COVID-19 is the only pandemic happening right now! America is also facing the increasingly dangerous epidemic of opiate addiction. But because news of the opiate crisis often only cites the deadly statistics involving heroin and fentanyl, the building blocks of the calamity are repeatedly overlooked. We’re speaking of course about legally prescribed pain pills which include Oxycontin, morphine, Vicodin, and Percocet to name a few. According to the National Institute of Health, 80% of heroin abusers first started by misusing prescription pills and roughly 20% of those with opiates prescribed will abuse them (NIH). Although Percocet prescriptions are down of late, the rampant overprescription that occurred in the early 2000s ensures that the damage has already been done for millions of Americans still dealing with the aftereffects. Relapses are also peaking for addicts who had been clean but were driven back to the comforts of opiates to relieve the pressures put on by the COVID pandemic.
Percocet Are Prescribed for Everything
The abuse of prescription pills is seemingly becoming normalized in film, music, and on TV. Recently, a popular song spent 31 weeks on the charts boasting lyrics: “Percocet, molly, Percocet.” But as the misuse of prescription pills is underplayed in the media, the effects of their prolonged abuse are no joke. Withdrawal symptoms from extensive Percocet abuse can be as severe as any other opiate withdrawal including heroin. Symptoms include nausea, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and risk of suicide. Professional help in the form of an opioid detox program can help you safely get off Percocet once and for all.
What Opiates Do to the Brain?
Opiates work by attaching themselves to natural receptors in the brain. Correctly used, opiates can be an effective painkiller. The problem is that the substance is extremely addicting and users can become dependent within days. Once the brain’s receptors become dependent on the opiate molecules, the body cannot function correctly without them until the balance has been restored. This is why withdrawal can be so difficult to achieve as the symptoms increase with severity as misuse is prolonged. These symptoms coupled with the extreme cravings associated with addiction, prove that attempting to detox from opiates on one’s own is almost always unsuccessful.
Long-term Effects of Percocet Abuse
Opiate addiction does more than affect the abuser’s body during withdrawals. The effects can be long-lasting on the brain even after achieving physical freedom from the drug. Addiction rewires the brain and makes it much more difficult to deal with the everyday stresses of normal life. Once easily achievable tasks now seem overwhelming to the addict’s mind, making the risk of relapse even greater. As tolerance to Percocet becomes higher and higher, an addict will need to seek out stronger substances to stave off withdrawals. This serious cycle is how heroin addicts are made.
Medical Detox for Percocet Addiction
Because attempting to detox from opiates on one’s own is not only dangerous but often unsuccessful, it’s strongly recommended that withdrawal from the drug be done under the medical supervision of trained professionals. Not only is it essential to remove the addict from their situation and into a safe environment for detox, withdrawing at a detox center ensures access to medicines that can greatly relieve the overwhelming symptoms. Also, having instant access to treatment programs after a successful detox is integral in preventing subsequent relapses.
Reclaim Your Freedom Percocet Dependence
If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction to Percocet, opiates, or any other substances, there is help available and you are not alone. But the most important thing you can do now seeks out help for yourself or your loved one as addiction only becomes more dangerous the longer it is left untreated. Click the tabs located at the top of the screen for more information on getting the help you need. Evoke Wellness at Cohasset is here to help with your addiction.
