How Do You Know if Someone Is Addicted to Percocet?

The following are warning signs and symptoms of Percocet abuse:

• A preoccupation with finding and using Percocet
• Unusual suspicious behavior such as lying, stealing or seclusion
• “Doctor shopping” or “pharmacy hopping” in order to get more Percocet
• Repeated excuses of having a prescription lost or stolen
• A belief that the individual cannot live without Percocet
• Withdrawal symptoms if use is stopped or a dose is missed
• Taking Percocet in unauthorized ways such as snorting or injecting

Percocet addiction impacts the life of the user and those around them. This addiction can be life-threatening, and if a Percocet abuse problem is suspected help should be found as soon as possible.

Percocet Detoxification, Treatment and Recovery

Someone who is struggling with an addiction to Percocet needs professional addiction treatment that is individualized and comprehensive. This can be found through a drug treatment facility. Treatment should begin with detox, the process in which the Percocet is eliminated from the body, and the withdrawal symptoms are treated. Percocet withdrawal symptoms can include the following:

• Anxiety
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Cramping
• Restlessness
• Insomnia

Percocet addiction treatment does not end with detox. Detox treatment should be followed by intensive rehabilitation treatment aimed at discovering the root issues that may be contributing to the addiction and dealing with them. Rehabilitation should be as long and intensive as necessary depending on the severity of the addiction. Often, the most successful Percocet rehab facilities are inpatient, and their programs last for at least three months. Regardless of the rehab program chosen, Percocet addiction treatment should include the following:

• Counseling
• Therapy
• Support group attendance
• Drug education classes
• Relapse prevention training

Percocet Intervention and Helping a Loved One

Since Percocet is a prescription drug, there is often the misconception that it is totally safe and cannot be addictive. This is simply not true. In many cases, prescription drugs such as Percocet can be as difficult or even more difficult to quit using than street drugs such as heroin. The addicted loved one may be in denial about his or her problem and will require an intervention. An intervention is an organized meeting with the addicted individual in which he or she is confronted with the reality of the addiction and its results and is offered a plan of treatment. This should be well-planned and aided by a professional. An intervention can be the hardest yet most loving thing that can be done for a Percocet addict.

Do You Need Help Seeking Percocet Addiction Treatment for a Loved One?

Is someone you love struggling with an addiction to Percocet? Don’t wait to get help. Our trained counselors are available 24 hours a day to get you the solutions you need and put you in touch with intervention and treatment resources. Call our toll-free number today.

Print PDF

Effects of Percocet Abuse

Percocet is a downer, a drug that depresses rather than stimulates activity. It is used as a pain killer, numbing extremities and providing a euphoric sensation for an average of four to eight hours depending on the dosage. Other effects of Percocet are listed below:

• Constipation
• Constricted pupils
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Exaggerated feeling of well-being
• Itchy skin
• Light-headedness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sedation
• Skin rash
• Slowed breathing

This brief list are some of the side effects of Percocet abuse. As the list shows, the “high” people seek from this drug include a bundle of other side-effects that can be potentially dangerous. If not monitored, some of these side-effects can cause serious health problems leading to comas or death. If these symptoms seem prevalent in a friend or loved one, please help them get the care they need. Watch this Percocet Abuse Video

Effects of Percocet Addiction

If someone takes Percocet regularly enough to become addicted, she will display a number of characteristics in as little as three weeks. This highly addictive drug not only alters a user’s brain while she is on the drug, but also for a considerable time thereafter if she continues to use it.  Here are some traits a person exudes while addicted to Percocet:

• Anxiety
• Fevers
• Flu-like symptoms
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Insomnia
• Muscle pain
• Nausea
• Runny nose and eyes
• Sweating
• Convulsions
• Seizures

If someone is addicted to Percocet, he might display some of these symptoms anywhere from six to eight hours after his last dosage. Irritability and cravings can follow, which makes relapsing a considerable threat during detoxification. If these signs and symptoms accurately describe you or a loved one, get help immediately.

