Percocet is a powerful prescription pain reliever combining the opiate oxycodone and the analgesic acetaminophen (Tylenol). It acts on the central nervous system by altering the user’s response to pain. Because users can quickly develop a physical and psychological, Percocet treatment should be sought immediately. 

If you or someone you know is addicted, contact one of the Percocet treatment centers listed on Recoverycorps.org.

What is Percocet? 
Percocet contains the narcotic oxycodone and the non-narcotic acetaminophen.

Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic drug manufactured with thebaine, an opium chemical. Oxycodone is almost as potent as morphine because of its chemical structure making Percocet addiction that much more prevalent.

Percocet is a Schedule II drug because of its powerful addictive qualities.

Common Side Effects

  • Constipation
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Mood change
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Severe Side Effects
Some severe side effects include allergic reactions like rashes, hives, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. Other effects include change in the amount of urine; dark urine; slow or irregular heartbeat; slow or irregular breathing; stomach pain.

The Numbers
From 1998 to 2008, prescription narcotics in substance abuse treatment admissions increased from 2.2 to 9.8 percent. In the same period, emergency room visits for nonmedical use of these narcotics increased 111% to 305,885.

In 20 years, prescriptions for opiates increased from 40 million to 80 million.

About 21% of Americans 12 and older (almost 52 million people) have taken prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons. They are second only to marijuana in popularity.

In 2008, 15.2 million Americans age 12 and older had taken a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative for nonmedical purposes at least once in the year prior to being surveyed.

In 2008 1.85 million people in the U.S. abuse or were dependent on opioid pain relievers.

The Trouble with Acetaminophen
The acetaminophen in Percocet can cause additional health issues if abused. Because it is the ingredient in so many over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol, the risks of taking unhealthy doses is increased.

Too much acetaminophen can cause liver failure, ulcers, and internal bleeding. The liver releases a toxic byproduct that kills liver cells when it tries to process large doses of acetaminophen.

From 1998 to 2003 it was the leading cause of acute liver failure with almost half of cases tied to accidental overdose. Also, “458 deaths, 26,000 hospitalizations and 56,000 emergency-room visits were tied to acetaminophen overdoses each year from 1990 to 1998.”

In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration proposed banning some opiates like Percocet and lowering the dosages of acetaminophen in some over-the-counter medicines.

In January 2011, the Food and Drug Administration said that prescription pain pills may contain no more than 325 milligrams of acetaminophen. They also must carry a box warning about liver risks.  

Percocet Rehabilitation and Therapy
Percocet addiction, once recognized, should be treated right away. The addiction characteristics are similar to heroin: the user gets the same kind of euphoric high and can quickly become physically and psychologically addicted. Percocet treatment centers approach addiction in several ways: pharmacologically and behaviorally.

Some of the drugs currently used in treatment are:

  • Methadone which is itself a synthetic opioid that eliminates withdrawal symptoms and relieves craving. It is usually administered in a clinic on outpatient basis. The minimum treatment period is 12 months. Often the patient will continue to take methadone for years after.
  • Buprenorphine is another opioid that can be prescribed by a physician
  • Naltrexone is an opioid receptor blocker that is used to help a patient relapse. Because it can itself produce withdrawal symptoms, the patient must have already been detoxified. to help prevent relapse.
  • Naloxone is an opioid receptor blocker that counteracts the effects of opioids. It can also be used to treat overdoses.

Behavioral treatment consists of individual and group counseling, contingency management and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy modifies attitudes and behaviors associated with drug abuse. It teaches patients to recognize and avoid situations where drugs will be involved. And it teaches them how to cope with life’s pressures without resorting to drugs.

Contingency management is a system where patients are rewarded for their behavior in a treatment setting. If a patient has a clean urine sample, they could earn vouchers to spend at various retail locations.

Don’t wait to get help from a Percocet treatment program. Call one of the rehab facilities listed on Recovercorps.org. For tips on selecting a rehab program, click here.

Sources:
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-13/vicodin-percocet-avoid-ban-over-acetaminophen-risks.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/23/AR2010082303619.html
http://www.nida.nih.gov/drugpages/prescription.html
http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/abuse/doa-p.pdf