Percocet Addiction Treatment

Percocet is a prescription painkiller in the opioid family. The drug is administered in pill form, and each pill contains oxycodone (OxyContin), a narcotic painkiller, and acetaminophen, an over-the-counter drug that’s used for pain relief and fevers. Along with being an effective painkiller, Percocet also produces a powerful feeling of euphoria, and this leads to high instances of abuse. There are several ways that a person can abuse Percocet, including:

• Taking the drug to achieve a high rather than therapeutically
• Using the drug without a prescription
• Crushing the tablet into a powder to snort or mix with water and inject
• Taking the drug for longer, in higher doses, or more frequently than what was prescribed

When a person abuses this drug, professional treatment may be required for that person to recover, especially because the symptoms of withdrawal can be unpleasant and can lead to relapses and overdoses. In 2016, 40% of the 42,000 opioid-related overdose deaths involved prescription painkillers like Percocet, so abuse and addiction should never be taken lightly.

Signs, Symptoms, and Effects of Percocet Abuse

Watching for the signs and symptoms of Percocet abuse in a loved one could save a person’s life, and there are many different warning signs to be mindful of. In terms of physical symptoms, the side effects to look for are:

• Constricted pupils
• Constipation and urine retention
• Tremors, scratching and sweating
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nodding out
• Dry mouth
• Not feeling pain

Another physical marker of abuse is if a person experiences withdrawal when he or she stops taking the drug, and those symptoms include:

• Sweating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Chills
• Insomnia
• Panic attacks
• Aches and pains
• Flu-like symptoms

Beyond the physical effects of the drug, Percocet also has a number of psychological and behavioral symptoms that indicate abuse, and they include:

• Experiencing feelings of euphoria
• Sedation or extreme relaxation
• Anxiety and depression
• Insomnia
• Confusion
• Visiting multiple doctors to get prescriptions
• Choosing drug use over friends, family, work, and hobbies
• Making poor decisions and using bad judgment

Signs & Symptoms of an Overdose

Being able to recognize the signs of a Percocet overdose is extremely important. An opioid overdose can be fatal because this class of drug can depress respiration to the point of asphyxiation. The signs of an overdose are:

• Shallow or slow breathing
• Low heart rate
• Fainting
• Coma
• Clammy skin
• Extreme drowsiness and confusion
• Muscle weakness
• Blue coloration of the lips, skin, or nails

Although anybody who uses Percocet can overdose, there are some risk factors that increase a person’s chances, such as:

• Being male
• Being between the ages of 18 and 64
• Living in a rural or urban area
• Being a low-income earner
• Being a veteran
• Not having a permanent home

Co-Occurring Disorders & Percocet Abuse

A co-occurring disorder is a mental health issue present along with the drug abuse. There are some common mental health issues that often co-occur with Percocet addiction, and they include:

• Depression
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Bipolar
• Schizophrenia
• PTSD
• ADHD
• OCD
• Borderline personality disorder

The reason it’s important to diagnose a co-occurring disorder is that there’s such a strong connection between mental health and addiction, and while some addictions can lead to mental health problems, so too can mental illness cause or exacerbate addiction. As such, it’s necessary to see the two diseases as separate but part of the same problem, and to provide treatment that addresses both the drug abuse and the mental health problem. Otherwise, it’s like treating a symptom without treating the cause, and that means the addiction will eventually return if the co-occurring disorder wasn’t addressed as well. Many addiction treatment centers, such as Futures of Palm Beach, offer dual diagnosis treatment, and these are programs designed specifically to help clients who have a co-occurring disorder.

Treatment Options for Percocet Abuse

Residential inpatient treatment: Residential inpatient is the best option for lasting recovery from Percocet addiction. At Futures, we treat Percocet addiction and co-occurring disorders through counseling or psychotherapy that treat the whole individual physically, mentally, and spiritually. We offer a wide-range of evidenced-based therapies, including:

• Individual Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Holistic Care
• Alternative Therapies

We understand that every person is unique, and so we work to treat the underlying causes of addiction to create a foundation for lasting recovery and well-being.

Outpatient treatment: Following 30-day residential treatment, Intensive Outpatient (3 days per week) and Outpatient Programs (IOP and OP) are essential to reintegrating back into daily life while working on the skills to maintain recovery and lead a healthy, productive life.

Why Futures of Palm Beach for Percocet Treatment

Choosing the right Percocet addiction treatment center can seem overwhelming, especially because of how many options there are out there. But there are some important things to remember when weighing options, and they include the facility, the staff, and the services. At Futures of Palm Beach, our safe facility provides clients with a quiet and private place to detox and re-adjust to life being sober, and the luxury amenities—which include outdoor recreational facilities, a pool, a gym, a meditation area, and more—can provide healthy distractions to make the transition easier.

Our accredited staff and mental health professionals are all experts in their fields and can provide the most cutting-edge and evidence-based treatments for addiction and co-occurring disorders. Similarly, we offer a full range of therapy and treatment options for Percocet addiction, including cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management to reward clients for staying sober, recovery coaching, and even aftercare programs to provide ongoing support to alumni who leave the program.

Call Futures today to get the help you need to break free from Percocet addiction.