Help for Percocet withdrawal

Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen blend) is used to treat pain. But when your body gets used to Percocet and you use Percocet daily for more than a few weeks, withdrawal results. But whether you want to end dependency or want Percocet addiction help…the process of withdrawal is the same.

During Percocet withdrawal, the central nervous system is trying to figure out how to regulate the body without the presence of oxycodone. This is why detoxing off Percocet can bring on lots of discomfort. So, what are some ways you can help ease Percocet withdrawal? Is Percocet withdrawal hard or dangerous? We’ll explore the answers to these questions here. And we invite your questions about Percocet at the end.

Is Percocet withdrawal dangerous?

Sometimes.

Generally, common Percocet withdrawal symptoms are only uncomfortable and not dangerous. Still, Percocet is one of the stronger opioid medications on the market. And your body can quickly develop a need for Percocet. What makes Percocet withdrawal dangerous is that your heart rate can be depressed, making it difficult to breath normally and regulate the respiratory system. This can put you in danger, especially if you have other health problems. That is why you should be careful during Percocet withdrawal and ALWAYS WITHDRAW FROM PERCOCET UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION. Furthermore, you should not stop Percocet suddenly if you have been using Percocet for an extended period of time or at high doses.

Is Percocet withdrawal hard?

For some people withdrawal from Percocet can be easier than for others. There are many factors that can affect how hard withdrawal can be. Factors that can impact how difficult withdrawal is include:

Addiction

Co-occurring medical conditions

Dependency

Environmental complications

Length of Percocet Use

Physical reactions to withdrawal

Underlying psychological issues

Not only is the discomfort of withdrawal sometimes unbearable, all these other factors can compound the process, making it hard to withdraw from Percocet. But even though Percocet withdrawal is a hard process it doesn’t mean you can’t succeed. As long as you are actively treating Percocet withdrawal symptoms and seeking out the help you need, you can be successful in this process.

Percocet withdrawal methods: Help for Percocet withdrawal symptoms

1. Pharmaceutical / prescription drugs for Percocet withdrawal symptoms – There are many different drugs that doctors may prescribe to help address withdrawal symptoms. The more common ones include:

Clonidine (reduces anxiety, agitation, vomiting/diarrhea) Buprenorphine (has been said to shorten the time frame of Percocet detox)

Methadone (used as replacement therapy for those who are suffering addiction and need help in treating drug craving)

Tramadol (treats underlying pain and regulates mood)

2. Over-the-counter medications for Percocet withdrawal symptoms – Additionally, over-the-counter medication can go a long way in treating the individual withdrawal symptoms. There are muscle relaxers, flu medications, and sleep aids that provide help for Percocet withdrawal symptoms. NSAIDs (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) can treat aches and pains. You can use these treatments without complications of developing dependency.

3. Tapering for Percocet withdrawal – Finally, perhaps the most effective help for Percocet withdrawal symptoms is the process of tapering doses. When you taper Percocet, you slowly reduce doses of oxycodone over time to minimize the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. Dose reduction happens in a 10-25% increments depending on your level of doses and the severity of dependency. Best case scenario as you are reducing your doses you will feel no withdrawal symptoms and your body will effetely balance itself out. Nevertheless, seek help from your prescribing doctor to receive an individualized tapering calendar for slowly weaning yourself from Percocet.

Natural help for Percocet withdrawal

If you want help for Percocet withdrawal naturally, the first thing you will want to take care of are the acute withdrawal symptoms which arise. Acute Percocet withdrawal lasts for about a three day period and symptoms will be the most severe during this time. Here are some suggestions for using natural help for Percocet withdrawal:

1. Take time away from your everyday life. You will be sick for a bit and you will need to be taken care of. Ask someone close to you to support you and be available during this time.

2. Give yourself time to sleep and rest without the stressors impacting your ability to withdrawal.

3. Get all the materials and supplies you need in advance. Vitamins and supplements can help replace the nutrients you have lost such and as vitamin D and E, as well as an overall multi-vitamin. You can use natural herbs for sleep aid (melatonin, chamomile, linden) and aiding in your digestion (ginger and mint).

