PERCOCET ADDICTION: SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, WITHDRAWAL & TREATMENT
WHAT IS PERCOCET & WHAT’S IT USED FOR?
Percocet is a fever reducer and a pain reliever for moderate to severe pain. The drug is a mix of oxycodone, an opioid pain reliever, and acetaminophen, a non-opioid pain reliever.
Percocet is a branded version of oxycodone and acetaminophen that is prescribed to relieve moderate and severe pain, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Tablets of this medication contain a combination of:
- Acetaminophen: Acetaminophen is an OTC analgesic and the active ingredient in Tylenol.
- Oxycodone: Also known as hillbilly heroin and a primary driver of the opioid epidemic in the United States, oxycodone is a powerful opioid painkiller.
Percocet tablets are also available in generic forms. Generic acetaminophen/oxycodone tablets have M523 imprinted on one side of the white oblong tablets, and 10/325 imprinted on the other side.
In Percocet tablets, the acetaminophen content serves to reduce the production of chemicals in the brain associated with pain. The oxycodone content of this combination medication alters the way in which your brain perceives pain.
Under the CSA (Controlled Substances Act) of 1970, oxycodone is classified as a Schedule II drug. Like all Schedule II substances, oxycodone has some medical utility, but also has a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction.
Like other opioids, Percocet has been widely prescribed to treat chronic pain since the late 1990s. This is one of the leading reasons for the ongoing United States opioid epidemic.
IS PERCOCET ADDICTIVE?
Percocet, like all Schedule II controlled substances, can be highly addictive. The euphoric effects induced by Percocet are similar to those of heroin, a lethal illicit narcotic. This is due to the oxycodone content of this combination medication.
When used short-term, the medication is a highly effective painkiller. Tolerance to Percocet can build quickly, though. As the effects of the drug are diminished, this often prompts people to take more of the opioid or to increase the frequency of doses. Abusive patterns of consumption and sustained use of Percocet will accelerate the development of physical dependence. This will often lead to addiction in the form of opioid use disorder.
When doctors started prescribing opioid painkillers to treat ongoing chronic pain in the 1990s, this initiated a vicious cycle that trapped millions of Americans in addictions to prescription medications.
Some classic signs of Percocet addiction include:
- Using fake Percocet prescriptions
- Doctor shopping to obtain more Percocet
- Buying Percocet on the black market
- Using illicit narcotics like heroin
- Stealing to get money for Percocet
WHY DO PEOPLE ABUSE PERCOCET?
People use Percocet for pain relief, but people also abuse Percocet to get “high.” When it’s abused, users will feel euphoria, calamity, and relaxation. They’ll also have a perception of heightened pleasure.
The reasons why people abuse Percocet vary, but there are some common factors that contribute to the development of addiction.
One of the main reasons why people abuse the medication is to experience the euphoric effects it triggers. The opioid component of Percocet produces feelings of pleasure and relaxation, which can be appealing to those who are looking to escape from emotional or physical pain. That said, with sustained use, the body develops a physical tolerance to opioids, leading to the need for higher doses to achieve the same initial effects.
Another reason why people abuse Percocet is to self-medicate. Some people might be experiencing untreated or undertreated chronic pain, turning to a drug like Percocet to alleviate the symptoms. Using Percocet in this way, though, can lead to the development of physical dependence and addiction.
Additionally, some individuals may abuse Percocet due to psychological factors like stress, anxiety, or depression. The drug can provide temporary relief from these symptoms, but will ultimately worsen them and lead to a cycle of dependence and addiction.
SLANG TERMS For Percocet
- PERKS
- ROXI
- PERCODOMS
- M-30S
- PAULAS
- KICKERS
- BLUEBERRIES
- RIMS
HISTORY OF PERCOCET
Percocet grew in popularity in the U.S. in the 1970s. It came about after a similar prescription pill called Percodan had a side effect that caused blood clots due to a combination of oxycodone and aspirin. Percocet came about in the opioid market in 1999 with approval from the FDA after Vicodin and OxyContin. However, manufacturers of these opioids weren’t anticipating an abuse epidemic.
Because of oxycodone in Percocet, this drug is considered part of the opioid epidemic. In 2010, 60 percent of the drug overdose deaths in the U.S. involved opioids. In 2014, it was reported that 2 million people in the U.S. had opioid substance abuse disorder. The number of Americans who abused opioids in the same year is estimated to be 4.3 million, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PERCOCET ADDICTION?
Signs and symptoms of Percocet addiction are fairly easy to recognize. You or your loved one may withdraw socially, their relationships may suffer, or they may have an entirely new friend group. They may prioritize these friends or events where Percocet is present over other events they are expected to attend. They may be absent from work, and they may have an obsession with obtaining and using Percocet.
The symptoms of Percocet addiction (opioid use disorder) are listed in DSM-5-TR (the latest revised edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Opioid use disorder is diagnosed according to the number of symptoms that present as mild (2 or 3), moderate (4 or 5), or severe (6 or more). The symptoms are:
- Taking more Percocet than planned or taking the medication for longer than intended.
- Making repeated failed attempts to moderate or discontinue use.