Percocet Abuse Advice

The first step to breaking an addiction to Percocet is a detox of the drug user’s system. Hospitals, specialized doctor’s offices, and drug coaches and clinics are available to help during this trying time. As discussed, cravings and irritability can worsen at this stage, only to be intensified as that stage continues. Eventually, cravings will diminish; however, they will linger if someone stops there.

Dual diagnosis treatment has the best success in completely breaking addiction. These programs focus not only on substance abuse, but also on possible underlying mental disorders that often go untreated. Strategies such as counseling sessions, group therapy, and behavioral therapy (which employs a reward system for positive actions; for instance, a passed drug test), are used in various programs. Active involvement in community life and support from friends and family are also strongly encouraged. There are many options and it is important that each person find the right treatment for him or her.

Percocet Addiction Help

Please take the time to help someone or yourself break an addiction to this debilitating drug. Our helpline is open for calls 24 hours a day and our phone number is toll-free. Life is too short to waste on addiction, and we want to find the right treatment option for you. Call us today.

Print PDF

At home, separating yourself from friends who are not supportive of your recovery, or who enable you to continue using Percocet, is an often-overlooked step. If your environment is hurting rather than helping your Percocet abuse treatment, talk to your friends about your goals. If they continue to provide you with chances to revert to old habits, recovery will be almost impossible. The choice to break ties with old friends is difficult, but it may be the only way to stick to your recovery plans.

After completing your chosen rehabilitation program and evaluating your home environment, finding individual or group support is key to continuing your recovery process. Many options are available to you, ranging from sessions with a licensed counselor to informal meetings with an accountability partner.

Percocet Recovery Support Options

You are responsible for finding the support system that best fits your specific needs. Trying more than one recovery program is recommended until you find the right fit for you. Here are some of the most common sources of Percocet recovery support:

• Formal counseling – Group or individual sessions with a licensed counselor. Connecting with a licensed professional in your community is a great way to work on the issues underlying your Percocet addiction. Most states have a Community Counseling service that accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance.
• Narcotics Anonymous – Online and community support for recovering narcotic addicts. Your community may provide a support group under a different name, but the basic premise here is to be accountable to yourself and a group of peers. The groups usually meet at least once a week.
• Online addiction support forums – Online forums that connect recovering addicts. If you need more anonymity but would still like to find a large support network, there are many online forums available. These online discussion forums allow recovering addicts to give each other advice and encouragement during the recovery process.
• Friends and family support – The love of your friends and family can be very helpful during Percocet addiction recovery. This type of support is best used as a supplement to any of the other recovery options listed above.

Percocet Recovery Help

If you are addicted to Percocet or recovering from Percocet addiction, you do not have to suffer in silence. We offer 24 hour support – just pick up the telephone and call our toll free number. Take control of your life and take advantage of the many recovery solutions available to you. Call us today. Watch this Percocet Abuse Video.

Print PDF

Signs and Symptoms of Percocet Addiction

If you suspect that a friend or family member is addicted to Percocet, there are certain signs and symptoms that you can look for. That person will exhibit a constant and compulsive craving to use Percocet and may say that he or she “needs it” to feel normal. He or she is preoccupied with obtaining more of the drug and will sometimes go to desperate measures to get more. Other signs that he or she may be addicted to Percocet include:

• Doctor shopping (switching doctors frequently to obtain multiple prescriptions)
• Going through prescriptions too quickly
• Stealing, lying, or other dishonest behavior
• Unexplainable lack of money
• Unexplained mood changes, secluded behavior
• Change in social circles, neglecting good friends and finding new ones

You may also notice some physical side effects of being addicted to Percocet. These include but are not limited to:

• Constricted pupils
• Dizziness and light-headedness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Drowsiness or sedation
• Exaggerated feeling of well-being and euphoria
• Itchy skin
• Skin rash
• Slowed breathing

Having an Intervention

If your loved one is unwilling to admit that he or she has a drug addiction and needs Percocet addiction help, you may need to have an intervention. Having an intervention means talking to the person you are concerned about, addressing the problem and asking him or her to take concrete steps towards getting help. You may choose to have an informal intervention, a one-on-one conversation where you ask questions and voice concerns. Or you may feel that it is necessary to have a formal intervention where you bring a group of people together to confront how that person’s addiction has affected everyone’s lives. Formal interventions usually occur when the person has repeatedly refused to get help. See this Video on Percocet Abuse.