4. Focus on the body. Things like exercise and massage can help your cramping and help promote the production of serotonin.

5. Talk it out. Talk therapy or finding someone you can confide in while you are going through withdrawal can also help you get through the rough and painful parts of withdrawal.

How to ease Percocet withdrawal

One of the best ways to ease Percocet withdrawal is for you to work with a doctor to reduce the dosage of Percocet over several weeks. You can also seek out treatment from Percocet detox facilities or therapeutic addiction treatment communities to support your mental health while you address physical Percocet withdrawal symptoms.

Help with Percocet withdrawal

If you can’t seem to withdrawal on you own or find yourself going through multiple periods of withdrawal, you may want to consider a clinical detox. You can be monitored and treated for withdrawal symptoms without relapse. Detox clinic doctors can help you by treating your symptoms and helping you to taper if necessary. If you are wanting to find resources for pain management, support groups or addiction treatment you can search www.findtreatment.org. You can also call 1-800-662-help (4357). This is a national hotline designed to get you in contact with any help you need with withdrawal or the effect withdrawal may have in other aspects of your life.

Helping Percocet withdrawal questions

Do you still have questions about the different kinds of help for Percocet withdrawal? Do you have your own experience to share? We would love to hear from you and will respond to any questions you may have regarding withdrawal help from Percocet. Please leave your helping Percocet withdrawal questions below. We will respond to you personally and promptly.

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31 Responses to “Help for Percocet withdrawal”

Michelle

4:00 pm November 3rd, 2014

i was taking up to 30 mg a day. Last Tuesday I reduced to 15 and Wednesday I reduced to 10 Thursday 15 Friday 10 Saturday 5 and Sunday I didn’t take any. I have used Xanax to help anxiety but I had a little diarrhea and now this morning very nauseas and still feeling like I want to take some. Shaped I try taking just .25 or keep going with nothing at all?

Hello Michelle. Check in with a pharmacist or your prescribing doctor for medical advice. If you’ve been tapering without symptoms, the last dose may be a relatively little “step down”; however, keep in mind that many experts recommend a 3-6 week taper from opioids so that you don’t taper more than 25% in any one week.

Jim

7:17 am December 21st, 2014

I have gone cold turkey withdrawal from taking about 10 to 25 mg of Percocet for three years. What impact will taking one pill have to overcome Rls for a better nights sleep?

Hi Jim. That’s a big leap after three years of taking Percocet. In your case, the safest and best thing to do was slowly tapering the doses down, so you won’t suffer from withdrawals. I’d advise you to see a doctor or a pharmacist, ask for medical help on safely quitting and possibly for medications to relieve your insomnia and other withdrawal symptoms.

Liz

11:42 pm March 16th, 2015

I first had an addiction to Percocet 6 years ago. I was taking 70 tp 80mg daily. One morning I decided I had had enough and went cold turkey. I was alone, in my bed with no supervision of any kind. I suffered tremendously but in one week I was opiate free. About 7 month ago I relapsed. I am now up to 60mg and am extremely concerned about having to experience another detox, alone and with less resources than the last time. I have a psychiatrist who prescribed me Suboxone. He did not have a license for it. I was shocked and became fearful of my chances of having good professional care during this time. I decided to taper the dosage which is between 50 to 60 mg daily. What is the best way to do this? I am buying the pills from the “street”. I fear I will be given a bad batch and basically am overwhelmed with fear. It is costing me a fortune and I have a doctor who doesn’t seem to understand the urgency of the help I need. Any information that would help to manage a schedule of tapering off of 60mg of Percocet would be really appreciated. I also suffer from anxiety and take 6mg daily to treat it. HELP!

