Percocet is a brand of prescription painkiller used to treat moderate to severe pain. Percocet is made by combining oxycodone: a powerful opioid, and acetaminophen an over-the-counter drug found in Tylenol. Percocet is consumed in tablet form and is a drug commonly prescribed to those who have built tolerance to other prescription opioids.
Percocet can be used to treat a variety of pain symptoms but produces other unintended effects. Percocet like other opioids, gives rise to feelings of relaxation and euphoria that can overtime lead to addiction. Percocet is also abused as a recreational substance by some or used by those self-medicating depression and anxiety.
Taking prescription Percocet when not prescribed, or in ways that exceed the recommended dosage can cause serious health risks. If you are taking the drug, it is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and side effects associated with Percocet misuse and dependency.
Percocet side effects can range from moderate to severe and vary based on how the medication is taken. Those taking prescription Percocet may also develop a tolerance to the drug. When this happens, they will often take Percocet in increasingly larger amounts. Because Percocet contains both an opioid and acetaminophen, side effects can be diverse and more dangerous than just taking an opioid alone. They include:
Percocet use affects the central nervous system, delivering analgesic effects throughout the body. At the same time, Percocet directly alters the brain, through its opioid receptors which under normal conditions activate in response to rewarding stimuli.5
Since Percocet and other opioid activate the same areas in the brain associated with reward and motivation, addiction and abuse can occur, even in situations where individuals use Percocet as prescribed.
People abusing Percocet may also branch out to abusing other drugs as well. Recently, governments have put restrictions on prescription drugs. But as a result, many have turned to black market drugs like heroin which are often cheaper and easier to obtain.
For those continuing to abuse Percocet engaging in prescription forgery and doctor swapping are common illegal methods of obtaining the drug when prescriptions run out.
Those taking or abusing Percocet should be aware of interactions with other drugs some of which can be dangerous under certain circumstances.
In such cases, drastic lifestyle changes must be made in order to successfully recover from addiction. That is why it is often a better idea to seek addiction treatment rather than going it alone.
Inpatient detox and rehabilitation facilities provide people with a secure environment and trained medical staff– including both doctors and counselors. These programs are ideal for those who are early in the recovery process and need additional support such as medication assisted treatment (MAT), supervised detox and isolation from environmental triggers.
Outpatient programs consist of counseling, 12 step, substance abuse education, medication assisted treatment, and in some cases social support services. These programs are recommended for individuals who can live at home while attending treatment. Weekly commitments for outpatient programs typically range from 3-30 hours a week.
Are you or a loved one struggling with opioid addiction? drugs like Percocet can dissolve a person’s ability make safe and healthy choices. To avoid the disastrous consequences of drug abuse, it is often necessary to seek the help of addiction professionals. For more information on available addiction treatments in your area, see the link below.