Whether you hold a formal or informal intervention, here are some helpful tips:

• Stay calm
• Avoid labeling the person an “addict”
• Cite specific instances that occurred due to the substance abuse
• Stick to what you know firsthand, avoid hearsay
• Explain how the person’s behavior has affected you
• Be supportive and hopeful about change
• Be prepared for denial and resistance

Do not wait to have the intervention until the person has “bottomed out,” had a car crash, or developed some serious health issues. If you think your loved one is struggling with an addiction, confront them now. You should also tell your concerns to that person’s doctor.

Treatment for Percocet Addiction

When having an intervention, you may want to be prepared to give the individual some treatment options. Treatment for Percocet will vary according to the specific needs of the patient, but it will generally always begin with Percocet detox and may be followed by counseling, behavior modification, and therapy.

Percocet Intervention Help

If you would like to know more about treatment options for Percocet addiction, our counselors are available 24 hours a day to talk with you. Please call our toll free number today to receive more information about Percocet addiction, treatment, and tips for intervention. Recovery is within reach. Call today at (866) 872-6492.

Print PDF

Percocet and Alcohol

Percocet’s main ingredient, oxycodone is combined with acetaminophen, which heightens the effects of oxycodone in a person’s system. Most importantly, the use of oxycodone medications of any form in combination with alcohol-based drinks goes completely against medical advice. These medications intensify the side effects of central nervous system and respiratory depression. Both alcohol and Percocet decrease breathing. Thus, when mixed they are extremely dangerous especially if you have breathing related difficulties already. Also, the combination of alcohol and opioid narcotics significantly increased the probability of psychological addiction to both the medication and the alcohol. The extended use of any opioid narcotic will result in some level of physiologic dependence, though the amount of dependence is different with each patient.

The acetaminophen can also become a toxin for the liver when combined with any drink of alcohol. Taking any kind of pain medication in close proximity to alcohol is a leading cause of sudden liver failure in otherwise healthy middle-age adults. They might exaggerate the sedative effect (depending on the amounts) which could lead to a dangerous loss of consciousness. Let your doctor know if you consume three or more alcoholic beverages per day or if you have ever been diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease, or cirrhosis. It is likely you will not be permitted to take medications containing acetaminophen.

Percocet and Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. The combination of ibuprofen and oxycodone (main ingredient in Percocet) is used short-term to relieve moderate to severe pain. Ibuprofen can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. It can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines. These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning at any time while you are taking ibuprofen. Before using ibuprofen and oxycodone, tell your doctor if you have:

• Heart disease
• Congestive heart failure
• High blood pressure or a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot
• Asthma or other breathing disorders
• Liver or kidney disease
• A history of head injury or brain tumor
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Stomach or intestinal disorder
• History of stomach ulcer or bleeding
• Underactive thyroid
• Pancreas disorder
• Addison’s disease or other adrenal gland disorder
• Curvature of the spine
• An enlarged prostate or problems with urination
• Mental illness
• History of drug or alcohol addiction

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take ibuprofen and oxycodone.

Since oxycodone is a painkiller, it is dangerous to combine it with over-the-counter pain relievers, cold and flu remedies, allergy medications, sleep aids, and even some herbal dietary supplements. This is particularly true of the Percocet combination, since they already contain over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen. Overdose of aspirin and acetaminophen can be life-threatening.

Percocet and Other Drug Combinations

Percocet side effects can cause drowsiness and slows breathing, so it should not be combined with antidepressants, antihistamines (allergy ingredients), anti-anxiety drugs, prescription sleeping pills or muscle relaxants.