Hi Liz. In general, the best way to withdraw from Percocet is after a doctor approved taper. It’s recommended that you decrease your doses of Percocet over period of several weeks at a rate of around20%-25% every week. You can treat your withdrawal as they arise with flu and cold medications you can easily get at the pharmacy. Ginger and peppermint teas can address symptoms of nausea and gastro intestinal upset. Lastly, many people recommend hot baths, hot pads, and hot/cold creams during Percocet withdrawal to address muscle aches. I hope this helps, Liz. I wish you a successful taper and recovery.

Sarah

6:44 pm April 3rd, 2015

Hi Liz,

If the mental health professional you’re seeing is not taking you seriously or you’re simply not comfortable with that person, you need to see someone else. That person should have referred you if they were not competent in your specific needs. Regardless, any therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, &/or counselor, is REQUIRED to provide you with 3 referrals relative to your needs if you ask because you want to see someone else. You can probably just call the office and ask for this information. It’s best though that you are seeking out an addictions counselor &/or a psychiatrist or therapist that specializes in substance abuse. If nothing else, do a quick google search for an addictions counselor in your area and contact them. I have an M.A. in Clinical Psychology and know it can sometimes be frustrating when you encounter a professional that isn’t suited for you, but good for you for recognizing you need help. Keep trying!

Trish

9:40 pm August 20th, 2015

WHY WHY WHY this sudden, last minute message from new doc re detox, or at least cut usual in half! Worked/retired from a Medical Center. Put on full disability at age 50 (1992) with Percocet 5/325. During 12 years there, excellent care, all modalities. Once or twice a year put out on short disability “recovery” periods. Always given pain meds (Vicodin then) and heavy dose of Prednisone. Now, new county, heavy-handed atmosphere against pain med patients. I know fully about new govt regs, no problem. URGENT HERE, my new doc away last week when new monthly supply due (240 Perc pills, 10/325…on since 4/2005…severely damaged body, mostly spine and intestines, but +++)…covering doc gave me, supposedly 1 week supply, 60 pills, but RX order cuts usage in half! Now today, new doc, responding to my URGENT request for correct refill, says wait till Monday! Will be OUT Sat. a.m. She’s to call tonight. I have NEVER taken more than prescribed, nor requested early! Why? I’ve done nothing wrong, and now dealing with painful bladder, entwined by intestines. Pull me off of pain meds? I might as well die.

Hi Trish. How are you doing? Is the doctor prescribing you the usual an normal doses since then?

Miranda

12:15 am August 27th, 2015

I need help! I’ve been addicted to Percocet since my gram died in 2006, now, 2015. I have withdrawn from them several times and give up the second day. I have easy access to unlimited amounts of percocet. I take 75 mg a day. I need them to function and even though that might seem high it really doesn’t do anything but keep me alive through the day. I have a great job ,I make great money and throw at least 300 a week away on them. I can’t take off work, I have 2 kids and I really have no time to effictively detox. I try starting on a Friday and hope to be semi better by work Monday, but by Saturday night I give up because I feel guilty for not spending time with my kids I feel guilty for laying around. I am hopeless and lost and I can not absolutley can not tell anyone in my life it could affect my job. I have no support and I have no hope. I need to stop for my kids for myself for everything. I really wish there was something I could take to make it all stop. The only thing that effictively worked for me was Tramadol and funny enough I can’t find them and I’m sure my doctor would not prescribe them to me if i told him I was addicted to 15mg percocets. I need help!

al

2:06 pm August 27th, 2015

Hi, I have used/abused percocets 30mg for approximately 4 months. I was snorting a 30mg pill per day. Sometimes I would do 45mg. I decided that I no longer wanted to be dependent on these evil pills to get thru my day. So I have gone cold turkey, I am on day 5. Days 1-4 were horrible! With all of the expected withdrawal effects. I feel a little better as I post this morning, but still having some withdrawal effects. Low energy, nausea, stomach aches, diarrhea, cold sweats, lack of appetite. I have become concerned that I made a mistake by going cold turkey. I see in several posts that it is recommended to gradually decreasing the dosage as the safest/easiest way to do this. My question is should I continue cold turkey and just wait out remaining time for the withdrawal effects, or try the the gradual decrease process? I am absolutely determined the stop because I do not like be dependent on these very evil pills.

