Signs and Symptoms of Percocet Abuse
Percocet is a painkiller that’s manufactured by combining the opioid oxycodone (the generic name for the drug OxyContin) and the over-the-counter analgesic acetaminophen. Oxycodone alone is a powerful painkiller because it binds to opioid receptors in the brain and dulls nerve impulses, and the acetaminophen further enhances the effects of the oxycodone. Percocet comes in tablet form, and it’s prescribed for short-term use to treat moderate to severe pain.
Although Percocet has great therapeutic benefits, it also creates a sense of euphoria that makes it hard to resist, and it doesn’t take much for a person to become dependent on or addicted to this drug. People who abuse Percocet will do so by taking more than what’s been prescribed, taking the drug for longer than recommended, using the drug for its euphoric effects rather than as a painkiller, or by crushing the tablets to snort or inject rather than taking orally.
There are both short-term and long-term effects that loved ones can be on the lookout for if they suspect Percocet abuse in a friend or relative. Although bringing up a person’s addiction or staging an intervention may be uncomfortable, drawing attention to the problem could inspire somebody to seek help, which could save a life.
Physical Signs & Symptoms of Percocet Abuse
One way to recognize dependence or addiction in a friend or family member is being able to identify the physical symptoms of Percocet abuse. This drug has a number of characteristic side effects when a person is high, and they include:
- Constipation
- Sedation and extreme relaxation
- Relief from pain and cough
- Pinpoint pupils
- Watery eyes
- Drowsiness or nodding out (dozing off uncontrollably)
- Tremors
- Scratching
- Confusion
- Dry mouth
- Inability to urinate
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Sweating
Behavioral, Social, and Psychological Signs & Symptoms of Percocet Abuse
The behavioral symptoms of drug abuse are among the most noticeable of all the warning signs, because drug abuse can make people act and behave in ways that are completely uncharacteristic and very obvious. One of the classic signs of Percocet abuse is losing interest in hobbies and activities that one was once passionate about, because people who are abusing drugs tend to become obsessed and preoccupied with the drug. Other behavioral warning signs of abuse include:
- Not taking care of personal hygiene or appearance
- Interpersonal, relationship, and family problems
- Hanging out with new friends who approve of drug use
- Visiting multiple doctors to seek prescriptions
- Stealing money, possessions, drugs, or prescription pads
- Neglecting duties, commitments, and responsibilities
- Trouble with the law
- Increasingly poor health
Percocet also creates psychological symptoms that can indicate abuse, and they include experiencing feelings of euphoria and extreme relaxation. Conversely, however, prolonged use of the drug can also cause:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Insomnia
- Confusion
Severe Symptoms of Percocet Abuse
Percocet abuse can be fatal. The chance for this is especially high if a person develops a dependence or addiction, because that increases the chance of an overdose. Overdosing on opioids like oxycodone can depress respiration to the point where a person can actually die from asphyxiation. Some of the symptoms of a Percocet overdose include:
- Shallow breathing
- Slow heart rate
- Fainting
- Muscle weakness
- Coma
- Cold and clammy skin
- Extreme drowsiness
Long-Term Effects of Percocet Abuse
Percocet affects how the brain perceives pain, and with chronic use, the drug actually causes biochemical changes in the brain that affect behavior and create a need to use. This is because the drug affects how the brain produces and interacts with dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in the brain’s reward and pleasure centers.
Because Percocet floods the brain with dopamine, the brain learns that the drug is good, and this creates lasting changes and compulsive use, which are the hallmarks of addiction. In turn, addiction leads to prolonged abuse, which has a number of long-term side effects, including:
- Liver damage from the acetaminophen
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Cardiovascular damage
- Chronic constipation
- Weakened immune system
- Weight loss
- Muscle spasms
Not only are there physical the long-term effects of Percocet abuse, but there are a also behavioral and psychological ones. For instance, chronic Percocet abuse can eventually lead to:
- Exercising poor judgment
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Divorce because of continued relationship problems
- Getting fired from work
At Futures of Palm Beach, we help clients get sober and get on the road to recovery. Our treatment programs include addressing any co-occurring disorder(s) so clients can learn and understand the root causes of their addictions, learning to heal as individuals and families, and learning better stress-relief and coping mechanisms in the future to prevent relapses down the road. Contact Futures today to learn how we can help you or a loved one overcome a Percocet addiction.