Emergency room visits for drug overdose often involve more than one substance. Needless to say, it is highly dangerous to mix oxycodone with any illegal drug, including marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens such as LSD, ecstasy, or especially heroin.

If Percocet is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Percocet with the following:

• Antispasmodic drugs
• Major tranquilizers
• Other narcotic painkillers
• Sedatives such as phenobarbital
• Tranquilizers

If you are taking any of these medications, legal or otherwise, speak with your doctor or pharmacist about it. Depending on your individual circumstances, your healthcare provider may want you to either: stop taking one or more of the medications; substitute one medication for another; change how you are taking one or both of the medications; or maintain your current routine. The severity of risks varies from person to person. Watch this Percocet Abuse Video.

Percocet Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with a Percocet addiction, please know that Percocet abuse help is available. You can call our toll free number at (866) 872-6492 and get all your questions about addiction and treatment answered.

Print PDF

Celebrity Percocet Use

It’s not simply because of celebrity connections or friends, but because the drug pushing medical field sees the obvious appeal of free direct financial reward and the notoriety and publicity that comes from caring for high profile patients. Others will assume, correctly or not, that you must be an exceptional clinician if the celebrities are vying for your services. This assumption may appear reasonable on face value but many times fails under closer examination.

Medical Professional Endorsement

It’s a simple fact that people promote doctors that they like. Patients many times cannot adequately assess ability or medical intellect but they are excellent judges of affability.

Celebrities recognize the very real monetary value of their active and passive endorsement. A celebrity promotes a doctor just by being seen leaving their office.

With that being said, doctors are quick and eager to write out prescription medications at the simple drop of a request and dare not deny a celebrity a presciption for Percocet or OxyContin or any other medication for fear of being propelled back into the slums of the medical profression. For instance, Maggie Gyllenhaal recently appeared on Letterman talking very candidly about a recent hospital visit. Maggie told a tale of a nurse who aided her with a broken toe was more than eager to push bundles of those morphine-patches-disguised-as-”painkillers”—Percocets—on her patients.

Michael Jackson’s Drug Abuse

Michael Jackson had been abusing prescription drugs for years according to his longtime friend, doctor and author Deepak Chopra. Chopra revealed that in the past he had refused to prescribe the star strong medication and blamed “drug peddling Hollywood doctors” for feeding his need and causing his death.

In an interview with CNN, Chopra listed the drugs he knew Jackson was taking including strong painkillers; one latter dubbed ‘Hillybilly Heroin.’

“There are a plethora of doctors in Hollywood,” said Chopra. “They are drug peddlers, they are drug pushers they just happen to have a medical license.”

When pushed on the drugs Jackson was taking by host Wolf Blitzer, Chopra replied, “At one time I knew about OxyContin. I knew that he would get injections of Demerol and other narcotics. I was really desperate to try and help him but you can’t help somebody who is going to deny it. In my belief, from what I know, he was (addicted).”

Heath Ledger Drug Use

The actor Heath Ledger died from an accidental overdose of six different drugs — painkillers and sedatives — leading doctors to warn of the dangers of mixing prescription drugs. The 28-year-old film star died “of acute intoxication” from the combination of two strong painkillers, two anti-anxiety medicines and two sleeping aids. Among the drugs found in his body were oxycodone, a painkiller sold as OxyContin and used in other pain relievers such as Percodan and Percocet. Heath could have used Percocet abuse help

Phish Member Trey Anastasio Arrest

Former Phish member Trey Anastasio was arrested for a DUI. Police noted Anastasio was having difficulty keeping his vehicle within his lane of travel. During the DUI investigation police discovered various painkillers including Percocet, Xanax and hydrocodone.