Hello Miranda. Quitting perocet won’t be easy and it cannot be fast. It takes time to slowly reduce doses. I’d suggest you cut 10% off your current dose every week or every other week, and continue with that pace. You can use over-the counter medications for only a short-term to treat possible withdrawal symptoms as they occur. It will take weeks and possibly months before you can finally come off completely, but it will be worth the effort. Good luck Miranda, I hope you make it.

Hi Al. Your organism has eliminated the Percocet by now, and going back on the medication now may not be the best solution. While I understand the withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable, they will start to gradually subside until they completely disappear. Ask a doctor or a pharmacist at your local pharmacy to recommend some medicines for short-term use, over-the-counter medication and herbal remedies that can help lower the severity and duration of the withdrawal effects.

Rick

6:07 am October 2nd, 2015

I was taking percoset 10-325 bounce a day for two months, to start a taper I went to 5-325 once a day for two weeks then took half tab for three weeks, no problems to this point. Then, I dropped to 1/4 tab and had some heart palputations, anxiety so I went up to 3/8 of a tab, that’s where I stand now a little shy to drop any more for two weeks, have been getting cold flashes, insomnia, shaky. Anyone have a similar experience tapering? Any advice welcom.

Ted

9:59 am November 24th, 2015

Hello! I just took my last percocet 5 mg pill yesterday at 11am im starting to feel a bad withdrawl after 16 hours ugh! I take avg 40 mg total of oxycodone a day sometimes more but never in high single doses mostly small intermitted. Id like to quit but thing is i ran out and my refill is wed so i dont wanna go cold turkey it will begin at 11am today! Any suggestions i suffer from bad back so.

Hi, Ted. I suggest you consult your doctor to make tapering schedule for you. Also, take into account over-the-counter medications, and home remedies like hot baths, massages, and teas, which have proven as helpful in easing withdrawal symptoms.

sug

6:53 pm January 1st, 2016

I’ve been using perks off and on for about 6 mos. I’ve never abused pills ever. I was in recovery from snorting cocaine for over 29yrs. I had 3yrs clean.but i also was diagnoised with ptsd, bypolar depression n anxiety. I was having a difficult time with finding the right meds for this 3 yrs. I told my doc that i think i was adhd (inatinave) and she would not let me try straterra so i went to a different pchy doc and he let me try it n it seem like it was working for awhile but then nothing. Finally after 2mos he let me try ritalin and i’m trying to ween myself off the perks and it seems to be working physically but just have to work on the mental aspect. I also take 300 mg of wellbutrin and 2 ativans at night or thru out the day to help with the anxiety. Its the 2nd day and i have only snorted half of a 15perk and chewed a 5mg perk. The day before and up i was snorting about a 3 15 petks a day since about a month. Do you think i’m thru withdraw? Please help!

Lana

5:44 pm January 2nd, 2016

I have been on percocet 10 for about 18 months. I was going to a pain management clinic but got discharged because I forgot my pill bottle one time and then I was one pill short on my last visit when they did my pill count. I am having a very, very difficult time with withdrawal and came across this article, so I wanted to ask for help! When I was discharged they gave me a one week supply, taking 2 per day, then the final week of 1 per day. My body is used to 4 per day. Can you offer some advice?

Lydia @ Addiction Blog

4:46 pm January 5th, 2016

Hi, Lana. I suggest you consult a doctor to help you plan an individualized tapering schedule just for you. Also, you may try finding another pain management clinic if you still have problems.

Michelle Stag

9:50 am January 12th, 2016

What over the counter mediication containbuprenophine or clonidine the can help while withdrawing off percets

Hi Michelle. Both buprenorphine and clonidine require a prescription, and neither can be found in generic form or in brand name form without one. You can seek help during detox from an outpatient doctor by searching buprenorphine doctors here: http://buprenorphine.samhsa.gov/bwns_locator/dr_search.htm

Best of luck to you!

