Percocet is a commonly prescribed medication that is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It is made with a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. Percocet works by interacting with specific opioid receptors in the brain and brings on feelings of pain relief, relaxation, and euphoria. The most common side effects of this prescription drug are lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and sedation. This drug is intended to help manage pain after a serious injury or surgery and is not meant to be used for long-term use.
How Addictive is Percocet?
Percocet is a highly addictive opioid medication that is very easy to abuse and ultimately become addicted to which leads to painful withdrawal symptoms. Once addicted, it can be extremely difficult to quit using the drug due to the physical and psychological effects felt during the detox. Even when Percocet is taken as prescribed, physical dependence can still occur. The symptoms that are experienced during detox and withdrawal will vary depending on the length of time and dosage of the Percocet use. The following timeline is general and may vary depending on the person’s level of addiction. Between days 4-7, the intensity and severity of the physical symptoms will begin to weaken and most physical symptoms will resolve after about a week. During this stage of detox and withdrawal, a person will experience strong cravings for the drug. Without proper counseling and help with detox, the psychological symptoms will persist and be increasingly difficult to ignore. Counselors, therapists, and doctors can teach you how to properly cope with cravings experienced during this difficult time. Getting through Percocet detox is possible although it’s not easy and the process can take a few weeks to fully feel back to normal.
Overcoming Percocet Withdrawal Symptoms
During week 2 and beyond, the psychological symptoms can continue to worsen and become major problems if not dealt with. Those that have somehow made it to this stage without help will begin to experience depression and anxiety that can leave a person feeling hopeless and even suicidal. The half-life of Percocet is about 3.5 hours, so detox and withdrawal from this drug will normally begin between 5-8 hours after the last dose has been taken. Early detox symptoms, days 1-3, will resemble symptoms of the flue and include things like
- Severe aches and pains
- Sweating
- Cold chills and hot flashes
- Abdominal cramping
- Watering nose and eyes
- Tremors
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Anxiety
- Insomnia and fatigue
- Irritability and mood swings
Detox from Percocet at Evoke Wellness at Cohasset
Opioid detox is difficult, but not impossible when you get the necessary help. Detoxing from Percocet on your own is very risky and never recommended. When you make the safe choice to detox at our Massachusetts medical detox facility, you can be sure that you will be safe and comfortable during such an uncertain time in your life. Detoxing with the help of medically-assisted treatment becomes a necessary thing when a person is physically and mentally dependent on the drug. This process involves the use of medical professionals and doctors to help make your withdrawal experience as comfortable as possible. Once the medically assisted detox process has ended, we also offer a wide range of treatment choices that you can transition into to help you slowly reintegrate into the real world. We understand this process isn’t an easy thing to face and go through, but it is more than worth it to have your life back and we will be here with you every step of the way. We want to give you the building blocks to rebuild your life and maintain long-term sobriety and success. If you are struggling with Restoril abuse and dependency and want to withdrawal to a safe space to get your life together, we are available to help you. Now is the time to turn things around.
