Understanding Percocet Addiction
According to the United States Department of Justice, more than 13 million Americans abuse oxycodone. Oxycodone is the main ingredient in pain medication like Percocet, which doctors prescribe for the treatment of severe pain.
Percocet is a medication made from acetaminophen and oxycodone that doctors commonly prescribe for the treatment of pain. Oxycodone is an opioid that comes from the same source as morphine and some illegal drugs: the poppy plant.
Opioids like Percocet activate the brain’s reward center, latching on to opioid receptors and blocking pain. Percocet is very useful for people who experience severe pain, but the longer you take this drug, the more likely it is that you will develop an addiction to it.
Your body builds a chemical dependency on the drug, making it seem impossible to stop using it. This is when addiction begins. Some common signs of Percocet addiction are:
- Mood swings
- Weight loss
- Slurred speech
- Doctor shopping
- Stealing prescriptions
- Lying about drug use
- Social withdrawal
- Slowed heart rate
- Balance problems
- Exhaustion
- Constipation
- Depression
- Sleep problems
- Shallow breathing
- Poor concentration
- Poor decision-making
- Memory problems
- Anger
- Agitation
- Aggression
People with prior history of substance abuse problems, those who have chronic pain, those who have co-occurring mental health conditions, or those with close relatives with substance abuse issues all have a higher risk of abusing Percocet and other substances.
Many people with a Percocet addiction also rely on other substances, making treatment more complex. According to studies in the National Library of Medicine, long-term Percocet use can also cause a decrease in the function of the amygdala and hypothalamus, which regulate emotions, body temperature, and hormones.
Your body can quickly build a tolerance for the drug, requiring you to take more of it to get the effects you want. Therefore, an overdose can easily occur. Some of the symptoms of a Percocet overdose include:
- Slurring speech
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Memory loss
- Loss of coordination
- Slowed heart rate
- Labored breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Abdominal cramping
- Low blood pressure
- Coma
- Excessive sleepiness
- Cold and clammy skin
- Blue color on lips or fingernails
An overdose can be fatal, but even long-term use of Percocet that does not result in an overdose can be dangerous.
You can develop kidney disease and liver damage as well as severe depression because your brain is not chemically functioning as it needs to. You can also experience severe constipation that may require medical attention if not resolved.
In order to avoid the risks that you face if you have a Percocet addiction, it is important to consider turning to an addiction treatment center like ours. At Sunshine Detox and Rehab Center, we offer the support you need to end Percocet abuse.
Medical Percocet Detox Services
To begin your recovery process, you have to go through detoxification. Detoxification is the process through which you eliminate the drug from your system.
It can be dangerous to attempt to go through Percocet detox on your own because there can be severe withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms of withdrawal can put you at risk of relapsing, and they can even put your life at risk.
Some of the most common Percocet withdrawal symptoms include:
- Twitches and tremors
- Sweating
- Pupil dilation
- Watery eyes
- Dysphoria
- Diarrhea
- Elevated body temperature
- Insomnia
- Runny nose
- Severe cravings
- Upset stomach
- Muscle and joint pain
At Sunshine Detox and Rehab Center, we understand that Percocet withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable, which is why we offer medical detoxification services to help with the physical and psychological symptoms you may experience.
After an intake assessment, where we will take into consideration your physical and mental health and whether you have any co-occurring disorders, we can put together the right medications to help you avoid the worst symptoms of the withdrawal process.
You will always have access to medical professionals, and you will have close monitoring 24/7 to ensure you are safe and comfortable at our Percocet detox center.
Inpatient Treatment
For those with a PCP addiction who successfully go through the PCP withdrawal process, we offer inpatient treatment. We can help you relearn how to function without substance abuse.
Our inpatient treatment program offers medication-assisted treatment, allowing you to avoid the intense cravings that can interfere with your recovery. That way, you can focus on learning skills to maintain your recovery and developing the emotional support network you need.
Substance abuse research points to behavioral therapy as being the most effective treatment option, so we apply it during individual therapy and group therapy sessions. We also offer family therapy sessions and support groups to ensure you do not feel alone as you go through drug rehabilitation.
For those who have a dual diagnosis, meaning they have other mental health concerns besides addiction, we offer dual-diagnosis treatment programs. It is crucial that you tackle all mental health concerns at the same time. Dual diagnoses can create a negative feedback loop that is difficult to overcome on your own.
At Sunshine Detox and Rehab Center, we offer personalized treatment programs that can help you quit PCP and recover from co-occurring conditions.
Get Help for PCP Addiction
After completing the detox process, we recommend inpatient treatment for people who abuse Percocet. Inpatient services allow our patients to immerse themselves in their recovery. It removes the triggers and temptations that may lead to Percocet abuse and allows them to focus entirely on recovery.
Our treatment center offers medication-assisted treatment even after Percocet withdrawal has been completed. Cravings can be brutal as you begin therapy for a substance abuse problem, and they can distract you from focusing on healing.
To help curb these cravings, we offer medications. It can help prevent relapses and allow you to build a foundation for long-term recovery.
At our inpatient and detox center, we turn to behavioral therapies to help people struggling with Percocet addiction. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the standard for addiction as well as for mental health conditions.
We recommend each of our patients consider inpatient treatment because it can also help with the feelings of isolation that addiction can cause. During group therapy sessions, you can hear about what other people experience as they deal with addictions to habit-forming substances.
With individualized treatment plans, access to holistic therapies as well as standard addiction treatment, and support from experts, you can receive the assistance you need to stop the dangerous cycle of addiction and prevent Percocet abuse in the future.
Get Help Today with Percocet Detox
If you know someone with a Percocet addiction, encourage them to reach out for help with his or her substance abuse. There are so many negative effects to abusing opioids like Percocet that we recommend turning to medical professionals as soon as possible.
At our Percocet detox center, we offer medical detox, medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapies, and so much more to help you or your loved one overcome substance abuse.
If you consume Percocet and struggle to stop, there is no need to wait any longer to get help. Contact Sunshine Detox and Rehab Center today to begin your journey toward sobriety.
