Is Percocet Addictive?
The Truth: Is Percocet Addictive
Percocet is a medication that doctors prescribe to relieve pain. The medicine is a combination of oxycodone, an opiate pain reliever, and acetaminophen, which is a milder pain reliever and component of over-the-counter pain relievers. When the medications are combined, acetaminophen increases the effects of oxycodone. While Percocet is a legal pain medication when used by prescription, unfortunately the answer to "Is Percocet addictive?" is a definitive yes. Thousands of Americans have suffered from Percocet addiction, and residents in Charlotte and the surrounding areas are no exception.
According to WebMD, narcotics abuse of medications like Percocet is the most common form of drug abuse in the United States. Although when taken according to prescription and in short duration, the answer to is Percocet addictive is no. However, if a person takes large doses of the medicines, uses it other than as prescribed, or uses it as a means to get high, they can become addicted to Percocet.
What Are the Symptoms of Percocet Addiction?
Sometimes the symptoms of Percocet addiction can be difficult to recognize because a person may be in denial that they have a problem with the medication. Because Percocet is legal when prescribed, some may not believe is Percocet addictive. Examples of symptoms associated with Percocet addiction include:
- Inability to control how much Percocet is taken on a regular basis
- Difficulty meeting work or school obligations due to Percocet use
- Having to use more and more opiates to achieve the same high
- Experiencing Percocet withdrawal symptoms when not using Percocet, such as nausea, vomiting, muscle aching, and strong, overwhelming cravings for the drug
A person who suffers from Percocet addiction has difficult controlling their use of the drug. Even if they want to stop, they may find their withdrawal symptoms and cravings too difficult to control without professional medical help.
While the symptoms of Percocet withdrawal can be uncomfortable and concerning, they are little compared to the harmful effects continued drug abuse can have on a person who suffers from Percocet addiction. Taking too many Percocets or mixing them with other drugs and/or alcohol can lead to a deadly drug overdose. Because Percocet causes a person's breathing to slow, a person can stop breathing entirely and an overdose can result.
Help for Percocet Withdrawal
Percocet addiction and abuse is unfortunately such a common problem that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved medications to use for the treatment of Percocet addiction. These can reduce the effects of Percocet withdrawals as mentioned earlier. Examples include medications, such as methadone and Suboxone that act on pain relieving areas in the body without creating the same euphoric high that taking Percocets can cause. A person can also utilize injections of a medication called Vivitrol, which contains the medicine naltrexone. This medication helps to block the effects of opiates in the body, thus helping to prevent relapse. The medication is also available as a pill.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an estimated 2.1 million people in the United States are addicted to opiates like Percocet. While there are a larger number of people that take the medications as needed for pain, there are many people every day who unintentionally find themselves addicted to Percocets. Addiction to the drug knows no gender, age, or socioeconomic status. If a person finds themselves addicted to Percocet and/or other painkiller types, they should seek professional drug rehabilitation at a facility that can help them overcome their drug addiction.
For more information on help finding rehabs for Percocet addiction, including medical detox for withdrawal, please call Charlotte Drug Treatment Centers at 704.665.1880.