If you or someone you know has an addiction to Percocet® or another opioid, Gateway Foundation can assist. Our Percocet® drug rehabilitation centers in Illinois support patients as they take their lives back from opioids.
WHAT IS PERCOCET®?
Percocet® contains a combination of the opioid oxycodone and the pain reliever acetaminophen. Doctors prescribe it as a short-term treatment to relieve moderate to severe pain that doesn’t respond to other pain treatments. However, this medicine can cause addiction in both misuse and prescribed use.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has classified Percocet® as a Schedule II drug — meaning it has a high potential for misuse and severe addiction, but it still has some accepted medical uses.
HISTORY OF PERCOCET®
Percocet® was created in the 1970s as an alternative to Percodan — a prescription pain reliever that combined oxycodone and aspirin. Percodan had an often unwanted blood-clotting side effect because of the aspirin.
In the late 20th century, Percocet® was the pain reliever of choice among those who experienced chronic pain due to hard labor, such as coal mining. Sadly, many of these working-class individuals were poorly educated about the drug’s addictive side effects. Many blame Percocet® as the forerunner of the opioid epidemic our nation faces today, a crisis that kills nearly 128 people every day.
WHAT DOES PERCOCET® DO TO YOUR BODY?
Percocet®is an opioid, which means it is derived from the same source as drugs like morphine and heroin. Opioids act on receptors in the brain to block out pain and release neurotransmitters associated with feelings of happiness and euphoria.
Percocet® can be both physically and emotionally addictive. If it’s taken extensively for long periods of time, the brain and body can grow dependent on it — meaning that if you try to quit, you may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Emotionally, you may find it difficult to feel pleasure in everyday activities without the drug. Whether knowingly misused or not, a Percocet® addiction can begin to control your life. Once addicted, you may exceed the recommended dosage or seek out illegal ways to obtain more of the drug.
PERCOCET® INTENDED USE
Like all opioids, Percocet’s high potential for misuse makes it imperative to take the drug exactly as prescribed. In most cases, Percocet® is recommended for short term relief of acute pain, not chronic conditions. Doctors sometimes recommend it for a brief period of time after surgery or due to an injury.
HOW PERCOCET® IS USED ILLICITLY
A Percocet®high can feel as powerful and euphoric as the effects of heroin. As a result, people often use the drug in ways that it was not intended. This usage can quickly lead to chemical dependency and addiction.
After taking Percocet® in its pill form for a while, the body becomes tolerant. So, some people increase their Percocet® dosage to get high. Or, they may grind the pill into a fine powder that they can snort or inject. These methods speed up the Percocet® high, allowing it to enter the central nervous system more quickly. However, these modes also increase the risk of overdose.
While many people see snorting the drug as less risky, it can damage the sinuses, injuring the blood vessels or causing an infection.
Another method of misusing Percocet® is taking the pill with alcohol. However, by mixing Percocet® and alcohol, the sedative nature of both substances is heightened. This combination can lead a user to pass out, injuring themself, or vomit while unconscious, which could lead to death by asphyxiation.
SIDE EFFECTS AND RISKS OF PERCOCET® MISUSE
People who use Percocet® for recreational or medical reasons can experience side effects, such as:
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Confusion
- Slower breathing
- Low blood pressure
- Constipation
A Percocet® overdose can become lethal. Opioids depress the central nervous system and can slow down breathing and heart rate. During an overdose on Percocet®, someone can have slowed or stopped breathing and heart rate.
WARNING SIGNS OF ADDICTION TO PERCOCET®
Someone with a Percocet® addiction may do anything they can to get the drug. Since Percocet® requires a prescription, they might take drastic measures to get more of it. These signs and behaviors can include:
- Visiting multiple doctors to get extra prescriptions
- Stealing medication from others
- Pretending to lose medication or a prescription to get more
Addiction to Percocet® can also have these signs in everyday life:
- Neglecting relationships, hobbies and responsibilities to obtain and use Percocet®
- Needing more Percocet® over time to feel the same “high” as before
- “Stocking up” on Percocet® and using it even when not feeling pain
If you think you have an addiction to Percocet®, you can receive a professional screening from a drug rehabilitation center in Illinois.
TREATMENTS OFFERED AT PERCOCET® DRUG REHAB TREATMENT CENTERS
Opioid addiction impacts every aspect of life. Percocet® drug addiction treatment centers aim to address all these elements:
- Physical: Opioid addiction treatment centers provide medical services that help patients manage the physical symptoms of addiction. They offer treatment that addresses withdrawal, cravings and related medical issues.
- Emotional: Addiction to Percocet® involves behavioral and emotional changes that cause many of its symptoms. Therapy and peer support help patients learn new coping mechanisms and recovery skills.
- Social: Some Percocet® drug addiction rehabilitation centers partner with community resources. These services support patients in getting everyday necessities such as jobs, housing and food.
Everyone’s experience with opioid addiction rehab depends on their needs and the provider they visit.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT A GATEWAY PERCOCET® DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM IN ILLINOIS
At Gateway, we take a personalized approach to care. Our medication-assisted treatment services for opioids, withdrawal management support services and prescription drug addiction care target your needs. These approaches set Gateway apart from other addiction clinics:
- Demographic group care: We can tailor our services to your age group and gender so you can get support from patients who understand your experiences.
- Wellness support: As our patients go through treatment, we encourage them to find new passions in life and plan their futures.
- Choice of treatment models: Since every patient has different symptom severities, we provide inpatient and outpatient programs.
- Multiple therapy options: To address every patient’s emotional needs, we provide many options for counseling based on behaviors and personal experiences.
Our addiction medical services save lives every day. When you become a Gateway patient, you have a partner in recovery for life.
BENEFITS OF GETTING HELP FOR YOUR PERCOCET® ADDICTION
When you ask for help with your recovery from Percocet® addiction, you can start a new life without opiates. Your care team will support you in meeting goals, including:
- Stabilizing your life at work, home or school
- Managing the physical and emotional symptoms of addiction
- Developing healthy coping mechanisms for tough situations
- Planning a new life without the influence of opiates
- Reconnecting with the people you care about
As you go through Percocet® addiction treatment, you can set recovery benchmarks and receive the resources you need to meet them.
CHOOSE GATEWAY AS YOUR ILLINOIS PERCOCET® DRUG ADDICTION REHAB CENTER
Gateway supports patients in the Chicago, Illinois, area as they recover from substance addiction. We have more than 50 years of positive results with patients with a variety of addiction types. For more information about our services or to schedule an appointment, contact our team online.