Gabriello

5:35 am April 25th, 2016

My name is Gabriel..i am 37 years young…lol… I been drinking since I was 17; I am active person… I was intruduce to percocet by meeting my aunt… I had a head ache and she gave me 2/5mg percocet.. I doubted the pill but when I ingested both pills in 10 mins I felt a rush of happiness… So I end up buying 5 Percs a week…. a year later I was able to get stronger percocet. 15mg and 30 mg ..I came indenpancy to them because it made more cheerfull and a animal in sex…I never had a withdrawal symptoms during this time…friend of my mines that’s sale heroin brought me something to hold…I opened and took out tiny hits And huufffffff… Immediate exactcy… I stood in the house for the rest of the day… I woke up the next day and ran some errands.but during the day l thought about doing more heroin… So I did in larger amounts back to back bumps….the next day I went to work no problems but when i tried to go to sleep… I wasn’t able. So pull out the bag and get some more heroin. I did more from the last previous time. The next day I went to go workout. When I got home I began to feel sick. I’m wondering if I’m catching the flu. And it struck me that I’m a be getting addicted so I stopped. This is where I am right now at this moment. I have not done heroin for 4 days. Now I’m feeling weird diarrhea I get cold chills sweaty and night my throat feels like it has a rock in it I can’t hardly like they’re swollen bones hurt getting have known kind of motivation to get up from the bed so that’s exactly what I did just stayed home. The first two days was the worst running nose extreme diarrhea couldn’t eat couldn’t get up from the bed feel like I was burning up always feeling cold sweats. So what I did was purchased 3 15 milligrams of Percocet. I took all 3 gradually during the day and immediately felt better. After I recovered from a long night of drinking and doing Percocets I started getting the chills again like 3 hours later. And at this very moment as I’m writing this to you while I’m on bed with a hoodie. I will force myself now doing a line of heroin I promise I will not do that. Hopefully my experience will help you guys out. I decided to stop doing Percocets and heroin it hasn’t been easy the first two days especially when you don’t you don’t know what the hell it is and if it’s if it’s ever going to go away I just stud confidence mentally prepared to finish this journey or being clean. It’s 11:23 p.m. and I’m getting ready to go to bed I am currently having the chills stomach cramps feverish loss of appetite and motivation to clean my house. This process that I’m going to show you is what I’m doing hopefully can help you guys out and myself and I guess this is my first time doing that drug and my first time detoxing the very time. I put Vicks on my chest and nose. It gives a certain smell when you wipe it around your nose and chest. That’s helping me in a way that the smell and not warming my chest area gives me satisfaction that’s I will beat this the smell gives me a sensation and a reminder that I will beat this. The next thing I ended up getting for the hard nights it’s Ambien which for me works well works very well for me right now I’m on day 3 of detox. I have a feeling that things may get worse but I’m ready I prepared myself by signing into a gym that has the aroma therapy room the Saddle Room also has a beautiful pool but the main thing I will be going there is on the treadmill cuz I’m going to try to sweat this out I’ll try to let my body fight it out hand-to-hand I’m going to train my body to get this thing out of me because this is really concerning me. So if you want to follow my message that’s fine I’m working on them now and I will be tuning in everyday to tell you how I’m doing good luck our prayers with you let’s fight together we will win

EARTHandMOON

2:28 am August 15th, 2016

OMG TO START OFF THANK YOU FOR THIS BLOG!!! It’s the only thing I found on the internet that just gave me a glimmer of hope in this hell IM going through. I have been taking 40mg a day For like 4 years. I have changed so much being on these pills like I have lost myself. I have begun to be a sucky mom and wife. I have zero energy and I’ve always been a go getter. I decided like 6 months ago I was going to stop taking these pills but I didn’t. I finally did last Sunday and I started little by little. I went down from 4 a day to 2 and I have been taking colonidine. I am at 1 week out and I’m trying so hard to get this completely done and not to take anymore and this seems to be the hardest part yet. What do I do?!

