Breaking the Cycle of Percocet Addiction
Although it is not always easy to identify the precise moment when drug use turns into drug abuse or addiction, every addiction journey has a beginning. There are various reasons that people begin taking Percocet. The drug is a widely prescribed pain-reliever; so many people begin their addictions with prescriptions in their pockets. Others begin taking Percocet recreationally, to have a good time or fit in with a crowd. Sometimes people use drugs like Percocet as a temporary escape from stresses and problems. Many people who would not abuse street drugs will abuse prescription drugs like Percocet, because there is a misconception that prescription drugs are less dangerous, and because they are so easily available.
Percocet Drug Tolerance and Dependence
When users take Percocet for a while (sometimes even for just a few weeks) they may notice that the drug seems less effective and that they need to take larger or more frequent doses to achieve the desired effects. This occurs because Percocet causes changes in users’ bodies and brains. In response to the drug-initiated changes, the body makes changes of its own, in a sense “pushing back” against the effects of the drug in an attempt to restore balance. The first noticeable result of these changes is generally drug tolerance.
As users continue to take Percocet, they may become physically dependent. This occurs because the body comes to see the presence of the drug as normal. When it isn’t present, the body is still “pushing back,” but without drugs has nothing to push, so users experience withdrawal symptoms. When users have drug cravings and continue to use a drug like Percocet despite negative consequences, they can be said to be addicted.
Treating Percocet Addiction
It is very difficult to break an addiction to a drug like Percocet without help. The body feels that something is wrong when the drug is not present and it craves it in much the same way that a hungry person craves food, or a thirsty person craves water. In addition, those who have come to depend on Percocet as a stress-reliever may find that maintaining their addiction causes stress of its own, and that the disease is self-perpetuating in that regard as well.
The wisest course of action for someone addicted to Percocet is to seek addiction treatment from professionals who understand the issues and how to help. This will generally begin with a medically managed detox and then proceed with either residential or outpatient therapy. Therapy will include such components as education, accountability, identification of personal drug use triggers and motivational enhancement. Quality programs will also identify and treat any co-occurring mental health issues such as anxiety or depression that may contribute to or complicate the addiction picture.
Let Us Help You Break the Cycle of Percocet Addiction
If you are ready to see the power of Percocet addiction broken in your life or in the life of a loved one, call our 24 hour toll-free helpline and let us help you research treatment options and find the one that best fits your needs. We can check your insurance coverage and answer your questions. Our helpline is staffed around the clock with compassionate and understanding people who know what you’re experiencing and that there’s a way out. The cycle can be broken, so call now.
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