- Spending lots of time using Percocet or recovering from the effects of the medication.
- Experiencing intense cravings for Percocet.
- Failing to meet personal or professional commitments.
- Ongoing Percocet use even though it is causing social and interpersonal problems.
- Reducing time spent on hobbies and interests due to opioid use.
- Using Percocet in dangerous situations.
- Continuing to use Percocet even though it is causing or inflaming a health condition, either physical or mental.
- Tolerance developing so that you require more Percocet or more frequent doses.
- Withdrawal symptoms presenting when the effects of Percocet wear off.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF PERCOCET ADDICTION?
Due to the content of oxycodone in Percocet, the body can easily become accustomed to taking it. Because of this, addicts will have to take more of it each time to feel the same effects. This can cause users to have serious addiction and withdrawal symptoms from taking the drug. While some effects may start off as mild, they can turn into effects with severe consequences and long-term addiction.
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF PERCOCET ADDICTION
- DIZZINESS
- CHEST PAIN
- DRY MOUTH
- SHALLOW BREATHING
- BLURRY VISION
- CHANGES IN HEART RATE
- INSOMNIA
- NAUSEA AND VOMITING
LONG TERM EFFECTS OF PERCOCET ADDICTION
- HYPOTHERMIA
- FEELING VERY TIRED
- ANXIETY
- HALLUCINATIONS
- SEIZURES
- DEPRESSION
- LIGHTHEADEDNESS
- AGITATION
PERCOCET ADDICTION STATISTICS
12.5 MILLION
Americans age 12 or older reported taking pain killers for recreational purposes.
30% RISE
in emergency room department visits for opioid overdoses.
10+ MILLION
people misused prescription opioids in 2019.
WHAT DOES PERCOCET ADDICTION TREATMENT LOOK LIKE?
Percocet addiction is treated similarly to other opioid addictions. First, Percocet addicts will be treated with a detox to get any remnants of the drug out of their system. Percocet w withdrawal symptoms during detox can be very uncomfortable and, at times, dangerous. After detox, a recovering addict can stay under medical supervision in an inpatient rehab center, where they’ll receive medication and learn coping mechanisms for their addiction in a safe, focused place.
At Gratitude Lodge, we offer a welcoming, pet-friendly residential environment for recovering addicts. Get your life back today when you begin your stay. A stay can be as short as a week and up to a year, depending on the severity of the addiction. Here, you’ll receive individual therapy, group therapy, and access to a 12-step recovery program for Percocet abuse. You’ll also learn healthy habits and get used to sober activities such as surfing, hiking, or just relaxing.
The combination of evidence-based treatment and holistic therapies will help you to make positive behavioral changes and move beyond a life driven by opioids.
Due to the high relapse rates of opioid use disorder, your treatment team will equip you with a robust aftercare plan that includes relapse prevention strategies, coping techniques, and ongoing outpatient therapy if required.
PERCOCET WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS & TIMELINE
During early Percocet withdrawal, symptoms like a mild case of flu present. These may include:
- Sweating
- Hot flashes
- Chills
- Aches
- Pains
- Goosebumps
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
The more severe Percocet withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Severe aches and pains
- Abdominal cramps
- Tremors
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
While everyone has a different experience of Percocet withdrawal, here is an approximate detox timeline:
Day 1
Percocet has a short elimination half-life of 3.5 hours so the first withdrawal symptoms typically manifest after 5 to 8 hours from the last dose of Percocet.
Days 2-3
The most severe withdrawal symptoms will peak during the first three days, just like a typical case of flu.
Days 4-7
The more intense physical Percocet withdrawal symptoms of Percocet should begin to dissipate toward the end of the first week of detox.
Days 7+
As you enter week two Percocet-free, you’ll start addressing the psychological aspect of Percocet addiction now that the physical withdrawal symptoms have subsided.
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PERCOCET ADDICTION FAQS
Percocet is a prescription opioid painkiller that contains a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen. It comes in the form of tablets that vary in appearance depending on the dosage and manufacturer. The tablets are typically white, round, and marked with the dosage strength and manufacturer’s imprint. However, some manufacturers may produce different shapes, sizes, and colors, including yellow, green, and blue. The dosage strengths range from 2.5/325mg to 10/650mg.
Percocet is a prescription medication prescribed for the treatment of moderate and severe pain. The medication contains two active ingredients: oxycodone, an opioid pain reliever, and acetaminophen, a non-narcotic pain reliever. Combined, the two drugs work to alleviate pain by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and by blocking the transmission of pain signals. The acetaminophen component of Percocet can also help to reduce fever. Percocet is typically prescribed after surgery or to treat chronic pain conditions such as cancer or back pain. That said, Percocet is a Schedule II controlled substance that has a high potential for abuse and addiction.
People take Percocet for its pain-relieving properties. The medication is often prescribed following surgery or for the treatment of acute and chronic pain conditions like cancer, arthritis, and back pain. Percocet is especially effective for relieving moderate or severe pain that doesn’t respond to OTC medications. The combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen in Percocet helps to alleviate pain by targeting different mechanisms in the body. That said, Percocet also carries a risk of abuse and addiction due to its potent opioid component.
