic misuse, and before they know it, a full-blown substance use disorder sets in.

In addition to those becoming addicted to Percocet while using it as prescribed, another group of people never obtain or use it legally. These individuals only consume the medication to experience the euphoria it generates. Sometimes, they may use it to self-medicate for mental disorders like anxiety or depression. Other times, they may pop in a pill of Percocet to escape an aspect of life they find unsatisfying or problematic.

Some other reasons that may push individuals to abuse Percocet include the following:

To feel more confident and comfortable in social situations
To avoid feeling bored
To change the way they see themselves
To escape a problematic area in real life
To change the way other people see them
To change the way they see themselves
To get more attention from parents or friends

Regardless of the reason for using and abusing Percocet, the situation always ends badly. In the case of self-medication, the drug rarely improves mental health symptoms but only adds to the burden by paving the way for addiction. Individuals who get addicted to Percocet eventually develop a risk of abusing other drugs and alcohol, which only makes the situation more serious.

Depending on the severity of the addiction, the warning signs of an underlying Percocet addiction can either be obvious or concealed. To know if you or someone you love have developed this addiction, look out for the following symptoms.

Behavioral Symptoms

Social withdrawal
Abusing Percocet despite understanding the risks
Consuming Percocet in higher quantities than prescribed
Taking Percocet for a longer time than intended
Trying to steal or gain Percocet by illegal means
Abusing Percocet even after experiencing negative effects in the past
Attempting to reduce the use of Percocet but failing

Physical Symptoms

Weight changes
Fatigue or exhaustion
Constipation
Slurred speech
Altered sleep
Coordination problems
Breathing issues
Slowed heart rate

Cognitive Symptoms

Poor concentration
Inability to focus
Poor decision making
Problems with memory

Psychosocial Symptoms

Anger/ aggression
Increased agitation
Mood swings

A drug rehabilitation center can be the perfect way to seek Percocet addiction treatment. A typical treatment program in these rehabs may involve the following steps:

Detoxification

Percocet detoxification refers to the process in which the body removes all traces of the medication from the body. The process typically takes five to seven days, during which an individual may develop specific withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms result from weaning Percocet too quickly and may include problems like sweating, insomnia, runny nose, diarrhea, heightened body temperature, a state of uneasiness, muscle twitching, pupil dilation, and watery eyes. Another major symptom of Percocet withdrawal is a constant urge to always use the medication.

While withdrawal is essential to rid the body of Percocet, the symptoms it induces may also put an individual at a high risk of dehydration. A detox center offers assistance with detox by providing individuals with a safe and secure space to recover under the supervision of an expert panel. This panel includes highly trained medical doctors, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and other staff members who manage the physical symptoms of Percocet withdrawal and are available to provide emotional support.

Rehabilitation Programs

Once an individual finishes detox, they may enter formal treatment as a part of the more comprehensive plan. This formal treatment program aims to secure ongoing sobriety and help individuals practice it in the long run. A rehab program can take place in different settings, such as:

Inpatient rehab, or residential rehab, where individuals live on-site for the duration of treatment, receive round-the-clock care and engage in different types of therapies. This level of care can be beneficial for people who require a higher level of support, such as those with severe Percocet addictions or the ones living in unsupportive home environments.
Outpatient rehab involves commuting to an addiction rehab every day to seek treatment and returning home after attending all therapies and counseling sessions. This level of care best suits those with numerous work-related or personal obligations due to which they cannot shift on-site permanently throughout treatment.

Ongoing Care and Relapse Prevention

Staying in treatment and attending therapy are the best ways to prevent relapses of Percocet addiction down the line. Factors like stress greatly trigger a relapse; hence, most rehabs offer stress management classes and courses to help individuals minimize the risk. Some people may receive ongoing medicinal care to regulate their mood swings and keep their cravings to a minimum. Other commonly used relapse prevention strategies include engaging patients in holistic therapies, inviting them to attend follow-up meetings at the rehab, encouraging them to attend support group meetings post-treatment, etc.

Formal treatment for Percocet addiction typically involves using various evidence-based therapies to help individuals maintain sobriety and stability. However, the benefits of these therapies are only available when the receiving person lives in a trigger-free environment. Some of the most beneficial therapies for Percocet addiction include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy works on the idea that an individual’s perceptions and thoughts shape their behavior. The therapy aims to solve problems instead of finding its root cause, focuses on discovering the harmful perceptions of a person, and attempts to change them.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy includes a one-on-one session between a client and a therapist. The therapist works closely with a person to set short-term goals for moving past Percocet addiction. Once these goals are achieved, the duo pairs to rebuild the client’s life and health while maintaining sobriety.

Family Counselling

Family counseling allows individuals to mend their broken relationships with their family members and put their social life together piece by piece. The therapy also focuses on cultivating a positive atmosphere at home, using which clients can recover from addiction and minimize their risk of relapses.

Group Therapy

Group therapy allows different people from different walks of life to come together and talk about the one thing they have in common: Percocet addiction. It provides such people to discuss their experiences and issues while seeking and providing useful tips and advice to those in need.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy

Motivational enhancement therapy works by increasing a client’s motivation instead of guiding them toward recovery. It usually occurs in three or four sessions where a therapist tries to motivate clients and encourage them to seek change.

Holistic Therapy

Holistic therapies are a lesser traditional way of improving the well-being of Percocet addicts while reducing their symptoms of addiction. Some commonly used holistic activities to support recovery include yoga, meditation, art therapy, acupuncture, exercise, and tai chi.

FAQs

Why do people take Percocet?

Percocet is a painkiller medication that binds to certain receptors in the brain and signals that there is no pain. Most people use it to get rid of the pain that other non-opiate painkillers cannot manage. Experts commonly prescribe it for pain relief to those who have undergone a major surgery, survived an injury, or are undergoing cancer treatment.

Is Percocet addictive?

Yes, Percocet is extremely addictive if taken without any checks in higher amounts. The human body naturally creates opioids that attach themselves to the receptors in the brain to induce feelings of calmness by releasing dopamine. Percocet tricks the brain into thinking it is a naturally-secreted opioid and releases dopamine to induce euphoria. This forces people to take more and more of this drug to achieve the same results, eventually becoming dependent on it. While most people who develop a Percocet addiction are using it recreationally, those using it as per prescription may also acquire it.

What are the side effects of Percocet addiction?

Percocet addiction is likely to impact the afflicted person’s life in a variety of ways, leading to the following side effects:
Loss of job
Suicidal ideation
Financial ruin
Suicidal attempts
Homelessness
Damage to the heart
Strained relationships
Development or exacerbation of co-occurring mental issues
Eye problems
Social withdrawal
Sexual dysfunction
Chronic unemployment
Legal problems
Social withdrawal
Family discord
Lung damage

Can Percocet abuse cause any other health issues?

Untreated drug addictions often compromise an individual’s ability to function in daily life while putting them at risk of acquiring other mental health problems at the same time. Percocet addiction, in particular, can lead to the following:
Depressive disorders
Bipolar disorders
Anxiety disorders
Antisocial personality disorders
Posttraumatic stress disorders
Other substance use disorders

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