Anyone that takes prescription painkillers can get addicted. Nearly 11.5 million Americans reported misusing prescription opioid drugs. Percocet is the name brand of one of these opioids that contains oxycodone and acetaminophen. Percocet can be very addicting even if a person takes it for just a short time. A person can get addicted to this drug within just a few days. Are you worried your loved one is addicted to Percocet? If so, read more about this drug’s side effects, symptoms of addiction, and how to get help for your loved one.
About Percocet
As mentioned above, Percocet is a prescription painkiller that contains acetaminophen and oxycodone, which comes from the same source as powerful drugs like heroin and morphine. People can get addicted to this drug easily because it activates the brain’s reward sense, which makes a person feel good. People become addicted to this feeling. Over time, a person also develops tolerance, so they need to take more of this drug to get this feeling. These drugs also slow down the nervous system and affect respiratory function, heart rate, and blood pressure. They block pain sensations by altering the chemical paths to the brain that make you feel the pain sensation.
Percocet Addiction Symptoms
There are a number of possible side effects with Percocet. If you are wondering if your loved one is addicted, you should look for these side effects. These symptoms include:
- Depression
- Confusion
- Mood swings
- Low blood pressure
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Sweating
- Coordination issues
- Reduced breathing rate
- Weight changes
- Slurring speech
- Agitation
Percocet also affects a person’s intestinal function. This can lead to constipation and issues with bowel movements. You should also pay attention to a person’s social life. Is he or she more withdrawn socially? Percocet is not easy to get because you need a prescription. It is hard for the person to get enough Percocet legally, so addicts will try to do anything to get the drug. This means they may start stealing or even forging prescriptions. They may also pretend to lose scripts to get more. They will also try to go to the doctor frequently and different doctors to get the prescription. Another symptom to watch for is unusual changes in the mannerisms of the person. This means the person appears unusually excited or appears high. The opposite is also true—the person may appear almost sedated or unusually tired.
Effects of Percocet Use
Without treatment, a person’s life can spiral downhill. The following are effects of abuse and can really impact the addict’s life along with the rest of the family.
- Job loss
- Financial ruin
- Suicide
- Lung damage
- Legal issues
- Unemployment
- Broken relationships
- Heart damage
- Mental health problems
- Sexual dysfunction
- Homelessness
- Social withdrawal
- Eye problems
As you can see there are physical, emotional, social, and financial implications to addiction. Without proper help and rehabilitation, it can become a vicious cycle.
Treatment
There are several approaches to treating a Percocet addiction. There is not a one size fits all solution for most people. After a person begins rehab, detox is one of the most difficult phases of recovery. The person may need to take prescription medications to help detox and treat withdrawal symptoms. These medications include methadone and buprenorphine.
Percocet Withdrawal
The person starts going through withdrawal symptoms during the detox process. Withdrawal is hard, and that’s why detox is one of the most difficult phases of recovery. Most people will begin using Percocet again just to relieve the withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include:
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
- Elevated body temperature
- Twitches or tremors
- Extreme cravings
- Dysphoria
- Watery eyes
- Excessive sweating
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Concentration problems
- Chills
- Anxiety
- Stomach cramps
- Panic attacks
- Vomiting
- Muscle aches
- Restlessness
Many people say it feels like having an extreme case of the flu. These side effects happen because the body is dependent on this drug. It is best to detox with the assistance of a medical facility, so there is medical supervision. The rehab facility can help the person feel more comfortable during this phase.
After Detox
After a person detoxes, the next step is rehab. This involves therapy to help a person learn to deal with this addiction and learn the triggers. This helps the person heal mentally and emotionally. There are options for therapy including in a facility or outpatient rehab program. You will have the select a program that is right for your loved one, and most programs let you customize to their personal needs. There are various forms of therapy including counseling, which can be either group, individual, or a combination of both. The person needs to figure out and address if there are any underlying problems that caused the addiction. It’s important that family members or friends also use counseling to help their loved ones and themselves heal and move forward after this addiction. This helps everyone understand the addiction and help the person get the support they need.
Long-Term Care
After therapy, the person will then need to have aftercare treatment to ensure they don’t relapse. Rehab doesn’t stop after detox and initial therapy. This includes creating a sober living environment, getting follow up counseling, and also support from family and friends. The rehab program will give family advice and information to help with this step.
Get Help Today
If you suspect that your loved one has a Percocet addiction, you should get help immediately. Reach out to someone you trust or a doctor. There is help available. Confronting a loved one about their addiction can be challenging, but you are doing what is best for both of you. If you are looking for a treatment program, we can help. We are in New Jersey and provide group therapy, mediation detox, addiction counseling, and more! Contact us today for help or with any questions; we are here to assist you.