Hollywood Deaths

It’s a very real predicament in the lives of many and Hollywood is no exception. The increase of Percocet related deaths have caused the drug to be up for debate by the FDA in deciding whether to take it and Vicodin off the market. Other notable celebrity deaths, due to the involvement of prescription painkillers include:

• Kevyn Aucoin – photographer & make-up artist.
• Lester Bangs – musician, writer
• Eric Douglas – stand-up comedian
• Elizabeth Hulette – professional wrestling manager
• Russell Jones (a.k.a. Ol’ Dirty Bastard) – hip hop musician
• Aaron Lynch – writer on memetics

Percocet Abuse on Television

Nowadays, seeing the abuse of the drug on television is becoming more normal as popularity of the drug increases. Edie Falco in Showtime’s original series Nurse Jackie, snorts Percocet as part of her daily routine.

Percocet Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with a percocet addiction, we can help with Percocet treatment therapy. Please call our toll free number at (866) 872-6492. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your questions on percocet addiction and treatment. View this Percocet Abuse Video for more information.

Print PDF

• Usage Increase – As time passes, it is normal for individuals to develop a tolerance to drug effects. If someone you know seems to be increasing his/her dose over time, this is an indication that the amount they were taking is no longer providing them relief.
• Change in Personality – Changes in a person’s normal behavior can be a sign of dependency. Shifts in energy, mood, and concentration may occur as every day responsibilities become secondary to the need for the relief the prescription provides.
• Social Withdrawal – An individual developing a habit may withdraw from family, friends and other social interaction.
• Ongoing Use – Continued usage after a medical condition has improved will result in the person needing extensions on his/her prescription. The person might talk of how they are “still feeling pain” and need just a little longer on the medication in order to get well. He or she might also complain frequently about the doctors who refused to write the prescription for one reason or another.
• Time Spent on Obtaining Prescriptions – A dependant person will spend large amounts of time driving great distances and visiting multiple doctors to obtain the drugs. Watch for signs that he or she seems preoccupied with a quest for medication, demonstrating that the drug has become their top priority.
• Change in Daily Habits and Appearance – Personal hygiene may diminish as a result of a drug addiction. Sleeping and eating habits change, and a person may have a constant cough, runny nose and red, glazed eyes.
• Neglects Responsibilities – A drug user often may call in sick to work on a more regular basis and ignore household chores and bills.
• Increased Sensitivity – Normal sights, sounds and emotions might become overly stimulating to the person. Hallucinations, although perhaps difficult to monitor, may occur as well.
• Blackouts and Forgetfulness – Another clear indication of dependence is when the person regularly forgets events that have taken place and appears to be suffering blackouts.
• Defensiveness – When attempting to hide a drug dependency, abusers can become very defensive if they feel their secret is being discovered. They might even react to simple requests or questions by lashing out.

Physical Effects of Percocet

The signs and symptoms of a Percocet addict can vary from person to person and how the drug was administered. However, there are simple, physical signs a loved can be looking for if they suspect Percocet use in an individual. (View this Percocet Abuse Video.)

• Dizziness
• Light-headedness
• Sleeplessness
• Nausea
• Irritability
• Vomiting
• Sweats
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness

Long-term effects of Percocet Abuse

Consistent abusers will most definitely face adverse effects because of the dangers of using the drug. Some long-term effects of abuse include:

• Respiratory depression
• Loss of concentration
• Increased muscle and bone pain

Signs of a Percocet Overdose

When a user has taken too much of the drug at one time, they will experience an overdose. An overdose can be told by these symptoms:

• Abdominal discomfort
• Difficulty breathing
• Clouding of mental functions
• Bluish skin color
• Weak pulse
• Small pupils
• Coma

Healthcare Provider Warning Signs

Most healthcare providers look for these warning signs when dealing with patients they suspect have an addiction:

• Going through prescriptions too quickly
• “Doctor shopping,” which is seeing several different healthcare providers to obtain Percocet prescriptions or switching from one provider to another
• Repeated reports of losing a prescription, having a prescription stolen or needing a prescription early to go on vacation
• Having a specific “favorite” narcotic drug (such as Percocet), and nothing else will do
• Reporting “allergies” to all other alternatives

If you or someone you know is struggling with a Percocet addiction, we can help. Please call our toll free number at (866) 872-6492. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your questions on Percocet help and treatment.

Print PDF