Hi EARTHandMOON. Congratulations on your decision to quit Percocet and your determination to do it! As we already suggest in the article, besides the clonidine you are taking, you can use over-the-counter medications to help you with withdrawal symptoms as they occur, as well as some natural ways you can aid your recovery. A very useful source of motivation are therapeutic addiction treatment communities. You can join a support group located close to your living area, and find counseling and guidance during Percocet withdrawal.

Sandy

8:46 pm September 5th, 2016

My mom is coming off her pills now what can I do to help calm the withdraws now.

Hi Sandy. I suggest you speak with a doctor or a pharmacist to recommend some over-the-counter aid that can help you mother overcome Percocet withdrawal symptoms. There are muscle relaxers, flu medications, and sleep aids that provide help for Percocet withdrawal symptoms. NSAIDs (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) can treat aches and pains.

Denesa

9:56 am September 14th, 2016

I have been in recovery for about 13yrs. I had 5yrs clean but not sober from 2005-2010. I relasped for about a year or 2. Got sober again in 1-24-12 and stated clean and sober for almost 3yrs and being clean n sober for the first in my life for the first time ever my mental illness was so out of control. every combination of meds my doc and i tried wasn’t working so i was a total reck. impulsive shopping, couldn’t get out of bed most days w/o showering, lost interest in seeing my grand kids and very moody so i gave up and relasped on perks and oxy which i have never abused before. off and on for about 9months. i can go 1 to 2 dys with taking 1-2 methadon 10mg for 2 days then the craving becomes very unbearable. My drug of chose has been snorting cocaine for about 15yrs. My boyfriend relasped and like we say in AA they will get you hi before you get them clean and that’s what happened. I’ve been to detox twice within 7months. My insurance will only authorize me 5 days even though i have severe deoression, ptsd and anxiety and think about killing myself every minute of the day but only thru the grace of God I haven’t. in the past i have attempted suicide twice cut my wrist ( 7 stiches inside and 11 outside) and another time took about 20 high blood pressure pills of my mothers and she came home and found me passed out on her porch. I DESPERATELY WANT AND NEED HELP!! I have to pay $1220.00 to get back into vally forge before they will even assesst me. Please if you know of and other options i can do please respond. I’ve reached out to my network and sponsor but nothing. I was hoping you all could give me names of doctors in my area that would prescrbe me vistaral shot ( probably spelled wrong), it suppose to decrease cravings and block the opiats even if you try to use them. PLEASE HELP ME. This by far is the hardest time i have ever had trying to get clean. I have gotting up to 7 30mg oxy a day..today would have been 2 days with out any and only took one 10mg methodone and 2mg of xanies 2 days ago and yesterday i took 5mg methodone and 2mg xanies but today i couldn’t fight the craving and snorted 4 30mg oxy and 4mg of xanies. My mind says i need it but my body feels ok. I know its the mental that keeps me going back. idk what to do any more. thanks for letting share and vent. please keep me in you alls prayers.

desperately determined to change my life!!

Lydia @ Addiction Blog

2:48 pm September 23rd, 2016

Hi Denesa. Call the number displayed on the website to get in touch with a trusted treatment consultant.

ali

7:34 am September 24th, 2016

if anyone is needs treatment or if you know someone who does, please feel free to contact me. I am a recovering heroin addict and and help others find a solution to their problems.

Darlene

9:41 pm October 2nd, 2016

I’ve taken either Percocet or Norco for several years. I ran out last week and had terrible withdrawals for 4 or 5 days. Got my refill yesterday and it’s not helping much at all What could be the problem?

macy

5:26 am October 21st, 2016

Hi I just took my last pill of percocet Tues ….August 20 I fell and broke my ankle bad got screws and plates so I been on them for bout 2 months or more I think I’m going thru withdrawals I feel awful how long should this last I just want to get back on my feet and live again ….If I knew than what I know now I would have never took these pills

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