While Percocet can be effective for short-term pain management, it also carries a high risk of addiction – even for people who take it according to the directions on the label. Over time, a legitimate prescription can turn into a dangerous dependency.
What Is Percocet?
Percocet is a combination prescription medication that contains two ingredients:
- Oxycodone, a powerful opioid pain reliever
- Acetaminophen, a non-opioid painkiller found in over-the-counter medications like Tylenol
Together, these drugs work to reduce pain and produce a calming, euphoric effect. Percocet’s oxycodone component makes it highly addictive. Like other opioids, it binds to receptors that regulate pain and pleasure, altering brain chemistry over time.
How Does Percocet Addiction Happen?
While you may associate prescription drug abuse primarily with people who intentionally misuse their medications, that’s not always the case. Many people follow their doctor’s instructions and still become dependent – especially if they take the medication over an extended period or have a personal or family history of addiction.
As your tolerance builds, you’ll need to take more Percocet to feel the same desirable effect, and attempts to taper off or quit may result in uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. At this point, you can enter a cycle of compulsive use, even when you no longer need to take medication to manage pain.
Signs of Percocet Addiction
Look for these red flags to tell you if you have become overly dependent on Percocet.
- Taking higher doses or more frequent doses than prescribed
- “Doctor shopping,” or seeking prescriptions from multiple physicians
- Feeling anxious or irritable when you miss a dose
- Using Percocet to cope with emotions, stress, or anxiety
- Neglecting work, school, or relationships due to drug use
- Withdrawal symptoms such as chills, nausea, muscle pain, or insomnia when trying to stop
- Strong cravings for the drug or obsessively thinking about your next dose
Why At-Home Detox Can Be Risky
Once you become physically dependent on Percocet, abruptly quitting can lead to intensely uncomfortable and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms that may include:
- Severe anxiety or agitation
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Sweating and chills
- Muscle aches and restlessness
- Insomnia and fatigue
- Depression or suicidal thoughts
These risks make at-home, improvised detox too dangerous to attempt. Withdrawal symptoms often push people back into drug use just to feel normal again, increasing the risk of overdose.
A Safe Path to Healing
NEM Recovery helps clients break free from opioid addiction with a multipronged approach that begins with medically managed detox. Our clinical team will monitor your vital signs, ease cravings, and keep you as comfortable as possible.
Once you’re physically stable, you can immediately transition into our residential treatment program, where we’ll address the emotional, psychological, and behavioral aspects of your addiction. Our safe, private Southern California community offers:
- Individual and group therapy
- Dual-diagnosis support for co-occurring mental health conditions
- Trauma-informed care
- Family therapy and relationship healing
- Holistic practices like mindfulness, fitness, and nutrition
Percocet addiction can feel isolating and overwhelming – but help is within reach. NEM Recovery is a compassionate, structured environment where you can detox safely and begin to rebuild a life free from opioid dependence. Contact us today to learn more about our Laguna Beach prescription drug addiction treatment program.
