Percocet is a narcotic painkiller medication that is only available by prescription. It is mainly used to temporarily treat moderate to severe pain after injury or surgery. Percocet addiction treatment may be needed if a person becomes dependent on and addicted to the drug. Side effects of Percocet include stomach pain, loss of appetite and jaundice. While these side effects may be alleviated by medical treatments, they are common and not necessarily signs of addiction or dependence.
Signs of Percocet Addiction
Even if a patient is not abusing the medication and is taking it according to the doctor’s instructions, he or she may still become addicted to it. Signs of addiction include:
- Indifference to activities he or she used to enjoy
- Poor work performance
- Emotional detachment
- Taking more of the medication than prescribed, regardless of the consequences
If addiction is left untreated, it may lead to an overdose. Percocet overdose symptoms include:
- Labored breathing
- Small pupils
- Weak heartbeat
- Severe drowsiness
- Extreme dizziness
- Nausea and abdominal discomfort
- Blue lips
If you witness these symptoms in yourself or someone you know, call an ambulance at once. Tell the operator the patient’s age, height and weight. Inform emergency responders about any preexisting conditions the patient may have. Give the bottle of Percocet to the emergency medical technicians and tell them when the patient last took it and how much he or she took, if you know.
Overdose treatment is often the first step in Percocet addiction treatment. At the emergency room, doctors may administer activated charcoal or laxatives to patients to absorb the medication left in their bodies. They may also take measures to empty the contents of the stomach, such as stomach pumping. In severe circumstances, doctors may administer an antidote medication to counteract the effects of the Percocet. In addition, the individual overdose symptoms may be treated. The patient is usually given an oxygen mask to lessen the chances of brain damage due to lack of oxygen.
Did You Know?According to the United States FDA, acetaminophen, which is one of the active ingredients of Percocet, may cause liver damage if it is overused. Consult your doctor to determine the proper dosage of this medication.
Once patients receive emergency medical care for an overdose, or even if they have not overdosed, they may enter a detox center to completely rid their bodies of the drug. When detoxing from Percocet, patients may experience withdrawal symptoms. Percocet withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nasal congestion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle aches
Medical professionals at Percocet detox centers start addiction treatment by helping patients deal with withdrawal symptoms as they stop taking the drug. Doctors usually reduce the patient’s Percocet intake gradually over several days or weeks until the patient is completely free of the medication. This process usually minimizes or even completely alleviates withdrawal symptoms. During detox, doctors monitor patients to ensure that there are no complications. If any withdrawal symptoms occur, doctors may administer additional medication to treat the symptoms and make the patient more comfortable. Counselors or therapists may also be present at the detox center to help patients cope with mental and emotional withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety and depression.
After a patient completes detox treatment, he or she may still need to enter a Percocet rehab facility to receive further addiction treatment and learn to live without the drug. Upon entering a rehab facility, patients will receive a medical evaluation. If the patient began taking Percocet to treat an illness or injury, doctors will work with the patient to come up with an alternative treatment plan. This treatment plan may involve medications other than Percocet, physical therapy or other medical procedures.
Patients may also receive a psychiatric evaluation after entering a rehab facility. If patients have any underlying psychiatric disorders that caused them to abuse the drug, a counselor or therapist will help them cope with these disorders and come up with a treatment plan that does not involve Percocet. Patients may participate in group or individual counseling. Group counseling will help the different patients connect with and support one another. They may participate in relaxation activities such as yoga, deep breathing or meditation.